Published on Wednesday, 22 April 2020 at 2:36:20 PM
An update from the Department of Communities
Please see below some updates that you might find useful.
- A six month moratorium on residential evictions now law
A six-month moratorium on residential tenancy evictions will now become law, with legislation introduced by the McGowan Government passing the Western Australian Parliament.
The new laws implement the decision of the National Cabinet and are designed to prevent tenants from having to move out or being made homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/04/Moratorium-on-residential-tenancy-evictions-becomes-law-in-WA.aspx
To stay informed on the management and cleaning of vehicles used for transportation of all people, please visit the Department of Health’s website for regular updates.
In the coming weeks, the Mental Health Commission will be launching an extension of the existing Alcohol.Think Again campaign - ‘Glassbody’. The Statewide campaign seeks to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm associated with people staying and working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing practical tips on reducing risky alcohol consumption.
- Essential shopping service launches for people with disability
Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has welcomed a new and essential community service to be launched on April 20 that will provide vulnerable Western Australians with the support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The essential shopping and delivery service will be provided by Cahoots Connects in partnership with the Department of Communities, National Disability Services, suppliers and retail partners, including supermarkets and pharmacies.
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/04/Essential-shopping-service-launches-for-people-with-disability.aspx
- New alcohol and other drug support service for health care professionals
In response to COVID-19, the Mental Health Commission has launched a new service, the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS), to provide specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) advice to health professionals across the WA health care system.
Support is provided by experienced addiction specialists to assist in the management of individuals with AOD issues in the community, including appropriate substance detoxification advice and community treatment referral guidance.
DACAS will operate 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday. The number to call is 6553 0520.
More details on the service can be found at www.mhc.wa.gov.au/dacas
- Contribute to the State’s response to COVID-19 challenges
To respond to some of the particular challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is harnessing the expertise of the community, using iThink, an online ideas community.
iThink was initially launched for the WA public sector, giving its 140,000 staff the opportunity to contribute ideas to make their workplaces even better. With the support of the Deputy Premier and Health Minister Roger Cook, and innovative and highly respected surgeon and researcher Professor Fiona Wood AM, iThink has now been opened to those outside the public sector, to help get bright ideas in front of the right people.
Ideas can now be posted on iThink by anyone in the Western Australian community, and suggestions are being sought on how to better:
- Work with manufacturers, entrepreneurs and innovators to harness new and emerging technologies;
- Support vulnerable community members; and
- Educate and change behaviours to reduce the risk of infection.
Ideas are visible to all users, and iThink also allows people to provide constructive feedback and vote on their favourite ideas.
To register for iThink, visit ithink.wa.gov.au For more information about iThink, email ithink@psc.wa.gov.au
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