Denticare

Bob_Brown_Dentist_visit_1Good dental health is essential for general health and well being and dental services should be a key component of a wellness-oriented health system. It is firmly established that poor dental health leads to poor general health including increased cardiovascular disease and stroke. Yet many Australians; particularly on lower incomes are not able to access basic dental care. There are more than 500,000 people on dental waiting lists with a national average wait for basic dental care taking 27 months.

Major changes in the dental health system in Australia are urgently needed. The Greens propose that non-cosmetic dental services are incorporated into Medicare under a universal dental health scheme, Denticare.

Fuel Efficient Cars

Car being refueledRoad transport amounted to 12% of Australia’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2006, and the largest source of these emissions was passenger cars. That means that improving the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles is vital for tackling the climate crisis.

More efficient cars would also reduce Australia’s vulnerability to higher oil prices as a result of Peak Oil. Australia has become dependent on importing foreign oil and it makes no sense to delay action to reduce our exposure. Shielding consumers from oil price volatility is particularly important for low income earners who are most vulnerable to petrol prices.

Light rail Green light

Canberra Light Rail Launch

Today in Canberra the Greens launched an ambitious plan to give the national capital a state-of-the-art light rail system, and called for better public transport planning across the country.

Read more Greens news