12,000 Reasons to say no to medical research cuts in Budget
Greens MP Adam Bandt met with medical research scientists today in a final call on the government to not cut health and medical research in tomorrow's Budget.
The scientists from Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research presented Mr Bandt with a petition signed by 12,000 medical scientists, patients and supporters.
Greens offer unwavering support for mental health services
The Greens have today reaffirmed their commitment to developing effective, long term mental health strategies while responding to a GetUp campaign calling for The Greens to support a Coalition motion on mental health.
“Anyone who has read the Green's policy on mental health would know how committed we are to this issue,” Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“Last week, we were unable to support a Coalition motion on mental health which simply restated their election policy and focused on one part of our systemic mental health problems.
“We opposed the motion because while it did cover some important issues, other critical issues were overlooked.
“We know that the key to effective mental health policy is making sure it is comprehensive enough to deliver the outcomes we need.
“I am sure that by taking a collaborative approach with the Coalition on this issue we can develop a much stronger position.
Greens Welcome Lifting of Suspension
The Greens Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the announcement by the Government of the lifting of the suspension of processing asylum claims from Afghans.
"The Greens have consistently opposed the suspension - both relating to claims from Afghans and Sri Lankans - in the knowledge that it would have no practical effect other than to increase the backlog of cases within the system and magnify the anxiety, frustration and trauma within Australian detention facilities. Yesterday my motion calling for the lifting of the suspension was passed by the Senate," said Senator Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young said the announcement, while welcome, is just the first step to reforming what is a failing immigration detention system.
Denticare
Good 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.
Better health for Australia
Everyone has the right to timely, high-quality healthcare. The Greens want to target our health dollars where they will do the greatest good to improve the health of all Australians.
Accessible Affordable Health Care
A wealthy nation like Australia should have a strong and sustainable public health system. The Greens want to target our health dollars to the areas where they will do the greatest good to protect and improve the health of all Australians.
We can greatly reduce health care costs by placing greater emphasis on keeping people well. A smart country like Australia should be training more health professionals - we should be exporting our expertise, not importing doctors from developing countries.
Junk food and alcohol advertising levy
The Australian Greens have called for a levy on junk food and alcohol advertising similar to the levy which has applied in France since 2004.
This type of levy has been working in France since 2004. Australia should not allow junk food and alcohol companies to make billions at the expense of the health and well being of Australians.
The alcohol industry spends $109 million on advertising per year while fast food companies are among the top 50 advertisers in Australia, spending around $165 million on advertising per year.
No NT nuclear waste dump
The Federal Government announced it will repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act. But it has left Muckaty Station outside Tenant Creek in the NT as the most likely target for the national radioactive waste dump.
The repeal legislation is, if anything, more coercive than the bill it replaces.
A new approach for mental health - Greens
The Greens today announced a comprehensive mental health plan for Australia and are calling on the Commonwealth to embrace it as a fundamental part of the Prime Minister's proposed health reform program.
"The Greens have a fully developed, integrated plan for mental health which I urge Mr Rudd to consider if he is serious about building a reformed and effective health system", said Greens health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert.
"It is clear the current model of mental health care isn't working. A range of different approaches are needed to keep people well and out of hospital longer by successfully managing their illness at home," Senator Siewert said.
"Mental health is a glaring omission from the PM's health package and this is his chance to get it right by including our sensible, considered plan.
Confirmed: Indonesian fish stocks contaminated by Montara oil
Concerns repeatedly raised by the Australian Greens that Indonesian fishing grounds were contaminated by oil from last year’s Montara oil spill have been confirmed, following testing of an oil sample submitted to the Montara oil spill inquiry by Australian Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert.
“We first raised concerns in October that communities in Indonesia who rely on fish for food were being affected by this oil spill,” Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“The response by the Rudd Government at the time was to play the reports down.