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Archive for May, 2011
May 31, 2011
tony serve
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Australian Greens – Uranium workers left off radiation radar – WA Senator
Uranium workers left off radiation radar – WA Senator
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Media release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Tuesday May 31st, 2011
Uranium mine workers in the Northern Territory have not been included in the National Radiation Dose Register, the Australian Greens revealed today.
Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam uncovered the loophole during Senate Estimates hearings today while quizzing representatives from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
“On July 1, 2010, the register began collecting data on the radiation doses to which workers had been exposed. Covering five years, the register now has 16,000 individuals on the database but has no information on the radiation workers have been exposed to at the Ranger Mine in the Northern Territory,” said Senator Ludlam.
“The Australian National Radiation Dose Register was an election policy for Labor in 2007 and it is a great initiative despite being 30 years overdue. The system records the lifetime radiation dose of workers throughout their career in uranium mining and milling in Australia, enabling workers to access their own dose histories and notifying regulators when an individual has exceeded their annual dose limit, but excluding work in the Northern Territory is a huge crack in the system.”
“The system will only have integrity if all radiation workers are included. The Commonwealth has handballed the problem to the NT Government – we will pursue this issue until all workers are included.”
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Australia – Greens MEDIA RELEASE: Oil Spills threaten Our Ark on Barrow Island
Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
MEDIA RELEASE
Oil Spills threaten Our Ark on Barrow Island
31 May 2011
Greens MLC Robin Chapple is aghast at revelations of the extent of persistent oil leaks and other environmental harm across Barrow Island.
“The Minister has admitted that Chevron has reported around 20 oil leaks across the island, from pipes discharging oil.”
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“I’ve seen photos of oil-soaked sites, and they appear to be large oil leaks, capable of causing significant environmental damage.”
“Barrow Island’s unique and endangered fauna coming into contact with these spills will be at immediate risk.”
“Of greater concern, is the risk of ground water contamination, or damage to surrounding coral and marine environments. From the evidence I’ve seen it appears that oil has not been recovered before seeping into the surrounding environment”
“In a separate incident, a marine vessel received significant hull damage resulting in an engine oil leak. The vessel was beached on Barrow Island and then towed across to Dampier Port.”
“I’ve asked questions in Parliament about this matter – and it appears the Minister accepts Chevron’s explanation that all 150 litres of leaked oil was recovered. Having reviewed photos of the incident, this seems unlikely.”
“I hold serious concerns that the Department of Environment and Conservation is not capable of properly managing industry on Barrow Island – which is increasingly looking like the final destruction of Australia’s Ark”.
“Chevron reports that 1,027 animals have died on site. This is an appalling lack of regard for the standards required of Chevron, in order to obtain approvals for work on Barrow Island. The EPA’s concern that protocols would not adequately protect our species is clearly now shown to be correct”
“This total lack of environmental accountability shows the Barnett/Gryll Government’s failure to regulate industry safely in remote fragile environments”
“I will not let these issues go – it is critical that Chevron remediate the contaminated sites, and implement effective conservation practices on Barrow Island.”
Photos of the oil leaks on Barrow Island, and of the vessel leaking oil are available at http://www.robinchapple.com/qdata
Note: In July 2003 the Environmental Protection Authority opposed the use of Barrow Island as a gas hub. In September 2003 the Western Australian Government provided in-principle agreement to the joint venturers for restricted access to Barrow Island nature reserve for gas processing facilities, as a foundation for the development of the Gorgon gas fields. That decision required special conditions including:
• formal environmental impact assessment demonstrating that environmental factors can be managed without unacceptable impact on conservation values; and
• development of standards for acceptable management of risk to conservation values and a clear demonstration that they can be met with a very high level of confidence.
(Available at EPA Bulletin 1101 July 2003 & Bulletin 1221 June 2006)
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255
All the best
Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872
41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005
Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple | Freecall: 1800 138 610
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Rum Jungle’s toxic legacy: a multi-million dollar warning
Rum Jungle’s toxic legacy: a multi-million dollar warning
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Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Tuesday May 31st, 2011
Seven million dollars of taxpayers’ money will be spent on finding a way to clean up Rum Jungle uranium mine 40 years after its closure, the Australian Greens revealed in Senate Estimates hearings today.
Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the $7million would be spent over four years just to determine how to deal with the defunct uranium mine’s toxic legacy.
“The government can’t tell us yet what the final cost will be. The multi-million dollar publicly-funded assessment is just the beginning. Forty years after this mine closed, it continues to be an environmental graveyard for the Northern Territory. How many decades and how many millions of dollars will it take to clean up Ranger mine, or Olympic Dam?”
Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu National Park has been plagued by a series of debacles. There have been more than 150 leaks, spills and license breaches at the mine since it opened in 1981. In 2009 a government-appointed scientist confirmed Ranger was leaking 100,000 litres of contaminated water into the ground on a daily basis. At present it is closed due to heavy rainfall and the danger of more leaks.
“The Northern Territory knows the nuclear industry all too well. That is why the Territory Government and local people oppose the planned Muckaty nuclear waste dump,” said Senator Ludlam.
The proposed law that would allow the building of Muckaty waste dump, the National Radioactive Management Bill, concentrates a huge amount of power in the hands of resources and energy minister Martin Ferguson – who has championed the dump.
“In correspondence this month Minister Ferguson referred to himself as the ‘minister responsible for nuclear policy’. Today I was assured there’s been no portfolio change or new title invented, so it appears Minister Ferguson – like Napoleon – has crowned himself,” said Senator Ludlam.
“In February WikiLeaks revealed Minister Ferguson has pushed for sales of uranium to India, despite that country refusing to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Is this the person the Government has in charge of nuclear policy? We need a Government that recognises that the nuclear industry – from uranium mining through to waste disposal – is a costly toxic mess for the Northern Territory and for Australia.”
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Greens announce legislation to end live exports
31 May 2011
Greens announce legislation to end live exports
The Australian Greens will today introduce a private members bill to end the live export of livestock for slaughter.
Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for animal welfare today announced a two pronged approach to ending live export, calling for the immediate suspension of export licences, followed by a legislated ban on live exports.
“We will be tabling a Bill in the House of Representatives that ends export of livestock for slaughter. This is following through on a long held Australian Greens policy,” Senator Siewert said in Canberra today.
“In the first instance, the Minister must act to suspend licences for export and then ultimately this trade must be permanently ended.
“People are already writing to me expressing their shock at the images they saw last night. I was horrified when I first saw them and was horrified again last night.
“The Minister has not done enough on this issue, he needs to act now,” said Senator Siewert.
In WA, Senator Siewert’s home state, live export has been an on-going campaign for the Greens, and Lynn MacLaren, WA Greens MLC has today backed the federal push for legislation.
“Live exports cause unnecessary suffering and should be stopped altogether. If we continue to export animals to countries with little or no animal welfare protection, these animals will suffer unnecessarily. If we stop live exports we can stop this suffering and increase local jobs in meat processing,” Ms MacLaren said.
“On average, 180,000 cattle are exported from WA to Indonesia from the WA ports of Broome, Fremantle, Geraldton and Wyndham. In 2010 a total of 170 555 cattle were exported to Indonesia from Western Australia. Already this year, 7,010 cattle have been exported to Indonesia.
“The government continues to defend the industry in spite of overwhelming evidence of suffering, while the Greens have called for a replacement of live exports with a packaged meat trade,” said Ms MacLaren.
Media Enquiries:
For Senator Siewert – Chris Redman on 0418 401 180
For Lynn MacLaren MLC – 0403 721 951
‘Ishar’ Multicultural Women’s Health Cen
‘Ishar’ Multicultural Women’s Health Centre http://ht.ly/55WLo #Perth Western #Australia #VAW Great people doing vital work for #women
Australia – Radio for Disabled people from diverse backgrounds – Coming up on EthnicAbility 30/05/2011 – Traditional Healing With Dr Bernadette Wright
Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC) presents ‘EthnicAbility’
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A radio program from Perth on disability and Ethnicity
Coming up on ‘EthnicAbility’, 30th May 2011, Zel Iscel will chat with
Dr Bernadette Wright, Clinical Psychologist in the Transcultural
Mental Health Sector, about traditional healing.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons of traditional healing and how it relates to disability.
Share this thought provoking half hour with us … next Monday on
‘EthnicAbility’.
If you are not receiving weekly ‘EthnicAbility’ program notification emails and would like to do so, send an email to
ethnicability+subscribe
About EthnicAbility
EthnicAbility explores issues affecting people with a disability from an ethnic background. In so doing, we will be speaking to people with a disability from an ethnic background themselves, their parents/family, friends, community members and service providers. And we may even talk to you!
So don’t forget to switch on to 95.3 6EBA FM every Monday evening at
7:30 pm ( Perth, WA time. 1130GMT/UTC )
Sponsorship
If you would like to be a sponsor of ‘EthnicAbility’, contact Zel on
(08) 9388 7455. By sponsoring ‘EthnicAbility’, you will be helping to
disclose issues that impact on the lives of ethnic people with disability, their family, community and service providers.
For further information, contact EDAC on (08) 9388 7455 or send an
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Previous Programs
Previous programs on ‘EthnicAbility’ are available for download from
EDAC’s website. http://www.edac.org.au/radio6eba.php
Perth events – arts, social justice & more…Fwd: Strictly Hypothetical
I thought members / networks might be interested in these new community dialogues about to hit Perth.
They will explore a range of social justice and other issues and if we get a good response, these events will continue.
Could you please forward this e-mail to your members / contacts add this event to your event calendars / e-lists?
See www.strictlyhypothetical.webs.com for more details.
STRICTLY HYPOTHETICAL:
In the spirit of Geoffrey Robertson, “Strictly Hypothetical” is a NEW brand of community dialogue about to hit Perth.
For comedy fans, they are facilitated by professional comedians Andrew Horabin and Malcolm Dix along with Nat Locke from Nova FM Breakfast Radio.
However, it’s certainly not stand-up: It’s social commentary meets live comedy!
Each show explores a fictional scenario, based on a real world issue.
Join three of Perth’s most talented comic facilitators as our live, unrehearsed panel grapple with juicy issues, confronting ideas and surprise twists. And as an audience member, you get to ask the questions, and ultimately determine the outcome.
Thus 9 June – Vic Park
The Modeerf Question: Should there be limits to Religious Freedom?
facilitated by Andrew Horabin, Nationally Renowned Speaker – ComedianThurs 23 June – Northbridge
Perth 2030: Post Peak Oil in the world’s most isolated city.Facilitated by Malcolm Dix, Comedian, Author, Recovered Social WorkerThur 14 July – Nedlands
Should WA Trial Gay Marriage?Facilitated by Natalie Locke, from NOVA FM breakfast radioTickets: $25 online / $35 at the door only if seats remain
$50 for all three shows!Full details and bookings: www.strictlyhypothetical.webs.com
Katrina
Katrina Bercov
Thanks Katrina – tony
From GetUp Australia on Climate Change – we need you next Sunday
Notice: Due to the construction at Forrest Chase, we’ve moved to a more exciting venue – see below for details!
Dear tony,
I don’t mean this the wrong way — but we need to do better.
So far, 3,440 people have RSVP’d to family climate rallies across Australia next weekend. But I just finished reading the Australian Climate Commission’s new climate science report – and frankly, I’m scared. The risks have never been more clear and the case for action has never been more urgent. Scientists know this, you and I know this, but the rest of Australia still needs to hear it.
The stakes are so high, and the opposition to climate action so vocal, that we need more than the usual suspects at these rallies. We need you, tony.
So if you’re already planning on coming, thank you. But if not, I hope you’ll give this email just 90 seconds of your time and the chance to convince you.
I confess that rallies are not usually my thing. I sometimes wonder who is even watching and if it’s effective. But next weekend is an acid test of the community’s support for climate action, and we won’t succeed by staying home. Tacit support is not enough.
This isn’t about angry protest. Our family rallies have face-painting, balloons and ice-cream for the kids – and great live music before and after the rally. Think of it as a great impetus to get out of the house and start a sunny Sunday in a beautiful park with other families!
We’ve chosen next Sunday, June 5, for the national rallies because it’s right in the middle of the final, fragile negotiations of the multi-party climate committee. These are the negotiations that will decide what the price on pollution will be, how it will increase over time, and how much money will go to clean energy versus to big polluters.
The Government and Independents on the committee are under extraordinary pressure to give up on climate action. Climate deniers held a rally against the carbon price last week in the electorate of Independent MP Rob Oakeshott. The Daily Telegraph reported that over 3,000 people attended – even though the official police estimate was under 800. Right now, politicians and the media are gauging support for climate action by which side has the bigger rallies.
Some say putting a price on pollution will send our economy back to the Stone Age. They say they represent the majority of mainstream Australia. We know it’s rubbish – but unless we put our faces and voices in front of the TV cameras too, we know exactly what will happen next: an exasperating onslaught of one-sided media coverage against climate action, which will send politicians running scared.
I wish that policy were not so dependent on which groups protest the loudest. But if Australia’s climate policy were decided by science and reason, we would have put a price on pollution long ago.
Please join the urgent climate rallies happening across Australia on Sunday week, June 5, and don’t forget to bring a friend, or ten!
Where: Perth Cultural Centre (James Street Mall)
Image by neeravbhatt via Flickr
When: 11am Sunday June 5Please RSVP by clicking here.
Hope to see you there,
Sam, for the GetUp team.
PS – Can you help us get the word out about the rallies by putting up posters in your neighbourhood? Click here to grab materials.
: Road Rage: Budgets have Western Australia on route for oil shock
Road Rage: Budgets have Western Australiaheading for oil shock
Media Release – Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, Lynn MacLaren MLC – Friday May 27th, 2011
The failure of the State and Federal budgets to address years of under-investment in public transport infrastructure has left the state extremely vulnerable to rising oil prices, the Greens warned today.
In Senate Budget Estimates hearings this week, Greens spokesperson for transport, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, confirmed that once again, Commonwealth infrastructure funds were pouring into urban road building while public transport funding lagged far behind.
"This Federal Budget commits five times as much funding to roads than to rail. Virtually nothing has been committed to cycling infrastructure, and with the Energy White Paper still a long way over the horizon, our country is sleepwalking in the age of peak oil,” he said.
Greens MP for the South Metropolitan Region Lynn MacLaren said while the Federal Government gave significant funding to rail projects in Victoria and Queensland, the State Government failed to request Federal funding to improve WA’s straining public transport system.
“The Barnett Government has barely made use of Infrastructure Australia’s federal funds, and has dropped the ball in the state budget as well. The promise of light rail ‘within ten years’ looks like a mirage in this budget.”
“The 15 new three-car trains are only 11 new trains in real terms, and we won’t see them in action for at least three years. The new buses will be nowhere near as effective as light rail for reducing congestion, and will all be diesel buses, so they will still be impacted by the rising price of oil, and will certainly emit more pollution than electric light rail,” she said.
Senator Ludlam said the Federal Government showed a “stunning lack of foresight” by refusing to acknowledge the age of cheap oil is over.
“All credible sources indicate we hit global peak oil in 2006,” he said. “Electric rail can be powered by renewable energy but our governments are pouring money into obsolete oil-dependent infrastructure. As the price of oil rises, and with Australia set to import 70% of its oil by 2015, the long-term economic consequences will be grave.”
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Australia: CONSERVATION FUNDING RORTED FOR MINING AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
MEDIA RELEASE
27 May 2011
CONSERVATION FUNDING RORTED FOR MINING AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
Greens MLC Robin Chapple is outraged that Kimberley Science and Conservation funds, allocated in the State budget, will be used by the Department of Mines and Petroleum to map Kimberley geology for development.
“The Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy aims to preserve the unique environmental and cultural values of the Kimberley. However, the Budget papers show that $3 million of the total $41 million is to be spent on ‘geophysical and geochemical’ mapping of the Kimberley,” Mr Chapple said.
“Far from a conservation priority, this geological mapping is to be carried out by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, with a view to facilitating resource exploitation in the Kimberley”
“This allocation of conservation funds for mining priorities is nothing more than a rort.”
“KSCS funds are desperately needed for priorities of biodiversity conservation, and programs to protect and promote Aboriginal environmental knowledge and cultural practices. Again these conservation priorities will be ignored with the funds instead spent on mining mapping.”
Mr Chapple called on the State Government to reinstate the $3 million allocation to projects which genuinely promote the conservation of Kimberley environmental and cultural values.
For more information please contact Robin Chapple
All the best
Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872
41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005
Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple | Freecall: 1800 138 610
Australia – Greens Senator Scott Ludlum – Future Fund must seek urgent legal advice on #nuclear weapons – and divest
Future Fund must seek urgent legal advice on nuclear weapons – and divest
Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Thursday May 26th, 2011
The Federal Government’s Future Fund is clearly violating its own policies and cutting across Australia’s international legal obligations by investing in companies that manufacture nuclear weapons, the Australian Greens said today.
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Under questioning in Senate estimates hearings this morning, the Acting General Manager and Chief Investment Officer of the Future Fund disclosed that the Fund had not sought legal advice before defending its $135.4 million investment in nuclear weapons manufacturers.
Senator Scott Ludlam said the Future Fund has a policy of investing in companies whose “economic activity is legal in Australia and does not contravene international conventions to which Australia is a signatory”. These investments are held on behalf of public servants, judges and members of Parliament.
Section 13 of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty Act states it is illegal to “facilitate the manufacture, production, acquisition or testing” of nuclear weapons by any person or company, whether in Australia or not.
Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty – to which Australia is a signatory – obliges nuclear weapons states to abolish them, and a 1996 International Court of Justice decision held that use or possession of nuclear weapons is generally illegal at international law.
“The Future Fund was applauded for divesting in cluster munitions manufacturers. The Fund’s investments in nuclear weapons are clearly untenable.
“The board must seek urgent legal advice and promptly reconsider this investment decision.”
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Australia – GetUp – Help save our family farm
We wanted to pass on this message from Mark, a GetUp member and local farmer on the Murray Darling. GetUp has not shared your personal information with anyone.
Dear Members of GetUp,
My name is Mark Etheridge and along with my partner Mog and our daughters Clancy and Lily, we run a 50,000 hectare certified organic farm near Wilcannia in the Murray Darling Basin.
Over time, we have seen a steady decline in the quality of the water. In the past 15 years we have experienced 13 algal blooms, high salinity and many cease to flow events. These events are getting more and more frequent threatening our farm, and the farms of many others.
My family are speaking up. Doing nothing is not an option. If the Murray Darling Basin Authority do not base the plan for the Basin on science and return the rivers to health we could be ruined. Please, join with us and sign this petition to Water Minister Tony Burke to restore independent scientific review to the Basin plan.
Please add your voice to GetUp’s campaign:
www.getup.org.au/campaigns/murray-darling/petition-tony-burke/save-our-farm
We graze our country at sustainable levels. In times of drought we produce less, after it floods the land can sustain more grazing. To me being sustainable means that we leave the country, the land, to our children and theirs in better condition than when we started our venture.
The economic benefit of sustainable farming spreads though out the community, supporting processing facilities, transport companies, retail outlets, local employees and countless others.
But all of that could become of thing of the past. The large scale irrigation industries up stream of us are having a massive impact on our river system and therefore our livelihood. The environmental cost of over allocation is huge and we have the science to show this. And there are other costs – to families and famers like us.
If the plan to manage the Murray Darling is released without proper scientific review we won’t know if what is done will be enough to restore the rivers to health. What if the plan gets it wrong? In only a matter of weeks the Murray Darling Basin will release the plan, farmers like me need your support in petitioning the Water Minister Tony Burke to make sure he acts now before the plan is released to insist that it is scientifically based and independently scientifically reviewed. Please add your voice to GetUp’s campaign:
www.getup.org.au/campaigns/murray-darling/petition-tony-burke/save-our-farm
The health and well being of floodplain graziers as well as that of the riverine environment, towns and communities are being compromised by inappropriate diversion and over extraction of water from our inland rivers. With your help I’m sure we can set a lasting precedent for how we can look after the land, the rivers, wildlife and rural Australian communities.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Etheridge and family,
Kalyanka Station
Murray Darling Basin—
PS - In just a few weeks time the Murray Darling Basing Authority will release the draft plan on how the Basin will be managed into the future.
Last night in Senate Estimates hearings it was confirmed that in response to backlash from heavy irrigators, the Basin Authority are about to massively reduce the amount of water that would be released back into the Basin. The Authority say this is based on ‘new science’ but have refused to allow independent scientific review. As a result, key scientists have left the Basin Authority in protest. Let’s add our voices to those scientists, and local graziers like Mark, in calling for independent review of this important plan:
www.getup.org.au/campaigns/murray-darling/petition-tony-burke/save-our-farm
Iran refugees in Iraq’s Ashraf camp need help say Australian MPs and senators from three parties back call for international solution to crisis in Ashraf
International solution needed for humanitarian crisis in Ashraf
Media Release: Thursday May 26th, 2011.
Australian Greens senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam was joined by Labor MPs Kelvin Thompson and Laurie Ferguson, Labor senator Claire Moore and Nationals senator John Williams today in a tripartite call for urgent action to solve the humanitarian crisis in ‘Ashraf City’, Iraq.
The Ashraf refugee camp in Diyala, Iraq, is currently home to about 3,400 Iranian men, women and children who have fled the dictatorship in Tehran. Control over the camp was transferred from US forces to the Iraqi Government on January 1 2009 with assurances the residents would be treated in accordance with international and Iraqi law.
Instead, they have been subjected to violent attacks from Iranian and Iraqi forces.
“The Iranian regime was implicated in at least three missile and bomb attacks on the camp in 2008, and at the end of March 2010, under pressure from Tehran, Iraqi authorities deployed two army divisions within the perimeter of Ashraf City – not to protect the residents, but to repress them,” said Senator Ludlam.
“On April 8th, an attack on the camp by Iraqi forces resulted in a reported 34 immediate fatalities and at least 350 people wounded.”
The senators and MPs will write to Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd on this matter, specifically asking that he call for the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi forces from the vicinity of the refugee camp and for the deployment of United Nations observers and peace-keepers to Ashraf.
Amnesty International has repeatedly spoken out against the attacks, calling for protection of Ashraf’s residents, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has strongly condemned the attacks.
Media Contact:
Giovanni Torre (Office of Senator Scott Ludlam) – 0417 174 302
#Perth #Blues Club – It’s tributes, tributes, tributes …
- bluesguy trans glow 2001
- pbcnews1
Perth Blues Club
Supporting the finest local, national & international blues music
Tuesday nights @ The Charles Hotel
509 Charles St, North Perth Phone (08) 9444 1051Tuesday, 24 May 2011 Hi Tony There must be something in the wind or maybe it’s the weather, but Autumn seems to be the season for Tributes and Special Events.
Some of you would have seen Trevor Jalla’s brilliant tribute to the music of James Taylor recently at the The Regal and The Ellington – well done Trevor!
Well we at the PBC also have a bunch of tributes coming up next month. But before we tell you about those, don’t forget UK queen of soul Kyla Brox appearing on stage tonight (Tuesday 24th). Kyla doesn’t make it to our shores very often – last time at the PBC was February 2009 – so make a point of getting down to the club on Tuesday 24 May, or you might have another two years’ wait to hear this sensational soulful singer.Read more about www.perthbluesclub.com by www.perthbluesclub.comKyla doesn’t make it to our shores very often – last time at the PBC was February 2009 – so make a point of getting down to the club, or you might have another two years’ wait to hear this sensational soulful singer.
Kyla is supported by the Julius Lutero Trio (8pm) and 43 Cambridge (10pm).
Perth Blues Club WAMi Festival Showcase – Thursday 26 May
Gerry Quigley pays tribute to three Irish blues-rockers
8th Annual Memorial Show – Sunday 26 June
A Tribute to the Genius: Ray Charles
PBC NEWS is brought to you by Fat Sam’s Furniture
GetUp for clean, renewable energy – Fund solutions not pollution
tony serve
This week is big. You may not have heard it in the media, but the Government are holding meetings almost every day this week (including a critical 2-day negotiation this weekend) to decide how to divide the funds raised from a carbon price.
The whole point of a price on carbon is to make polluting expensive, and clean energy cheap. But big polluter lobbyists are there in the corridors of Parliament too – crying poor. And the news from advertising press is that the coal lobby are putting together a huge $5 million advertising campaign to get their polluting way.1
We may not have $5 million dollars to throw down the smokestack, but if enough of us chip in $40 to raise $100,000 – just 2% of what they’re spending – we can work with expert media buyers to saturate Canberra news programming with this ad for the whole week.
The big polluters don’t need to pocket windfall profits from a carbon price – some of their profits are almost as large as the entire revenue itself! But still they lobby against our clean future.
The Government needs to invest at least $2 billion each year of the pollution price revenue on renewable energy and innovation to build a clean energy future. We know this can be done. The Australia Institute‘s reseach paper, commissioned thanks to GetUp members’ donations and released today, shows just how easily that money can be found by cutting subsidies to the worst polluters.
This ad needs to start playing this week if we’re going to strengthen the renewable industry’s arm in these negotiations. With $100,000 we can buy out all the remaining Canberra TV spots for the fortnight. That’s a good start – another $60,000 and we can buy out the last minute spots in several target rural electorates. Chip in so we can give the media buyers the go ahead.
Click here to watch the ad you’ll be funding, to help secure the funding clean energy needs from a price on carbon:
http://www.getup.org.au/fund-solutions-not-pollution
If you’ve ever been in a politician’s office you’ll see TVs tuned to the news. The nightly ritual is to gather around evening bulletins. Imagine, after a day of deliberating this issue, they see our ad showing in their offices! The polluter lobbyists know it; it’s exactly why they’ll be trying to do the same thing.
But there are only so many ad spots to go round. Our team of media buyers are searching for availabilities – but we urgently need to give them a budget to work with so they can secure the spots, starting with Canberra new programs. That’s up to you:
http://www.getup.org.au/fund-solutions-not-pollution
There’s still a long road ahead, and we’ll have to keep up the fight in the media, in our politicians’ offices and in the community each day.
We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder to call for climate action, we’ve fought the climate skeptics on the airwaves and we’ve told our politicians in calls, emails and faxes just how important action on this issue is. Now let’s take our message to the airwaves when we’re needed most — right when we know they’ll be watching.
Thanks for being part of the solution,
The GetUp teamPS – This is a week of big decisions for our climate. As they’re being debated in the halls of Parliament, we’ve made this ad to counter the polluter lobby’s push to stop our clean energy future in its tracks. With your help, we can get it heard where it counts.
1″Exclusive: Australian Coal Association to fight carbon tax”, David Blight, AdNews, 20 May 2011
Australia – land of sunshine? Federal and State back-down on solar a disaster for energy policy
Federal and State back-down on solar a disaster for energy policy
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Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Tuesday May 24th, 2011
Budget cuts by the Federal and Western Australian governments have set the solar industry back years, Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam warned today.
“First the Federal Climate Change Minister announced the Solar Credits scheme would be phased out a year early, then $370 million was cut from the Solar Flagships program, with only two out of 52 proposed projects to receive funding under the program’s first round, and then the National Solar Schools Program was cut short by two years and its funding reduced by $156 million,” Senator Ludlam said.
“And this week, the WA Government slashed the State feed-in tariff for solar – the rate they pay new households who feed solar power into the grid – from 47 cents per kilowatt hour to 27 cents, less than a year after the scheme’s introduction.”
“After cutting the incentive for people to invest in solar for their homes, the WA Government capped the scheme so it will end once the capacity installed in WA reaches 150 megawatts. This low cap risks undermining the point of the feed-in tariff, which is to help a new energy supply system overcome barriers to market entry.”
“It looks like the WA Government is determined to keep this industry down,” said Senator Ludlam.
Greens WA energy spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC said “while more and more West Australians have been putting their money where their mouths are by investing in solar photovoltaics for their homes, the State and Federal Government have just pulled the rug out from under them”.
“The latest Budget cuts are similar to the demolition job unleashed by the NSW government, and demonstrate why we urgently need a nationally coordinated approach which give householders and the industry long-term security about investing in renewable energy,” said Senator Ludlam.
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Australia : Ban on writer’s visit raises more fears of crackdown in China – WA Senator
Ban on writer’s visit raises more fears of crackdown in China – WA Senator
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Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam, Monday May 23rd, 2011
Beijing’s ban on writer Liao Yiwu’s planned visit to the Australia deepens fears of a growing crackdownon dissent in China, the Australian Greens said today.
The Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said Mr Liao was scheduled to speak at the Sydney Writer’s Festival on May 20th and May 21st but was denied permission to leave China prior to the event.
“Mr Liao is a leading social commentator and has written extensively on poverty and homelessness in China. The ban on his visit to Sydney is part of a concerted effort by the Beijing administration to suppress dissent in light of the protests sweeping the Middle East,” said Senator Ludlam.
According to reports, a number of writers, journalists and social commentators have been harassed, arrested and otherwise intimidated by the Chinese authorities in recent months.
“Reports indicate that several prominent intellectuals have disappeared or been placed under house arrest recently in China. Mr Liao was jailed for four years after writing a poem condemning the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and the repression is now reaching proportions not seen since the lead up to that brutal crackdown,” said Senator Ludlam.
“The treatment of Mr Liao is not isolated; human rights advocate Gao Zhisheng was arrested in February 2009 and re-emerged in late March 2010, told journalists he had endured torture at the hands of police and was arrested and ‘disappeared’ again early the next month. He has not been seen since. Nobel Prize-winning human rights activist Liu Xiaobo has been in custody since June 2009 on trumped-up subversion charges and was sentenced to eleven years jail in December 2009.
“Australian officials must raise their human rights concerns with the Chinese government at every opportunity and in the strongest possible terms,” said Senator Ludlam. “The Chinese government must be reminded that the world is watching.”
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
Australia #MentalHealth Webcast Saturday May 21 ECU Perth Noon – 4pm
Mental Health Webcast Saturday May 21 ECU Perth Noon – 4pm
I spoke to local co-ordinator Michelle… Short video & details below video 
)
State & National Panel Webinar Event which is a web based seminar and discussion that is transmitted live on the internet.
To get involved — either come along to the local event OR to log in from home you will need the following linkhttp://www.meetview.com/healthwellbeing20110521/ RSVP’s for ECU Event by: Wednesday 18 May 2011. Please note if you wish to log on the day you must register online by FRIDAY 20 May at 2pm. If you wish to attend please call 9228 0200. If you require any assistance in logging on please click on the following Tips for Online Registration page or call 9228 0200.
Let’s get all of Australia talking & thinking about the physical health of people affected by mental illness. Please click here for guidelines on questions for the National Panel.
Logging on the Webinar from home
You need to be registered to join the webinar and you need to register by 2 pm on Friday 20 May 2011. On Saturday 21 May the National Panel Webinar will commence at 1 pm Perth time sharp. Please join us for this unique event.
Event: State & National Panel Webinar Event
Topic: Unlocking the Door to Health and Wellbeing: Where do we find the key?
Where: Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley Campus
Corner of Alexander Drive, Central Avenue & Bradford Street
2 Bradford Street MT Lawley, Lecture Theatre ML 10.131
When: Saturday 21 May 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Time: Registration 11 amThis event is open to: consumers and carers of people with mental illness, friends, and family members, the general public, community members, academics, university students and those with a keen interest in the area of mental health.
Cost: this event is FREE
Now all I need’s an airline ticket! Say hi to Jeff Pulver for me at the – Upcoming #140conf Cocktail Parties: NYC and LA
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Robin Chapple – MEDIA RELEASE: Renewables dealt critical blow in budget – Greens WA
Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
MEDIA RELEASE
Renewables dealt critical blow in budget
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Greens have criticised the state budget over its failure to support environmentally-conscious West Australians, in the slashing of the State Government’s already mediocre “net feed-in tariff” for renewable energy.
By 1 November 2011, the tariff will be just 27c per kilowatt hour, down from 47c now.
“More and more people are talking about climate change, and prices on carbon,” said the Greens energy spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC.
“But as more and more West Australians had been putting their money where their mouths were on this issue, and investing in solar photovoltaics on their houses, the State Government has largely pulled the rug out from underneath them.”
“The State Government was very recently trumpeting the success of its net FiT in Parliament, but we can see what that apparent success brings – the Treasury axe.”
Mr Chapple said that the burgeoning WA renewable industry was looking down the barrel of a very bleak future.
“The Federal Government’s solar PV rebate will drop 40% on 1 July 2011. For WA residents, today’s announcement further hammers the economics of rooftop solar.”
“That means that an industry that should be a key part of WA’s future, and which has been running hot with business in recent months, is all of a sudden on its knees,” Mr Chapple added.
The fossil fuel industry will go to bed tonight with a Cheshire cat grin.
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255
Western Australia #MentalHealth budget progress – Youth response Fwd: YOUTH FOCUS comment on the NFP funding announced today by WA government
Youth Focus, an organisation committed to the prevention of youth suicide and depression, applauds the news that the WA government’s budget announcement on Thursday will include record funding to social services of $604 million to help organisations offering services in the areas of mental health, suicide prevention, disability and aged care.
Jane Forward, Manager Organisational Development of Youth Focus said,
“As a human services charity that has historically only received only 10% of our annual revenue from the Government sector, we welcome the Premiers announcements regarding the additional support of the community sector in the upcoming budget.
For many years governments of all persuasions have talked the talk but I think we are finally seeing a government walk the walk and actually make some real philosophical shift in the way the community sector is perceived and how its enormous social impact is valued.
Over the past 12 months the government has taken steps to consult more closely with our sector and as a result we are starting to see the fruits of better public policy.
A good example of this is the establishment of the Mental Health Commission, the first of its kind in Australia. There is undoubtedly much more work to be done in this area but we are really encouraged by the direction of Barnett government”
For further information or comment please contact Jane Forward (Manager Organisational Development) jane.forward
Jane has worked extensively in the area of youth mental health in both Australia and overseas and she is currently responsible for strategy development within Youth Focus.
Kind regards
Claire
Claire McGowan| Detail Marketing Communications | claire | PO Box 1744 Fremantle WA 6959
People of Western Australia asked to join a national conversation on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians
19 May 2011
People of Western Australia asked to join a national conversation on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians
The people of Western Australia are being invited to participate in a national conversation about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians could be recognised in the Australian Constitution.
Panel member Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said a discussion paper had been released today as a starting point for the consultations.
Late last year the Prime Minister appointed a 20 member Expert Panel on the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians to consult the community and report back to the Government.
The panel, made of up Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders, legal experts and members of parliament, has begun travelling around the country to ask Australians to think about constitutional change and to contribute their views.
“I’m proud of the role the Australian Greens played in getting this issue on the national agenda, I’m very committed to this process and a positive outcome” said Senator Siewert.
“The paper sets out background information about the Constitution, how it can be changed and the potential benefits for all Australians from constitutional recognition.
“It also explores possible ideas for constitutional recognition that will be discussed and developed during the panel’s community consultations,” said Senator Siewert.
Senator Siewert said the Australian Constitution, drafted more than a century ago without any input from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians, made no acknowledgement of Indigenous Australians in the nation’s history or in contemporary society.
“Many Australians believe the constitutional recognition of Indigenous people is a vital further step towards their full recognition.
“There is also concern that not all Australian citizens are treated equally under the Constitution and that it permits laws that discriminate on the basis of race.
“While the 1967 referendum on including Indigenous Australians in the census received widespread public support, it did not deliver the equality and opportunity that people had hoped for,” Senator Siewert said.
The Australian Government, the Opposition, the Australian Greens and the Independent members of Federal Parliament have all given in principle support to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.
The panel will make recommendations to the Prime Minister in December 2011 on options to change the Constitution which are most likely to have the support of the Australian people if put to a referendum.
The panel, co-chaired by Professor Patrick Dodson and Mr Mark Leibler AC also includes the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mr Mick Gooda and the co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
Media Enquiries – Chris Redman on 0418 401 180
<<20110519 – WA to join national discussion on constitutional recognition.pdf>>
Australia Carbon Cimate action with GetUp – “It comes down to this”
We have one thing the opponents of a carbon price don’t: people power. But people power is like a muscle: if you don’t use it, you lose it. Can you join us on June 5 for a fun, family-friendly rally to say "yes" to a price on pollution and
The next three weeks are crucial. The Government, the Greens and the Independents are finalising the details of their response to climate change in a series of intensive negotiations beginning today. Over the next few weeks they’ll decide whether to be ambitious when setting their carbon price and investments in renewable energy or whether to give in to the big polluters. As we’ve seen before, often the loudest voice wins.
That’s where you come in.
We’re joining with organisations that together represent over three million Australians to organise massive rallies across the country on June 5.
Where: Forrest Chase, Perth CBD
When: June 5, 11am
RSVP: Click here
It’s okay if you’re not a ‘rally’ kind of person – in fact, it’s better. Our movement needs people like you to come out and show your support and speak up for a clean energy future. We’ll make sure June 5 is a fun, family-friendly day, with bands, great speakers and even face-painting for the kids!
http://www.getup.org.au/perthclimateaction
Australians don’t just talk – we get on with things. On June 5, if enough of us act, we’ll change the debate over a carbon price from fear mongering over the cost of action, to awareness raising about the possibility of a clean energy future.
See you on June 5,
The GetUp Team.
P.S. We don’t just need you – we need your friends, colleagues and family! Click here to find out how you can attend and help promote this event.
#Mentalhealth Action in #Perth this Wednesday – Support Needed at Parliament on Wed 18th May 1.45pm
#mentalhealth
It’s Law Week and Schizophrenia Awareness Week.
Thank you to all our members and supporters who have been working to improve the situation for people with mental illness, particularly those with alcohol and other drug issues and criminal justice involvement.
We need You (yes, You!) at Parliament House on Wednesday 18th May at 1.45pm.
Why? To support the implementation of a Court Intervention Program for people with mental impairment.
Why? Because someday, someone with mental illness whom you care about, may need this service.
On Wednesday 18th May, Alison Xamon from The Greens is putting forward a Motion in the Legislative Council in support of a Court Intervention Program for people with mental impairment and she will be calling on the Barnett Government to support the Motion.
Alison attended a MHM2 Community Discussion Evening in mid-2010 following which she supported us in putting petitions to the Legislative Council and put forward the Motion in respect of a Court Intervention Program.
We thank Alison for her support.
Mental Health is everybody’s business and should be a key issue for all political parties. MHM2 is committed to ensuring that the issues – and solutions – are brought to the attention of decision-makers. Let’s look at how MHM2, its members and supporters have been doing just that.
- JUNE 2009 – The Law Reform Commission (LRC) released Report 96 on Intervention Programs. Chapter 4 included 4 recommendations about Court Intervention Programs for people with mental impairment.
- SEPTEMBER 2009: The LRC Report was tabled in Parliament to………DEAFENING SILENCE
- DECEMBER 2009: MentalHealthMatters2 convened after letter from a concerned parent was published in The West Australian.
- FEBRUARY 2010: First MHM2 meeting held at Mt Hawthorn. Presentations by Ann White, WAAMH and Lisa Duffy, Law & Justice Dept., Edith Cowan Uni.
- APRIL 2010: MHM2 resolved to focus on ‘the most vulnerable’ individuals and their families due to high number of contacts from this group. These are people with co-occurring chronic and persistent mental illnesses and alcohol and other drug issues as well as likely involvement with the criminal justice involvement due to ineffective early intervention and treatment.
- June 2010: Sandy Boulter from the Mental Health Law Centre spoke with the group re criminalisation of the mentally ill. MHM2 held strategic planning session. Decision taken to focus on the implementation of Recs 22-25 of the Law Reform Commission Report 96
- JULY 2010 MHM2 members met with Neil Guard Acting Mental Health Commissioner and presented him with a submission from 20 courageous individuals & family members who had written personal accounts of their experiences in the MH system.
- SEPT 2010: MHM2 held Discussion Evening with presentation from Principal Solicitor, Mental Health Law Centre, Sandra Boulter, Topic: ‘Mad, Bad or Just Too Hard’ – Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
- JUNE 2010 to DECEMBER 2010: Various strategies were implemented to raise the issue of a CIP and the needs of ‘the most vulnerable’ individuals and family
- 2nd meeting held with Neil Guard, A/MH Commissioner and Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck, Director of Organisational Reform, Mental Health Commission.
- AUGUST 19TH Mr Eddie Bartnik, the new Mental Health Commissioner attends a Whole Group Meeting just 3 days after taking on his new job (Go Eddie!).
- Community Discussion Evenings are held monthly
- DURING 2010: MHM2 support based grew with support and participation from all sectors of the community: mental health service users, carers & families, service providers, public sector workers. The West Australian letters page published letters from MHM2 members highlighting the issues experiences by themselves and their families. Participation in talk-back radio by group members.
- MHM2 members contributed actively to The West Australian Agenda investigative journalism features on mental health .
- Submissions were made by members to the Towards 2020 document highlighting the need for a CIP to focus on treatment rather than imprisonment.
- MHM2 members attended forums, public meetings – speaking up to highlighti the need for a CIP to stop those ‘most vulnerable’ being imprisoned when what they need is treatment.
- MHM2 Group Convenor, Margaret Doherty, is appointed Carer Rep on the ‘Expert Group’ for the Review of the Mental Health Bill. Presentations are made at various forums including Family Forum, Alison Xamon’s Roundtable on Mental Health legislation, WAAMH Recovery Forum.
- SEPTEMBER 2010: Petitions raised and presented to Legislative Council by Alison Xamon, Greens Member calling for the implementation of a CIP. Alison notified the Legislative Council of her intention to move the Motion "that this House call upon the Attorney General to urgentl adopt the Recommendation 23 of the Law Reform Commission Final Report Court Intervention Programs: Project no. 96 (June 2009) and establish a mental impairment court intervention program in Western Australia".
- October 2010: World Mental Health Day: MHM2 members appeared on Channel 10 news with Mr Paul Papalia, then Shadow Corrective Services Minister, highlighting lack of mental health support for people with chronic mental illnesses and how they then become involved in the criminal justice system as a result of ineffective or no support.
- Mental Health Week: Motion was raised in the Legislative Assembly by the Opposition re Government’s neglect of the mental health system. MHM2 group members were in the gallery to support the debate and met Members of Parliament.
- Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards Oct 2010: MHM2 was nominated as a finalist in the John Da Silva Carers Award.
- JANUARY 2011: Continued group member participation in Mental Health forums including those on Personalisation.
- FEBRUARY 2011: MHM2 1st Anniversary - a public meeting was held addressed by Mental Health Commissioner, Mr Eddie Bartnik and attended by politicans, families and individuals and community supporters. Discussion focussed on ‘Solutions for Mental Health Reform’. Stimulating discussion and great birthday cake.
- MARCH 2011 Letter received from the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs, Parliament House following up on the petition to the Legislative Council. It read: "The Attorney General advises that ‘my preference and intention is that the recommendations contained in Chapter Four [of the
Law Reform Commission of WA report] be implemented in a staged manner, commencing with the establishment of a mental impairment court intervention program in the Perth Magistrates Court’. " - MHM2 representatives attended meeting with The Honourable Chief Justice Wayne Martin to discuss the LRC Recommendations 22-25.
- APRIL 2011 The West Australian newspaper reported (19th April) that the Mental Health Minister Helen Morton "fully supports" introducing a CIP for people with mental illnesses and that the matter was urgent with people with mental illness through WA courts in record numbers.
- APRIL 2011 MHM2 meets with Minister Morton to reiterate the needs of those with mental illness, particularly those with co-occurring alcohol and other drug issues.
Are we there yet? No…not yet…but we now have Ministers making written and public commitments. It’s a good start.
So it’s a good time to say ‘Well Done so far’ to all of you – our group members who have contributed at forums, by emails, in person, phone, letters to us, the Mental Health Commission and your local politicans regarding this issue. You have shared of your experiences with wisdom and courage in an effort to see the situation improve for those who are most vulnerable.
Thank you also to our supporters in various roles who work to improve the situation from within their organisations.
The issue is now firmly on the table. We need to clarify timing, resourcing and model.
Please support MHM2 on Wednesday 18th May at 1.45pm at Parliament House. Please send this onto your contacts and encourage them to join us there too.
Kind regards
Margaret Doherty
Convenor – MHM2
0413 861 049
Related articles
- People with mental disorders often stuck in jail instead of psych ward, says Quebec watchdog (theprovince.com)
- Mentally ill often stuck in jail: Quebec watchdog (canada.com)
- Predicting how much impact mental illness has in a person’s life (kevinmd.com)
- She’s mentally ill, not a criminal (ask.metafilter.com)
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Musings from the Border Lands (via Estoni’s Blog)
My dear friend in Kenya, Eston, flies supplies and people to South Sudan when he’s not farming, supporting community work or flying filmstars around africa.
His aerial pictures are a legend on twitter, follow @estoni and see why.
Please read, enjoy and comment – If I owned an online magazine I’d be asking Eston to write and shoot for me. I hope to his work enjoyed by more and more people.
tony serve
journalist, broadcaster, activist
via Estoni’s Blog
Australia #mentalhealth Message from the Prime Minister just arrived
Dear tony,
This message just came in from the Prime Minister and I wanted to pass it on to you. Congratulations again to everyone who has been part of the mental health campaign.
Dear GetUp
It was great to speak at GetUp’s mental health forum this week and inspiring to see so many GetUp members at the event.
I know that there are many tens of thousands more around the country who are passionate about the issue too. Every Minister and MP has received thousands of emails and calls from GetUp members about mental heath and many of us have seen the campaign in action on TV and in our electorates.
It’s an issue that is also very important to me. I mentioned at the forum that my father was a psychiatric nurse and I’ve seen through his experience how the mental health sector has progressed over the decades from a more institutional approach toward more holistic community care.
Like millions of Australians I have seen friends and family who have been affected by mental illness.
This week my Government was proud to announce the biggest mental health package in the nation’s history. The package isn’t just about increasing funding. It also shows our commitment to continuing that progress and supporting an integrated community approach to mental health.
I was glad to see that the package has been welcomed by mental health experts including Professor McGorry and Professor Hickie who have been so closely involved in GetUp’s campaign. GetUp members have been passionate, sincere and very effective advocates for mental health reform and they’ve made a big impact here in Parliament House.
Sincerely,
Julia Gillard
Prime Minister
—
Over the course of this campaign, GetUp members have sent thousands of emails to our politicians asking them to do better on mental health. And in that time, the Opposition, Greens, Independents and the Government have all come to the table with strong support for mental health reform.
Now, let’s send them all a quick note of thanks. Click here to email your MP and thank them:
www.getup.org.au/campaigns/mental-health/budget/thanks
Warm regards,
Simon, for the GetUp team.
PS – On Wednesday night, the Prime Minister, Health Minister and Mental Health Minister spoke with GetUp members at our Mental Health Forum in Parliament House. Check out this video to see what they had to say, including a personal message from the Mental Health Minister to GetUp members.
