Australia won't help flotilla activists, Carr says
Doesn't it make you proud, how our Governments continually stand on the wrong side of virtually everything? Not that I would expect anything better than this from LNP, in fact, I'd probably expect Abbott to send our navy out to shoot them if he was in govt.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Monday, 3 June 2013
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Save the saddest dolphins
We can show these corporate pirates that we don't accept their right to plunder the wild creatures of our world for their profit. Surely no one needs to be entertained by cruelty to make for a memorable holiday experience. Please take a minute to sign the petition.
Click here to free the saddest dolphins from cruelty!
www.avaaz.org
Right now, 25 wild dolphins are trapped in tiny sea pens, being starved of food as men work to break their spirits. They are being called the world’s saddest dolphins -- but we can free them.
Click here to free the saddest dolphins from cruelty!
www.avaaz.org
Right now, 25 wild dolphins are trapped in tiny sea pens, being starved of food as men work to break their spirits. They are being called the world’s saddest dolphins -- but we can free them.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Could This Be Money Better Spent? | CPD
One of my many soapbox issues is private health insurance rebate. "In fact, if the rebate were replaced with direct funding of private hospitals (set at the current level of support), we could save the budget’s bottom line $2 billion each year."(CPD) It is unjustifiable in my view. Why should my taxes subsidise preferential health treatment for those who can afford it. I'm a believer in government responsibility for maintaining a top level public system, thus, I don't subscribe to private health insurance but am forced to provide it for others. Some of the benefits they enjoy - in addition to less waiting - include spas, gyms and other 'non-medical' benefits. Why?
Saturday, 31 July 2010
What are marginal voters thinking?
"We're not stupid"? Prove it! The Labor Party has had one term. I'm not a Labor voter but I'll take anything over Liberals. If people want things to change, take action outside elections, or we'll be stuck with this broken system forever. There is the Green alternative. Does anyone take the time to read their pol...icies? Or any Party's policies for that matter? If you're undecided, it's probably because you're waiting for the next mainstream media headline to help make your decision for you and you've no real grounds to complain if you get spin that backfires on you.
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Those frontbench women have given mothers the drop-off
ANNE SUMMERS
In her article in The Age today, Anne Summers - a long-time committed feminist - calls the Government, especially its women, on broken promises to facilitate women having real choices about their workforce participation by providing affordable, accessible childcare.
In her article in The Age today, Anne Summers - a long-time committed feminist - calls the Government, especially its women, on broken promises to facilitate women having real choices about their workforce participation by providing affordable, accessible childcare.
Friday, 6 November 2009
ITV - John Pilger - John Pilger wins 2009 Sydney Peace Prize
Another person who, like Chomsky, maintains his passion for justice and telling the truth, as he witnesses it, despite the slings and arrows of those with a vested interest in the status quo, including many other journalists who justify their own lack of commitment to real journalistic principles by pretending Pilger's too extreme, if well-intentioned.
Monday, 28 September 2009
What is Medicare Select?
Need to keep our eye on this one. It's another idea for getting away from the dream of universal health insurance, provided through our tax system, seriously wounded (if not mortally) by the medicare rebate. They're pulling out the old line about competition making for a better product. Remember privatised and deregulated banks, phones and utilities? Putting essentials into the private sector inevitably drives up prices and reduces access - duh! they're driven by profit after all!
What is Medicare Select?
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What is Medicare Select?
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Tuesday, 15 September 2009
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
On the topic of one of my many soapbox issues (economics & economists) this New Matilda article hits the spot. I've constantly been amazed that seriously good money is paid to 'professional economists' who constantly miss the signs of what is coming that wtp (we the people) see from our armchairs. Worse, they always say "No one saw this coming!". Yes, we saw it coming! Why didn't you?
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
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The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
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Monday, 14 September 2009
Private Health
We are not immune from the 'spin' that is currently sending people into the streets in USA. The government subsidising of private health insurance favours those who can afford the insurance costs over the needs of the rest of the population - while expecting those not privately insured to pay for it. Those of us old enough to remember the introduction of Medibank (Medicare) will know that the Liberal Party then vigorously opposed it.
"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.
Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?
Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.
According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy
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"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.
Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?
Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.
According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy
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Sunday, 13 September 2009
Thousands rally against Obama Government
'We the people' are our own worst enemies! Honestly! Can you believe that these people are rallying AGAINST better health care? Why would anyone take the word of big business - happily engaged in screwing ordinary people since forever - ...against common sense? You can't get them to rally against poverty and injustice but they stream into the streets to oppose benefits! Are we sure there's no other planet with intelligent life to which we can migrate? I'm about over this one.
Source: www.theage.com.au
Source: www.theage.com.au
Saturday, 12 September 2009
GetUp! Blogs - Save the Homelands
If you want to have the cathartic experience of a good weep - and I recommend it for the body and the soul (releases pent up tensions in both) - have a look & listen to these aborigines and imagine their history and hope. If you're not already involved in the campaign to save their homeland rights, perhaps you'll be moved to become so.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Monday, 17 August 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Ambulance Services Campaign Success
It's always nice to see a good outcome from activism. Below is an email following the Ambulance Service campaign, in which I - along with many others - participated. I didn't have to spend a lot of time to be active in the campaign in order to experience the shared sense of achievement at its success. I heartily recommend 'desk chair' activism to all those with an interest in living in a fair and socially just world. Check out my links if you're inspired to get into action.
Response Time! latest news: Your support has been vital in winning a safer ambulance service
Dear friend,
Together we have won a safer ambulance service.
Late last night, the government finally agreed to 10-hour rest breaks and fairer wages for paramedics.
Proper rest breaks will make life safer for ambos, and safer for the public.
Many paramedics are convinced that someone would have died unnecessarily because of fatigue.
Your support over the 15-month campaign has been crucial in making this government wake up and address fatigue.
Your emails, petitions, calls to the Health Minister, to talkback, to friends and to family have all played an important part in saving people’s lives.
Fairer pay will also make our ambulance service safer, by helping to attract new recruits and to retain the incredibly skilled and experienced ambos we already have.
In a few weeks, ambos will be voting on this new agreement.
Although you may not be able to see it, you have not only made a real difference to hard-working ambos quality of life, you have helped save lives.
On behalf of all our dedicated ambos, and the public of Victoria, I thank you very much for your support.
Steve McGhie
Ambulance Employees Australia
Response Time! latest news: Your support has been vital in winning a safer ambulance service
Dear friend,
Together we have won a safer ambulance service.
Late last night, the government finally agreed to 10-hour rest breaks and fairer wages for paramedics.
Proper rest breaks will make life safer for ambos, and safer for the public.
Many paramedics are convinced that someone would have died unnecessarily because of fatigue.
Your support over the 15-month campaign has been crucial in making this government wake up and address fatigue.
Your emails, petitions, calls to the Health Minister, to talkback, to friends and to family have all played an important part in saving people’s lives.
Fairer pay will also make our ambulance service safer, by helping to attract new recruits and to retain the incredibly skilled and experienced ambos we already have.
In a few weeks, ambos will be voting on this new agreement.
Although you may not be able to see it, you have not only made a real difference to hard-working ambos quality of life, you have helped save lives.
On behalf of all our dedicated ambos, and the public of Victoria, I thank you very much for your support.
Steve McGhie
Ambulance Employees Australia
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