Reporting on world events from a Bairnsdale Conservative perspective.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Live Gig o0o justbase Den Haag
* Mona Vale Residents Must Be Kept Informed * Penalty? What Penalty? The Absurdity of Alcohol Free Zones * Random Breath Testing Saves Lives * Another Weak Economic Report for NSW * Iemma Govt For Profit Helicopters Strand Community
Iemma Government For-Profit Helicopter Service Leaves Community Stranded
Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner today condemned the Iemma Government for failing to provide the NSW Ambulance Service with the resources and staff needed to maintain the rapid response helicopter service.
“It has been revealed that the helicopter rescue service is sometimes grounded because back-up medical teams are waiting ‘on-call’ at home up to 60 minutes away,” Mrs Skinner said.
“This happens when medical teams travel by road ambulance because the helicopter is grounded by weather,” she said.
“But when it clears and the helicopter is ready to fly the team is not handy for rapid response.
“Doctors have said the practice is putting patients at risk.
“NSW used to have a world class helicopter rescue service under the NRMA CareFlight and Westpac Surf Lifesaver rescue services but the Iemma Government’s decision to kill off these community sponsored services in favour of the foreign, for-profit operator has seen the service plagued with problems.
“Revelations that rescue helicopters are just sitting there because there isn’t an available crew to immediately respond to medical emergencies is just the latest debacle in a long line of problems for this for-profit service.
“Morris Iemma and Reba Meagher need to understand the importance of patients getting to treatment within the ‘golden hour’.
“The viability of this service is its ability to provide a rapid response to emergency situations including transferring critically-ill patients between hospitals and the Iemma Government’s failure to provide adequate staff for the service has put patients lives at risk,” Mrs Skinner said.
Shadow Treasurer Greg Pearce today said this week’s economic indicators reflected how NSW hasn’t been able to make the most of the good economic times.
“The record growth in the national economy has been stifled in NSW by the Iemma Labor Government’s persistence with high taxes, and an endless entanglement of red tape," Mr Pearce said.
“Families and businesses in NSW haven’t been given the opportunity to take advantage of the best economic times this nation has ever had," he said.
“Some economic highlights include:
On Monday:
ANZ job advertisement report shows negative 0.8% growth for NSW on last month and negative 0.5% for the past year.
An Urban Development Institute of Australia report shows the strain of NSW Labor’s economic policies on NSW developers and homebuyers, with Sydney rents now up to 30% higher than the national average and taxes and charges accounting for approximately 40% of the cost of a new house and land package.
On Tuesday:
ABS 2007 Social trends snapshot shows NSW consistently experienced the greatest net population loses due to interstate migration between 1995-96 and 2005-06. Also, NSW first homebuyers consistently borrowed more money to purchase their first home than any other state or territory.
St George-ACCI report shows business conditions in Australia are the best they have been in eight years.
On Wednesday:
Interest rates increased by 0.25% as NSW new homebuyers are forced to borrow more to pay for exorbitant state taxes and charges.
The latest ABS House Price Index shows a new home in Sydney is still out of reach for most with the median price of established house transfers in Sydney reaching $500,000 at the end of December, an increase of almost 4% on the last quarter.
ABS Housing Finance figures for June 2007 reveal the NSW average loan size of $267,200 is more than 9% or $20,000 higher than the national average.
On Thursday:
ABS unemployment figures for July show that while NSW unemployment has stabilised for the month it still remains higher than the other major states, and well above the national figure – which sits at 30-year record lows.
ANZ Australian Property Outlook reports that ‘the stark underperformance of the New South Wales housing market in recent years is largely attributable to a sustained slump in the state economy.”* It points to higher infrastructure costs and a lack of supply adding to the housing woes.
On Friday:
A new report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows the effects a Federal Labor Government would have on the national economy -including higher interest rates, lost jobs and investment, and a decline in living standards.
“The question families and businesses in NSW are asking Morris Iemma and Michael Costa is where is their share of the good economic times?
“Housing affordability continues to be a major problem for NSW residents, as new homebuyers are pushed out of the market by high state infrastructure costs and taxes.
“Employment figures are more healthy interstate as are housing prices. Added with fast growing economic activity, other states are genuine alternatives to businesses and families stuck in the sluggish NSW economy.
“Morris Iemma, Michael Costa, and Frank Sartor can play the blame game all they like, but the fact is NSW residents are missing out because of State Labor’s inability to take advantage of the economic prosperity of the rest of the country,” Mr Pearce said.
Shadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher today revealed over 3,000 crashes directly related to alcohol occur throughout New South Wales every year, a stark reminder of the importance of random breath testing to the safety of road users.
“Random breath testing is a vital component to ensuring safety on our roads,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Last year there were 3025 alcohol-related crashes in our state. In 2005 there were 3,179 such crashes.
“One in four fatal crashes had alcohol listed as a contributing causal factor.
“When random breath testing was introduced in 1982, it saw an immediate 22 per cent reduction in total fatal crashes, and a fall of approximately 36 per cent in alcohol related fatal crashes.
“The public want to see more Highway Patrol Officers on our roads and undertaking random breath tests.
“Yet, far too often Highway Patrol Officers are taken away and used for General Duties policing or to fill short-falls in other areas.
“Adding to the lack of Highway Patrol Officers is the amount of paperwork needed before any testing is undertaken.
“Each year all Police Local Area Commands have to fill out a site assessment comprising 20 pages for each location they propose to operate either speed or random breath tests from in the coming year.
“Adding to this sad reality is the fact the number of kilometres travelled by Highway Patrol Officers has fallen over the past 9 years.
“In 1998 the Highway Patrol travelled 19,961,447 kilometres, yet in 2006 they travelled just 18,492,862 kilometres.
“We need to give Highway Patrol Police the confidence, support and resources to get on with the job of protecting our road and our neighbourhoods,” Mr Gallacher concluded.
Shadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher today revealed over 3,000 crashes directly related to alcohol occur throughout New South Wales every year, a stark reminder of the importance of random breath testing to the safety of road users.
“Random breath testing is a vital component to ensuring safety on our roads,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Last year there were 3025 alcohol-related crashes in our state. In 2005 there were 3,179 such crashes.
“One in four fatal crashes had alcohol listed as a contributing causal factor.
“When random breath testing was introduced in 1982, it saw an immediate 22 per cent reduction in total fatal crashes, and a fall of approximately 36 per cent in alcohol related fatal crashes.
“The public want to see more Highway Patrol Officers on our roads and undertaking random breath tests.
“Yet, far too often Highway Patrol Officers are taken away and used for General Duties policing or to fill short-falls in other areas.
“Adding to the lack of Highway Patrol Officers is the amount of paperwork needed before any testing is undertaken.
“Each year all Police Local Area Commands have to fill out a site assessment comprising 20 pages for each location they propose to operate either speed or random breath tests from in the coming year.
“Adding to this sad reality is the fact the number of kilometres travelled by Highway Patrol Officers has fallen over the past 9 years.
“In 1998 the Highway Patrol travelled 19,961,447 kilometres, yet in 2006 they travelled just 18,492,862 kilometres.
“We need to give Highway Patrol Police the confidence, support and resources to get on with the job of protecting our road and our neighbourhoods,” Mr Gallacher concluded.
The Leader of the Opposition, Barry O’Farrell, today said it was important the Department of Health kept Mona Vale residents informed of any investigations arising from reported gas emissions in the area.
Mr O’Farrell said local residents were understandably upset by ongoing speculation and called on the State Government to ensure they were kept informed about the health impact of the emissions and test results.
“To date, the State Government’s efforts have lacked urgency,” he said.
“Despite concerns about the emissions being raised in November 2006, it took until June 2007 for confirmation emissions were at unacceptable levels.
“The Department of Health needs to be more open with the local community.
“The Department has rung the alarm bells on this matter – and they now must act quickly to allay the community’s concerns.
“People living in the area are understandably upset by health claims which need to be resolved as a matter of urgency.
“There must be open dialogue with the community throughout this process. Residents should be told exactly what investigations are taking place, assured all the necessary resources will be made available and that results will be publicly released.”
Mr O’Farrell also called on the Minister for the Environment, Phil Koperberg, to investigate the implementation of air quality guidelines to regulate the emission of ethylene oxide.
He said given ethylene oxide had been listed by the World Health Organisation as a carcinogen, it was vital that procedures surrounding its emission were regulated.
The Member for Pittwater, Rob Stokes, said the community needed answers.
“As a father with young children living nearby, I fully understand the community's concerns. That's why the Health Department must give us answers fast,” he said.
“I listened carefully to the concerns expressed at the recent public meeting, and I am working hard to get answers for our community.”
Iemma Government For-Profit Helicopter Service Leaves Community Stranded
ReplyDeleteShadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner today condemned the Iemma Government for failing to provide the NSW Ambulance Service with the resources and staff needed to maintain the rapid response helicopter service.
“It has been revealed that the helicopter rescue service is sometimes grounded because back-up medical teams are waiting ‘on-call’ at home up to 60 minutes away,” Mrs Skinner said.
“This happens when medical teams travel by road ambulance because the helicopter is grounded by weather,” she said.
“But when it clears and the helicopter is ready to fly the team is not handy for rapid response.
“Doctors have said the practice is putting patients at risk.
“NSW used to have a world class helicopter rescue service under the NRMA CareFlight and Westpac Surf Lifesaver rescue services but the Iemma Government’s decision to kill off these community sponsored services in favour of the foreign, for-profit operator has seen the service plagued with problems.
“Revelations that rescue helicopters are just sitting there because there isn’t an available crew to immediately respond to medical emergencies is just the latest debacle in a long line of problems for this for-profit service.
“Morris Iemma and Reba Meagher need to understand the importance of patients getting to treatment within the ‘golden hour’.
“The viability of this service is its ability to provide a rapid response to emergency situations including transferring critically-ill patients between hospitals and the Iemma Government’s failure to provide adequate staff for the service has put patients lives at risk,” Mrs Skinner said.
Another Weak Economic Report
ReplyDeleteShadow Treasurer Greg Pearce today said this week’s economic indicators reflected how NSW hasn’t been able to make the most of the good economic times.
“The record growth in the national economy has been stifled in NSW by the Iemma Labor Government’s persistence with high taxes, and an endless entanglement of red tape," Mr Pearce said.
“Families and businesses in NSW haven’t been given the opportunity to take advantage of the best economic times this nation has ever had," he said.
“Some economic highlights include:
On Monday:
ANZ job advertisement report shows negative 0.8% growth for NSW on last month and negative 0.5% for the past year.
An Urban Development Institute of Australia report shows the strain of NSW Labor’s economic policies on NSW developers and homebuyers, with Sydney rents now up to 30% higher than the national average and taxes and charges accounting for approximately 40% of the cost of a new house and land package.
On Tuesday:
ABS 2007 Social trends snapshot shows NSW consistently experienced the greatest net population loses due to interstate migration between 1995-96 and 2005-06. Also, NSW first homebuyers consistently borrowed more money to purchase their first home than any other state or territory.
St George-ACCI report shows business conditions in Australia are the best they have been in eight years.
On Wednesday:
Interest rates increased by 0.25% as NSW new homebuyers are forced to borrow more to pay for exorbitant state taxes and charges.
The latest ABS House Price Index shows a new home in Sydney is still out of reach for most with the median price of established house transfers in Sydney reaching $500,000 at the end of December, an increase of almost 4% on the last quarter.
ABS Housing Finance figures for June 2007 reveal the NSW average loan size of $267,200 is more than 9% or $20,000 higher than the national average.
On Thursday:
ABS unemployment figures for July show that while NSW unemployment has stabilised for the month it still remains higher than the other major states, and well above the national figure – which sits at 30-year record lows.
ANZ Australian Property Outlook reports that ‘the stark underperformance of the New South Wales housing market in recent years is largely attributable to a sustained slump in the state economy.”* It points to higher infrastructure costs and a lack of supply adding to the housing woes.
On Friday:
A new report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows the effects a Federal Labor Government would have on the national economy -including higher interest rates, lost jobs and investment, and a decline in living standards.
“The question families and businesses in NSW are asking Morris Iemma and Michael Costa is where is their share of the good economic times?
“Housing affordability continues to be a major problem for NSW residents, as new homebuyers are pushed out of the market by high state infrastructure costs and taxes.
“Employment figures are more healthy interstate as are housing prices. Added with fast growing economic activity, other states are genuine alternatives to businesses and families stuck in the sluggish NSW economy.
“Morris Iemma, Michael Costa, and Frank Sartor can play the blame game all they like, but the fact is NSW residents are missing out because of State Labor’s inability to take advantage of the economic prosperity of the rest of the country,” Mr Pearce said.
Random Breath Testing Vital For Road Safety
ReplyDeleteShadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher today revealed over 3,000 crashes directly related to alcohol occur throughout New South Wales every year, a stark reminder of the importance of random breath testing to the safety of road users.
“Random breath testing is a vital component to ensuring safety on our roads,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Last year there were 3025 alcohol-related crashes in our state. In 2005 there were 3,179 such crashes.
“One in four fatal crashes had alcohol listed as a contributing causal factor.
“When random breath testing was introduced in 1982, it saw an immediate 22 per cent reduction in total fatal crashes, and a fall of approximately 36 per cent in alcohol related fatal crashes.
“The public want to see more Highway Patrol Officers on our roads and undertaking random breath tests.
“Yet, far too often Highway Patrol Officers are taken away and used for General Duties policing or to fill short-falls in other areas.
“Adding to the lack of Highway Patrol Officers is the amount of paperwork needed before any testing is undertaken.
“Each year all Police Local Area Commands have to fill out a site assessment comprising 20 pages for each location they propose to operate either speed or random breath tests from in the coming year.
“Adding to this sad reality is the fact the number of kilometres travelled by Highway Patrol Officers has fallen over the past 9 years.
“In 1998 the Highway Patrol travelled 19,961,447 kilometres, yet in 2006 they travelled just 18,492,862 kilometres.
“We need to give Highway Patrol Police the confidence, support and resources to get on with the job of protecting our road and our neighbourhoods,” Mr Gallacher concluded.
Random Breath Testing Vital For Road Safety
ReplyDeleteShadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher today revealed over 3,000 crashes directly related to alcohol occur throughout New South Wales every year, a stark reminder of the importance of random breath testing to the safety of road users.
“Random breath testing is a vital component to ensuring safety on our roads,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Last year there were 3025 alcohol-related crashes in our state. In 2005 there were 3,179 such crashes.
“One in four fatal crashes had alcohol listed as a contributing causal factor.
“When random breath testing was introduced in 1982, it saw an immediate 22 per cent reduction in total fatal crashes, and a fall of approximately 36 per cent in alcohol related fatal crashes.
“The public want to see more Highway Patrol Officers on our roads and undertaking random breath tests.
“Yet, far too often Highway Patrol Officers are taken away and used for General Duties policing or to fill short-falls in other areas.
“Adding to the lack of Highway Patrol Officers is the amount of paperwork needed before any testing is undertaken.
“Each year all Police Local Area Commands have to fill out a site assessment comprising 20 pages for each location they propose to operate either speed or random breath tests from in the coming year.
“Adding to this sad reality is the fact the number of kilometres travelled by Highway Patrol Officers has fallen over the past 9 years.
“In 1998 the Highway Patrol travelled 19,961,447 kilometres, yet in 2006 they travelled just 18,492,862 kilometres.
“We need to give Highway Patrol Police the confidence, support and resources to get on with the job of protecting our road and our neighbourhoods,” Mr Gallacher concluded.
Mona Vale Residents Must Be Kept Informed
ReplyDeleteThe Leader of the Opposition, Barry O’Farrell, today said it was important the Department of Health kept Mona Vale residents informed of any investigations arising from reported gas emissions in the area.
Mr O’Farrell said local residents were understandably upset by ongoing speculation and called on the State Government to ensure they were kept informed about the health impact of the emissions and test results.
“To date, the State Government’s efforts have lacked urgency,” he said.
“Despite concerns about the emissions being raised in November 2006, it took until June 2007 for confirmation emissions were at unacceptable levels.
“The Department of Health needs to be more open with the local community.
“The Department has rung the alarm bells on this matter – and they now must act quickly to allay the community’s concerns.
“People living in the area are understandably upset by health claims which need to be resolved as a matter of urgency.
“There must be open dialogue with the community throughout this process. Residents should be told exactly what investigations are taking place, assured all the necessary resources will be made available and that results will be publicly released.”
Mr O’Farrell also called on the Minister for the Environment, Phil Koperberg, to investigate the implementation of air quality guidelines to regulate the emission of ethylene oxide.
He said given ethylene oxide had been listed by the World Health Organisation as a carcinogen, it was vital that procedures surrounding its emission were regulated.
The Member for Pittwater, Rob Stokes, said the community needed answers.
“As a father with young children living nearby, I fully understand the community's concerns. That's why the Health Department must give us answers fast,” he said.
“I listened carefully to the concerns expressed at the recent public meeting, and I am working hard to get answers for our community.”