Tuesday, 17 March 2009

I had never heard of The Michael Duffy Files until.........


I'd never heard of The Michael Duffy Files (est. June 2008) until............
Tele journo Timmeh Blair decided to
bag this little blog.
I probably wouldn't have metioned it either until I realised that Dorothy Parker had posted this succinct banner.



Game, set and match to Dorothy.

To be sure, to be sure - it's Paddy's Day


St. Patrick's Day and the only pot of gold any of us are likely to see.
Pic from Photobucket

Monday, 16 March 2009

Zussino strikes again!


More than a few readers of the free local newspaper, the Clarence Valley Review, were laughing on March 4 when they opened the paper and saw that Zussino had struck again with yet another letter to the editor under a false name.
This particular letter is now also out on the world wide web.

A week later one of Zussino's previous victims, The Daily Examiner, had the satisfaction of hearing that this pesky phantom's own complaint to the Press Council concerning that newspaper had been shot down in flames as not worthy of investigation.

Don Page speaks up for the Northern Rivers


It's a bit hard to have any respect for the Coalition these days, so it's easy to miss those times when a Nat does his best for the Northern Rivers.
Last week Don Page MP for Ballina rose to his feet and gave a serve over the dismal situation our health services are in.

"Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [5.56 p.m.]: I outline my concerns about health services in the electorate of Ballina. I want to discuss the apparent doctor shortage at the Ballina, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby hospitals, and the loss of the mobile breast screening vans, which were visiting Ballina and Byron Bay. The media revealed this week that Ballina District Hospital is facing a doctor shortage, leading to the hospital reducing the number of patients it can accept. While I understand that the rosters have been filled for all shifts over the past 12 months, and are covered for March, it would seem that there simply are not enough doctors being rostered on.

Doctors are now very publicly complaining about their excessive workloads and the potential risks to patients. Byron Bay and Mullumbimby hospitals have also stated that they are in danger of not having enough doctors to provide emergency treatment to patients. Should this be the case patients are likely to be diverted to Tweed Heads, as all surrounding hospitals are facing similar doctor shortages. I am extremely concerned about this situation and implore the Minister for Health to urgently allocate the resources required to fix this potentially life-threatening situation. If the situation continues, and emergency patients are diverted from Ballina, Byron Bay or Mullumbimby to Tweed Heads, there will be very real risks to the wellbeing of patients."

Good one, Don! Though I notice you're not so proud of your time in government because there is nary a media release or speech from that time posted on your website.