Federal Labor announced today that it would invest $23 million in Grafton without conditions attached. This measure forms part of Federal Labor's $2.5 billion health and hospitals reform plan.
Labor promises that this funding will include:
"$5 million for a new GP Super Clinic - to take pressure off Grafton Base Hospital; and
$18 million for capital upgrades at Grafton Base Hospital.
The $18 million for the redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital is to help upgrade the emergency department and complete three new operating theatres.
Federal Labor has chosen Grafton for a GP Super Clinic because of recognised shortages of general practitioners in the region.
Unlike Mr Howard, Federal Labor will not require much needed funds to be spent on additional bureaucrats or a hospital board."
This is very welcome news for a local government area whose demographics contain a significant number of people on low incomes and a very high percentage of elderly residents, both groups heavily reliant on Medicare and with limited transport options.
Bravo Labor!
Full Federal Labor media release:
http://www.alp.org.au/media/1007/mshealoo311.php
Wednesday 31 October 2007
Campaign Day 17
Still trying to figure out why the Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile seems to be questioning the very existence of climate change - after all the information his government has received confirming that Australia was in for a torrid time. Until now I hadn't realised the man probably has a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock. Should have remembered the Nationals performance when the AWB scandal broke.
The 2007 Treasurers Debate - Costello 0 Swann 0 The Worm 1
Yesterday's National Press Club-sponsored debate between Treasurer Peter Costello and Shadow-Treasurer Wayne Swann clearly showed that the now famous Worm was more interesting than Swann and a lot more honest than Costello.
Nevertheless, Wayne Swann acquitted himself reasonably well after a nervous start and didn't present as the financial bogeyman previously predicted by the Coalition.
Costello disappointed as he danced around one question and like his leader harked back to the past rather than outlining a solid vision for the future. The phrase 'financial tsunami' was conspicuously absent from his vocabulary during the debate. While his straight-faced assertion of constant solidarity with John Howard was very amusing.
The Age discusses the debate:
Richard Farmer's initial take on the debate:
http://www.crikey.com.au/Election-2007/20071030-Costello-v-Swan-Treasurers-Debate-ends-in-scoreless-draw.html
http://www.crikey.com.au/Election-2007/20071030-Costello-v-Swan-Treasurers-Debate-ends-in-scoreless-draw.html
Tuesday 30 October 2007
Exclusive Brethren's easy access to the PM's ear
Getting access to PM Howard and Ministers in the Coalition government is, for most people, not an easy task, but members of the Exclusive Brethren don't seem to have such troubles.
What's so special about them?
Perhaps the ABC's reports that "a former member of the Exclusive Brethren has revealed the secretive religious sect has been transferring large sums of money across the world, possibly to fund political campaigns in Australia and the US" provides an explanation as to why thet get 'special treatment'.
The full report is at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/15/2059279.htm?site=elections/federal/2007
On October 15, ABC TV's Four Corners provided an informative examination of the machinations of the Exclusive Brethren. See the program at
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20071015/brethren/default.htm
Are the Exclusive Brethren on the nose, or what?
PM Howard and his Ministers who have provided Exclusive Brethren members with easy access to them defend their actions by saying that the EB are like any other constituents and have the right of access to elected representatives. Sure, but why do they get to the front of the queue so easily AND so often? Something ain't right!
What's so special about them?
Perhaps the ABC's reports that "a former member of the Exclusive Brethren has revealed the secretive religious sect has been transferring large sums of money across the world, possibly to fund political campaigns in Australia and the US" provides an explanation as to why thet get 'special treatment'.
The full report is at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/15/2059279.htm?site=elections/federal/2007
On October 15, ABC TV's Four Corners provided an informative examination of the machinations of the Exclusive Brethren. See the program at
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20071015/brethren/default.htm
Are the Exclusive Brethren on the nose, or what?
PM Howard and his Ministers who have provided Exclusive Brethren members with easy access to them defend their actions by saying that the EB are like any other constituents and have the right of access to elected representatives. Sure, but why do they get to the front of the queue so easily AND so often? Something ain't right!
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