Labor Blog

3 Comments

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  thewinchester from Joondalup , WA Friday, 30 July 2010, 23:30

  Three words Mark: second term priority. They were uttered by the leader of your party, stating clearly that improving mental health isn't a priority for the Government this time around. Sorry, but if you were serious on Mental Health the priority would be now, first time. Anyone who believes that Labour is serious on helping the millions of Australians with mental health issues needs to see their GP and check their prescription. Haven't voted ALP before, and won't be voting for them anytime soon.

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  Brownie707 from Mirani , Qld Thursday, 29 July 2010, 17:29

  I would like the federal government to point out in the media that the national health system will be funded by the mining rent tax.I would like the early intervention program of Professor Patrick McGorrie's taken up and extended to all the mentally ill.Early intervention will save state and federal governments lots of money.There is very little support regarding financial and emotional support programs,programs that educate regarding life skills, support for education and employment opportunities.Also support for carers needs to be improved.What occurs, sometimes, is people are not aware of the opportunities available to them and illiteracy is sometimes a factor.Contrary to popular psychiatry, mental illness is an emotional illness rather than a physical illness and medication should not be the only solution, although it can be very useful in treating psychosis.What is happening with some young people is their propensity to indulge in methyl amphetamines which drives them to madness, psychosis and violence.Family members try to support and help them but it is a losing battle and they are the targets for financial and emotional abuse and violence.I really would like to see legislation that makes mandatory methyl amphetamine users ,once convicted ,to attend a rehabilitation centre rather than gaol.Methyl amphetamines and ecstasy are the scurge of our society.I would like to see tougher penalties for convicted dealers of these drugs.In Mackay at night on weekends around the night club scene the streets are rife with violence induced by alcohol; and methyl amphetamines.The pressure on families is extreme and the violence they suffer due to these drugs is shameful.Most often a user will engage in criminal activity and usually ends up in trouble with the police for violence,in gaol or in a psychiatric institution.After they are released they are usually abandoned socially because of their violence and then it is difficult for them to find housing etc.It is their children spouses and families who have to ":pick up the pieces" and house and financially support them. However, not all mental illness is induced by methyl amphetamines. I would like to see early intervention programs to assist the mentally ill in programs in developing self esteem,finding employment,teaching life skills and finding decent accommodation.What is not mentioned is that some people who have a period of mental illness are often on very low incomes like unemployment benefits.Let us help those people.New start offers very little choices and try living on this benefit by yourself with no support and no housing,proper food ect.I am recuperating from cancer treatment and I receive a disability support pension which will be a temporary arrangement.I note the senior citizens pensioners who are complaining about the federal government not wanting to give them any more pension increases in the short term.We ,pensioners have had an increase and lump sum payouts, so that is enough in my view.Without the economic stimulus we would be in the same situation as Greece and America.Australia has avoided a recession and is the strongest economy in the world.That is something for the federal government and Australian citizens can be proud of.It is easy to talk, harder to act.Perhaps the opposition can think up some better ideas rather than cutting funding for services.To cut back on funding for infrastructure and services in Australia is lunacy.I note Maynard Keynes economic strategies like "pump priming" is not in vogue, but Australia has proved "pump priming is an effective economic strategy.A policy stance that skimps on services and funding will inherit a chaotic social system that will incur huge financial and social costs.The Liberal Party and coalition. are short term thinkers.They seem to engage in "copy cat" policies and don't seem to have any original policies of their own.I would like to see benefits which are available for pensioners available to the unemployed.For example, the rate paid increased and electricity and telephone subsidies as well as travel concessions.Also, to support the unemployed to assist in the transition to full time employment,allow them to work longer hours in part time work without this affecting their entitlement.This should also be the case with disability support pensions.At present I am allowed to work 15 hours per week without my pension being taken away.It is well nigh impossible to get 15 hours only part time employment.20 hours per week would be an improvement.Housing is and will be the hot topic of our modern society.Infrastructure and housing needs to be improved in Australia.Local and state governments are crying out for support.It is no wonder some citizens are experiencing extreme social and financial pressure which results in stress and emotional breakdown and mental illness.I believe in Abraham Maslow's needs theory.Usually,when a human being's basic needs are met they are less trouble for society.Please support Patrick McGorries early intervention program.The suicide program is great but it just is not enough.I understand funding is required.That is why what the opposition states about waste and reckless spending is sheer nonsense! I am proud of our strong economy and what the Labor Party and the federal government has achieved so far.As Paul Keating stated on Radio National if Tony Abbott is our future Prime Minister"God help us!"Also, the pressures of climate change will incur great social costs.When humans are confronted with rapid change there is social disintegration.Alvin Toffler's book"Future Shock" was visionary in this regard.We need a socially inclusive society that faces up to the climate change reality as well as social problems and looks for solution and acts on these solutions.The rhetoric about the "boat people" is disgusting and racist.Imprisoning refugees in these detention camps is inhumane.It is no wonder some do experience severe mental illness and the effects on the children are horrendous.I would like a smaller immigration rate as we do not have the infrastructure or the water to cope with huge numbers of people but I say process refugees efficiently and assimilate them into our community.If the Labor Party can develop a strategy to stop them coming at all ,well and good.Deterrence simply does not work.Imagine a refugee in a war torn country. They escape for a better life and to escape persecution and brutality.They escape to other countries not just in boats.The ones who are proved to not be genuine refugees can be sent home.Just as many boats came in John Howard's time.I also agree with our Prime Minister as regards some areas in Australia need population growth and other areas like cities are experiencing population pressure.We need skilled immigrant workers.Most importantly we need to train and skill Australian citizens first.Let us move forward to a socially inclusive society with many diverse cultures and embrace education, a national health system and a better society for the present and the future.Also a final comment about our Prime Minister.I am not at all interested about her personal affairs and whether she is married or not.What is the focus of my attention is whether the Labor Party delivers the policies that will make Australia a better society.Let us hope there will be a less hostile senate if Labor wins the election.The attitude of the coalition as regards climate change ids hopeless,negligent and shows no leadership.They pander to the ignorant and ill informed.To say they will only act regarding a carbon tax if the rest of the world does is lunacy.We could be waiting too long and by that time it will be too late.Also, the costs of mitigating climate change will increase if we do not act.However,as I want to see Labor win the federal election this can wait until 2011.

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  TOMSMUM from Flinders , NSW Thursday, 29 July 2010, 15:29

  i commpletely agree with the need for funding to assist these children., and have just heard about the new early intervention funding you have annouced. My question is WHAT are we supposed to do for children like my Tom, he is autistic, who is now 10..he did have a very small amount of early intervention and guess what he isnt CURED!!!....and now we dont get any help with his schooling ( we had to go private with ASPECT and it costs $1000 a term) and no support for his other needs. I dont want to hear all the spin about your education plan for these kids, because out here in the real world its not happening....wanna talk about bullying and mind altering at school...try sending the child you gave birth to and want to protect to a local dept of ed high school without any support and he is autistic. So rant over..I am not a fool and know that you will do nothing excpet send more letters that i have a giant pile of trying to tell me stuff i have already heard and know doesnt really happen for us. Just think about all the families out here, trying really hard to support their autistic children through the school years and the cost of it to us personally. ( even a tax rebate on theses school fees would be a bonus!!)