A budget for the ages – Grim, dark and deceptive: Bev McArthur
On 23 May 2023, the Premier Daniel Andrews said: “We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it”. What he perhaps should have said was: “We promised some things – we even promised to govern for all Victorians – but we will deliver only some things, dump plenty of others, and govern for a few.” For me there’s only one headline from this budget: Victoria is broke.
It’s not good enough
Michelle Daw. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation has slammed the state government and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network for its lack of urgency in responding to security concerns at Wallaroo Hospital. The ANMF SA branch is calling for 24/7 restraint-trained guards to be employed at Wallaroo and Port Pirie hospitals, following recent "code black" incidents.
Local 8 ball legend recovers from vicious machete attack
Long-time local Damien Ha was in good spirits as he recovered from surgery after a vicious attack by a group of teenagers in the early hours ... "I get the stitches out in two weeks so I should be right to play." Damien has ranked four in the Territory for the Masters, and travels each year to represent Tennant in the Australian Titles. "I told them I know your face, and he told me he had a machete, grabbed it out of the bush and hit me with it."
Budget 2023 in a nutshell: No relief for bush says Ley
There are certain elements of the Budget the Coalition supports, but Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley thinks most people were looking for something to ease the cost-of-living crunch ... "The government also has a self-imposed delay in funding for important projects in our region. In short they are spending less in the MIA and taking longer to do it, which is hugely disappointing": Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
Berghofer Foundation makes significant donation to RFDS
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) has announced that the Chair of the Berghofer Foundation, Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer, has made a generous donation to help deliver its vital services across Queensland. RFDS (Queensland Section) Chair, Russell Postle, said Mr Berghofer’s gift of $10 million is a characteristically generous offering from someone who has a strong track record of health- related charity donations.
Asbestos found at local schools
Vale View State School, Bunker’s Hill State School and Harristown State High School are among 287 state schools across Queensland where there were asbestos-related incidents last year. Minister For Education Grace Grace said in all schools where asbestos is found, the Department of Education sends a letter to parents and caregivers advising what precautions have been implemented in response to the incident.
JEV vaccine eligibility expands: Picton
More South Australians will be able to access the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine, with eligibility now expanded even further. The expansion removes the requirement to be outdoors for four hours on most days for people living or engaging in outdoor flood recovery (clean-up) efforts in eligible high-risk areas adjacent to the River Murray.
Council collaborates to benefit community
The Lockyer Valley knows only too well just what the impact of a severe weather event can look like – physically, mentally and emotionally. Following two severe flood events in 2022 alone, after bushfires and years of drought, Lockyer Valley Regional Council has forged important new partnerships to bring tangible benefits to the community.
Member for Clarence delivers inaugural speech
As he proudly stepped up to the microphone to deliver his inaugural speech as the Member for Clarence on May 10 in the NSW Legislative Assembly, Richie Williamson revealed that despite earlier presumptions, he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be ... Mr Williamson told the Clarence Valley Independent it was a great honour to stand at the podium to deliver his first speech as he acknowledged his loved ones and the people of the Clarence electorate for their support, and pledged to be their advocate in parliament.
Fix disability access to shops
A local disability advocate has called on some businesses in Naracoorte to fix access to their shops for people with mobility disabilities. Julie Brodie of the Naracoorte Counselling Association says the area of contention for people with mobility disabilities is by far the lack of access to certain shops in Naracoorte.
Parenting support key to unlocking Covid generation’s missing social skills
The ripple effects of the pandemic continue to be felt by parents, carers and educators as children struggle with basic social skills like sharing and getting along with others. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is now giving parents the support they need to bridge the gap left by Covid-19 and help their children thrive.
All set to deliver Cohuna’s Midwifery Care
Women in the region will have access to extra maternity care following the launch of Cohuna District Hospital’s Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) service. The MGP was launched at the hospital on Friday, May 5 – the International Day of the Midwife – to an audience of community members, officials and hospital staff.
Reform needed to save rural health services
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) says that the GP shortage in rural and remote areas will not change unless there is significant reform of funding models. Dr Megan Belot, RDAA President, said patients right across rural and remote Australia suffer poorer health outcomes due to this reluctance to change.
NT Health Public health alert: Murray Valley encephalitis
NT Health is urging Territorians and visitors to the Northern Territory (NT) to protect themselves and children from mosquito bites following a recent death from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in the Big Rivers region. This follows another MVE death recorded in February in a person in the Top End region.
Pharmacist speaks out against 60-day dispensing plan
Clarence Valley pharmacist Michael Troy from Southside Pharmacy has voiced his concerns surrounding the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which will allow Australians to purchase two months’ worth of medications for the price of a single prescription from September 1 ... “There is nothing about this proposal which makes logical sense for our local community, or for us as a small regional business”: Clarence Valley pharmacist Michael Troy.
Federal budget “falls short” for farmers and regional NSW: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers’ Association is disappointed the federal government has missed key opportunities in the federal budget to strengthen Australian agriculture and rural communities. President of NSW Farmers Xavier Martin said the federal budget has “fallen short” of expectations, particularly around the significant biosecurity threats Australian farmers face.
Dad seeks answers over son’s death at ‘spiritual retreat’
Jarrad Antonovich died during a “spiritual retreat” held at Arcoora Arts & Eco Retreat at Collins Creek near Kyogle ... Glen speaks softly. He has been living with his son’s death since October 17, 2021 ... The court was told by an “expert kambo practitioner” that most deaths associated with the practice involved a delay in calling an ambulance.
20,000 South Easterners force state inquiry
Naracoorte's Lachlan Haynes and his radiation treatment working party will be at Parliament House [on Thursday 4 May 2023] where their petition of 20,0000 signatures will spark a State Legislative Review Committee inquiry. The petition calls for radiation treatment services to be available in the South East, and 20,000 people signed in less than three months ... Cancer patients, at their own cost, then must travel to Adelaide or interstate and live there for the duration of their radiation therapy which is usually 15 minutes a day for two to three months.
Covid-19 vaccine class action
A class action, organised and crowd-funded by Queensland GP Dr Melissa McCann, is taking aim at the Commonwealth government and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), along with a number of senior public servants, alleging negligence, breach of statutory duty and misfeasance in public office. The suit alleges that the respondents approved the vaccines “with no proper or reasonable evidentiary or logical basis to reasonably determine the vaccines to be safe, effective and possessing a positive risk-benefit profile.”
New members for Allora Medical Support Group
For over twelve years Allora Medical Support Group have been ensuring Allora and surrounding community has a medical facility locally. It is only through the generous support of the local community and a number of key visionary people that the Allora clinic is here.
West Wimmera Health Service’s very own care bear
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone as passionate and as dedicated to nursing as West Wimmera Health Service’s Rhys Webb. Rhys's love for the nursing profession started back in 2013 after he completed his graduate year as a registered nurse in Warracknabeal before joining the team at West Wimmera Health Service.
Enhancing beach accessibility
LHIB. Community members and visitors with limited mobility will have better access to Lord Howe’s beaches and outdoor environments, with the introduction of two new pieces of equipment available. To ensure everyone can enjoy our beaches, the Sandcruiser All-terrain Wheelchair will be available to help navigate over sand, rocks, and other uneven terrain.
