14 November 2007
Greens candidate for Shortland, Keith Parsons, said today: “Acute shortages of doctors, nurses and health workers generally are endangering the health of local patients and imposing restrictions on the delivery of essential services in the Hunter.
“I have reliable information that an age pensioner transferred to The Calvary Mater hospital after major abdominal surgery at John Hunter Hospital, because no beds were available, was discharged before he had fully recovered.
“He was impressed with the dedication of the medical and nursing staff at Mater, but was concerned that they ‘were run off their feet. ’ On at least one occasion a doctor was not available to help him even though he was in severe pain. He even had to fix a malfunctioning toilet himself!
“Despite glib assurances of local politicians, Hunter hospitals are in a critical condition. Since 2006, emergency admissions have increased by 10.1%, well above the State average. Lake Macquarie cancer mortality rates are well above the NSW average; nothing has been done to alleviate the Lake’s shortage of GPs,” Mr Parsons said.
The Federal Government’s share of public hospital funding has fallen from 45% to 41%, and it diverts $3.5 billion each year from the nation’s public system to subsidise private health insurance. Mr Parsons pointed out that this subsidy is blatantly inequitable because it is derived from taxes that everyone pays; yet it assists only the more affluent people who can afford to access private services, and cuts resources to the public sector - the only system available to those on lower incomes.
“Greens senators will use their strength in the Senate to return the private health subsidy to the public health system. They will support moves to improve the quantity and quality of medical education by removing HECS from health-related university degrees, and they will take steps to establish a scheme for universal dental cover, with matching funding from both state and federal governments.”
“The centrepiece of The Greens’ health policies is a $4 billion plan to build 200 new community health services. These centres will focus on primary health care and promotion to lighten the burdens on our hospitals. They will provide front-line services, including GPs and nurse practitioners, dentists, immunisation, midwifery, physiotherapy, and allied treatments and counselling,” Mr Parsons said.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The Greens Challenge Labor’s Support for Workers
16 November 2007
Kevin Rudd’s claim that he would tear up Work Choices and abolish AWAs doesn’t stand up, according to Keith Parsons , The Greens candidate for Shortland
“The ALP promotes itself as the protector of workers’ rights. In fact The Greens are the only party committed to ALL Australian workers,” said Mr Parsons.
“It’s not surprising that major unions (including those affiliated with the ALP) are now supporting Greens candidates’ campaigns and recommending a vote for the Greens in the Senate,” said Mr Parsons.
“Only the Greens support expanded safety net provisions, regulations to ensure a genuine choice for families to balance work, family and community life, an extra year of unpaid parental leave, the right to request genuine flexible working hours and protection for workers against unfair contracts.
“The Greens support the right to strike as a fundamental workers’ right to defend their economic and social interests. Jack Mundey’s famous 1970 Green Ban on Kelly’s Bush and the Green Bans that saved Black Ned’s Bay (Swansea) the East End railway land for the Foreshore Park and Myall Lakes are now illegal under both major parties.
“The ALP will keep AWAs until 2012. Unfair dismissal laws will not apply to workers in businesses with 15 or fewer employees in their first year. In larger businesses unfair dismissals will not apply in the first 6 months
“The shameful Australian Building and Construction Commission would remain under Labor until at least 2010. This organisation, with its police powers, makes normal union activity in the building industry almost impossible. It prohibits normal industrial action including strikes and bans. Unions can’t employ experienced union delegates to monitor OH&S in this dangerous industry, which averages 50 deaths per year. Non-compliance can result in massive fines -$22,000 for workers and $110 000 for unions.
“As a former committed trade unionist and former ALP member, I believe that the ALP can no longer claim to be the political arm of the Australian Labour Movement . That title belongs to The Greens,” said Mr Parsons .
Kevin Rudd’s claim that he would tear up Work Choices and abolish AWAs doesn’t stand up, according to Keith Parsons , The Greens candidate for Shortland
“The ALP promotes itself as the protector of workers’ rights. In fact The Greens are the only party committed to ALL Australian workers,” said Mr Parsons.
“It’s not surprising that major unions (including those affiliated with the ALP) are now supporting Greens candidates’ campaigns and recommending a vote for the Greens in the Senate,” said Mr Parsons.
“Only the Greens support expanded safety net provisions, regulations to ensure a genuine choice for families to balance work, family and community life, an extra year of unpaid parental leave, the right to request genuine flexible working hours and protection for workers against unfair contracts.
“The Greens support the right to strike as a fundamental workers’ right to defend their economic and social interests. Jack Mundey’s famous 1970 Green Ban on Kelly’s Bush and the Green Bans that saved Black Ned’s Bay (Swansea) the East End railway land for the Foreshore Park and Myall Lakes are now illegal under both major parties.
“The ALP will keep AWAs until 2012. Unfair dismissal laws will not apply to workers in businesses with 15 or fewer employees in their first year. In larger businesses unfair dismissals will not apply in the first 6 months
“The shameful Australian Building and Construction Commission would remain under Labor until at least 2010. This organisation, with its police powers, makes normal union activity in the building industry almost impossible. It prohibits normal industrial action including strikes and bans. Unions can’t employ experienced union delegates to monitor OH&S in this dangerous industry, which averages 50 deaths per year. Non-compliance can result in massive fines -$22,000 for workers and $110 000 for unions.
“As a former committed trade unionist and former ALP member, I believe that the ALP can no longer claim to be the political arm of the Australian Labour Movement . That title belongs to The Greens,” said Mr Parsons .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
