Australia must honour the UN Refugee Convention to which it is a signatory. It must protect people fleeing persecution, war or violence, promptly hear their claims and give refuge to those in genuine need of asylum. The full weight of intelligence, police and legal capabilities should be brought to bear on the people smugglers.
Climate change
Humanity is undoubtedly influencing climate change. Not only does Australia have an environmental and social obligation to help do something about it, but to do so will also be in Australia’s economic interest. A price must be put on carbon pollution, possibly as part of an enhanced Emissions Trading Scheme.
Health
Access to high quality health care, including dental and mental health, is a fundamental right of every Australian. Dental treatment should be included in Medicare. And public funding for mental health services should be increased significantly and accorded the same priority as that given to GP and hospital services.
Poker machines
There are 95,000 poker machine problem gamblers in Australia who account for almost half of all poker machine losses. The Federal Government should move quickly to implement the harm minimisation measures - including $1 bet limits on all poker machines - identified recently by the Federal Productivity Commission.
Australia must honour the UN Refugee Convention to which it is a signatory. It must protect people fleeing persecution, war or violence, promptly hear their claims and give refuge to those in genuine need of asylum. The full weight of intelligence, police and legal capabilities should be brought to bear on the people smugglers.
Humanity is undoubtedly influencing climate change. Not only does Australia have an environmental and social obligation to help do something about it, but to do so will also be in Australia’s economic interest. A price must be put on carbon pollution, possibly as part of an enhanced Emissions Trading Scheme.
Access to high quality health care, including dental and mental health, is a fundamental right of every Australian. Dental treatment should be included in Medicare. And public funding for mental health services should be increased significantly and accorded the same priority as that given to GP and hospital services.
There are 95,000 poker machine problem gamblers in Australia who account for almost half of all poker machine losses. The Federal Government should move quickly to implement the harm minimisation measures - including $1 bet limits on all poker machines - identified recently by the Federal Productivity Commission.
