Health Care and Human Services

The manner in which we care for the most frail in our community is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves.

Since the arrival of the Abbott conservative government, there has been a brutal attack on health care and human services in Australia. With the recent changes to cabinet and the appointment of Scott Morrison to what is now called "Social Services", notice the "Human" has been removed from the department's name, we can expect the same brutal in-human approach that he applied to his Immigration portfolio.

Medicare

Most Australian's pay 2% of their taxable income to the Medicare Levy. The levy increased from 1.5% to 2.0% in July 2014. When I hear government representatives refer to "free healthcare" I can't help but feel they forget that working Australian's pay 2% of their income to the levy.

The current Federal Senate has managed to block the government attempts to impose a $7.00 fee to visit a GP, however they've now decided to reduce what government pays to GP's by $5.00 in the hope doctors will pass this onto their patients.

"Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced the contentious budget proposal will be dropped. 

"There will be no change to bulk billing for children under 16, for pensioners, for veterans, for people in nursing homes and other aged care institutions," Mr Abbott said. 

However, the Government is cutting the Medicare rebate paid to doctors by $5 a visit in a bid to address the "troublesome issue of six-minute medicine" and encourage doctors to spend more time with patients."1

There has to be a better way.

It's clear, regardless of who's presenting the numbers, that with our ageing population and diminishing working segment of the community contributing 2% of their income, we need to find another source of income for Medicare.

I believe that the Medicare Levy needs to be revisited and perhaps adjusted based on a person's income. I'm in a fortunate position where I earn a decent wage, but as a gay man I have no children and I have limited use of the current health care system. I'm sure that will change as I get older.

I would be more than happy for my Medicare Levy to be increased from 2% to 4% to help sustain Medicare and ensure it's longevity and access to it for the wider community. 

In an ideal world, I would seek advise from financial experts to help arrive at a percentage that makes sense and is sustainable, so I'm open to input on the 4% and the the associated scale to which it should be applied to various income levels.

"In an interview with Fairfax Media to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the scheme, Professor Deeble said: "In a rich country, in an advanced society, anything is sustainable if the society says it is." 2

Just as I'm delighted that my tax dollars help support an education system for Australian youth, I believe health care is as critical a need. It's clear that a preventative approach to health care delivers significant savings over time.

The more we can do to ensure people seek medical advice for whatever ails them, is a critical step to ensuring the health of our people.

I strongly believe that everyone should contribute to Medicare for the wellness of the nation as a whole. 

Private Health Care

The private health care industry is a key component of Australia's health services strategy. I'm strongly apposed to the Medicare Levy Surcharge, an imposition of what is effectively a fine for people who choose not to have private health care.

Should a person over 30 not have private health care, yes they should be "fined". However, if they then choose to seek Private Health cover, the surcharge should not apply for the next tax period where private health cover is in place.



SOURCE: 

1 - ABC News December 10, 2014 "Federal Government dumps $7 GP co-payment, but doctors may recoup $5 Medicare rebate cut"

2 - The Sydney Morning Herald February 1, 2014. "Raising Medicare levy the solution to health costs, says architect."

Equality & Human Rights

Introduction

We believe that all Australian citizens and those legally visiting Australia are entitled to the full protection of the law. They are to be treated with respect and provided all the protection and dignity as would be shown to an Australian citizen.

Discrimination based on race, colour, creed, religious views, sexual preference, disability etc will be prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law.

Marriage

The union of two adult individuals in a state of marriage is the right of all Australian citizens. The role of government should be minimal and limited to the application of taxation benefits and the ability of government agencies to provide support to families.

Government will collect information by way of a marriage application form which will provide minimal information to ensure accurate records are kept of the marriage.

Religious groups and non-government bodies are not required, under the law, to perform marriages of people they do not believe conform to the standards, morals or tenets of their faith.

In that same spirit, religious groups and non-government bodies are not entitled to refuse to perform a marriage of two adults based on sexual preference, lifestyle choices etc while they continue to marry same sex couples who also do not conform to the standards, morals or tenets of the faith or group in question.

Adoption

The right to adopt children is the right of all Australian citizens, single or married, gay or straight, black or white etc. Government adoption agencies will provide services to all individuals and couples seeking to adopt whether these couples be married, de facto or single individuals. 

No bias will be shown to any specific relationship type within the community. Decisions to grant adoption can only be based on the views of the government adoption agency and its’ employees.

Private organisations provided licenses to deliver adoption services must conform to the laws and principles as outlined for government adoption agencies. 

Point of Reference

The ultimate decision to define what constitutes a “Human Right” rests with the Australian people and our democratically elected government of the day. Any laws etc can only be over turned or clarified by the Australian High Court.

Any reference to the United Nations or external sovereign bodies are for the purposes of clarification only. However, where Australia chooses to sign international agreements, we must abide by those agreements and not selectively choose when we will abide by them.

Gender Equality

All Australian citizens are entitled to equal and fair recognition in relation to their ability to complete the requirements relative to a job description.

An employer is unable to justify discrepancies in remuneration based on gender or any other characteristic.

While this party is reticent to prescribe quota’s for the inclusion of specific groups within the work force, it would be the encouragement of this party that the Commissioner of Human Rights carefully review the balance and blend of workplaces to ensure an environment is not developing where one or more sections of our community are excluded based on the colour of their skin, their faith or lack thereof or their sexual preference.

Immigration

Introduction


It’s clear that Australia needs to have a strong immigration policy prepared in consultation with the business sector, community, church and other relevant groups. All policy should consider the impact of an increase in population on geographical centres. Infrastructure, housing, public transport etc must be planned to support any increase.

Who Can Come?

Much of the concern by the community is based on ignorance, fear mongering by political groups and other bodies. Illegal boat arrivals strike an unnatural fear in people who have little understanding of the plight of these individuals. 

The ACP firmly believes that a strong border protection program will deliver what the people of Australia want in balance with our international obligations.

At the same time Australia will make these decisions in its own best interest and not in the interest of foreign bodies, some of whom are not elected in a democratic way.

All applications for relocation to Australia will be considered regardless of race, creed, religious observance etc.

All applicants must also acknowledge that while Australia has a diverse mix of cultures and religious groups, Australia is predominantly a white Christian country with it’s own values and culture.

The above statement does not imply any superiority by that group over minorities, it’s just simply a reality.

The rule of law, as based on the Westminster system, is held in the highest regard. All Australians and visitors are subject to that law and will not be held to any other standard.

Any immigrant confirmed to be stirring violence based on century old conflicts from their homelands will be dealt with to the fullest extent possible under law. This may include the revocation of visa’s or even citizenship.

Australian born citizens found citing violence in the same way will also be dealt with to the fullest extent possible under law.

The rule of law takes precedence over any religious doctrine.

What About The Boat People?

Considering the “white fellas” arrived by boat and current thinking suggests our Aboriginal Australians may have also come by boat, modern boat arrivals are nothing new.

Illegal boat arrivals continue to stir frustration among segments of the Australian community. Many of these feelings are unjustified, but the ACP acknowledges that people have a genuine concern.

These people need to be educated about the reality of the perceived problem, this is the role of the Federal Government, the Education System and community groups.

The cost to house these people on Christmas Island and similar facilities is a waste of money which could be far better spent building and growing the diversity of our community.

The ACP believe all applicants must participate in a thorough background check to ensure the integrity of their application. Processes must be reviewed to ensure the speedy processing of applications balanced with the need for security.

A Way Forward

We believe there is a direct correlation between immigration numbers and infrastructure. Planning must be undertaken to provide attractive alternatives for immigrants in regional centres.

The country as a whole is best served by implementing requirements on visas which call for immigrants to spend a set period in regional locations before they can move to other parts of the country. A period of four to five years seems to be an adequate period. Moving, prior to this time, would invalidate their visa and result in expulsion from Australia with a 10 year ban on reapplication.

In balance, companies need to be provided with incentives to have offices, factories and other facilities outside the major cities to provide employment for the growing population. One such suggestion is to provide a reduced tax on regional facilities and staff for businesses.

Regional governments and councils would be expected to provide business plans to the Immigration Department outlining the requirements for their respective communities.

The Immigration Department would then work to source such qualified people from amongst the thousands applying for relocation to Australia each year.

Migrant Workers

Seasonal and Migrant workers are needed at varying times throughout the year and in a variety of locations.

Careful consultation between the Immigration Department and local business and government bodies will help to ensure sufficient visas can be granted to meet the demands of business.

This is one area which Australia can assist our Pacific neighbours. The granting of temporary working visas will provide Australian business with the labour it requires and assist our Pacific neighbours to bring money into their economy.

These workers can return to Australia again and again if their migrant worker visas are granted. However, these visas will not be taken into consideration should the individual seek Australian residency or citizenship at a later stage. They will be treated as any other applicant.

New Zealand would be exempt from this migrant worker policy.

Compassionate Grounds

From time to time the Minister will have the ability to grant visas to foreign nationals who don’t currently meet visa requirements, based on compassionate grounds e.g.: 

• The ability to visit family members with failing health who are currently Australian citizens.
• Sick children from other countries who require specialised medical assistance as identified by registered Australian charities or medical bodies.
• Other situations will be taken on a case by case basis as determined by the Minister and his/her advisors.

The Department of Immigration

A service charter will be prepared outlining minimum levels of service people, Australian’s and foreign nationals, can expect from the Department. 

The Department will be assessed and measured against this criteria.

There would be value in providing a web based CRM type of solution for easy access by applicants to their applications and its’ progress.

The Department will not be provided with a financial bonus to staff for the attainment of targets. Doing so would undermine the integrity of the process. Where people are paid bonuses on a subjective measure, they will always find a way to manipulate the system to distort the outcome to ensure bonuses can be paid. The GFC uncovered many of these circumstances.

The ACP believes, that a clearly defined job description, employment stability and by making the workplace a safe and friendly place, people will perform to their best ability.

It’s critical to maintain absolute transparency and integrity during the processing of applications for visas and citizenship.

Australian Politics, a New Fresh Direction

First Up...


At the point of preparing this blog, I am only one person. I write in the first person because that's all I am at this stage. As I gather feedback via this blog, I may look to register a political party with the AEC. Me will become us and then maybe even a crowd and eventually an MP.


A Little About Me


As a school age kid I would kill myself laughing each morning as the Austereo radio network broadcast their daily political satire skit - "Cactus Island". I would laugh at the antics of Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and other Canberra politicians. Once I got to school, I would sit next to a friend and we two geeks would get the gigglers as we recounted this morning's episode to each other.


This was the beginning of a love I have for government. As I grew older, became and adult, a tax paying member of the community and entered the business world my frustration with politicians, not politics, grew even more.


At their worst I saw politicians who would cower to lobby groups or factions within their parties and ignore the citizens of Australia. At their best, I saw leaders who made outstanding decisions on both side of the house and a mixture of political persuasions. Premier Bligh has recently shown how in the depths of destruction, a leader can be born. Premier Bligh has done an outstanding job during the QLD floods and subsequent cyclone in For North Queensland.


As she rides this wave of justly deserved adulation from many around Australia, let's hope she doesn't fall into the ego traps of her predecessors and peers who seem to somehow lose sight of the reason for their very employment. To service the citizens of Australia. Premier Bligh's true test will be 12 months from now, or at her next election.


Why A Blog?


As I watched the pitiful performance of the two major parties during the NSW state election during 2010 as well as the federal election, I became frustrated with the lack of policy direction. There was none, there was rhetoric, but that was it.


The release of policy was scheduled by media advisors and pollsters to coincide with the best possible time of release, based on the news providers, their agents and the viewing habits of people like you and I.


I believe that policy needs to be transparent, not withheld for limited distribution at very specific times. These policies should be accessible 24/7 and citizens should be able to provide feedback. That's what this site is designed to offer. The thoughts in this blog are my own, they have been shaped my exposure to many views over the years.


I also believe that policy can be fluid, it should not be set in stone. In this fast paced world of ours, things change and sometime they change very quickly. What may have made sense yesterday could no longer be relevant today. Perhaps the federal governments push to get their water policy through in spite of the recent flooding which has seen unprecedented levels of water delivered to some of the hardest hit areas of the east coast.


The media seems to delight in the attack of political figures if they dare to change their view on a subject or topic. As we grow, acquire more knowledge, it's only natural for changes in our views and opinions on specific topics.


I suggest that if such changes are made, justifications be given in the fullest and most honest way possible. I belief it's critical that a politician be able to speak freely about their values, moral code and integrity on any issues related to their electorate or ministerial responsibilities.

In Closing

Please follow this Blog, come back often to see how the documents are progressing. Come back and enjoy the transparency, make comments and share them with your friends. Create discussion amongst your colleagues, fellow students, home makers or retirees.

Please contact me directly if you would like me to provide a policy outline on a subject or topic not listed amongst the ones below.

Thank you

The Blogger