Dickson News November 2008
From your
Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Mr Rudd drives up private health insurance premiums and forces 500,000 extra people into the public hospital system.
In Parliament recently Mr Rudd made changes to the Medicare Levy Surcharge threshold which means that an estimated 500,000 Australians will drop private health insurance. For the 10 million Australians remaining in the private health system this will mean extra premiums and for those people already waiting on public hospital queues, there will be 500,000 more people demanding services when they are sick, in the already strained public hospital system.
Support for Pensioners
After continued pressure from the Coalition to provide assistance to pensioners struggling with the rising cost of living, the government has announced a lump sum payment of $1400 to single pensioners and $2100 to pensioner couples. I am pleased to see this one-off payment going to pensioners but it concerns me the government couldn’t act decisively.
If Mr Rudd and Mr Swan had a sense of social compassion the relief would be immediate with a permanent weekly boost of $30 to help single pensioners who are in crisis now and not as a one off payment designed to stimulate the economy for Christmas. The Prime Minister and members of his government admit that they could not live on the pension, yet they are making pensioners wait a further three months for money to buy basic necessities and pay the bills that are on the table now.
If the predicted 500,000 people drop out of private health insurance due to changes to the Medicare Levy Surcharge this pensioner bonus will be swallowed up in meeting the rising cost of private health fund fees.
I am sure all Australians would like to see pensioners assisted and if you would like to have your say on this to the Rudd government, you can go to my website www.peterdutton.com.au and download the petition supporting older Australians or contact my office on 3205 9977 for a copy.
New Shadow Portfolio
All Dickson residents and especially local families and older residents expect a health system which provides an appropriate level of care and support. On 23 September I was pleased to have been promoted to the position of Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing. Thank you to all who have emailed or phoned with kind wishes. Many of our state health systems and Queensland in particular are suffering from years of neglect and mismanagement.
Of particular concern for residents on the North side of Brisbane is the proposed Super Children’s Hospital at the Mater and the closure of the Royal Children’s Hospital at Herston. You can voice your opinion by going to www.smarthospitals.com.au.
All Australians deserve a reliable and efficient health service and we need to protect the services we already have. I encourage people to visit me at my mobile office or email me with their ideas for improving our health system.
Pool Safety
With summer fast approaching I would like to remind constituents that Pool Safety cards with a guide to resuscitation are available from my office or by calling 3205 9977.
Stroke Foundation Wallet Cards
FAST is a simple way of remembering the signs of stroke and what to do if you experience them or see the signs in another person. FAST stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to act FAST – calling 000 immediately could prevent death or severe disability. To obtain your free wallet cards contact my Strathpine office on 3205 9977.
Business Grants
Re-tooling for Climate Change will offer small and medium sized manufacturers grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 to help them reduce the environmental impact of their production processes. Grants will meet up to one-third of the costs of projects to improve energy or water efficiency of their production processes. For more information go to AusIndustry’s website at www.ausindustry.gov.au or call or email the hotline (13 28 46 / hotline@ausindustry.gov.au )
Support for Pensioners
After continued pressure from the Coalition to provide assistance to pensioners struggling with the rising cost of living, the government has announced a lump sum payment of $1400 to single pensioners and $2100 to pensioner couples. I am pleased to see this one-off payment going to pensioners but it concerns me the government couldn’t act decisively.
If Mr Rudd and Mr Swan had a sense of social compassion the relief would be immediate with a permanent weekly boost of $30 to help single pensioners who are in crisis now and not as a one off payment designed to stimulate the economy for Christmas. The Prime Minister and members of his government admit that they could not live on the pension, yet they are making pensioners wait a further three months for money to buy basic necessities and pay the bills that are on the table now.
If the predicted 500,000 people drop out of private health insurance due to changes to the Medicare Levy Surcharge this pensioner bonus will be swallowed up in meeting the rising cost of private health fund fees.
I am sure all Australians would like to see pensioners assisted and if you would like to have your say on this to the Rudd government, you can go to my website www.peterdutton.com.au and download the petition supporting older Australians or contact my office on 3205 9977 for a copy.
New Shadow Portfolio
All Dickson residents and especially local families and older residents expect a health system which provides an appropriate level of care and support. On 23 September I was pleased to have been promoted to the position of Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing. Thank you to all who have emailed or phoned with kind wishes. Many of our state health systems and Queensland in particular are suffering from years of neglect and mismanagement.
Of particular concern for residents on the North side of Brisbane is the proposed Super Children’s Hospital at the Mater and the closure of the Royal Children’s Hospital at Herston. You can voice your opinion by going to www.smarthospitals.com.au.
All Australians deserve a reliable and efficient health service and we need to protect the services we already have. I encourage people to visit me at my mobile office or email me with their ideas for improving our health system.
Pool Safety
With summer fast approaching I would like to remind constituents that Pool Safety cards with a guide to resuscitation are available from my office or by calling 3205 9977.
Stroke Foundation Wallet Cards
FAST is a simple way of remembering the signs of stroke and what to do if you experience them or see the signs in another person. FAST stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to act FAST – calling 000 immediately could prevent death or severe disability. To obtain your free wallet cards contact my Strathpine office on 3205 9977.
Business Grants
Re-tooling for Climate Change will offer small and medium sized manufacturers grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 to help them reduce the environmental impact of their production processes. Grants will meet up to one-third of the costs of projects to improve energy or water efficiency of their production processes. For more information go to AusIndustry’s website at www.ausindustry.gov.au or call or email the hotline (13 28 46 / hotline@ausindustry.gov.au )
