Author: media

The Australian Greens have welcomed the announcement of a February 8th by-election in Griffith as the first litmus test of Tony Abbott’s leadership.

Candidate Geoff Ebbs said the Coalition Government was hurting the people of Griffith.

“People in Griffith are already suffering from Campbell Newman’s harsh cuts and we can’t afford more pain to come from Tony Abbott.

“Here in Griffith we want action on global warming, a healthy reef and a compassionate society. Tony Abbott is out of step with our community.

Australian Greens acting-Leader Richard Di Natale said the Griffith by-election would be a test of Tony Abbott’s leadership.

“Less than six months into his leadership, Tony Abbott has left a trail of broken promises, cruelty and environmental vandalism.

“This is the people of Griffith’s opportunity to send a message that Australians deserve better.

Candidate Geoff Ebbs said the Greens would be running a strong people-powered campaign and would be aiming to doorknock 3,000 homes in the electorate. The campaign is data driven and powered by social media. The research and training for the campaign has been provided by Simon Sheikh, national director of Get Up for for years and then candidate for the Senate in the ACT.

“We might not have the resources of Labor and Liberal, but we will make a difference with our people-powered campaign.”

Local Brisbane GP and Vice President of the Doctors Reform Society, Dr Tracy Schrader has called on Dr Bill Glasson, LNP candidate for the seat of Griffith, to a debate on his support for mandatory copayments on GP visits.

“This will be the end of Medicare” said Dr Schrader.

“The government and Dr Glasson believing a $6 copayment is affordable are living in a different world. These costs add up and most of my patients have difficulties already affording medication and other care. This will be another deterrent in seeking care.” concluded Dr Schrader. “This won’t just stop at $6 either. These fees escalate”

“Price signals do not work in health care. This is not cups of coffee or luxury items you’re dealing with here. This is people’s lives and health. People don’t need to be hit with a financial hammer when seeking care. Preventative care, screening and chronic illness management will all be impacted,” Dr Schrader said “and down the line more illness that could have been dealt with more efficiently in the primary care setting.”

“Who determines what’s ‘affordable’ or who’s the ‘most vulnerable’? Most of us are all vulnerable in different ways at some time. Isn’t the taxation office the best place to determine who should pay what and not the doctor’s surgery where we sometimes do feel vulnerable? Free at the point of service is a fundamental principle of universal health care and Medicare. This will only create bureaucratic chaos and won’t save money. It will be more costs for the sick and less well off and less tax for the wealthy.” said Dr Schrader. “Yes, Dr Glasson, if you can afford to pay you should pay – through your taxes.”

“Doctors fees always blow out after the introduction of copayments. Bulk billing has been a cost constraint on doctors fees. Compare the cost to see a GP ($36/$72) with the fees private specialists charge often around $300 plus. Dr Glasson as a private ophthalmologist should be well aware of this. It is the thin edge of the wedge. The death of Medicare Dr Glasson claims to support.” said Dr Schrader.

“Is Dr Glasson also supportive of the proposal of extending the copayment to public hospital emergency departments to “stop the rush of Medicare patients to the state hospital ‘free’ ED”?” asked Dr Schrader. “Introducing a copayment in emergency departments would create an administrative nightmare. The practicalities are almost unthinkable. Who collects and when? Would you be sent a bill if unable to pay at the time? Would debt collectors be sent after people unable to pay? Remember back in the early seventies before Medibank/Medicare, failure to pay medical bills was the main reason for imprisonment for debt in South Australia. And then there’s interference with administrating care. The so-called frontline services the government proclaims to want to protect.”

“Dr Glasson is the endorsed LNP candidate for the Griffith by-election. He and the government have to come out and tell the Australian people exactly where they stand on this. Medicare is an issue at the heart of the Australian people. Why wasn’t such an important policy issue raised prior to the last federal election? Is it bad policy on the run or is there more to it?” said Dr Schrader. “I call on Dr Glasson to a public debate on this issue so the people of Griffith have the opportunity to make an informed decision prior to the by-election.”

(Dr Tracy Schrader also lives in the seat of Griffith)

Hot-property Australian movie star Aaron Pedersen was interviewed this week by Tiga Bayles on West End’s 98.9 FM.

Aaron was in town for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in which he was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor Category for his role in Mystery Road.

The ceremony was at City Hall on Thursday night. The Best Actor award went to Korean superstar Lee Byung-Hun for Masquerade. 

Aaron was very popular on the red carpet and did a number of interview while in Brisbane. Aaron also stars in Warwick Thornton’s new film The Darkside and is set to appear again in the third Jack Irish telemovie on ABC TV next year, co-starring with Guy Pearce.

Health experts fear community confusion is driving Queensland’s growing obesity crisis.

The grim warning comes as a new survey found only four per cent of people could tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy food.

“In a recent survey, people were asked to identify foods as healthy and unhealthy. Worryingly only four per cent of people surveyed passed this simple test,” NAQ Nutrition Senior Nutritionist Aloysa Hourigan said.

“The most common ‘pitfall’ was people incorrectly identifying unhealthy foods like high-sugar breakfast cereals, Caesar salads and frozen yoghurts. These foods are often marketed as healthy but actually contain high amounts of sugar, fat and salt.

“By not knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods, Queenslanders are placing themselves at a higher risk of developing potentially deadly chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“Basically, people are eating too much, too often and snacking too regularly on junk food.

“A single chocolate bar a day might not sound like much but over a year it could lead to weight gain of around 12 kilograms per year. Simply saying no could help people shed up to 12 kilograms a year.”

Ms Hourigan said it was clear many people were overindulging on junk food.

“There was widespread unawareness about how often we should be eating ‘extras’ foods like chocolate bars and potato chips,” Ms Hourigan said.

“The survey found almost 80 per cent of people were eating ‘extras’ foods up to twice a day. This exceeds the Australian Dietary Guidelines which suggest most Australians should eat very little or none of these foods as part of a healthy diet.

“With this amount of confusion it is probably not surprising recent research found Queensland has the highest rate of obesity in Australia.

“Small changes can make a big difference. Simply saying no to extras can make a positive difference to your weight over time.

“The obesity crisis is a significant health issue confronting Queensland and, unfortunately, this survey gives Queenslanders an ‘F’ for nutritional knowledge.”

The survey found:

·         78 per cent of people ate high sugar, high fat foods (cakes, chips, biscuits, lollies and chocolates) one to two times a day

·         20 per cent ate high sugar, high fat foods three or more times a day

·         On average, people ate high sugar, high fat foods 10 times a week

·         Almost 20 per cent consumed sugary drinks every day.

Ms Hourigan said there was a range of ways people could take charge of their own health including using food diaries to keep track of what they are actually eating.

“Research shows recording how much you consume is one way to help reduce consumption,” she said.

“There are plenty of free apps that can help people record what they eat or alternatively the old-fashioned way of using a pen and paper can be just as effective.

“Why not make it easier for yourself at home by doing a basic pantry and fridge audit and getting rid of the junk food and stocking up on lots of vegetables?”

Diabetes Queensland, the Heart Foundation and NAQ Nutrition are encouraging Queenslanders to eat healthier, smaller portions during the festive season. The Queensland partnership is also supported by the Australian Government’s new obesity prevention initiative, Shape Up Australia and funded by the Queensland Government.

There are only a few weeks left to get your films into the West End Film Festival’s 2014 short film competition.

The West End Film Festival (WEFF) is Queensland’s biggest dedicated short film festival are very proud to be returning for their 5th year in March 2014.  WEFF are passionate about screening diverse and intriguing stories from local and national filmmakers. Organisers are looking for the best short films Australia has to offer across all genres, with a running time of less than 30 minutes.

On March 23rd 2014, WEFF will showcase a program of shorts at its pop-up cinema located in the heart of one of Brisbane’s most vibrant boroughs, West End. In previous years, sell-out crowds have attended the festival and enjoyed its relaxed atmosphere and urban outdoor setting.

So get your film(s) in before the deadline of December 31 for your chance to win cash prizes and be a part of WEFF 2014. Entry forms are available on the website. For enquiries please contact info@westendfilmfestival.com.au.

WEFF NOW ACCEPTING DIGITAL FILES

This year WEFF has worked to make it easier for you to enter your films and are now accepting Pro-Res or H.264 files as film entry formats. Please send file(s) via a DVD, hard drive, USB stick or file share. If needed, please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope, so they can be sent back to you.

For chance to be a part of one of Queensland’s biggest short film festival go to WEFF website and download the entry form.

http://westendfilmfestival.com.au/

Entry deadline: Dec 31st 2013.

If all you want to do is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas but are instead too stressed trying to Deck the Halls to feel Joy to the World, it’s time to take a Christmas reality check.

QUT Rehabilitation and Wellness manager Dr Leith Henry, a psychologist, said it was easy to fall prey to the same less-than-perfect holiday behaviour patterns year after year. Instead, this year give yourself the ultimate Yuletide present – treat angst-filled Christmases to an emotional make-over.

“Christmas can be a very stressful time for people,” Dr Henry said. “It does not have to be.

“Often, people hold unrealistic expectations about what the days should be. They have this picture in their head – the perfect Disney day with all the trimmings and everyone is completely happy and every morsel of food is delicious.

“It’s not in one person’s control to have a `perfect’ day.

“It might help to know exactly what you do want to experience. Determine your priorities, your values and the definition of what a `good Christmas’ is to you. And then make plans around that.

“Reflect on what is meaningful to you and create your own traditions and rituals.

“And take the focus of just that one day by shifting perspective to the holiday `season’.”

She said the key to Christmas resilience was to realise those anxiety-triggering circumstances which happen every year and then to work out a strategy to change them.

For example, the Santa tradition for many families represents a large financial burden. Consider an alternative, such as playing “Secret Santa” in larger families so you only have to buy one gift; or set a dollar-value limit that everyone agrees to stay below.

“And there’s nothing wrong with homemade or sentimental presents – sometimes these are the best kind,” Dr Henry said.

“The important thing to remember is that the Christmas period is one of the very few opportunities for families to spend time together during the working year. It’s a time for rest and relaxation, a time to enjoy being together. That’s the real meaning of Christmas.

“The magic of Christmas is about being kind to ourselves and those we love.”

How to build Christmas resilience:

Find a balance between meeting expectations and getting what you want – “let go” of perfect and Disney.
Start new Christmas traditions with connection as a focus – family, friends, self, others in need. Consider volunteering (Volunteers Australia or local acts of kindness).
As far as possible, maintain stress management, sleep routines, eating well, exercise etc.
Remember that others may be stressed too, so be patient and tolerant. Acknowledge emotion, listen for underlying meaning, be prepared to make some concessions and try not to personalise too much.
Decide purchases before hitting the shops, to avoid impulse buying. Consider homemade gifts (eg baking, cards, jams, vouchers for your labour), but remember also to “budget” your time.
Consider that others might be relieved for you to take the lead in setting limits on expectations.
Learn to say “no” – you don’t have to attend everything you’re invited to, be the life of the party or to stay till stumps.
Allow extra time for contingencies and delegate to others.

Christmas stress triggers:

Family – Increased contact with family can lead to conflict, tension, pressure. Moreover, because we might expect this contact to resemble a Disney movie, our sense of disappointment or upset over tensions may be heightened.
Split families and in-laws – We may feel pressure to please everyone, spread ourselves around fairly, manage sensitivities and coordinate lavish gatherings (as seen on Pinterest).
Religious matters – Our values may be challenged by perceived obligations and expectations and tensions may arise around ideological clashes.
Financial pressure – Buying for large families can be expensive, and there is social and media pressure to spend more each year or feel guilty. The costs of social events and catering can all cast a financial burden.
Grief – The reminder of absent friends, our first Christmas without someone special or since a major change or event, can leave a sense of loneliness and grief that we may feel we can’t share.
Loneliness – Separation and/or isolation can lead us to feel lonely and like ‘Christmas failures’.
Triggers – Upsetting memories related to Christmas or childhood, brought on by the season or what/who it brings back into your life can unsettle us and may even trigger episodes of mental illness.
Having to be jolly – On top of all the above, the pressure to put on a happy face and be jovial can lead to a sense of leading a double life in which no one really ‘knows us’.
Overeating and drinking – these can lead to weight gain, embarrassing displays, injuries etc.
Busy schedules of events – There is a danger of feeling exhausted and then having to return to work.