What are human rights? Human rights refer to the basic standards of treatment to which all human beings are entitled. Many of the rights we take for granted are, in fact, human rights – the right to vote, freedom of speech and religion, and protection from discrimination. When human rights are given legal effect they protect people against the actions … more
Monthly Archives:: February 2006
Private Health Insurance: Where are we now and where should we be going?
Ken Harvey explains the development of private health insurance since 1997 when the Howard government first acted to support it. He explores the arguments for and against government support for the scheme and presents a range of policy options for an alternative government including eliminating the existing rebate and transferring funds to the public health sector, gradually reducing the rebate so as to increase the role of market forces and linking the rebate to specific performance indicators for funds.
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Market Needed to Drive New Technology
Anthony Albanese says that avoiding dangerous climate change requires urgent action. Any delay is the equivalent of a footy coach directing their team not to tackle until after halftime. Trapped in the short-term thinking of the election cycle, the federal government is lagging behind the rest of the world. Failure to introduce economic mechanisms now will increase the long-term costs of adjustment to a low carbon economy.
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Spineless leaders capitulate on smokefree pubs
Simon Chapman explains how despite smoking bans in other countries showing an increase in patronage, many state governments in Australia are being influenced by casino and hotel lobbies to water down bans. By catering to a minority of smoking customers, the hospitality industry is ignoring the potential for growth amongst the non-smoking majority. By capitulating to the industry’s demands, legislators are betraying the occupational health of those most exposed: casino & bar staff
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Liveable cities and active transport
While Australian mythology resides in the bush, most Australian people live in cities. Decisions governments make about transport and urban planning therefore have a significant impact on people's lives and quality of life. For example, on average, Australians currently spend two hours a day in their cars. And in some parts of Australian cities, a greater percentage of household income is now spent on transport than on housing. This has negative consequences for social equity, health, urban amenity and the environment.
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We have to start from here: how might health policy visions be implemented?
Judith Dwyer outlines her vision for meaningful, long-term change in Australian health policy and practice. She argues that real change will come about in response to future public health crises, and that any structural or policy changes should be shaped around the practical, material problems faced by health care staff. Dwyer calls for stakeholders to ‘loosen up’ and allow experimentation and leadership across all sectors of the health care system.
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Why Howard is Wrong on Human Rights
Towards the end of his recent Australia Day address to the National Press Club, the Prime Minister expressed his strong opposition to the enactment of a Human Rights Act of the kind currently being advocated by The Centre for Policy Development. His criticism is instructive because it is comprised of many commonly articulated assertions about the effect of human rights legislation, almost none of which are applicable to the actual The Centre for Policy Development proposal.
Human Rights and National Pride
Rodney Croome examines the history of human rights in Australia, with a focus on gay and lesbian rights. While he highlights the many transgressions Australia has experienced in the area of human rights, he reminds readers to be proud of what Australia has achieved – for example, in the areas of gay rights, and race and gender equality. Croome also suggests that it should reflect more of Australia's past human rights achievements if it is to truly win over the Australian public more
Health Challenges: Efficiency
Andrew Podger discusses the challenge of creating a more efficient and cost-effective health care system in Australia. Improved resource allocation and better use of competition are required. Podger argues in favour of a full federal takeover of health and aged care responsibilities but recognises that this cannot happen immediately. In the short term, and to prepare for a full federal takeover, Podger advocates in favour of ‘cooperative federalism’ to address many of these issues
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