Print this article | Email this article

Timetable for Next Australian Elections

The Federal Parliamentary Library has produced a useful paper on the timetable for the next Australian elections. It details the likely and fixed dates for the next Federal, State and Territory elections.

It takes on added significance with the latest manoeuvring for leadership of the Federal Liberal Party and the Prime Ministership between John Howard and Peter Costello.

In addition to the internal tensions within the Liberal Party over the next or so, 2006 and 2007are going to be busy years for Federal, State and Territory politicians seeking election and for interest groups seeking to influence the public policy agenda.

 

The Next Federal Election

The Howard Federal Government is likely to face voters in 2007 seeking an historic fifth term.

With the Federal Coalition controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate from 1 July 2005, speculation of election dates becomes easier as the condition for calling a Double Dissolution election (where there is a legislative deadlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate) is extremely unlikely to occur.

That said, the latest possible date for a House of Representatives election is Saturday, 19 January 2008.

However, as this would involve calling an election and campaigning over the Christmas/New Year period, this date can be ruled out. No Federal election has never been held in January.

Therefore, the latest practical date for the next Federal election is Saturday 15, December 2007.

Given Prime Minister Howard's stated preference to take the Government to its full term, it can be expected that the next Federal election is likely to be held some time between October 2007 and December 2007.

Two other major events may influence the timing of the next Federal elections. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting is to be held in Sydney in 2007. It would be unprecedented to call an election while so many foreign leaders are visiting.

And of course, the Prime Minister's own future and any possible decisions on his retirement or challenge from Peter Costello will have a significant impact on likely election dates.

The Federal Coalition's strong performance at the last Federal election in October 2004, where it received 52.8 percent of the two-party preferred vote, will make the next election difficult for Labor. The latest Newspoll taken in mid-April 2005 does indicate a slight improvement in their position, but with still significant ground to be made up.

 

Northern Territory Election

The next Australian election will be held later this year in the Northern Territory, where the Martin Labor Government will seek re-election on or before, Saturday 15 October 2005.

South Australian Election

South Australia has a fixed election date of Saturday, 18 March 2006. The latest Newspoll results has the Labor's Mike Rann Government in an improved position from the their election result in February 2002. Polling undertaken in the first quarter of 2005 has the Labor Government two-party preferred vote at 53 percent while the Opposition has support form just 47 percent of voters.

Victorian Election

Victoria also has a fixed election date with voters to go to the polls on Saturday, 25 November 2006. After a very strong result in the November 2002 election, where the Bracks Labor Government received 57.8 percent of the two-party preferred voted, the Liberal Opposition has made up strong ground in the latest Newspoll putting them in front of the Government on 51 percent.

Tasmanian Election

While Tasmania has a four year term, the poll must be held by Saturday 23, September 2006, but as the election date is not fixed it could be held any time up to that date. There has been some speculation that the Lennon Labor Government may call an election as early as this year.

 

NSW Election

In 2007, both the Beattie Queensland Labor Government and the Carr NSW Labor Government will be seeking their fourth term.

NSW voters will be the first to visit the polling booth in 2007 with the election dated fixed for Saturday 24, March 2007. Like Victoria, the Carr Labor Government had a resounding victory when it last faced voters achieving 56.2 percent of the two-party preferred vote. The John Brogden-led conservative Opposition received just 43.8 percent of the two-party preferred vote in the March 2003 State election.

The ongoing troubles the Carr Government has been having with public transport, particular the rail system, and other issues has been reflected in the latest Newspoll with the Opposition ahead, on 52 percent two-party preferred vote, of the Labor Government on 48 percent.

 

Queensland Election

The Queensland Legislative Assembly has a three-year term, but the election date is not fixed. Premier Beattie must hold the next Queensland election by Saturday, 5 May 2007.

Peter Beattie's commanding position in Queensland remains. The February 2004 State election saw the Labor Government receive 59 percent of the two-party preferred vote to the conservatives 41 percent. The split between the Liberal and National parties in that State continue to impact on their support with the latest Newspoll, taken in the first quarter of this year showing the Beattie Government still receiving a high 55 percent of the two-party preferred vote. The conservatives are polling just 45 percent.

 

---

Full Australian Election Timetable

15 October 2005 — Northern Territory (1)

18 March 2006 — South Australia (2)

23 September 2006 — Tasmania (1)

25 November 2006 — Victoria (2)

24 March 2007 — New South Wales (2)

5 May 2007 — Queensland (1)

October - December 2007 — Federal (3)

18 October 2008 — Australian Capital Territory (2)

28 March 2009— West Australia (2)

(1) Latest possible election date
(2) Fixed election date
(3) Most likely time for the Federal election to be held

Print this article | Email this article

Print this article | Email this article

Cornelia Rau: Catalyst for Mental Health Reform?

The locking up of a mentally ill Australian citizen in an immigration detention centre may well be the catalyst to lasting reform on mental health according Tim Grau, Managing Director of Springboard Australia. The following article was first published in the international publication The Healthcare Lobbyist.

The ten month incarceration of mentally ill Australian citizen in a detention centre built to hold asylum seekers and “illegal” immigrants while awaiting processing has sparked more than a political storm.

The revelation that authorities had failed to establish the true identity of Cornelia Rau, whose family had reported her missing, was wrongfully detained in an immigration detention centre and her mental illness not diagnosed left many Australians wondering how a person with a mental illness can disappear without a trace.

The system failures in this case are now the subject of an official Government inquiry, but of perhaps greater significance is the ensuing public debate about mental health services throughout the country.

The one positive outcome of the disturbing Cornelia Rau incident has been a focus on the need to examine and improve the adequacy of the nation’s mental health services.

Following an initial flurry of finger pointing and blame shifting all political parties have now agreed to establish an extensive inquiry into Australia’s mental health services.

The Australian Senate has established an all party Select Committee on Mental Health that will receive submissions from interested organisations and individuals and will conduct a series of public hearings before reporting on October 6, 2005.

The extensive terms of reference provide health care providers, industry, consumers and carers an opportunity to ensure governments are delivering adequate services, regulations are appropriate and support is available.

As the Cornelia Rau case demonstrated, where she was first imprisoned in a State gaol before being transferred to a Federal Immigration Department detention centre, Australia’s Federal system of government can and does lead to inefficiencies, lack of coordination and duplication.

With a total of 9 governments – one Federal and eight State or Territories – responsible for the delivery of health services it is appropriate that the first term of reference for the Senate inquiry is to examine the National Mental Health Strategy, the resources committed to it and the division of responsibility for policy and funding between all levels of government.

It will also examine opportunities for improving coordination and delivery of funding and services at all levels of government to ensure appropriate and comprehensive care is provided.

As part of this study the Senate will look at the adequacy of data collection, outcome measures and quality control for monitoring and evaluating mental health services at all levels of government and opportunities to link funding with compliance with national standards.

Already some early speculation has suggested that the management of mental health issues may, by agreement, become solely the Federal Government’s responsibility.

Of particular interest to the health care and pharmaceutical industry will be the Committee’s examination of the current state of mental health research, the adequacy of its funding and the extent to which best practice is disseminated.

As will the investigation of the adequacy of various modes of care for people with a mental illness, in particular, prevention, early intervention, acute care, community care, after hours crisis services and respite care.

The Senate will also explore the appropriate role of the private and non-government sectors, including the potential for new modes of delivery of mental health care, including e-technology.

Though not explicit in its terms of reference, this may open the door for a further examination and recommendations on the adequacy of the nation’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme where some mental health drug treatments are listed on the Scheme and therefore more readily available to consumers than other treatments.

The special needs of groups such as children, adolescents, the aged, Indigenous Australians, the socially and geographically isolated and of people with complex and co-morbid conditions and drug and alcohol dependence will also be a focus of the Inquiry.

Support services, education and training will be examined with particular reference to barriers to better mental health outcomes as a result of the unmet need in supported accommodation, employment, family and social support services.

The Committee will also inquire into the role and adequacy of training and support for primary carers in the treatment, recovery and support of people with a mental illness as well as the role of primary health care in promotion, prevention, early detection and chronic care management.

The new opportunities for reducing the effects of iatrogenesis and promoting recovery-focussed care through consumer involvement, peer support and education of the mental health workforce, and for services to be consumer-operated may also result from the Inquiry.

Mental health support groups will have an opportunity to make recommendations on the adequacy of education in de-stigmatising mental illness and disorders and in providing support service information to people affected by mental illness and their families and carers.

Finally, the Inquiry will also examine a range of associated issues such as the overrepresentation of people with a mental illness in the criminal justice system and in custody, the practice of detention and seclusion within mental health facilities and the proficiency and accountability of agencies, such as housing, employment, law enforcement and general health services, in dealing appropriately with people affected by mental illness.

This Australian Senate inquiry is unique in many respects, not least of which the incident and manner in which it was instigated.

But more importantly, unlike many Senate inquires it has bipartisan and minor party support.

For those working and interested in mental health, the inquiry, its submission-based approach, public hearings and subsequent report therefore does provide a real opportunity for them to shape the future of Australia’s mental health services, policy and environment.

Rather than the Cornelia Rau tragedy serving as a dreadful reminder of the all too common plight of the mentally ill it may just be the catalyst to lasting reform.

Print this article | Email this article

Print this article | Email this article

Budgets, Budgets, Budgets

The 2005-06 Budget season has begun with the release of the Victorian, ACT and Northern Territory Budgets on May 3 and the Federal Budget due to be brought down next week.

Other State Budgets are due to be released later in May and June.

Here we provide the highlights of the Victorian, ACT and Territory Budgets. Summaries of other State Budgets will be included in the May Newsletter.

Details of the Federal Budget will be included in a Special Newsletter to be published next week.

2005-06 Victorian Budget Highlights

Victorian Treasurer, John Brumby, described the Budget as being "about opportunity and prosperity", saying: "It is about using the proceeds of a strong and dynamic Victorian economy to invest for the future - generating new opportunities and greater prosperity across the State and making Victorian the best place in Australia to raise a family."

Key elements include:

Operating surplus of $365 million in 2005-06

Expected economic growth of 3.0 percent in 2005-06

Public sector savings across government departments of $532 million over the next four years

$2.3billion for infrastructure investment, including $473 million for health and community services related infrastructure and redevelopment of the Royal Children's Hospital, $300 million for the redevelopment of the Melbourne Markets, $660 million for transport infrastructure, $158 million for justice infrastructure including a statewide police stations program and $11 million towards the redevelopment of Melbourne Olympic Park

Land tax cuts worth $23 million over five years

Abolition of bank account debits tax from 1 July 2005, at a cost of more than $250 million a year

Abolition of rental business duty from 1 January 2007, at a cost of around $65 million a year

In education, $89 million to connect every government school in the State to the SmartONE fibre-optic broadband network, $94 million to build or complete 16 new and replacement schools, $31 million for new specialist facilities in secondary schools and an $151 million for non-government schools

In health, a $578 million increase in finding over the next four years, including a special allocation of $30 million over two years for a "blitz" on elective surgery waiting times for up to 10,000 patients experiencing long times to treatment, $8.5 million for a statewide Health Assist Line and$110 million rebuilding emergency departments across the State

In the area of community safety, the Budget boast Victoria's crime rates is 23% below the national average and provides $78 million to build or complete 54 metropolitan and country police stations and provide 12 new mobile police stations as well as $57 million for resources to fight organised and major crime

More than $780 million has been provided over four years to implement the Government's social policy statement - A Fairer Victoria - which delivers new support for families, children, indigenous Victorians, young people at risk and the elderly

The First Home Bonus will be extended for a further two years - providing a $5000 grant until the end of December 2005 and a $3000 grant for an additional 18 months until 30 June 2007

In transport, over $660 million in capital funding for the Metropolitan Transport Plan, including $200 million boost for public transport and roads in Melbourne's outer growth suburbs, $96 million investment in road and rail networks throughout regional Victoria and $35 million over four years to provide a 25 per cent discount on licence costs to motorists who incur no demerit points in the three years leading up to their renewal

A 10 percent cut to the average WorkCover premium rate for 2005-06 to save Victorian businesses $170 million and reduce the average rate to 1.8 per cent – equal to the lowest level in the scheme's history

A $106 million investment over five years in new innovative energy technologies to ensure a secure energy supply, maximise industry competitiveness and reduce greenhouse

For the environment, an additional $92 million for the protection and care of parks

Victorian Treasurer, John Brumby's full Budget Speech is available here (1.3MB PDF file). The Victorian Government's special budget web site including all Budget Papers is available here.

2005-06 Australian Capital Territory Budget

ACT Treasurer, Ted Qunilan, described the fourth Stanhope Budget as delivering on the Government's commitments while being "both financially responsible and response to the needs to our community."

Key elements include:

General government sector debt of $91.5 million in 2005-06

Expected Gross State Product growth of 1.8 percent in 2005-06

Expected jobs growth of 1.0 percent in 2005-06

Increasing rates from 1 July 2005, will be equal to an average of $104 per annum, or $2 a week, for residential and rural properties and an average of $312 for commercial properties. This will generate an extra $13.8 million a year in revenue

$292.4 million for capital works, comprising 77.5 million for new works and $215 million for works in progress. Major projects include $6 million to upgrade the Childers Street Precinct in City West, $6 million establishment of a world-class recreational forest of over 1,500 hectares, with facilities for major sporting events at Stromlo Forest Park, additional funding of $16.1m for the Gungahlin Drive Extension and upgrades of fire systems at The Canberra Hospital ($2.6m) and Calvary Hospital ($1m)

In education, $677.899 million has been provided, representing an increase of $13.2 million on last year. Initiatives in this year's Budget include $2 million for the School Building Renewal Fund to provide additional capital funding to improve the quality of school infrastructure, $1 million in funding to support access and participation needs of students with a disability and $1.150 million to increase preschool hours recognising the benefits to children of early learning experiences. Non-government school funding is $147.6 million, representing an increase of $13.7 million

In training, the Budget commits $103.4 million, providing 5,335,000 annual student curriculum hours provided by the Canberra Institute of Technology and other vocational education training providers

In health, total expenses of $689.9 million has been allocated, including news funding for the Elective Surgery Reform ($2m) to ensure patients with the highest clinical need have timely access to surgery, $278,000 for Dental Services to reduce the denture and general anaesthetic waiting list and $2 million for Hospital Equipment to increasing the medical equipment replacement program

In the area of community safety and justice, the Budget allocates $103.9 million, including almost $500,000 to create a new Human Rights Commission to incorporate the functions of the Community and Health Services Complaints Commissioner, the Discrimination and Human Rights Commissioner, the Disability Services Commission and includes establishing the office for the Commissioner for Children and Young People

Policing will receive $94.4 million, an increase of $3.5 million and includes providing for 10 additional police positions in 2007-08 and a further 10 in 2008-09 and providing $100,000 for the initial development of a child protection registration capability

In transport, $82.9 million has been provided including $4.840 million for the Bus Replacement Program to purchase an additional eleven new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), wheelchair accessible, air conditioned buses and $923,000 for bus maintenance

In the area of sport and recreation, the Budget provides$ 63.4 million, representing an increase of $10.2, including $770,000 for maintaining and improving Manuka Oval and $1.7 million to upgrade Phillip Oval

ACT Treasurer, Mr Ted Qunilan's full Budget Speech is available here (750KB PDF file). The ACT Government's special web site including all Budget Papers is available here.

2005-06 Northern Territory Budget Highlights

Northern Territory Treasurer, Sid Stirling, declared the Budget was "backing Territorians", saying it delivers "less tax, local jobs and better skills." He states it delivers record tax cuts as well as "record health, education and police funding and record infrastructure spending - to keep the Territory moving ahead."

Key elements include:

Surplus of $46 million in 2005-06

Expected Gross State Product growth of 6.2percent in 2005-06

Expected jobs growth of 2 percent in 2005-06

Record infrastructure spending of $476 million, including $66 million for Power and Water capital investment, 21.7 million for Auslink Network, $7.3 million for Darwin City Waterfront and Convention Centre

Payroll tax and stamp duty cuts worth $40m million, including increasing the payroll tax threshold to $1 million on July 1 2005 and to $1.25 million from 1 July 2006, with stamp duty concessions for first home buyers to increase from $125,000 to $200,000

Abolition of electronic debit transaction duty from 1 July 2005, at a cost of $2.4 million

Abolition of debit tax from 1 July 2005, at a cost of around $6.2 million a year

In training, the Budget commits to train 10,000 Territorians over the next four years. Four new training initiatives are to be introduced, including a Work Wear Work Gear cash bonus of up $500, 40 new vocational education and training scholarships worth $4000 each, a Work Ready NT program boosting funding for school to work transition ad a new Build Skills program injecting money to improve skills of existing workers

In education, a budget of $582 million, including $266 million for early childhood and primary schools, $139 million for Government secondary schools and $81 million for non-government schools. The Budget also supports the employment of an additional 100 teachers and $74 million for new and ongoing capital works

In health, a total budget of $687 million, including $392 million for hospitals, $110 million for community health services and $87 million for aged, disability and mental health services

In the area of community safety, the police, fire and emergency services budget is $189 million, including $200,000 for mobile police stations in Darwin and Alice Springs and 25 additional police vehicles for Aboriginal community police officers

Supporting families the Budget provides $8.13 million for seniors and the pensioners concessions scheme, $3.7 million to subsidise child care and $500,000 for family support services

A total of $28.9 million has been provide tourism marketing and communications

In transport, $137 million for roads and National Highways, including $15 million for upgrades to the Victorian Highway

For the environment, $4.5 million has been provided for the Office of Environment and Heritage, $500,000 for the Mary River desalination project, $300,000 for the Darwin Harbour Regional Plan of Management and $1 million for heritage repairs and maintenance

 

NT Treasurer, Sid Stirling's full Budget Speech is available here (172KB PDF file). The NT Government's special web site including all Budget Papers is available here.

---

Federal, State and Territory Budget Dates

Victorian Budget — 3 May 2005

ACT Budget — 3 May 2005

Northern Territory Budget — 3 May 2005

Federal Budget — 10 May 2005

Tasmanian Budget — 19 May 2005

NSW Budget — 24 May 2005

South Australian Budget — 26 May 2005

West Australian Budget — 26 May 2005

Queensland Budget — 7 June 2005

| Email this article

Federal Budget and Leadership Online Research

Springboard Australia, in partnership with the e-journal Online Opinion, will be conducting online research, including focus groups on Australians’ attitudes and views on the Federal Budget, leadership and politics.

The research and focus groups will test voters’ views on the Budget initiatives, the latest leadership issues within the Liberal Party and the performance of the Opposition.

Individuals wanting to participate in the research should fill out the questionnaire at www.ozelections.com from Wednesday, 11 May 2005. A selection of respondents will then be chosen to participate in online focus groups.

Tell friend about the research and encourage them to participate by clicking here.

The results of the research will be presented in our next Newsletter.

Print this article | Email this article

Springboard Australia launches

Now more than ever Hunter Valley winemakers are producing wines acclaimed as ‘the World’s best’ on the international show circuit. Australia’s longest standing wine producing region The Hunter Valley counts the country’s most skilled winemakers and experienced grape growers among its ranks and today incorporates a multitude of premium producing sub regions and boutique producers.

Accessing and deciphering information from a pool of such immense diversity and scope as The Hunter Valley wine industry is inevitably challenging. There is presently no centralised information resource on Hunter Valley Wine Producers or wines of Hunter Valley origin. The business of winemaking, not marketing, has historically been the realm of regional expertise.

Springboard Australia, in partnership with the Sydney and Hunter Valley-based public relations company, Wild Rhino, is now developing the .

will deliver the first specialised resource on hunter grown hunter made wines. Targeted primarily to trade, industry and media nationally, it is designed to facilitate the accessibility of information and inroads to ‘the very best of wines of Hunter Valley origin’.

will concentrate on wines made by Hunter Valley wine producers from grapes grown in The Hunter Valley.

Information showcased by will incorporate, but not be restricted to, trophy and award winning wines of each year’s Hunter Valley Wine Show.

in its many facets is designed to effectively captivate, educate and communicate to the marketplace a quality representation of the strengths, scope, relevance and desirability of Hunter Valley wine and wine producers.

in 2005 will encompass:

— launch & inaugural hunter grown hunter made roadshow

— on line – web based information resource

— on location – a series of sponsor exclusive masterclass events

We are now seeking sponsorship partners for to join this major foray into the hunter wine industry representing more than 300 established winegrowers and winemakers ranging from iconic brands to premium boutique producers.

Organisations interested in finding out more about this exciting opportunity simple click here to make contact.

Print this article | Email this article

Australians' Attitudes to Federal Budgets: An Historical View

With the Federal Budget due to be delivered by Treasurer Peter Costello on Tuesday, 10 May 2005 it is timely to look back at how Federal Budgets have been received by Australians.

We have graphed below the results of Newspoll research over the past 14 years.

The first graph plots Australians attitudes when they were asked how do they think the Budget will affect their own financial position over the following twelve months.

It shows that the last Federal Budget delivered by Peter Costello has a record high on this score with 29 percent of Australians believing they would be personally financially better off. Similarly, it had the lowest percent of Australians believing that they would be worse off.

With speculation of a tight Budget, cuts to Medicare and the recent interest rate increases the Howard Government will be hard pressed to achieve the same level of approval next month.

The next graph plots the results from polling asking Australians whether they believe the Budget will be good or bad for the Australian economy. Again the last two Coalition Government's Budgets have achieved strong support in terms of the impact on the economy with 50 percent believing it to be good to the Australian economy in 2004.

Print this article | Email this article

| Email this article

2005 Calendar of Events