New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

MORE LABOR HEALTH FAILURE: CANCER PATIENTS LEFT OFF WAITING LISTS, TREATMENT DELAYED

Victor P Taffa

Labor Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt’s admission her new surgery booking system for Westmead Hospital has failed is yet another reason for families to vote out this incompetent Keneally Labor Government in March, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

“After 15 years in office, the incompetent Keneally Labor Government and Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt can’t even get a surgery booking system right – how can they pretend they know how to run the entire health system.” Mrs Skinner said.

“Surgeons report cancer patients have suffered needlessly because of Labor’s incompetence by not having their operations done as soon as possible.”

“Patient care is being compromised because of Keneally Labor Government incompetence.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“This latest health bungle has all the usual Labor ingredients: overly bureaucratic processes, ignoring concerns from frontline surgeons, botching straightforward procedures and making waiting list figures appear smaller than they actually are.”

“The Keneally Labor Government claims everything will be fixed when ‘new’ Federal funds become available in July – the rest of us suspect nothing will change.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Kristina Keneally is all lights, camera but no action – and her incompetent Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt is just more of the same.”

“NSW has now had six Health Ministers in just five years – no wonder the NSW health system is in a mess.”

“The Keneally Labor Government needs to rectify this booking bungle as a matter of urgency so no more cancer patients suffer painful delays.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Failure to do so will simply confirm that nothing has changed.”

“Nothing in NSW will change until there is a change of government in NSW.”

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are committed to change and making NSW number one again.” Mrs Skinner said.

The Federal Takeover of Hospitals will not change the day-to-day running of Hospitals and will not shorten waiting lists.

Initially the Rudd Government will announce a reduction in waiting times however more likely than not will simply be an accounting transfer procedure.

The question that should be asked of the Rudd Government is with a Federal Takeover of Hospitals will mean that State Government’s will not require Health Minister’s?

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

KENEALLY LABOR GOVERNMENT FAILS TO CLOSE THE GAP ON ABORIGINAL HEALTH

Victor P Taffa

Despite signing the Close The Gap agreement in Parliament a week ago, Premier Kristina Keneally was unable to explain in Question Time why she underspent the Aboriginal Health Budget last year and failed to meet key health performance indicators, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Budget Papers reveal the Aboriginal Health Services budget was underspent by $4.6 Million.

Meanwhile, the target to reduce potentially avoidable deaths for Aboriginal people aged <75 to 341 persons per 100,000 of population was not met.

“Kristina Keneally was unable to explain why she failed to spend the allocation given to Aboriginal Health while at the same time failing to meet targets to reduce unnecessary deaths in Aboriginal persons.” Mrs Skinner said.

“It’s one thing to sign the Close The Gap agreement, but it’s another to actually follow through with action.”

“As usual Kristina Keneally is there for the photo opportunity, but has failed when it comes to delivering better health services and better health outcomes.”

“Kristina Keneally is all lights, camera, but no action.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“The fact the Keneally Labor Government failed to meet its targets for potentially avoidable Aboriginal deaths and didn’t spend all the funds available for Aboriginal Health speaks volumes about Labor’s incompetence.”

“It is disingenuous of Kristina Keneally to pretend she is concerned about Aboriginal Health and then fail to spend the funds available in the NSW Budget.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Kristina Keneally is more concerned with her media image.”

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is determined to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents in NSW.” Mrs Skinner said.

The same lack of expenditure on Mental Health runs with that on Aboriginal Health. This is a sad indictment on a Government that has outlived its use-by date.

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Community Services Pru Goward

Government Slashes Investigatory Powers – Takes all the Soft Options

Victor P Taffa

Shadow Minister for Community Services Pru Goward today condemned the Keneally Labor Government’s 2010/11 Budget for cutting funds to the areas of child protection where it is most needed and for refusing to do the hard yards in Child Protection.

The budget will damage both the investigatory capabilities of Community Services and its early intervention and prevention services.

“The ratio of children in Out Of Home Care (OOHC) in NSW has increased year after year. In 2006 it was 6.7 children out of every 1,000, it is now 10.2. It is almost certain that it will rise again this year.” Ms. Goward said.

“This increase will not stop until the Keneally Labor Government begins to do the hard yards and link families at risk with the vital services they need to remain a viable family.”

“Our rate is substantially higher than any other Australian jurisdiction. The price borne by the children of this state who have been unnecessarily removed is incalculable.” Ms. Goward said.

“Whilst OOHC expenditure blows out, other areas are suffering, like statutory child protection funding, which has dropped by $12.7 M.”

“The Wood Commission recognised Community Services was already failing to meet its statutory obligations when it came to investigating reports of children at risk-of-harm, now we see the Keneally Labor Government slashing this capability further.”

“Wood found that only 13% of reports to DoCS were investigated face-to-face. By cutting their protection budget the Keneally Labor Government seems determined to reduce its investigations even further.” Ms. Goward said.

“It has been shown time and time again that the best way to fix a family is to work with them and link them up with the services they need. Not to take the simple option of just removing children.”

“No one except Minister Burney would seriously believe that more than 1% of NSW families need to be torn apart. However, this just continues the Minister’s history and shows why she was so keen to immediately oppose my mandatory care contracts Bill that would have forced the department to give more attention to the needs of families in crisis.” Ms. Goward said.

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

Labor Abandon Medical Research

Victor P Taffa

The State Budget has revealed the Keneally Labor Government has abandoned the ongoing support of vital medical research, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Buried in the Budget Estimates documents (7 – 36) it is revealed the Science and Medical Research Policy and Industry Innovation Group had its budget cut from $55.3 Million to $47.1 Million.  

Medical Research Support grants have been slashed from $26.6 Million to $18.9 Million.

“The Keneally Labor Government is cutting medical research at a time when new breakthroughs are more important than ever.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We need to be on the cutting edge of medical research in NSW, we need to be number one again.”

“Medical technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and NSW cannot afford to fall behind if we want to deliver world leading patient care in our public hospitals.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“It just shows how out of touch the Keneally Labor Government has become, they routinely ignore expert medical advice.”

“The Keneally Labor Government simply has the wrong priorities it’s just more of the same failure and incompetence.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to delivering better patient care in our public hospitals and across the NSW health system.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We understand the value of medical research in ensuring new advances and treatment are available to patients in NSW.”

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver strong ideas to make NSW number one again.” Mrs. Skinner said.

Along with the reintroduction of Hospital Boards that would be financially accountable to State Parliament the Medicare Levy should be increases to 2.5% with the increase going directly into Medical Research. 

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer and Manly MP Mike Baird

MEMO TO RTA: DON’T TELL US ABOUT THE TRAFFIC, FIX IT!

Victor P Taffa

The RTA plans to spend around $400,000 installing a huge sign in Seaforth to advise motorists there is traffic ahead despite there being no alternate route to avoid the traffic, Manly MP Mike Baird said today.

“This is a crazy idea – we don’t need the RTA to spend several thousand dollars telling us there’s traffic on the Spit – we get that – spend the money fixing the problem instead.” Mr. Baird said.

This week the RTA informed residents on Thursday 24 June it would start building a Permanent Variable Message Sign between 72 and 74 Frenchs Forest Road Seaforth, which would be due for completion by late August 2010.

“This enormous sign will span across two traffic lanes in suburban Seaforth and will cost several thousand dollars to tell motorists what they already know.”

“I will be calling on the Minister for Roads in Parliament next week to immediately halt plans to construct this sign and consider diverting the funds to fixing the traffic bottleneck at Seaforth roundabout.” Mr. Baird said.

“Once again the RTA has failed to consult the community on a proposal that is at best tinkering around the edges and at worst a complete waste of money.”

“If you’re travelling on Frenchs Forest Road to the city you can’t avoid the Spit Bridge so what is the point in a sign telling you there’s traffic on the Spit?”

“The RTA needs to demonstrate how this sign will help motorists and how it will alleviate traffic congestion before the taxpayer funds are spent.” Mr. Baird said.

“Several local residents have contacted my office this week expressing their bewilderment that the RTA would proceed with this sign in the absence of an alternate route.”

“We are appealing to the RTA’s commonsense – spend the money fixing the problem, not on a sign stating the obvious.” Mr. Baird said.

Member for Manly Mike Baird is right on the money on this issue. During the halcyon days of the Wran Government then Roads Minister Laurie Brereton went around New South Wales putting up sign on the roads trumpeting the achievements of the Government which the signs also carried his signature. This idea of road signage must come straight out of the same manual.

Should the Keneally Government consider that the 26.1% swing in the Penrith By-Election was a blip then it will only be a matter of time before the Government is roundly defeated on 26 March 2011.

Victor P Taffa

Hannah Grace Fazal entered the world at 7.15 am Friday 18 June 2010. Hannah weighed in at 4 Kg or 9 lb with mother Julianne giving birth at Royal North Shore Private Hospital by caesarian section.

Editor Victor P Taffa is an uncle for the third time following the arrivals of Zoe and Emily. Mother and baby are well and Uncle Victor is thrilled at the news.

Hannah Grace Fazal

New South Wales Electoral Commission

List of Candidates as Per Ballot Paper

Victor P Taffa

THAIN, John                                     LABOR                                                            8,200

WRIGHT, Suzie                                 THE GREENS                                                4,221

SAUNDERS, Mick                                                                                                        724

AYRES, Stuart                                 LIBERAL                                                         17,067

LEYONHJELM, David                     OUTDOOR RECREATION PARTY               648

SANZ, Jose                                         AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS                         297

GREEN, Andrew                               CDP (FRED NILE GROUP)                         1,516

SELBY, Noel                                                 INDEPENDENT                                    884

Liberal Candidate Stuart Ayres has polled 17,067 votes to win the Penrith By-Election on First Preference votes.

TWO CANDIDATE PREFFERED BY-ELECTION 19 JUNE 2010

Liberal 66.3%

Labor 33.7%

TWO CANDIDATE PREFFERED GENERAL ELECTION 2007

Liberal 40.75%

Labor 59.25%

Stuart Ayres Liberal Candidate

Victor P Taffa

Putting People First may seem a bit odd in this day and age of Internet Speed, IPod’s, Twitter, Face book, Search Engine Optimisation, or Former New South Wales Minister Ian McDonald’s Homebush V8 Races however to keep a normal perspective on life is the ability to cross a street safely.

When we grew up in Primary School we were taught to ‘Look to the Right then Look to the Left and Look to the Right Again.’ This message was pretty simple and easy to remember and by and large most people follow this rule.

Road deaths for motorists, truck drivers or pedestrians end up as being merely statistics as if it were a State Of Origin Football game.

As a Taxi Driver in Sydney for 4½ years not only did I improve my driving skills but also saw the worst habits that people perform when driving a potentially lethal weapon.

Since the introduction of signalised intersections at Market/Kent Streets in 1914 Sydney now has approximately 4,000 sets of signalised intersections that provides for 2 minutes to cross one side of a T or 4 Point Intersection. To cross in a diagonal fashion in the apron of the intersection would be a saving of 3 minutes at many intersections.

The ‘Scramble Crossing’ method as the Pedestrian Council’s Harold Scruby has described them would actually save time overall across Metropolitan Sydney.

‘Scramble Crossings’ should be allowed at EVERY signalised intersection in New South Wales. People should be able to cross a signalised intersection diagonally.

People should be Put First and People should be allowed to cross increasingly busy roads in safety. Now the response from the Speed Merchants would be to say that it would “slow down the traffic.”

The Roads and Traffic Authority (R.T.A.) has a centralised control system of signalised intersections. The RTA may say that it might “mess up our system.”

The Pedestrian Council supports Countdown Timers at intersections. The Pedestrian Council whispered that “The RTA wouldn’t like countdown timers because people would be horrified at having to wait for up to 2 minutes to cross a street.”

Perhaps attitudes from Transport Authorities is changing because 20 years ago there was a uniform speed of 60 Km/h on EVERY road in New South Wales.

Now we have limits of 70Km/h, 60Km/h, 50Km/h and School Zone 40 Km/h. The RTA seems to have a policy that suits the conditions and not a ‘One Zone Fits All’ approach.

20 years ago it would not have been imaginable that a 6 lane road such as Victoria Road outside Holy Cross College, Ryde would have a School Zone of 40 Km/h.

‘Scramble Crossings’ work well at George/Park/Druitt Street, Sydney and Macquarie/Smith Street, Parramatta Intersection.

Scramble Crossing George/ Park/ Druitt Streets Outside QVB Sydney

Scramble Crossing Intersection Smith & Macquarie Streets Parramatta

Would ‘Scramble Crossings’ work everywhere? NO

• M4/Homebush Bay Drive does not have pedestrian access and would not suit a ‘Scramble Crossing.’
• Edgbaston Road/King Georges Road is a right turn only intersection and similarly would not suit a ‘Scramble Crossing.’

T Intersections:

 There is no reason why most T Intersections could not have ‘Scramble Crossings’ such as:

• Marsden Road/Lawson Street
• Blaxland Road/Florence Avenue  
• Forest Road/Stoney Creek Road

 4 Point Intersections:

 There is no reason why most 4 Point Intersections could not have ‘Scramble Crossings’ such as:

•  First Avenue/Rutledge Street
• Miller/Mount Streets/Pacific Highway
• Falcon Street/Pacific Highway/Shirley Road
• M5/King Georges Road has pedestrian access and could accommodate a ‘Scramble Crossing.’

 Y Intersections:

 There is no reason why most Y Intersections could not have ‘Scramble Crossings.’

Intersections such as King Georges Road/Princes Highway, Blakehurst has a park adjacent and there is no reason why this intersection could not have a ‘Scramble Crossing’ and also Blaxland Road/Lane Cove Road/Devlin Street.

Intersection King Georges Road & Princes Highway Blakehurst

Intersection Lane Cove Road & Blaxland Road Ryde

 Where there is pedestrian access from most sides of an intersection should be able to have ‘Scramble Crossings.’

 Lives could have been saved if ‘Scramble Crossings’ were installed at EVERY signalised intersection. For example in recent times there were two cases at least in the last 3 years that ‘Scramble Crossings’ would have saved lives had they been allowed.

 In July 2007 Jessica De Andrade was killed when crossing Botany Road at a signalised intersection and in May 2010 a 91-year-old man was also killed when crossing Gardeners Road at Racecourse Place using the pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic signals.

No Access across Devlin Street Ryde

Scramble Crossing Smith & George Streets Parramatta

‘Scramble Crossings’ would more than likely have saved both lives had they of been introduced. While this measure will not bring down the road toll to zero it will make crossing the road safer for all.

 ‘Scramble Crossings’ do not have to have countdown clocks but noise activation to go on when traffic lights turn to red.

While stopping traffic at every point of the intersection will take an adjustment for the RTA to co-ordinate particularly for major roads such as Victoria and Parramatta Roads, Princes Highway it will make all signalised intersections safer for pedestrians.   

 J-Walking is still an enforceable offence and allowing for ‘Scrambled Crossings’ at every signalised intersection would not affect existing J-Walking laws.

Putting People First maybe foreign to some people but as with the introduction of other road safety measures it is all about saving lives.

Victor P Taffa

Round 9

Tooheys New Postponed Matches Season 2010

Gordon Vs Penrith 6 July

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer and Manly MP Mike Baird

KENEALLY BREAKS PROMISE FOR INDEPENDENT ELECTION COSTINGS

Victor P Taffa

“Auditor General? Happy to have it done”

Kristina Keneally’s commitment during TV debate on Friday 26 March 2010

The Keneally Labor Government has taken the incredible step of voting against its own Bill in order to stop the NSW Liberals & Nationals push to have election promises independently costed according to Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird.

“This election is about honesty as much as it is about competence and unfortunately Kristina Keneally is failing both tests.” Mr. Baird said.

“Barry O’Farrell put the challenge down to have the Auditor General independently cost election promises and this was agreed to by Ms Keneally.” Mr. Baird said.

“When the rubber hit the road and Ms Keneally realised independent costings would be ‘genuinely independent’, Ms. Keneally along with her Treasurer Eric Roozendaal sided with dishonesty and deception over the honesty and transparency offered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals.”

“This dishonesty completely blows out of the water any shred of economic credibility the incompetent Keneally Labor Government had left.” Mr. Baird said.

“This was an historic opportunity lost for the people of NSW.”

“We believe every person across NSW deserves knowing that every election promise – from both Government and Opposition – is credible and not used as a political plaything.” Mr. Baird said.

“Our attempt for genuine reform for generations to come is expected to be shot down by the Keneally Labor Government that rules by spin and not substance.”

“Ms. Keneally has walked away from her promise and the taxpayers of NSW have once again been let down.” Mr. Baird said.