NSW is gearing up to go to the polls this weekend and this is an opportunity to send a clear message to the Gillard Government about their proposed carbon tax. Julia Gillard went to the federal election in 2010 clearly stating she would not impose a carbon tax under a government she leads. Now either the Prime Minister is not in charge of the current minority government or she blatantly lied to the Australian public to get into office.
This Labor Government lacks a mandate to force the carbon tax onto the Australian people and she must hold an election on this issue for it to even be considered before Parliament.
Only one Green member was elected to the House of Representatives and they were the only political party that had a carbon price as policy leading up to the election. The other members of her minority Government, Independent members Mr Windsor, Mr Wilkie and Mr Oakshott had no policy on this issue leading up to the election.
The Prime Minister has clearly deceived the Australian public and on March 26th you can vote against this carbon tax by voting for the Liberal and Nationals Coalition.
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On another note, through my participation in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing I have been involved in an Inquiry into Overseas Trained Doctors Registration and Support Processes.
The overall purpose of this inquiry is to find out and report on the registration processes and support services available to Overseas Trained Doctors (OTD’s) in Australia. The inquiry has taken place in Canberra and Brisbane, and I must say I am finding this inquiry particularly interesting as there are many OTD’s working in the Parkes Electorate, providing many small communities with their sole doctor.
The bi-partisan Committee has been asked to explore the administrative processes currently in place and determine how OTD’s and the wider community can better understand the requirements in relation to assessment processes and appeal mechanisms available to OTD’s.
We are also to report on the support programs available through Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and other professional organisations to assist OTD’s in meeting their registration requirements and the ways these services can be improved.
The Committee is to explore what impediments could be removed to assist OTD’s in achieving full Australian qualifications, particularly in regional and rural areas. This also involves looking at how pathways can also be promoted, whilst not lowering the current standards as set by professional and regulatory bodies.
OTD’s perform a vital service for regional and rural communities. Many student doctors who are originally from regional areas aim to head back to the regions after studying and the OTD’s ultimately fill the gap left by these students who are still studying or working for experience in metropolitan hospitals. Indeed many of our medical students coming through the system now are being mentored by OTD’s.
This inquiry will hopefully bring about some changes to the system to make it easier for OTD’s, already in Australia or overseas, to work and receive full Australian qualifications.