melbourne indymedia

Mental health funding under a Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement chould be tied to tougher marijuana laws, if a suggestion by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Christopher Pyne is adopted. Network Against Prohibition says there is simply not enough evidence linking marijuana consumption to mental illness. "Mr Pyne is mistaken when he states that the link is 'clearly proven'." the NAP statement said. [Full Story]

A 2002 New Scientist article says that a Cannabis link to mental illness is strengthened by medical research, although a 2005 article says the link between Cannabis and schizophrenia is hazier than thought.

Leon Carter, in his article Kannabis: in the Pursuit of Health and Happiness which presents much evidence of the health benefits of cannabis, declares "The Australian government does not own my body. I therefore refuse to recognize any legislation designed to A) control my intake of psychoactive molecules, B) thwart my pursuit of happiness, and/or C) protect black markets from competition. The following is a compendium of good reasons to sue the Australian government for harm caused by irrational legislation that does not in any way reflect the wishes or the interests of the people:"

www.napnt.org | Hemp Embassy | New Scientist on Cannabis | www.jackherer.com

At the 8th Defend and Extend Medicare Rally in Melbourne Dr Tim Woodruff from the Doctors Reform Society was scathing in reference to Health Minister Tony Abbott's comments on health as a market place, where doctors should be free to charge what they like, and the patient must expect to have to pay. He regretted that John Howard could not bring himself to be as honest as his deputy, John Anderson, who let it slip recently that 'what we really want is a 2-tiered health system'.

Groups such as the Victorian Medicare Action Group and Defend and Extend Medicare have played an important role in initiating community debate, and protest on the Howard Governments neglect of Medicare. The Grassroots campaign has helped to make Medicare a primary election focus. Defend and Extend Medicare continues to push that access to health care is a right and should be enshrined in the constitution through a referendum at the next election.

[John Howard's vision for Medicare | John Howard's Medicare Lies]

ABC TV's Lateline program, on Thursday 30 September (full transcript), revealed how John Howard's hatchetman, Tony Abbott, had conspired with Catholic cardinal George Pell to undermine the Labor Party's federal election campaign. Abbott tried to deny this but the program exposed him as a liar. [Full Story]

As the Health debate hots up, can you really believe anything that Tony Abbott or John Hpward says about Medicare Gold? Would you trust a liar to be in charge of a multi-billion dollar budget of public funds? Would you trust his word and Howard's on Medicare?

Supporters of Medicare are rallying on Monday at 12.30pm outside the State Library to Defend and Extend Medicare.

[Discuss | Defend and Extend Medicare | defendmedicare.info]

There is a huge blow-out in Howard's Medicare safety net, and the safety net overwhelmingly favours Liberal electorates with the rich cashing in on the safety net. In other health news: Professor John Deeble, Medicare architect, slamed the bidding for doctors as bad for Medicare. In at least 4 instances, (Wills, Deakin, Bowman and Brisbane electorates) local liberal candidates are refusing to debate on Medicare and health? Why? [Full Story | Medicare under the spotlight in Wills]

Update: Dr Peter Hunter from the Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine has warned against private health insurance for elderly patients, with neither the Coalition or Labor Party committed to ending the private health insurance rebate.

[Defend and Extend Medicare | defendmedicare.info]