What Australian newspapers say on Friday, August 31 2007=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2007
What Australian newspapers say on Friday, August 31 2007=2

The Canberra Times says a report by the Australian Council of Social Service asserting
that Australia is behind many other wealthy industrialised countries in eradicating poverty,
is a reminder that endless talk by politicians about an Aussie fair go for all is not
backed up by policy.

Underpinning the Howard government's laissez-faire ideology is a reluctance to extend
support for the poor, who are regarded as being perfectly capable of extricating themselves
from their predicament, particularly if government provides the right climate for self-help
such as jobs growth and economic prosperity.

"Anyone concerned that about 10 per cent of Australians should be living in poverty
when Australia has never been wealthier, and looking to the government to bring about
greater equality of income and opportunity, should not hold their breath," the paper says.

"On other evidence, such as the numbers of low-income Australians unable to afford
basic dental care and the growth in the number of part-time or casual jobs as opposed
to full-time jobs, the view that economic prosperity is filtering down to all Australians
is revealed as a myth."

Adelaide's The Advertiser says thousands of Australians will be denied a vote in this
year's federal election because of a change to the Electoral Act that gives people one
day to register once the election is called.

The federal Labor Party estimates that 77 per cent of 17-year-olds and 35 per cent
of 18-year-olds are not on the electoral roll.

"Potential first-time voters have shown keen interest in several key issues in this
year's election such as the environment, climate change and Australia's involvement in
the Iraq war," the paper says.

"Cynics would argue that it is not in the interests of the government to encourage
young people to enrol and therefore to vote.

Hobart's The Mercury says as with the Franklin dam debate the decision about the Tamar
Valley pulp mill has been taken out of local hands, but this time the Tasmanian government
is to blame.

The justification for the state's fast-tracking of the assessment has been undermined
as Gunns says it is prepared to wait for a decision from federal Environment Minister
Malcolm Turnbull.

"It exposes all the state government's bluster and insistence on speed as a weakness,
an inability to distance itself from the project and be firm with the company for fear
of losing the mill altogether," the paper says.

"By tearing up the planning rules, [Gunns and the Tasmanian government] have created
suspicion, fear, even hysteria where once there was broad local support for the concept
of a pulp mill, for ... the chance to process Tasmania's timber here rather than overseas."

Darwin's Northern Territory News says the last bastion of "drive-as-you please" in
Australia will be no more as demerit points come into law in the Northern Territory from
tomorrow.

The fear of being fined has not been enough to deter the minority who risk their lives
and the lives of others by speeding and running red lights, the paper says.

"A road safety report shows that some drivers had been fined for speeding nearly 50
times in three years," the paper says.

"Only those who persistently and recklessly break the law need to fear."

Brisbane's The Courier-Mail says Queensland's ambulance system is overstretched and
underfunded, despite the Beattie government's injection of funds through a household levy
of $98 via electricity bills.

Ambulances are under pressure from an increasing population and insufficient staff
numbers, and the problem is compounded when ambulances are obliged to bypass the nearest
emergency department because it, too, is over-taxed.

A 43-year-old woman paramedics took to Logan Hospital died on a stretcher after waiting
hours for a bed, the paper says.

A fire crew was sent to help a man who had suffered a heart attack because ambulances
were busy transporting patients.

"The ambulance system is in need of rescue," the paper says.

AAP ec/cmc

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