DOCSLIB.ORG

Submission to the Senate Inquiry Into Regional Inequality in Australia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Submission to the Senate Inquiry Into Regional Inequality in Australia Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Regional Inequality in Australia This paper has been prepared by Michael Bishop on behalf of and for Central Highlands Healthcare Introduction Central Highlands Health was established as a charitable organisation to support primary health care services within the Central Highlands Region of Central Queensland. Central Highlands Healthcare received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health to under the GP Superclinic program to build a fit for purpose building on a green-fields site in Emerald. Central Highlands Healthcare has been in operation for three years and has been strongly supported by the Central Highlands Regional Council. As a primary health care service Central highlands Healthcare has achieved considerable success and the attached info graphic is a summary of the 2017/18 Financial Year. The success is because people of the Central Highlands (a remote area) can access a range of primary health care services in one place, seven days a week. Services offered include: A full range of General Practitioner services with male and female GPs and both overseas and Australian-trained Doctors; Occupational Medicine including Nominated Medical Advisor Services for a number of resource companies; Specialist Plastics surgery; Endocrinologist; Cardiologist; Gastroenterologist; Audiology Physiotherapy; Occupational Therapy; Speech Pathology; Dietetics; Psychology; Diabetes education and chronic disease management; Diagnostic ultrasound; Dedicated women’s health; Dedicated men’s health; Pharmacy; Pathology; and Emerald Skim ( a speciality skin cancer service) Page | 1 The indictors and impact of regional inequality in regional Australia The literature abounds with statistics about the indicators of inequality in regional Australia. This submission focuses on some of the detrimental aspects of rural life, however there are many positives which will not be discussed here. Central Highlands Healthcare sees the health impact of inequality and differential access to services. The impacts can be seen clearly by considering: Delays in accessing appropriate diagnostic services leading to an increased severity and complexity of health conditions Delays in accessing specialist treatment options leading to a limitation of treatment options Limited lifestyle choices in harsher environment Increased health costs due to the need to travel to access both primary care and specialist services Poorer Health outcomes and increase in suffering as well as a loss in productivity. To illustrate the points two de-identified case examples are used. Case Example 1 Liz is a 43 year old woman who has had a radical mastectomy to have a suspected cancerous lump in her breast removed. Liz had to go to Rockhampton to have the treatment and she was offered a range of options but all required her to be away from the farm and so she chose the radical mastectomy. Rural women are much more likely to have a radical mastectomy and have a poorer cosmetic result because of access to follow such as breast reconstruction service not being available locally and being very expensive. Liz lives on a farm which supports 120 head of cattle. The farm is over an hour’s drive from Emerald and it is struggling financially so her husband is working in a mine on a rotational roster of 10 days on and 4 days off. His shifts are long and when he comes home he is tired but works hard with the farm work that Liz has not been a bit to manage in his absence. Liz and her husband have two children in primary school and Liz drives then to the bus stop each day and picks them up so they can go to the local school. Liz takes her young child to see the doctor because he has hurt (broken his collar bone) on the trampoline. During the consultation her doctor asks her how she is going. Liz bursts into tears and it is clear that her priorities are her children, next her husband, then the farm and lastly herself. She is exhausted and has been treating a low grade urinary tract infection with home remedies and has been experiencing headaches and dizzy spells which require further investigation. Her blood pressure is very high. Liz needs further assessment and follow-up but says that she can only get away from the farm every so often. On the way out Liz makes an appointment for two months’ time. Experiences of individuals and localities of unequal access to opportunities and unequal outcomes in non-metropolitan areas Page | 2 Research has clearly shown that health professionals with a lived experience of rural and regional life are much more likely to return to rural life as health professionals post-graduation. The Commonwealth Department of Health has spent a considerable amount of money pursuing this objective of building local workforce capacity as the fly-in- fly- out approach is expensive and ultimately unsustainable except in times of great need and urgency. Central Highlands Healthcare has a major role in supporting the local and developing workforce. An infographic is attached to demonstrate the contribution that the organisation is making to the medical workforce over the last year. Without a workforce with appropriate skills, experience and ability services are not able to be provided locally. Communities also need to trust and have confidence in their doctor and primary health care provider. Without adequate medical and primary health care services communities become unsafe places to live. An example of unequal access to opportunity is provided. Case example 2 A local University accepts about 65 Central Highlands’ students into their nursing undergraduate course each year. But by the end of the course graduate only two or three from the area. One of these graduates is Gill. Gill made an appointment to see the CHH Practice Manager seeking work at the end of her nursing degree. Gill expressed concern that as part of her undergraduate degree, she had not been able to procure a clinical placement at either Emerald Hospital or Central Highlands Healthcare in spite of placements being offered by both services, because there was not the capacity or systems from the university to support her placements from afar. Gill was also concerned that she was inadequate skilled to work in either setting because she was aware that nurses needed to have a full set on clinical and practical skills to work in a rural community, that is, everyone needed to work at the top of the scope if possible. Gill described that she did not feel confident in any splinter skills required in the general practice, such as wound management, vaccination, chronic disease assessment and management, ear care or spirometry. Gill therefore could not be offered a position in the practice. Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Professional degrees require many weeks of clinical placement and metropolitan based students are able to live at home and be supported by their parents during the placement. Gill had had to go away to Boarding School because her family lived in a small rural community in the Central Highlands and the local school was not considered to be adequate to support her ambitions of going to university. Gill’s family struggled financially to support her academically through high school and university and Gill’s mother especially missed her daughter’s company as she grew up. Metropolitan students do not have to leave home to access high quality education. It is much much harder for rural students to get into health professional courses and complete them compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Page | 3 Causes of inequality between regions, especially between capital cities and other areas Central Highlands Healthcare is unashamedly parochial and is vocal in supporting the central Highlands Communities over regional centres such as Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville. It takes strong leadership for the Hub regional centres to maintain outreach support and direct services to Spoke communities. If there is a crisis in the centre all resources and efforts are withdrawn back to the regional city. Outreach and dispersed services are easily identifiable and become easy targets for budget and rationalisation. Regional centres have much easier access to the political process which is why Central Highlands Healthcare supports the Senate for taking the considerable effort to conduct the regional hearings. Even though the consequences of even short term disruption of services from the centre can be catastrophic for health and wellbeing of people who live in the Central Highlands, it happens time and time again. The cancellation of a flight from Emerald to Brisbane (70) might mean that: Someone misses their specialist medical appointment which they have waited months for; A business misses an opportunity to present their case for case government funding A lobbyist misses a meeting in Parliament House A doctor misses their professional development opportunity Someone’s parent dies in Palliative care without saying goodbye A lost holiday weekend Central highlands people manage the inconsistencies of travel by given up their time. They arrive the day earlier and stay overnight or two nights or drive the 10 hours to the city. There are economic and social costs to unreliable infrastructure including airports, roads, trains and information and communication technology. Central highlands people pay a premium to participate at a state, national and global level. Is there a consideration of the economic powerhouse that the Central Highlands provide to State and National coffers or multinational company profits? Analysis of economics of regional inequality, including wider impacts Rural communities require a reliable source of workers to support a range of industries from farming to mining for electricity generation to social services. Fly-in-fly-out processes are expensive and unsustainable over time leading to a drain on regional areas. Workforce aged adults are likely to have children so birthing services, health care, education and aged care service must be provided.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2011-12-Annual-Report-Inc-Financial-Report.Pdf
    2011 - 2012 Contents About Central Highlands Regional Council ................................................................ 2 Our Vision ................................................................................................................. 3 Our Mission ............................................................................................................... 3 Our Values and Commitment .................................................................................... 3 A Message from Our Mayor and CEO ....................................................................... 4 Our Mayor and Councillors April 28 2012 – June 30 2012 ......................................... 5 Our Mayor and Councillors 2011 – April 28 2012 ...................................................... 7 Our Senior Executive Team ...................................................................................... 9 Our Employees ....................................................................................................... 11 Community Financial Report ................................................................................... 13 Assessment of Council Performance in Implementing its Long Term Community Plan ................................................................................................................................ 19 Meeting Our Corporate Plan Objectives .................................................................. 19 Achievements by Department ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Galilee Basin Housing Market Analysis
    Appendices | RP Data Galilee Basin Housing Market Analysis Galilee Basin Housing market analysis Prepared for Waratah Coal Considering the increased requirement for housing related to the proposed construction and operation of the Galilee Coal Project (Northern Export Facility) and associated railway and facilities, Waratah Coal have approached RP Data to provide an analysis of local housing market conditions and assess how the proposed influx of workers may impact on those conditions. Specifically this research has focussed on assessing and measuring housing market conditions and the extent of housing supply across relevant townships that are likely to be impacted by the proposed project. These townships include Alpha and Jericho which are the closest established residential areas to the proposed mine. Additionally the study has included the closest major service centre which is the town of Emerald, located about a 170km drive east of Alpha. The townships of Collinsville and Bowen have also been included in the study due to their proximity to the proposed loading facilities at Abbot Point. The analysis also provides a separate focus on two established communities outside of the Galilee Basin. The communities of Moranbah and greater Gladstone provide an interesting and important reference point about how commodity driven housing markets can be affected by surging labour demand. FINAL REPORT 3003 WARATAH COAL | Galilee Coal Project | Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement – March 2013 In compiling this publication, RP Data has relied
    [Show full text]
  • Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan
    Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan 2009–2019 DISCLAIMER – STATE GOVERNMENT The Queensland Government makes no claim as to the accuracy of the information contained in the Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan. The document is not a prospectus and the information provided is general in nature. The document should not be relied upon as the basis for financial and investment related decisions. This document does not suggest or imply that the Queensland State Government or any other government, agency, organisation or person should be responsible for funding any projects or initiatives identified in this document. DISCLAIMER – CENTRAL QUEENSLAND REGIONAL TOURISM DISCLAIMER – EC3 GLOBAL ORGANISATIONS Any representation, statement, opinion or advice, expressed or implied in The Central Queensland Regional Tourism Organisations make no claim this document is made in good faith but on the basis that EC3 Global is as to the accuracy of the information contained in the Central not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan. The document is not a any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or prospectus and the information provided is general in nature. The may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may document should not be relied upon as the basis for financial and be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred investment related decisions to in this document. Emu Park, Executive Summary Capricorn Coast Purpose Central Queensland in 2019 The purpose of this Tourism Opportunity Plan (TOP) is to provide The Central Queensland Region encompasses the two tourism direction for the sustainable development of tourism in the regions of Capricorn and Gladstone and is made up of the four Central Queensland Region over the next ten years to 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 Contents
    Central Highlands Regional Council ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 Contents WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL REPORT .........................4 PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................39 MISSION VISION & VALUES ...................................................5 Planning & Development ............................................40 OUR REGION ......................................................................................6 Ranger Services ....................................................................42 MESSAGE FROM MAYOR & CEO ......................................8 Disaster Management ....................................................43 OUR MAYOR & COUNCILLORS .......................................10 Environment ...........................................................................44 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM ......................................10 Environmental Health ....................................................45 STRONG VIBRANT COMMUNITIES ...............................13 PROACTIVE RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP ...................47 Community Plan 2022 ....................................................14 Corporate Communications ......................................48 Arts & Culture .......................................................................15 Technology ..............................................................................49 Events ...........................................................................................16 STRONG
    [Show full text]
  • Central Highlands Economic Master Plan 2017-2022
    Central Highlands Economic Master Plan An Economic Master Plan to 2047 and Action Plan for 2017-2022 Central Highlands Development Corporation Final September 2017 Contents 1 Executive Summary 1 2 Introduction 6 2.1 Context 6 2.2 Scope 8 3 Economic Baseline 10 3.1 Pillar One: Export Drivers 13 3.2 Pillar Two: Population Services 23 3.3 Pillar Three: Workforce 28 3.4 Pillar Four: Governance 31 3.5 Central Highlands Economic Snapshot 33 4 What is coming for the Central Highlands? 34 4.1 Understanding key global disruptors 34 4.2 What impact may disruptors have on the economy? 36 5 Developing an Economic Master Plan for the Central Highlands 39 5.1 Methodology 39 5.2 Summary of stakeholder engagement 39 5.3 Key objectives for the region’s economy 43 6 Central Highlands 2047 Economic Master Plan 46 6.1 30 Year Vision for Central Highlands Economy 46 6.2 Achieving Economic Aspirations 49 6.3 CHEMP 2017-2022 Action Plan 51 6.4 Infrastructure to unlock economic opportunities 69 7 Implementing the CHEMP 2017 – 2022 Action Plan 70 Inherent Limitations This report has been prepared as outlined in the Scope Section. The services provided in connection with this engagement comprise an advisory engagement, which is not subject to assurance or other standards issued by the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and, consequently no opinions or conclusions intended to convey assurance have been expressed. The findings in this report are based on a qualitative study and the reported results reflect a perception of Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) but only to the extent of the sample surveyed, being CHDC’s approved representative sample of management, personnel, and stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • Central Highlands Digital and Communications Audit
    CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DIGITAL AND COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT PREPARED FOR CENTRAL HIGHLANDS REGIONAL COUNCIL AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION July 2017 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2 2. Technology Economics......................................................................................................... 3 3. Central Highlands Digital and Communications Audit ........................................................... 4 3. Background ......................................................................................................................... 5 4. Digital and Communications Audit ....................................................................................... 8 4.1. Layer 1: Exchange Service Area (ESA) Demand Mapping ......................................................... 10 4.2 Layer 2: Telstra Coverage Information .................................................................................... 10 4.3. Layer 3: NBN Rollout Plan ...................................................................................................... 11 4.4. Layer 4: Aggregated State Government Fibre Network ........................................................... 13 4.5 Layer 5: Optus Fibre Routes ................................................................................................... 15 4.6 Layer 6: Vocus Communications Fibre Route .........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Tobacco Streak Virus and Related Subgroup 1 Ilarviruses
    Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Tobacco streak virus and related subgroup 1 ilarviruses Murray Sharman Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology) A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2015. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation 1 2 Abstract A quarter of Australia’s sunflower production is from the central highlands region of Queensland and is currently worth six million dollars ($AUD) annually. From the early 2000s a severe necrosis disorder of unknown aetiology was affecting large areas of sunflower crops in central Queensland, leading to annual losses of up to 20%. Other crops such as mung bean and cotton were also affected. This PhD study was undertaken to determine if the causal agent of the necrosis disorder was of viral origin and, if so, to characterise its genetic diversity, biology and disease cycle, and to develop effective control strategies. The research described in this thesis identified Tobacco streak virus (TSV; genus Ilarvirus, family Bromoviridae) as the causal agent of the previously unidentified necrosis disorder of sunflower in central Queensland. TSV was also the cause of commonly found diseases in a range of other crops in the same region including cotton, chickpea and mung bean. This was the first report from Australia of natural field infections of TSV from these four crops. TSV strains have previously been reported from other regions of Australia in several hosts based on serological and host range studies. In order to determine the relatedness of previously reported TSV strains with TSV from central Queensland, we characterised the genetic diversity of the known TSV strains from Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Criteria and Nomination Submission Entry Eligibility: to Enter Central Queensland Women in Business Awards 2019, You Must B
    2019 Criteria and Nomination Submission Entry Eligibility: To enter Central Queensland Women in Business Awards 2019, you must be a woman who resides or works in Central Queensland and is either an Australian citizen or has Australian residency status. Central Queensland Awards includes the areas of: Rockhampton, Gladstone, Yeppon, Emerald, Woorabinda, Biloela, Emu Park, Cawarral, Great Keppel Island,, Byfield, Mt Morgan, Boyne Island/Tannum Sands, 1770/Agnes Waters Moura, Springsure, Capellam, Tieri and The Gemfields Including Council Regions: Banana Shire, Central Highlands Regional, Gladstone Regional, Livingstone Shire, Rockhampton Regional and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Councils. If entering the Empowering Young Women’s Award, the nominee be must be in full time OR part time education in Central Queensland as at February 2019. Applications are open to all women in business, not only business owners. The Community Dedication Award is open to all women who have made a difference in the community either through their contribution as a volunteer or service. Nomination Submission to be received by Awards Secretariat before close of business (5pm) February 15 2019. Maximum of three (3) different Award Category entries per person. A separate entry must be submitted for each Category. The Judging Panel reserves the right to redirect applications to another Award Category. Entries will only be accepted in the provided format with all questions answered and correct information and administration fee provided. Categories Celebrating the achievements of Central Queensland women 1: Central Queensland Woman in Business of the Year Award This category will honor the region’s inspiring innovators and visionaries. This category is open to entrepreneurs who have achieved accomplishments of significance over their career.
    [Show full text]
  • Pfh District Rsl Newsletter July 2017
    PFH DISTRICT RSL NEWSLETTER JULY 2017 The events, meetings, and services I have attended in the last month are as follows: 1. On Sunday 11 June, I travelled to Mackay to represent the RSL State President, Stewart Cameron, at the annual Bakers Creek Memorial Service. This service marked the 74th anniversary of the tragic crash of an American Flying Fortress during World War 2 when 41 Americans lost their lives. 2. On 15 June I travelled to Woorabinda to attend and do the RSL Poppy Service at the funeral of Richard Toby, an indigenous Australian and Vietnam veteran. 3. On 15/16 June, together with District Deputy President, John Edwards, and Vice President, Phil Luzzi, I visited the Gemfields, Springsure and Emerald sub-branches. 4. I travelled to Brisbane on 20 June to attend a Board meeting of Mates4Mates. 5. From 22 to 27 June, I was in Brisbane to attend the State AGM and Board meeting. 6. On Saturday 1 July, I travelled to Mackay to attend and chair a District Executive meeting. 7. On Sunday 2 July, Vice-President, Phil Luzzi, and myself, attended the annual service of remembrance at St. Christopher’s Chapel, Nerimbera. District President’s Voluntary Hours and Kilometers Travelled Statistics for June 2017 Voluntary Hours 203.5 hours Kilometers Travelled 3492 kilometers Nights Away From Home 12 District Executive Meeting Saturday 1 July 2017 Dental Health Pilot Program At the meeting held in May, the District Council approved the Dental Health pilot program for 2017. The program is now up and running and being utilized by RSL service members.
    [Show full text]
  • Square Eastern Pty Ltd
    SQUARE EASTERN PTY LTD EXPLORATION PERMIT FOR COAL (EPC) 2055 MIMOSA ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 12 JUNE 2015 – 11 JUNE 2016 TENEMENT HOLDER(S): Square Eastern Pty Ltd Mitsui Matsushima International Pty Limited PREPARED BY: Peter Jorgensen & Andrea Pepper Square Eastern Pty Ltd 30/06/2016 SUBMITTED BY: Square Resource Holdings Pty Ltd 30/06/2016 EPC2055 Annual Report June 2016 CONTENTS COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ................................................................................................. 4 1.0 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Tenure .................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Location and Access ............................................................................................... 8 2.3 Previous Exploration ............................................................................................... 8 2.3.1 Geological Mapping ........................................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Drilling – Stratigraphy and Palynology ............................................................. 10 2.3.3 Drilling – Oil and Coal Seam Gas .................................................................... 10 2.3.4 Drilling – Oil shale ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Study Tour 2009
    Australia Study tour 2009 1 Australia 2009 Contents • Participants 3 • Study tour intro 4 • Tour program 5 • Coppabella Mine 6 • Bucyrus 8 • Kestrel Mine 10 • Curragh Mine 12 • Gemfields 14 • Goonyella Riverside Mine 15 • Oaky Creel Coal Complex 16 • Wilky Creek Mine 18 • Travel Pictures 19 • University of Queensland 20 • Gympie Gold 22 • CRC Mining 25 • Northparks Mine 26 • Simtars 28 • Sponsor page 29 Australia 2009 2 Participants Students and Staff Staff Students Hans de Ruiter Koen Aberkrom Ko Korenromp Peter Berkhout Daan van Berkel Stephanie Lier Stanley Kierle Louis Carlier Ruben Logister Evert Dolman Mathijs Mol Andrina Drost Laurens van der Sluijs Jeroen van Eldert Pieter Sturm Richard Hontelez Thomas Waterman 3 Australia 2009 Study tour 2009 Each year the Resource Engineering Section of the Department of Applied Earth Sciences of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands organises an excursion for their students and staff members. The aim is to get a clear impression of the mining, extractive metallurgy and recycling industry in a particular country, its importance for Europe and the role it plays world-wide. The focus is always on the technological and economical aspects as well as on the cultural and geographical specialties of the country which is visited. This year Australia was chosen as the excursion target. The following report summarizes the information which was collected during the visit. Hans de Ruiter Australia 2009 4 Program 04/07 Sydney 05/07 Brisbane 06/07 University of Queensland CRC mining 07/07 Wilkie Creek Mine 08/07 Simtars 09/07 Gympie Gold 10/07 Curragh Mine 11/07 Airlie Beach 12/07 Whitsunday Islands 13/07 Bucyrus 14/07 Coppabella Mine 15/07 Goonyella Riverside Mine 16/07 Kestrel Mine Oaky Creek Coal Complex Gemfields 17/07 Brisbane 18/07 Sydney 19/07 Sydney 20/07 Sydney 21/07 Sydney 22/07 Northparks 5 Australia 2009 or coal separation plant.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2013/2014
    Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Report 2013/2014 www.centralhighlands.qld.gov.au Table of Contents About our Region 5 Mayor and CEO Message 7 Our Mayor And Councillors 8 Our Executive Leadership Team 8 Our Employees 11 Community Financial Report 13 Other Statutory Disclosures 20 Other Contents 25 Financial Report 34 Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Report 2013 / 2014 | 3 The Central Highlands is located in Central Queensland, Australia, extending over 60,000 square kilometres and is home to over 30,000 people. 4 | Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Report 2013 / 2014 Tieri Capella Sapphire Gemfields EMERALD Blackwater Duaringa Comet Bluff Dingo Springsure Rolleston About Bauhinia LONGREACH our ROCKHAMPTON Region BRISBANE The Central Highlands is located in Central Queensland, We are a vibrant region with a diverse economy based on: Australia, extending over 60,000 square kilometres. It · A globally competitive coal mining industry is home to over 30,000 people, located in the unique communities of Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, · Traditionally robust and resilient agriculture and Bluff, Capella, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, horticultural industries, including beef, grain, cotton, Rolleston, Sapphire Gemfields, Springsure and Tieri. grapes, melons and citrus The Central Highlands is rich in minerals and agriculture, · Dynamic small to medium size businesses with irrigation from water storage on the Nogoa and · Professional and government sectors Comet rivers, and boasts the largest sapphire-producing · Availability of commercial, industrial and residential land fields in the Southern Hemisphere. Major freight routes · A growing tourism market are contained in the Central Highlands region, including the north-south link between Charters Towers and · Major health and education services northern New South Wales, which has been identified as · Major infrastructure and construction projects an inland alternative between Cairns and Melbourne.
    [Show full text]