The Mining Tax is not just a great big tax on mining, it is a tax on the food you put on your table, the materials you will use to build your house or do the landscaping around your garden.  From the cost of fertilizer and electricity to losses in superannuation fund investments, it is a tax that will hit everybody, every day right across the economy.  It is a triple whammy on jobs, retirees and consumers.  This is a tax grab by a Labor Government addicted to spending and the only way to dump the tax is to change the government.
Health ‘reforms’ in disarray – yet another backflip
Revelations recently that the Government has dumped plans for a National Funding Authority in health show that Labor’s so called health reforms are a sham. 
The Labor Government made much of this National Funding Authority when unveiling the so-called ‘reforms’.  It was to be the body that was to keep the Labor State Governments honest.  It was to be the body that tracked the money to supposedly ensure it got to the front line in health - to the doctors, the nurses and the patients.
Now just weeks after announcing the so called ‘reforms’, with the ink barely dry on the National Health and Hospitals Agreement, the Funding Authority has been killed off.  What this means is that it is just business as usual in health.  The Bligh Government, which has run down our hospital system and hired spin doctors rather than real doctors, remains in total control.
Illegal Boat arrivals soaring
140 boats and rising weekly – that’s the number of illegal boats that have arrived since the Labor Government rolled back the strong border protection regime inherited from the Coalition.  This brings the total number of people to arrive in 2009/10 to 5,388 people.
Australia has a long and proud history of refugee resettlement.  During the last Coalition Government more than 100,000 refugees were resettled in Australia.  The Coalition continues to support Australia’s generous intake of 13,500 people per year under our refugee and humanitarian programme.  We also recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contribution that so many refugees have made to modern Australia. 
However there is nothing humane about policies that encourage a person’s decision to risk their life on a boat to illegally enter Australia.
National Diabetes Week
July 11 – 17 is National Diabetes Week and aims to raise awareness and educate Australians of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and how type 2 can be prevented.  An estimated 275 Australians develop Diabetes every day.  Up to 60% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented and we know that good blood glucose control and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve the complications associated with Diabetes.  For more information on type 2 diabetes go to www.diabetesaustralia.com.au or call the infoline on 1300 136 588.
National Blood Donor Week
July 18 – 25 July is National Blood Donor Week.  Australia needs 26,000 blood donations per week to ensure there are adequate supplies for those people who need it.  Giving blood takes only one hour of your time and it can help save the lives of three people.  Provided you are fit and healthy, and aged between 16 and 70 years, you may be eligible to give blood.  To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au for further information.
Dayboro Show - 9th, 10th and 11th July 2010
I look forward to catching up with people at the show on that  weekend.  If you have any concerns you would like to discuss please visit my information booth.  I will have brochures and community resources you may find of interest, in particular the free Laurie Lawrence water safety DVD.  Living with Water is aimed at parents and caregivers of children under five years of age and covers all aspects of water safety.