NTCOSS Newsheet October 2009
NTCOSS NEWS SHEET – October 2009
Politically the agreement between Chief Minister Paul Henderson, and independent MLA Gerry Wood is holding up okay, but there are worrying signs that things are slipping onto the backburner. The 2030 final report, which was due out in June, has yet to greet the light of day.
The government continues to face pressure from the opposition on the apparent failure of the SIHIP program, and on child protection issues.
Possible restrictions on the sale of 4 litre winecasks
The NT Licensing Commission has announced its intention to undertake consultations with a view to removing or restricting the sale of four and five litre winecasks in the greater Darwin area NTCOSS will be making a submission supporting more stringent restriction on the sale of these products, because they contribute disproportionately to alcohol caused harms.
Central Australia
NTCOSS was instrumental in organising a media conference for the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition (PAAC) to coincide with the third anniversary of the current alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs. This resulted in coverage by two radio stations and two newspapers highlighting the significant reduction in alcohol consumption and alcohol caused harms. PAAC is calling for additional restrictions which will further reduce alcohol consumption and harm in the community.
We had a meeting with Minister Malarndirri McCarthy in Alice Springs regarding the high priority identified by the youth sector in the NT, for the development of a youth peak. NTCOSS will continue to campaign on this issue. Policy Officer Jonathan Pilbrow has moved back to the main Tangentyere site, to the former Job Shop on the corner of Fogarty and Elder Streets. Phone and fax number remain the same.
Media
Central Australian Policy Officer Jonathan Pilbrow did radio interviews for both the ABC and commercial radio during anti-poverty week, to draw attention to the hardship imposed on disadvantaged Territorians by the spike in electricity prices announced in the last NT Budget.
A Weekend Australian article of 24-25 October entitled ‘The Failed State’ singled out former NTCOSS chair Barry Hansen as a ‘clear still voice, standing against the whirlwind.’ Journalist Nicholas Rothwell wrote that “NTCOSS was easily able to prove that the Darwin government was underspending by more than $500 million a year in crucial social welfare categories.” On 29 October Wendy Morton had a letter published in the NT News calling for a more compassionate approach to asylum seekers.
Mental Health
The ‘Building capacity in community mental health family support and carer respite project’ has now concluded. The successful tenderer in the NT – a partnership comprised of four key organisations – is busy establishing the Darwin mental health carer respite network to assist those caring for people with a mental illness. The carers service in Alice Springs, although unsuccessful has also gained considerably from this process and now offers a well-appointed drop-in centre for carers in the main business area of Alice Springs. The Mental Health Week dinners held in Darwin and Alice Springs were a great success. Former NSW opposition leader Mr John Brogden spoke with great candor of his experience with mental illness, while MC, Fiona O’Loughlin kept proceedings moving along with some welcome splashes of humour amidst a few frank admissions of her own.
Regards from the NTCOSS team