The Australian Greens would use a stronger voice in Federal Parliament to push for increased funding for dental health, including a universal ‘denticare’ scheme.

A national Galaxy poll of over 1000 people shows that 82% of Australians would support the federal government establishing a universal dental-care scheme.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said that the Greens denticare scheme would help the 500,000+ Australians on dental waiting lists.

“The Greens will act in Parliament to establish a universal basic dental health care scheme, to be incorporated into Medicare,” said Senator Brown.

The scheme would cost around $4.3 billion but produce savings to overall health costs of $2.3 billion.

“The Menzies centre estimates dental problems already cost Medicare around $350 million and poor oral health costs Australia a further $2 billion per year.”

“Good teath are fundamental to good health, and poor dental health can affect people’s overall health, ability to find employment and general well-being,” said Senator Brown.

ACT Senate candidate Lin Hatfield Dodds said that too many Canberrans faced excessive waits for public dental care.

“People who can’t afford private dental care include many families and welfare recipients.”

“The median waiting time for routine care in the ACT is 9 months.”

“This gap to accessing dental services would be closed by the Greens denticare scheme.” Ms Hatfield Dodds concluded.

As climate change climbs back on to the political radar, community coalition Canberra ?40% will hold a tri-partisan forum at the ACT Legislative Assembly to discuss legislated carbon reduction targets, and action to be taken on a local level.

Where: ACT Legislative Assembly Reception Room
When: 12noon 29th July

“The ACT Greens support a 40% reduction by 2020, and the Canberra Liberals currently have a Bill on the notice paper to legislate a 30% target,” Greens Spokesperson on Climate Change and Energy, Shane Rattenbury said today.

“What’s needed now is for the ACT Labor party to come to this event and explain their position to the Canberra community.

The ACT Government commissioned two detailed consultancy reports in mid-2009.[1]

“The Government continues to sit on research which was contracted over a year ago to look at the ways that greenhouse gases could be cut in the ACT.  That information needs to be made publicly available.”

“The people who are showing the greatest leadership in this issue are the concerned citizens of Canberra, who are organising and taking real steps to reduce their carbon emissions.”

“The Canberra loves 40% campaign has held public forums across Canberra and groups like See-Change have organised solar group-buys and other positive initiatives.”

“This forum comes at a time when political will and leadership is lacking in the Labor and Liberal parties federally, and we need to see better from local politicians,” Mr Rattenbury said.

[1] DECCEW signed contracts with Heuris partners and Kinesis to undertake analysis on climate and energy issues – these contracts were completed at the end of June 2010.

ACT Senate candidate Lin Hatfield Dodds today joined Bob Brown to launch a plan for small business.

“Small business keeps 5 million Australians in work” said Ms Hatfield Dodds.

“Here in Canberra, there are more than 20,000 small businesses. It’s a huge part of our economy.

“The Greens want to give small businesses easier access to finance with fixed interest gap loans” added Ms Hatfield Dodds. “That will help more businesses get off the ground.

“We also want to get rid of the cost and stress of changing banks. That’s why we’d cap exit fees on loans and set up portable bank accounts.”

Ms Hatfield Dodds added that the Greens’ plan will help ease the pressure on Canberra businesses.

“Our plan won’t just help Canberrans start new businesses – it will also help current businesses survive. That means more jobs here in Canberra.

“This plan also boosts the renewable and energy efficiency industries in the ACT, which are now growing rapidly, and are comprised of many small businesses. A national gross feed-in tariff will create new opportunities in the solar PV sector; and an energy efficiency target will create demand for energy efficiency certificates to be met by new small businesses conducting energy efficiency audits and upgrades in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

“Small business is a vital part of our economy, and of our community. It’s time to give Canberra businesses a hand up.”