28 September 2016

Heart Foundation boss gives Greens' $60m plan tick of approval

| Charlotte
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Shane Rattenbury and Indra Esguerra

Heart Foundation of the ACT CEO Tony Stubbs reckons policies that improve walking and cycling infrastructure across Canberra, as the Greens have today promised to do at a cost of $60 million over four years, are “a really good initiative”.

Mr Stubbs was on hand for the Greens’ announcement in New Acton this morning, where he filled the RiotACT in on the grim news that heart disease is the biggest single killer of men and women in the ACT.

“We know that not being physically active is one of the biggest contributors to heart disease, we know that 30 minutes of moderate activity a day can actually reduce your risk of having a heart attack by 50 per cent,” Mr Stubbs said.

“So if we can actually encourage more people and reduce the barriers for them to be active, walking and cycling, and catching public transport, then that’s a really good initiative.”

Heart Foundation CEO Tony Stubbs

Greens spokesperson for health Indra Esguerra said her party wanted to ensure people could get around Canberra on foot or on their bikes safely and easily.

“Prioritising people over cars and more roads is not only better for our health, it makes our roads less congested when people do have to use their cars,” Ms Esguerra said.

“Canberrans love to spend time outdoors and riding to and from work. The Greens are the only party with a plan to make it easier for everyone to get around our city – whether that’s by bus, light rail, on foot or cycling.”

Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury said the funding would fill in gaps in the city’s active travel network.

“We want to repair the cracked footpaths that are out there and build new cycle paths and even footpaths in suburbs where they were never constructed in the first place,” he said.

The Greens made another cycling-related election commitment at Pedal Power’s election forum to work with the private sector to explore options for bicycle hubs for Civic and other town centres and start work on a bike share scheme for the Parliamentary Triangle, the city, New Acton, ANU and Dickson.

Mr Rattenbury said cyclists could use such hubs to take a shower, store their bike, and use other facilities such as bicycle repair or laundry services.

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BunLover said :

Masquara said :

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

Has he come out in favour of the Liberals’ bus plans? Doesn’t look like it! Heart Foundation needs to get out of politics!

So I hope you expressed the same sentiments when Michael Linke allowed the RSPCA to be used as an anti-carbon tax media opportunity for Tony Abbott in 2010.

That would be the carbon tax that was introduced by Labor following the pre-election lie “there will never be a carbon tax under the governmnet I lead….” ?

PickedANickname said :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-election-2016/act-election-2016-canberra-liberals-pledge-240k-for-defibrillators-education-20160916-gri9ds.html

Heart Foundation seems to be supporting policies that improve heart hearth with all parties.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death so it make sense to hope that all the parties will make an effort to have policies that address a major health issue.

Totally different. One is a factual mention in the course of an article. The other is the Heart Foundation chief turning up to a PR event.

PickedANickname said :

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-election-2016/act-election-2016-canberra-liberals-pledge-240k-for-defibrillators-education-20160916-gri9ds.html

Heart Foundation seems to be supporting policies that improve heart hearth with all parties.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death so it make sense to hope that all the parties will make an effort to have policies that address a major health issue.

I can’t see Tony Stubb’s name there anywhere in the article that link goes to which sort of goes further to prove my point.

PickedANickname3:17 pm 30 Sep 16

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-election-2016/act-election-2016-canberra-liberals-pledge-240k-for-defibrillators-education-20160916-gri9ds.html

Heart Foundation seems to be supporting policies that improve heart hearth with all parties.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death so it make sense to hope that all the parties will make an effort to have policies that address a major health issue.

Masquara said :

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

Has he come out in favour of the Liberals’ bus plans? Doesn’t look like it! Heart Foundation needs to get out of politics!

So I hope you expressed the same sentiments when Michael Linke allowed the RSPCA to be used as an anti-carbon tax media opportunity for Tony Abbott in 2010.

dungfungus said :

Maya123 said :

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

The Heart Foundation encourage active transport, such as cycling and walking, and even public transport usually involves exercise getting to it, so the more people use these methods of transport, the more their health will benefit from it.

Of course, we all know that.

But why is it we are reminded so much at election time especially as he is favouring one party?

Over the years I have been to several events that are talking about facilities that increase exercise and so help improve health (away from election time) and the heart foundation representative is there. It is nothing out of the ordinary. It might only seem biased if some parties are offering better walking, cycling and public transport than others. The answer to that is that those parties that are not matching the other in this area need to improve.

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

Has he come out in favour of the Liberals’ bus plans? Doesn’t look like it! Heart Foundation needs to get out of politics!

Maya123 said :

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

The Heart Foundation encourage active transport, such as cycling and walking, and even public transport usually involves exercise getting to it, so the more people use these methods of transport, the more their health will benefit from it.

Of course, we all know that.

But why is it we are reminded so much at election time especially as he is favouring one party?

dungfungus said :

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

The Heart Foundation encourage active transport, such as cycling and walking, and even public transport usually involves exercise getting to it, so the more people use these methods of transport, the more their health will benefit from it.

Charlotte Harper said :

Mr Stubbs has just appeared at a separate Labor announcement about active travel (separate story coming), proving my earlier point that he is taking opportunities to get the Heart Foundation message out to media and encouraging all policies that encourage Canberrans to be more active rather than aligning himself with one particular party.

Aligned so far with Labor and the Greens … still an issue!

And here he is again (earlier this month, last paragraph) supporting Labor’s proposed tram extension to Woden.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/private-sector-surprised-at-woden-tram-announcement-businesses-pleased-but-wary-20160902-gr7f14.html

Charlotte Harper said :

Mr Stubbs has just appeared at a separate Labor announcement about active travel (separate story coming), proving my earlier point that he is taking opportunities to get the Heart Foundation message out to media and encouraging all policies that encourage Canberrans to be more active rather than aligning himself with one particular party.

His timing is exquisite.

Charlotte Harper10:48 am 28 Sep 16

Mr Stubbs has just appeared at a separate Labor announcement about active travel (separate story coming), proving my earlier point that he is taking opportunities to get the Heart Foundation message out to media and encouraging all policies that encourage Canberrans to be more active rather than aligning himself with one particular party.

Charlotte Harper said :

Mr Stubbs worded his endorsement very carefully so that it was positive about initiatives that improve walking and cycling infrastructure across Canberra in general, rather than being specific about this plan from the Greens. I guess he was in attendance as an opportunity to get his message about moderate exercise and heart disease to WIN, ABC, Canberra Times and RiotACT audiences.

Yes – but he has allowed the Heart Foundation to be politicised by the ACT Greens/Labor. Most unfortunate.

I have just crossed the Heart Foundation off my donation list.

Charlotte Harper12:52 am 28 Sep 16

Masquara said :

Should a national charitable foundation involve itself in an election campaign like this?

Mr Stubbs worded his endorsement very carefully so that it was positive about initiatives that improve walking and cycling infrastructure across Canberra in general, rather than being specific about this plan from the Greens. I guess he was in attendance as an opportunity to get his message about moderate exercise and heart disease to WIN, ABC, Canberra Times and RiotACT audiences.

Heart foundation ticks are paid for are they not?

Should a national charitable foundation involve itself in an election campaign like this?

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