29 September 2014

State of the Capital - Weekly Political Wrap 30/09/14

| John Hope
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Brianna Heseltine and the ALP

It has been revealed that Brianna Heseltine from the Fluffy Owner’s and Residents’ Action Group has joined the ALP. In an interview with Marcus Paul, Heseltine broke down arguing that as a private citizen she has the right to privacy on the issue. Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson has responded to Heseltine’s perceived conflict of interest by expressing his dismay and saying that he does feel somewhat ‘deceived’ by the development. It is obvious that Heseltine has political ambitions. Although she has garnered support from many Labor insiders, CFMEU ACT Secretary Dean Hall has not been as enthusiastic – not publically anyway. If Heseltine was preselected for the 2016 election, presumably, she would not be as eager for her privacy to be protected – an unfortunate political debut.

Vulnerable Road User Legislation

The battle between cyclists and motorists continues. After an extensive enquiry into ‘vulnerable road users’, Attorney-General Simon Corbell has introduced legislation to protect cyclists from motorists. The ACT Government has agreed to 18 recommendations including a minimum passing distance of one metre for motorists passing a cyclist in a speed zone of 60km/h and a one and a half metre passing distance in speed zones above 60km/h. Enthusiastic cyclist and Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury will give the legislation a big ring-a-ding-a-ling. The Canberra Liberals, many of whom advocate for bicycles to be registered, have surprisingly not completely condemned the proposal. The proposal may give many upper-class lycra wearing bike lovers some peace of mind, but legislation is not worth the paper it is written on if police won’t enforce it, and they won’t.

Free needle exchange program for Canberra’s Jail

Despite the Opposition having a field day attacking the ACT Government, plans to introduce a free needle exchange program in Canberra’s Jail will proceed. The Government claims that the Opposition is ignoring the facts that inmates in Australian prisons experience the highest levels of hepatitis C virus infection in the world. On the ACT Government website it states, ‘The Program also provides condoms and pamphlets on harm minimisation including safer sex practices and safer injecting. Also available are needle and syringe disposal containers which can be used to enable these items to be disposed of in the safest possible way’. The Government is not only steadfast in ignoring the Opposition’s and the Prison Staff’s position on the issue, but it seems intent on staring down the public’s clear disapproval.

Canberra’s hospitals at breaking point

Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher has vigorously defended claims that Canberra’s hospitals are at breaking point. In a barrage of anecdotal claims from the Opposition, and the public, Gallagher has taken to Twitter stating, ‘ACT hospitals treated more than 125,000 people in CBR emergency departments in 13-14 fin year 6% increase & improved timeliness by 10%. The truth is that hospitals are under pressure across Australia and this issue won’t go away anytime soon – if ever. Although, there are some terrible stories.

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rommeldog56 said :

Pragmatix said :

I’m not sure if the majority of people really do disapprove of safe injecting in Canberra’s prison. Maybe it is just a vocal minority who don’t understand the reasoning behind harm minimisation that the government is staring down.

Hmmmm….let me get this straight then.

So, lock someone up in jail ’cause they are using/commiting crime/pushing drugs.

Give them free needles in jail so they can continue using an illegal substance that they shouldnt have – let alone when in jail.

Makes perfect sense I suppose.

Hmmmm….let me get this straight then. You’re happy with the idea of people contracting contagious diseases and then bring those diseases into society when they are released at a great expense to the tax payer. Makes perfect sense I suppose.

Pragmatix said :

I’m not sure if the majority of people really do disapprove of safe injecting in Canberra’s prison. Maybe it is just a vocal minority who don’t understand the reasoning behind harm minimisation that the government is staring down.

Hmmmm….let me get this straight then.

So, lock someone up in jail ’cause they are using/commiting crime/pushing drugs.

Give them free needles in jail so they can continue using an illegal substance that they shouldnt have – let alone when in jail.

Makes perfect sense I suppose.

Pork Hunt said :

I don’t understand the reasoning of giving someone a needle to inject illegal drugs while in jail. Why not give inmates guns whilst trying to keep bullets out?

Yeah right, I’m not sure if I see your reasoning Pork hunt. It’s about harm minimisation. The authorities can’t keep the drugs out so they are trying to make it for safer for the inmates as well as everyone else. There is no point is spreading disease to everyone is there?

I don’t understand the reasoning of giving someone a needle to inject illegal drugs while in jail. Why not give inmates guns whilst trying to keep bullets out?

I’m not sure if the majority of people really do disapprove of safe injecting in Canberra’s prison. Maybe it is just a vocal minority who don’t understand the reasoning behind harm minimisation that the government is staring down.

Steven Bailey1:18 pm 30 Sep 14

I do feel for Brianna Heseltine but what else did she expect? I hope this is more a case of political naiveté and less a case of political opportunism.

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