News

Select a news topic from the list below, then select a news article to read.

QPS - HIV health alert - Extradition of NSW man to Queensland

Monday, 06 September 2010 02:00
Print PDF

Detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch will escort a 31-year-old Sydney man to Queensland in time for his appearance at Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The man has been charged in relation to offences under section 317 Queensland Criminal Code ‘Acts intended to cause Grievous Bodily Harm or transmit serious disease’ or alternatively s320 Qld Criminal Code ‘Grievous Bodily Harm’.

The man appeared in Penrith Magistrates Court on Saturday, and was remanded to reappear in the Blacktown Magistrates Court this morning, where Queensland Police applied for his extradition.

Anyone within Queensland with information which could assist police in this matter is urged to contact the Queensland Health contact line.

Outside Queensland, people with information can call CrimeStoppers on 1300 333 000.

Queensland and Federal Government's commit funding for Hendra vaccine

Monday, 06 September 2010 02:00
Print PDF

Premier Anna Bligh, Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries, Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today announced $600,000 in funding to trial a Hendra vaccine in horses.

Ms Bligh said the Queensland and Federal Government's would commit $300,000 each to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) to trial the effectiveness of a Hendra vaccine in horses.

"This funding will allow AAHL to continue the important work they have been doing developing a Hendra virus vaccine," Ms Bligh said.

"A Hendra vaccine is not a silver bullet - which is why this is one of a number of research projects into Hendra virus the Queensland Government is funding.

"AAHL have indicated that, with adequate funding it will still take 4-5 years to fully develop a vaccine to be sold commercially.

"AAHL already have $330,000 available internally and with this additional $600,000 it will allow AAHL to trial the vaccine in horses which will take 2 years.

"Once the trial is complete it will take at least another 3 years to get the vaccine ready for the marketplace," she said.

Mr Mulherin said the recent Hendra incident in Tewantin has been a reminder to everyone to be vigilant in their precautionary measures when dealing with sick horses.

"As we have seen where there are flying foxes and horses together, there is potential for the emergence of this virus," Mr Mulherin said.

"As the vaccine is still years away - it is important that people who deal with horses understand the precautions they need to take.

"Recognising the risks faced in the interim, the Bligh Government has invested $2.8 million and will invest a further $1 million over the next 3 years, to continue research into how the virus is spread from flying fox to horse to human, and develop greater understanding of flying fox behaviour," he said.

Mr Burke said the tragedy of Hendra has always been that the victims have been caring for an animal they loved.

"The outcomes for the research will take time but no date will be soon enough," Mr Burke said.

"This is the Australian and Queensland Governments cooperating to say, we have to find a way to bring this to an end."

Get Your Kidneys Checked

Monday, 06 September 2010 02:00
Print PDF

Scott Bacon, Parliamentary Secretary and Member for Denison, today launched Kidney Health Week 2010, which is asking Tasmanians: ‘Are you at risk of kidney disease?’

On behalf of the Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, Mr Bacon urged Tasmanians to take advantage of Kidney Health Week to have a renal check.
“Kidney disease is serious – 50 Australians a day die from it,” Mr Bacon said. “Tasmania has a high prevalence of kidney disease, with an estimated 18,400 people diagnosed with it – that’s one in six adult Tasmanians.
“Of those, more than 2,000 have severe chronic kidney disease and close to 200 people are receiving renal dialysis for end-stage kidney disease.
“However, many people who have kidney disease are completely unaware of the fact. Kidney disease is a ‘silent killer’, with many symptoms missed until it is too late.
“Kidney Health Week provides a timely opportunity for all Tasmanians to see their doctor for a kidney health check. It could well save their life.”
Mr Bacon said the best antidote was a healthy lifestyle.
“This week is about encouraging everyone to live a healthy lifestyle and have a regular kidney health check, particularly people in ‘at-risk’ groups.
“One in three Australians is at increased risk of chronic kidney disease.
“The risk factors are known. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure; are over 50 years of age or obese; if you smoke or have a family history of kidney disease; or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent – then you are at risk.
“It’s important to know whether you are at risk and, if so, have a regular kidney health check each year. A kidney health check can include blood, urine and blood pressure tests.
“The starting point is seeing your GP and talking about it.
“Some forms of kidney disease are treatable and normal kidney function will return. In others, kidney disease can’t be reversed, but the progress can be slowed or prevented by medication and lifestyle changes.”

 

Assault police, hinder police and affray

Monday, 06 September 2010 02:00
Print PDF

A woman will face court next month on charges relating to an alleged attack on police at a hotel in the Central Hunter.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command were conducting a licensing inspection at the hotel on the New England Highway, Rutherford, about 11pm on Friday when they attempted to intervene in an altercation between two men. As they did so, the officers were set upon by a number of hotel patrons without provocation.\n\nOne male officer was struck a number of times from behind and had an eye gouged, while another male officer was repeatedly punched in the face, suffering a suspected fractured nose.

Additional police were called to the hotel and an officer was forced to use a Taser during the incident.

As a result of police inquiries a 54-year-old Rutherford woman was arrested about 10.30am today.

The woman was taken to Maitland Police Station and subsequently charged with assault police, hinder police and affray. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Monday, 21 June.

This follows the earlier arrests and charging of two men in relation to the incident.

The hotel has been served infringement notices for matters relating to signage. Inquiries into alleged serious breaches by the hotel’s licensee and a lack of a security presence are continuing.

More Beds and Jobs for the ACT – Aged Care Boost

Monday, 06 September 2010 02:00
Print PDF

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, today officially opened IRT’s $99 million aged care village ‘Kangara Waters’ in Belconnen.

‘Kangara Waters’ offers both residential aged care services and independent living apartments. The aged care facility can care for up to 100 older people and offer both high and low care accommodation, including care for people living with dementia.

The construction and fit-out phase of ‘Kangara Waters’ employed around 350 workers and, once fully occupied, its daily operation is expected to employ around 90 people.

Minister Elliot said that ‘Kangara Waters’ was developed following an agreement between the ACT and Federal Governments demonstrating how levels of government and aged care providers can work together effectively to expand services for older Australians.

“The Australian Capital Territory, like other parts of Australia has an ageing population and it is important that we continue to expand service provision to meet increasing demand.

‘Kanagra Waters’ has extensive outdoor garden areas including a rose garden and tree lined paths to Lake Ginninderra. There is an on-site café, hairdresser, hydrotherapy pool and activity areas for residents and their families.

“In addition to high quality care and local employment opportunities, the ongoing operation of ‘Kangara Waters’ will provide a $3.5 million a year boost to the local economy.

‘Kangara Waters’ is operated by IRT, a not-for-profit aged care provider that has been providing aged care services for 40 years with 16 other residential care facilities and 34 retirement villages in Sydney, the Illawarra and on the South Coast.

The Rudd Government is reforming the aged care sector to build a national aged care system, improving access to quality care and services so that older Australians receive high quality care in the most appropriate setting.

More Articles...