City Dwellers Better Off - Mission Australia

Additional investment and new initiatives are needed to improve the health, job opportunities and quality of life for the 36% of Australians living in rural and regional communities and to bring them in line with levels enjoyed by people living in metropolitan centres, according to a new report by Mission Australia, funded by the Macquarie Bank Foundation.

The report, Rural and Regional Australia: Change, Challenge and Capacity, calls on a whole of government approach – in co-operation with business and community organisations – to improving equality between rural/regional and metropolitan centres across a range of areas.

Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said rural and regional Australia comprised a great diversity of communities that had shown incredible resilience to the dramatic economic and social changes of the past two decades – but some had still fallen behind metropolitan Australia in a number of ways.

"Our report uses the idea of 'capital' – economic, human, institutional, social and natural – and considers the resources required in each of these areas to develop functional, resilient communities," Ms Hampshire said.

"The statistics tell a diverse story of disadvantage across a range of areas, for example:

* 72% of students in metro areas complete Year 12, compared to 62% in regional centres.
* Income levels in non-metropolitan areas tend to be lower with 16.3% of non-metropolitan households having a weekly income of $300 or less (compared with 12.8% of metro households).
* Supported accommodation services are provided to victims of domestic violence at a rate of 2 per 1000 people in metro areas, compared to 11.8 in 'remote' areas and 17 in 'very remote' Australia.
* The rate of alcohol-related deaths among young people in non-metro areas is 1.7 times higher than the same group in the major cities.

Go to Mission Australia's website to read their media release in full.

The report is also available to download from Mission Australia's website.

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Attached is Hansard from 29 March 06 when Bill Sykes raised the issue of alcohol-related deaths among young people in Parliament. This is of considerable relevance to country Victoria.

Dr SYKES (Benalla) -- I wish to comment on the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee's report on its inquiry into strategies to reduce harmful alcohol consumption. First of all I acknowledge the work of the staff: Sandy Cook, researcher Pete Johnson, Michelle Summerhill and Chantel Churchus. I particularly acknowledge the efforts of chair Johan Scheffer for keeping everyone on track and working well as a team.

As stated previously, for most Victorians alcohol consumption is a pleasurable and safe activity. However, misuse of alcohol is a significant cause of drug-related harm. Alcohol is second only to tobacco as Page 33 a preventable cause of death and hospitalisation in Australia.

The report is massive -- over 1400 pages -- so I would like to concentrate on one or two specific areas. Firstly, I note that there is a proposal in the report that there be a coordinated approach to the management of alcohol issues via a new office of alcohol policy and coordination.

Secondly, I would like to look at the issue of the continuing unacceptably high level of alcohol-related road injuries and deaths in young males aged 18 to 26. As a result of that, our committee has suggested that the government investigate increasing the introduction of zero blood-alcohol tolerance for young drivers up to the age of 26. There seems to be quite

broad community support for that, with some even suggesting that we go further and make it zero blood alcohol for all drivers, as there is already a zero blood-alcohol limit for bus drivers and drivers of heavy vehicles.

There are other proposals to address the drink-driving issue, such as including alcohol-related training in driver training and further consideration of ignition-locking devices.

Rural issues are a particular concern in that alcohol can be a major problem in rural communities. Some of the issues we have made recommendations on include the recruitment and retention of appropriately qualified and experienced staff, rural input into policy development and particular focus on alcohol problems in young people.

Following on from the rural considerations are considerations in relation to sporting clubs, with sporting clubs, particularly football and netball clubs, being an extremely important component of rural communities.

The committee acknowledged the wonderful efforts of the Australian Football League to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol -- the warnings and training of players and the code of conduct that imposes an obligation to consume alcohol only in moderation and in a responsible manner. The committee encourages other peak sporting bodies to follow the example of the AFL. At a country football and netball club level, where there is a high dependence on alcohol sales for income generation, the committee supports the wider operation of good sports programs and other programs that encourage country football and netball clubs and other country clubs to be more family-oriented and generate money with less dependence on alcohol sales.

We should never walk away from the fundamental principle that people should take responsibility for their own actions.

Whilst we have initiatives such as the responsible service of alcohol and Good Sports types of programs, people -- whether they are adults or young people -- must remember that they are responsible for their own actions.

If we look at the issues facing young people, we see that there are a number of factors that need to be considered in addressing the problems of under-age drinking: firstly, the role modelling of parents and siblings; secondly, peer group pressure; and thirdly, ensuring that advertising and

promotions do not specifically target young people and do not encourage binge-type drinking. We are talking about happy hour promotions and those sorts of things, where the temptation is to consume an excessive amount in a short time. We need to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own actions and to moderate their risk-taking behaviour, and we also need to try and address that bullet-proof mentality, which most of us had when we were young.

We also recommend that local liquor reports and lockouts be considered and broadened, because in various communities they are working.

In closing, the report is extensive and addresses a wide range of issues, and I recommend that all 1400 pages of it be read. I request that you, Speaker, ask for a test at the next sitting of this Parliament to ensure that everyone has read the 1400 pages.

The SPEAKER -- Order! I think that is outside my powers!