Our readers tell John Howard what he should do in his third term - Part 1

From: Joan Skewes
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 6:30 PM

The issues for me remain the same as they were during the election. The inequitable distribution of the education dollar is still of great importance. However, for me the primary issue is the public health system, which is seriously starved of funding and staff. While the Howard government continues to spend $2.2 billion EVERY YEAR on health insurance rebates it cannot be seen as serious about preserving the integrity of the public health system. Indeed, it can only be seen as instrumental in running down the public system. The health insurance rebate is simply not justifiable. It has not led to a better system - it has only fed a greedy health insurance industry. Howard's "lifetime health cover" stands as one of the most appalling abuses of the general public in recent years, using fear to drive many Australian citizens into taking out a cover they don't want and can't afford. Those who can comfortably afford the cover, of course, are benefitting. Half of the rebate - just over one billion dollars EVERY YEAR - goes to the top 25% income earners. It will be interesting to see whether the Labor opposition can remember its principles, and fight strongly to restore the public health system to its former glory! Some hope.

From: Tristan Jones
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 6:54 AM

The first issue on Howard's first term agenda is to reform the Senate, which has obstructed the government's mandate from the people so much in the last five years, I would propose the following reform of the Senate to be done in a Referendum which would pose three questions, this would be hard if the ALP, Democrats and Greens decide to oppose the first two questions at a Referendum.

Change to the Constitution so that a joint sitting can be held to pass rejected legislation without recourse to a double dissolution election.

The removal of the Senate's right to block supply.

Fixed four-year terms like they have in NSW should be introduced, Well four-year terms for MHR's and eight-year terms for Senators.

From: Craig Stringer
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 7:17 PM

I believe that that the Prime Minister should tackle the issues around appropriate funding for Aged Care in the community.

At the moment there are older Australians living in nursing homes around the country with care levels that are lower than the average person would like to think.

There are in some cases 163 residents in a nursing home at night with only 3 carers on duty. There are in many cases not even nurses on duty as the Howard Government has removed any mention of nurse in the Aged Care Act.

While these nursing homes have accreditation under the act they would have a real problem to try to save our older citizens should a fire break out at night.