On this week’s podcast: Guesting on podcast 99 is Penny Tucker. You may be unfamiliar with her but don’t be put off, so was I.Having met quite by chance, I knew I wanted to interview her.An ex-diplomat, she carved out a very…
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Infograph shows the life expectancy in your suburb
Where you live in Australia can influence your life expectancy, a new study has revealed.
Research by Torrens University showed the suburbs and neighbourhoods where Australians have the longest and shortest life spans.
A suburb in Melbourne's south-east, Ashburton, and the areas of Unley and Parkside, south of Adelaide's CBD, took out joint first place for the highest median age at death in Australia, both sitting at 89 years.
The lowest median age at death among cities and their suburbs was Melbourne's CBD at 59 years, followed by the Forrestdale, Harrisdale, Piara Waters areas in Perth at 62 years.
The overall lowest median age at death nationwide was found in regional areas: Newman in Western Australia, the APY Lands in South Australia and remote Northern Territory communities.
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The suburb comparisons revealed there were "significant disparities" in neighbourhoods, despite some being a similar distance from the CBD.
Professor John Glover, from the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) at Torrens University, said various factors influenced residents' lifespan.
"Variations in the median age at death between suburbs are impacted by many factors including socioeconomic disadvantage, as influenced by unemployment, education, housing and income," he said.
"Events like road traffic accidents among young people lower the median age, and the location of residential aged care facilities raise the median age."
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However, socioeconomic disadvantage was a "strong influence" in life expectancy, Professor Glover said.
"Socioeconomic disadvantage is clearly evident in the pattern of potential years of life lost across our capital cities," he said.
"Regardless of variations between areas, I expect the data will place those areas with lower lifespans under the spotlight, and hope that social and health policymakers, agencies and providers will be informed by these data, investigate the causes and further consider the needs of people in these areas."
Ashburton resident Judith Cameron told 9News she was surprised her suburb came out in first place.
"I wouldn't have thought," she said.
"I thought there would have been other suburbs that would have been better than Ashburton."
Highest median age at death – Australian capital city
Ashburton (VIC) – 89 years
Unley/Parkside (SA) – 89 years
Castle Hill/Cherrybrook/Glenhaven (NSW) – 88 years
Lowest median age at death – Australian capital city
Melbourne CBD – 59 years
Forrestdale/Harrisdale/Piara Waters (WA) – 62 years
Driver/Gray/Moulden/Woodroffe (NT) – 62 years
Highest median age at death – regional Australia
Yackandandah (NSW) – 86.5 years
Grovedale (VIC), Mayfield/Warabrook/ Waratah/North Lambton (NSW), Clear Island Waters/Merrimac (QLD), Nuriootpa/Tanunda (SA) – 86 years
Lowest median age at death – regional Australia
Newman (WA) – 45 years
APY Lands (SA) – 53 years
Alice Springs – Remote (NT) – 54 years
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Highest median age capital city breakdown
MELBOURNE
Ashburton – 89 years
Brighton/Brighton East – 88 years
Camberwell/Surrey Hills/Canterbury – 88 years
SYDNEY
Castle Hill/Cherrybrook/Glenhaven – 88 years
Cromer/ Narrabeen/ Collaroy – 88 years
Gordon/Killara/Pymble – 88 years
BRISBANE
Centenary – 87 years
Chermside – 87 years
Enoggera/Keperra/Mitchelton – 86 years
ADELAIDE
Unley/Parkside – 89 years
Colonel Light Gardens/Mitcham – 87 years
Fulham/West Beach – 87 years
PERTH
Manning/Waterford – 87 years
Canning (north) – 86 years
Innaloo/Doubleview/Karrinyup/Gwelup/Carine – 86 years
HOBART
Mount Nelson/SandyBay/ South Hobart area – 86 years
New Town – 86 years
Bellerive/Geilston Bay/Howrah/Lindisfarne – 85 years
DARWIN
Casuarina area – 76 years
Inner Darwin – 70 years
Nightcliff area – 70 years
READ MORE: Brittany Higgins makes formal statement to police
Lowest median age capital city breakdown
MELBOURNE
Melbourne CBD – 59 years
Docklands/Southbank/West Melbourne – 66 years
Kinglake – 68 years
SYDNEY
Haymarket/The Rocks – 67 years
Homebush Bay/Silverwater – 68 years
Mount Druitt/North-West – 69 years
BRISBANE
Springfield Lakes – 57 years
New Chum/Redbank Plains – 63 years
Bellbird Park/Brookwater/Springfield – 64 years
ADELAIDE
Lewiston/Two Wells – 69 years
Adelaide – 69 years
One Tree Hill – 73 years
PERTH
Forrestdale/Harrisdale/Piara Waters – 62 years
Seville Grove – 65 years
Kwinana – 65 years
HOBART
Bridgewater/Gagebrook – 67 years
Rokeby – 71 years
Austins Ferry/Granton – 76 years
DARWIN
Driver/Gray/ Moulden/ Woodroffe – 62 years
Litchfield – 65 years
Marrara/Berrimah – 66 years
Sustainable agriculture promotes food security, healthy lifestyle
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Coronavirus pandemic has threatened many aspects of human life, and food security is no exception, according to Ian Chapman, Crops Programme Leader in the Department of Agriculture.
“Through sustainable agriculture, farmers can provide a constant supply of healthy nutritious food, be it meat or fruits and vegetables for public consumption,” said Ian Chapman, Crops Programme Leader in the Department of Agriculture. “A sustainable agricultural support approach to our ministry will ensure and make our food system more productive.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our farmers to find new ways of creating or improving our nutrition and our market opportunities,” he said. “We need to transform and re-balance the way food is produced here within the Federation.”
Chapman said the production of local crops, and harvesting local meats help to eliminate the unhealthy chemicals that are placed on imported food to preserve them until they reach into the consumers’ hand. The availability of locally grown food ensures that there is a healthier supply of food to satisfy the citizens’ needs for food and nutrition. Additionally, it reduces the fear that citizens may face about the unavailability of food due to the import-export challenges associated with COVID-19.
“We are promoting healthy diets to strengthen our immune system,” said Chapman. “Unhealthy eating has far-reaching consequences that surpass the individual and places a strain on the public health system.”
The panelists agreed that eating healthy helps to minimize the presence of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension associated with the consumption of unhealthy foods.
Chapman said one key initiative by the Department of Agriculture to help promote healthy eating is the “Farmers Agriculture Assistance Programme that will assist farmers in enhancing their productivity.”
Further support by the Agriculture Department to promote food security and healthy eating as noted by Director Melvin James, focused on preserving the lives of the livestock through the Tick Prevention Programme.
“We were able to make good strides in our Tick Control Programme, in our Pest Surveillance and Disease identification,” said Chapman.
“Over the years, the Tick Prevention Programme, which started in 2018, has contributed significantly to the preservation of livestock,” said James. “Drawing a parallel to demonstrate the effectiveness of the programme, the presence of ticks on the animals didn’t just affect the skin of the animals but also their survival. We had 1,230 animals that we lost; 308 goats, 290 sheep, and worse, affected cattle, over 600 cattle.”
Taking the initiative, the department was able to reduce the presence of ticks on the animals and subsequently the mortality rate, thereby ensuring the security of meat for consumption by locals.
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International agencies present new ambulance to Ministry of Health
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, expressed profound thanks to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society, which partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the United States Agency for International Development to deliver a brand new ambulance to the Ministry of Health on February 24, at the Joseph N. France General Hospital grounds.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the United States Agency for International Development for this significant donation,” said Mrs, Byron-Nisbett, at the presentation ceremony. “I also wish to convey our profound gratitude to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and to Hester Rawlins executive of St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society for such humanitarian foresight.”
Hon. Byron-Nisbett said that their strong collaborative technical support and the overall vital role they played from the conceptualization of the gift, the engaged enthusiastic discussions, and the persevering actions and engagement with the key stakeholders brought the project to fruition. “We are so very grateful for your commitment.”
Mrs. Byron-Nisbett noted that the receipt of the ambulance is timely and important for the Ministry of Health as it will help the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Such an addition to the existing fleet of ambulances ensures that there is an adequate first respondent mechanism for nationwide medical emergencies,” she said. “Having a large number of EMTs is simply not enough. There must also be the required vehicular capacity to respond in a timely manner.
“With the addition of the new ambulance, the health system will be better able to have an ambulance stationed at the two main satellite institutions, the Mary Charles Hospital and the Pogson Medical Centre,” said Mrs. Byron-Nisbett.
Minister Byron-Nisbett said these ambulances are well equipped and can safely and properly transport to and between hospitals.
She emphasized the importance of the build out of ambulances to the rural areas as persons will no longer have to wait on an ambulance to be deployed from the Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre or the Pogson Medical Centre in Sandy Point.
“This is indeed exciting, and this gesture is such a very good way to commence the year, building our health capacity during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” she said.
According to Hester Rawlins, Director General of the SKNRCS, who also spoke at the presentation ceremony, the donation was possible through the generous funding of the American people through USAID.
“This fully-equipped ambulance was donated as a part of the COVID-19 response project, partially funded by the United States of America,” said Rawlins. “A similar donation of a passenger bus was presented to our National Society as we endeavour to assist the most vulnerable members of our communities, while we strengthen our axillary role to government during these trying times.”
Also, at today’s ceremony, USAID gifted a brand new passenger bus to the SKNRCS.
Dr. Stapleton-Harris stated that the gesture demonstrates USAID’s continued commitment to countries such as St. Kitts and Nevis. She added that it allows the ministry to honour its commitment to provide an improved healthcare system in a holistic manner for the entire population.
She noted that ambulance services are critical to the urgent response to medical and trauma-related emergencies.
“In fact, it is a mandatory 24/7 service. Thus it is envisaged that such an expanded fleet would provide a more efficient emergency medical service, emergency intervention, and timely transport of patients in a variety of situations and environments,” she said. “Undoubtedly, such a system will increase the overall efficiency of our health care service and improve the health outcomes of our people. This is a very strong demonstration in a very tangible manner of strong partnership and genuine concern on the part of USAID and so we are very grateful.”
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Brothers killed in alleged hit-run to be buried together after court battle
Two brothers killed in an alleged hit-and-run will be laid to rest together in NSW's Central West, after an excruciating court battle between their estranged parents.
Shane Shorey, seven, and Sheldon Shorey, six, died after an unlicensed driver allegedly did a burnout before ploughing into the boys on a footpath near a local swimming pool in Wellington on January 6. At the time they were walking with their mother, who was also seriously injured.
Yesterday Justice John Sackar made a "difficult" and "challenging" decision, allowing for the brothers to be buried in Wellington, where they spent most of their short lives.
READ MORE: Memorial held for brothers killed in alleged hit-run
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The ruling comes after the boy's mother Shayleen Frail fought to have her sons buried together and "on country".
Father Joseph Shorey had proposed for the brothers to be cremated and their ashes divided.
"The boys had a strong connection with the Aboriginal community in Wellington and their unique body of beliefs," Ms Frail's lawyers said in a statement to 9News following the court outcome.
"Our client made an application to the Supreme Court because it was her wish for the boys to be buried to allow them to have a final resting place where their spirits can enter the Dreamtime."
Mr Shorey has told The Dubbo News he was "devastated" by the decision.
Justice Sackar acknowledged the boys had spent the last year of their lives living in Queensland with their father, but for the most part had been raised by their mother and grandparents in the Wellington area.
"It is not possible in a case like this absent compromise to produce a perfect solution," Justice Sackar said in a judgement handed down in the NSW Supreme Court yesterday.
"I consider the community where the boys have spent a substantial proportion of their lives has been in the Wellington area where not only their mother, but their maternal grandparents adhere to their beliefs about burial as opposed to cremation.
"Burial on country is the tradition they had been brought up in."
READ MORE: 'I feel empty': Father of boys killed in Wellington crash speaks of grief
The judge also found Ms Frail had been "entirely candid" about her history of drug use and incarceration and that Mr Shorey had allowed them to live with her and their grandparents since their separation in 2016.
In an interview with 9News, Ms Frail said she was not afraid to be honest about her past.
"Just because I've been to jail, just because I've been an ex-user does not take anything away from me being a good mum," she said.
"It doesn't take away from the fact I love my boys and this is a tragedy."
When she was in jail, Justice Sackar found Mr Shorey had "unilaterally decided to take the children away from their mother and grandparents in early 2020" and moved them to where he lived with his new partner in Emerald, Queensland.
"I can accept [Mr Shorey] may genuinely have believed what he was doing was in the best interests of the children but at the time he had no orders of any court which permitted him to do what he did," Justice Sackar said.
"A substantial proportion of their lives was spent in the Wellington area and in particular under the stable and loving influence of their maternal grandparents when their mother was incarcerated when the defendant was either away working or in Queensland.
"They spent most of their pre-school and schooling in Wellington and made many contacts with other Indigenous persons and learnt their secret men's business from their grandfather in Wellington."
Ms Frail said the boys were closely connected to Wellington, having spent much of their time at Nanima Village mission.
"They absolutely loved their culture: doing the clap sticks, doing the Koori dance," Ms Frail said, remembering a video of them dancing like snakes and goannas.
"Sheldon, he was just a little show-off, real centre of attention, he would uplift any party … a real little character."
Shane was destined to be an NRL player.
"Shane was a placid kid, a caring big brother and absolutely loved footy," Ms Frail said.
Ms Frail said she plans to finally lay her children to rest next week.
"Our client would like to thank the first responders at the scene of the accident, the medical staff who cared for her at Wellington Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Dubbo Base Hospital, all of the people who donated to her GoFund Page and the Wellington township for the enormous support she and her family have received and continue to receive," she said.
The man accused of crashing into and killing the boys – 25-year-old Jacob Donn – remains in custody and is next expected to appear in court next month.
Human bone washed up on beach identified as missing SA man
A human bone found on a South Australian beach has been identified as belonging to Jesse Corigliano-Quealey, who went missing from the location last October.
The arm bone was discovered by a man walking along Maslin Beach, 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, on February 16.
The bone has now been examined and has been confirmed using DNA to be Mr Corigliano.
The 30-year-old went missing from the beach on October 9.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious at this time.
The man who discovered the bone had initially taken it home with him, but contacted police after a relative suggested it could be human.
The next morning while searching the beach, officers found what they think is a human rib.
This bone is also being examined by forensic specialists but has yet to be formally linked to the missing man.
The case is being investigated by SA Police's Criminal Investigation Branch, who will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Qantas to resume overseas flights in October
Qantas has posted a record $1.08 billion revenue half-year loss, as it announced it plans to resumes international flights in October.
The Australian carrier said the dire financial result was triggered by the freeze on international travel and Australian state border closures caused by the pandemic.
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The airline said international Qantas and Jetstar flights will re-commence on October 21 – four months later than the planned resumption date of July.
"The date change aligns with the expected timeframe for Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout to be effectively complete," Qantas said in a statement.
"Capacity will be lower than pre-COVID levels, with frequencies and aircraft type deployed on each route in line with the projected recovery of international flying."
Qantas said its international capacity is not expected to fully recover until 2024.
The airline said it remains in discussion with the Federal Government about the reopening of international borders.
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Qantas' revenue in the half fell 75 per cent to $2.3 billion, as the number of passengers it carried shrank by 83 per cent.
"These figures are stark but not surprising," Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said.
"During the half we saw the second wave in Victoria and the strictest domestic travel restrictions since the pandemic began.
"Virtually all of our international flying and 70 per cent of domestic flying stopped, and with it went three-quarters of our revenue."
Mr Joyce said Australians were eager to travel domestically and hoped the threat of snap border closures – which deterred people from booking flights – could lessen once the most vulnerable people were vaccinated.
Australian media code becomes law
The Federal Government's new media code for platforms like Google and Facebook has passed the House of Representatives, making it law.
The News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code had passed the Senate after amendments last night.
Under the mandatory code of conduct, technology giants Google and Facebook would be required to negotiate with Australian media companies over payment for news content and notify them of algorithm changes.
READ MORE: Facebook, Google law passes Senate
It followed a direction from the Morrison Government in December 2019 to facilitate the development of voluntary codes to address bargaining power imbalances between digital platforms and news media businesses.
The passage of the law was celebrated by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
"This is a significant milestone," Mr Frydenberg tweeted.
"This legislation will help level the playing field & see Australian news media businesses paid for generating original content."
https://twitter.com/JoshFrydenberg/status/1364713030710272000
The law was amended earlier this week after Facebook decided to ban all news-related posts from Australian users.
They lifted the ban after a strong backlash across the world.
READ MORE: Facebook to restore blocked news pages 'in coming days'
The development of a code of conduct is part of the government's response to the ACCC's Digital Platforms Inquiry final report to promote competition, enhance consumer protection and support a sustainable Australian media landscape in the digital age.
"What we've sought to do is create a level playing field to ensure a fair go for Australian news media businesses and that when they generate original content, they are fairly paid for it," Mr Frydenberg said in July.
"We want Google and Facebook to continue to provide these services to the Australian community which are so much loved and used by Australians. But we want it to be on our terms.
"We want it to be in accordance with our law and we want it to be fair, and that is what has motivated us with this mandatory code."
If everyone is vaccinated Herd Immunity will combat COVID-19
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Herd Immunity refers to resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination.
In the case of COVID-19, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said that based on research by health experts, vaccinating a large portion of St. Kitts and Nevis’ population can assist in achieving herd immunity.
“When we vaccinate enough of our population, we achieve our goal of reaching what the medical fraternity refers to as herd immunity or what is sometimes called population immunity,” said Prime Minister Harris. “This is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or through previous infections.
“Herd immunity can be achieved once the Federation reaches its vaccination target based on scientific research,” said Dr. Harris. “In the case of the Coronavirus disease the scientific community has estimated that herd immunity comes when between 70-90 percent of the population receive vaccines.”
Dr. Harris encourage everyone to play their part in helping the Federation to achieve herd immunity by getting vaccinated.
“It is extremely important that we in St. Kitts and Nevis and the region achieve this goal,” explained Dr. Harris. “No one should be left behind. Everyone should be interested in protecting him or herself from the dangerous consequences of COVID-19.”
He noted that persons can visit the Newtown, Basseterre, Sandy Point, and Tabernacle Health Centres in St. Kitts, and the Charlestown, Gingerland, and Combermere Health Centers in Nevis to make an appointment to be vaccinated.
The post If everyone is vaccinated Herd Immunity will combat COVID-19 appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
PM says Linda Reynolds' health 'much improved'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Defence Minister Linda Reynolds' health has improved since being admitted to a Canberra hospital yesterday.
The defence minister is on medical leave after receiving advice from her cardiologist relating to a pre-existing medical condition.
"I can tell you that she's much improved from where she was the night before," Mr Morrison said today.
"And under doctors' instructions, she will remain under observation for a few more days yet."
Ms Reynolds was due to speak at the National Press Club yesterday but the appearance was cancelled after she was admitted to hospital.
Mr Morrison said the senator was looking forward to returning to her duties and "getting on with the job".
"She's doing a great job," he added.
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The senator's hospitalisation follows intense scrutiny over her handling of rape allegations from former staffer Brittany Higgins.
Ms Higgins expressed her concern for Ms Reynolds in a Twitter post yesterday, sending well wishes to the minister.
"I genuinely hope Linda Reynolds is okay and wish her all the best with her recovery," she said.
https://twitter.com/BrittHiggins_/status/1364359720866226176
It is not known how long Ms Reynolds will be absent from her role, with Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to act as Defence Minister until her return.