The+Australian+Labor+party+and+public+health

= Topic = ‘Keeping the Bastards Honest’: What do Labor, the Liberals, and the Greens Bring to the Public Health Table? Who should we vote for from a Public Health Perspective and Why? You are an avid Labor supporter. Tell us why it is important to follow the political beliefs and policies of labor to continue to improve Australian population health. Describe the importance of taxation, welfare, public health, public education in achieving this goal. Use evidence about the health of social groups and the social determinants of health to make your case.
 * Name: Amy de Sylva **
 * Student Number: 8332291 **
 * Tutor: Emily Mann **

Artefact
(Leak, B. 2011) This artefact is a reflection of the current situation of the liberal party. It shows that whilst their polls may be increasing, this is not due to the direct action of Tony Abbott. That is, the liberal party do not describe policies that may benefit Australia but rather show an increase in polls because of the actions of the Labor party. This is evident by the use of Tony Abbott on a treadmill showing ‘direct action’, that is, policies; and the chart of increasing poll numbers. The caption ‘energy to burn’ describe the increased polls not reflecting the work of the liberal party but rather the shortcomings of the Labor party, hence Tony Abbott has ‘energy to burn’ because it is not him doing the work.

Public health issue
This artefact depicts the issue that the Liberal party is becoming more popular because of the policies of the Labor party. However, this is due to the work of Labor costing Australia where liberal is choosing to side with Australia and do nothing. Ultimately, Labor is planning for the future whereas Liberal is playing a political popularity game to regain power without considering future effects. It opens the debate of ‘the cost of doing nothing will be far greater than the cost of doing something today’. Consequently, the public health issue presented is that health will become much worse following the Liberal Government because of their lack of direct action and huge interest in winning a political popularity contest to regain power.

Literature review
The current Labor governing party has made significant effects on Australian services, facilities, infrastructure and people. However, their popularity amongst the public is decreasing. The Liberal party on the other hand has increasing polls and limited to no direct action in changing Australia for the better. The Labor party is committed to creating policies that will improve the health and well-being of Australians because of their sound core values. They believe in creating fairness, flexibility, security, sustainability and opportunity whilst maintaining compassion and human rights (Wright, G. 2011). Until the Gillard Government, Labor has been a leading political party in Australian history. Scientific research published in the Australian Journal of Political Science suggest that the party remained so strong because of its predominant voting base in the working class, lead by trade union officials and governing in the interest of capitalism (Bramble, T. & Kuhn, R. 2009). Labors deep roots in Australian politics mean that the party has had real experience in politics and therefore knows how to create beneficial policies. The results of these are clear in recent research and statistics.

The most recent National Health survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows trends that demonstrate the excellent work of the governing party. Labor has made aged care a priority by increasing the number of residential aged care places which is currently over 182 000, approximately 10 000 more than in 2009 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). There are also more aged indigenous Australians using this service than ever before. Labor has also been focusing on creating Transition Care programs for the aged. This allows older Australians to leave hospital and find our other arrangements; aiming to improve independence and functioning. Since 2005, there has been a 274% increase in the number of available places with 2200 places available in 2009 (AIHW, 2011). In 2009, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) published ‘Australia’s Welfare 2009’. This publication says that the programs by the Australian Government in allocation of places for residential and community care continue to grow and reflect the structural changes in the ageing population (AIHW, 2011).

Labor is passionate about improving the health of particular social groups such as indigenous Australians and patients with mental health problems. Indigenous health is a major concern in Australia because of the serious discrepancies in standards of health between the two ethnic groups; the 17 year life expectancy gap proves this. However, these numbers have improved in the last 15 years. Since 1997-99, the life expectancy for indigenous males has increased by 11.2 years, and for females, 9.9 years (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). This is because of the increased use of mainstream health services. Not only this, these people are still maintaining their own language and culture in the process. 62% in 2008, up from 54% in 2002, said they identified with a clan, tribal or language group (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). Cancer is still the main cause of death of indigenous Australians with 19.3% of registered deaths. Research also shows that the cancer burden is greater in rural areas (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). In correlation with the values of the Labor government, huge amounts of funding have gone into cancer research and centres with particular focus on geographic location and indigenous Australians. Using the $2.3 billion government investment, new infrastructure has been built, breast screening services have been upgraded and more support has been given to prostate cancer research centres (Wright, G. 2011). These services will reduce the morbidity of cancer and make Australians healthier.

Whilst indigenous health appears to be improving, mental health remains the same. The National Health Survey shows that in both 2004-05 and 2007-08 surveys, 11% of respondents reported having a long-term mental of behavioural condition. The most common of which were mood and anxiety problems (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). To target this major concern in society, Labor is committed to delivering a $2.2 billion package over five years to make mental health a national priority (Wright, G. 2011).

Labor understands the importance of using education and training as the building blocks to create significant changes in health. Therefore, after inheriting tremendous workplace shortages from the Coalition Government, Labor has since initiated more than 1000 new nurse and 1300 new GP training places (Wright, G. 2011). This has doubled Mr Abbott’s efforts in increasing training places for health care professionals. At this rate, there will be more than 5500 new GPs or GPs in training over the next decade. Funding is also going into more than 1000 new university training places each year, delivering more scholarships and financial support (Wright, G. 2011). Whilst Labor is committed to fixing the indisputable problems in health, the party must also look at the cause of the issues. The public health issues that have been so predominant in Australia are nearly all attributed to the excessive consumption of risk factors by Australians. Risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy eating, and little exercise. ABS statistics show that the consumption of certain risk factors has risen in the past decade. This is contributing to morbidity rates; ischaemic heart disease is still the leading cause of death, 16.0% for both males and females (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Currently, 25% of persons aged 18 years and over are obese, 37% are overweight, 37% are normal weight and 2% are underweight (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). The highest rate was recorded in the 65-74 age groups. This will cause massive pressure on hospitals and aged care facilities as this group continues to age. Alcohol consumption has also increased in recent years. In the week prior to the survey, 21% of the population had consumed alcohol at a risky or high level (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). In saying this, Australia has also seen positive change. The amount of daily smokers has decreased by 2% between 2004-05 and 2007-08 and exercise has increased. Between 2001 to 2007-08, 65% of respondents aged 15 years or above has done some form of physical activity in the weeks prior to interview. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009).The Labor party has been aiming to decrease these consumption rates through public education. This has shown to be very effective. Scientific research demonstrates that through public health promotion, the average life expectancy and general health has improved. (Wise, M. 2008).

Lastly, Labor has been focussing on making the unique Australian health insurance cover, Medicare, as universal as possible. Patients who lived in rural or remote areas have previously been disadvantaged when accessing the universal system; as have indigenous Australians. However, Labor is trying to change this. To deal with this issue the government have initiated a telehealth service that the media describes as ‘very promising’ (The Australian, 2011). It will provide Medicare-funded video links between rural patients and medical specialists. The government aims to have held 495 000 telehealth consultations by July 2015 (The Australian, 2011). Such Labor Government developments will have a huge impact on the accessibility of health care services around Australia.

Labor is committed to implementing policies that will not only create tremendous change now, but also create sustainable futures for all people involved in the health sector. This unfortunately is costing Australia a large amount of money. Therefore, the liberal party is appearing as a ‘better’ political party because of the unrealistic goals that have been set. This will be discussed in relation to the above artefact.

Cultural and social analysis
To analyse this public health issue, the theories of Karl Marx will be used. Marx viewed society from an economic and socio-political standpoint. He criticised capitalism and the materialistic nature of society. Essentially, Marx believed in communism as a proper form of government (Sociology.org 2005). Australia, as a capitalistic society prizes personal profit, and hence creates major discrepancies between various social groups (Mullen, K. 1993). It allows lower socioeconomic groups to be underprivileged in not only a public health sense, but in many other aspects of life. This compromises basic human rights and creates an imbalanced society. Following the beliefs of Marxism, communism would be employed as the major political structure. This would allow less focus on individuals, as in a capitalistic society, and more focus on society as a whole (Sociology.org 2005). Individuals become part of the social structures and therefore, society can be viewed from a broader perspective. In a public health sense, this would mean a health care system that focuses on the general health and well-being, allowing easy viewing of where it gaps; indigenous Australians, aged care and mental health.

A communistic health system would remove all focus on individuals and personal profit, focusing on the whole society. This would lead to a healthier society because disadvantaged social groups would become a priority. Marx would say that the federal government should take responsibility for a unified national health system and private health insurance should be eliminated (Sociology.org 2005). This would remove individual profit and in turn, reduce conflict between services and patients as money would not be as big an issue. Therefore, policies initiated by the Government would target specific underprivileged social groups which would not be disrupted by bias or services aiming to create profits. Wealth would be redistributed which would cause significant change to indigenous Australians and patients from a lower socioeconomic background.

A strategy such as the one presented by Marx is necessary otherwise under the current capitalistic society, ‘the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer’ (Rogoff, K. 2005). In terms of social groups and public health, ignoring the requirements of groups who are most in need of better health will result in a national crisis. As the population continues to age, mental illnesses are on the rise and indigenous Australians are still outcasts in mainstream society, capitalism is not the way to go. Employing a communistic approach to health and politics will better Australia through the redistribution of wealth; improving general health and wellbeing. However, this goal of complete communism is unrealistic. The stakeholders in health would not allow such a radical change in structures and policies. They would stand to lose massive amounts in business, money and resources (Mullen, K. 1993). Consequently, a complete model of communism is not possible but adapting some of its key ideas would result in improved health and wellbeing for society as a whole. This will lead to enhanced social cohesion and dynamics.

Analysis of the artefact and your own learning reflections
Based on the information presented above, it is clear that the Labor Government is passionate about creating policies that will fix the current issues in Australian health. The party gives particular focus to disadvantaged social groups whilst also addressing risk factors through education; following Marxist theories. Obviously, Labor is planning and implementing policies to address the current and future issues of Australia. However, this does not come cheap. The government cannot create change without money to make it happen. This is depicted in the artefact. The Labor party is decreasing in popularity (polls) because of the necessary and expensive policies that are being implemented. This has meant increased polls for the Liberal party; represented by Tony Abbott in the cartoon. This increase is not due to the work of the Liberal party but rather the shortcomings of Labor. The problem presented is if Liberal came into power because of its increasing popularity, very little action would be taken from there. Australia would turn to the newly appointed political party when public health takes a turn for the worse because of the underprivileged social groups, and Liberal will have no answers. How low will Australia have to sink under the ‘no direct action’ of the Liberal party before we realise that Liberal does not support costs to create necessary change; another financial recession, the destruction of the ozone layer, not having any place for the ageing population of Australia? Labor is planning for the future and costing Australia now whilst Liberal is playing a political popularity contest with no thought to the future.

This assignment has allowed me to view politics, social theory and society in general in a more critical manner. I have realised that politics often comes down to a popularity contest and only some parties will be able to create necessary change. I now understand that the cost of doing something now could be far less than doing nothing and having to pay in the future.

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Amy! I found your work to be exceptionally insightful and thorough. Being a member of generation Y myself, your artefact and analysis has really allowed me to see the flaws in my generation but also judge it from a much boarder approach. It is hard to see something when you are a part of it but I believe you have captured very true and accurate insights. Using an artefact by the ‘Black Eyed Peas’ was very effective because the group members are a part of Gen Y; consequently proving that the lyrics of ‘I want it now’ are valid. Rather than a sceptic person from another generation making judgements about Gen Y, the use of the Black Eyed Peas labelling themselves as materialistic and technology-loving shows that this is truly what my generation believes in and holds value to. I can now see much clearer the possible health consequences my generation’s ways, especially due to the huge amount of research you have presented. Lastly, tying the whole review together using the work of Baudrillard and the relativity theory shows the amount of work you have put in to make this remarkable assessment piece. Well done!

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Michael, I think you make a very valid point in this is a significant public health barrier. Communication is key when it comes to making decisions regarding patient understanding and treatment. I believe Australia has grown so accustomed to English-speaking patients that when we are presented with someone who cannot speak English, we do not know how to react. As Australia’s prides themselves as a multicultural society, it is pertinent that we can accommodate for patients who struggle with the language barrier. We also believe in maintaining basic human rights, an aspect that will not be accomplished if we do not find ways to overcome this significant barrier. I think you have presented your argument well and nicely tied in your artefact and analysis. Good job!