Category Archives: Health

Qld’s economic future bright if we look beyond short-term

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Gene Tunny

I agree with Deloitte’s analysis that Queensland’s medium to long-term economic outlook is strong, as reported at the Brisbane Times website this morning (Queensland’s economic future rests on five ‘super wave’ industries): The combined economic power of five “super wave” … Continue reading →

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What’s really happening with Commonwealth payments to Qld for health?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Gene Tunny

While Commonwealth Health Minister Tanya Plibersek has claimed the Budget gives $1bn extra for Queensland hospitals, Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls is criticising the Commonwealth for cuts to health and other areas of Government. For example, Mr Nicholls presented this table … Continue reading →

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Government should fully repeal compulsory bike helmet law

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Gene Tunny

I’m a great believer in bicycle helmets and I’d never ride my bike on the road without one. Indeed, a nice red Giro helmet I owned undoubtedly saved me from a nasty head injury when I decked it after hitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Transport | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How were job losses shared across Qld Government agencies?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Gene Tunny

An article in the Financial Review this morning (Government jobs growth masks softer employment market) prompted me to examine the Queensland public service data more closely. Given the significant Queensland public service (QPS) job cuts over the last nine months, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Health, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld health reforms much needed – some regional health services look very costly

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Blueprint for Better Healthcare in Queensland contains some very interesting data toward the back that show we have substantial disparities in the average costs of delivery across the Queensland health system. Mackay and North West health services look particularly … Continue reading →

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Queensland’s inactive children will cost health system in the future

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Queensland ranks second lowest among States and Territories for the participation of children in organised physical activity (sport or dancing), according to new ABS data released today (see chart below). I am concerned about what this means for our future … Continue reading →

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Queenslanders less active than other Australians – no surprise we lead Australia in obesity

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I’ve previously posted on the higher rate of obesity in Queensland than in other States (Qld leads Australia on obesity), and no doubt a major contributor is the lower rate of participation in sport and physical recreation in Queensland than … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Queensland leads Australia on obesity

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Given the high costs of obesity on the health system, today’s new Australian Health Survey data for 2011-12 from the ABS should be concerning to the Queensland Government, with Queensland leading Australia in obesity (a Body Mass Index of 30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Clever election commitment wording – Govt actually didn’t promise Tier 1 hospital for Cairns

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Gene Tunny

When I read the news that new Health Minister Lawrence Springborg is backing away from upgrading Cairns Base Hospital to a Tier 1 hospital, I thought it was very soon for the Government to back away from clear election commitments … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Health | 4 Comments

Bligh’s bold breakup of Queensland Health

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Well done to Premier Anna Bligh for promising to break up Queensland Health in the wake of the fake Tahitian prince scandal (Queensland Health to be abolished “as we know it”): Premier Anna Bligh has announced plans to abolish Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment