OPINION
From time to time Mike submits articles to various media outlets. His articles can be found by clicking the 'read more' links below:
2024
STRENGTHENING THE PORT SORELL COMMUNITY - ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - 12/07/24 Like many of us - I have witnessed several, wonderful, community groups develop and evolve to meet their members’ needs. One that is especially close to my heart is Port Sorell U3A; a community of older learned Tasmanians who seek to keep mentally and physically active in a wonderfully inclusive and welcoming organisation. Port Sorell U3A recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with displays of members’ activities, musical performances, wine, food and the launch of a report detailing its history including member reflections on what it means to be part of such an active group. Like many successful groups, there’s an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes effort required from key individuals, essential in establishing and maintaining a community-based entity. Their selfless belief in our community, coupled with irrefutable enthusiasm and boundless energy is the embodiment of what makes Port Sorell U3A so special – and currently over 400 active members agree. If we include the 236 courses and activities, with over 115 tutors and program leaders, it’s been a very busy decade. Acknowledging that when the Covid pandemic struck, it made it impossible for normal activity to continue, however it did highlight the very best qualities of U3A. Undaunted, the Committee stepped up and found new ways to help members connect and engage in what were incredibly challenging times for us all. I strongly believe that U3A helped our Port Sorell community stay connected, with hope and confidence for what is now an enthralling post-covid future. To me, community is everything and I believe Port Sorell U3A to be one of the most successful groups in Tasmania with its all-inclusive culture of openness and goodwill, where every new member is welcomed as an old friend ready to share engaging new experiences, combined with an incredible diversity of knowledge and genuine companionship. Port Sorell U3A is also supporting other emerging Tasmanian U3A entities by freely giving of their time, expertise and energy in a way that will allow an inclusive ethos to evolve and flourish across Tasmania. If I can be of any help, please get in touch, and as a Life Member I do have a keen interest in the ongoing success of Port Sorell U3A.
COMMUNITY SERVICES NEEDS OUR SUPPORT ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - 28/03/24 With the election come and gone we now await the negotiation of what will be a coalition government of some kind. Within this arrangement there’s a chance to ensure that the imminent state budget covers the real costs in delivering essential community services. For those who are unaware, community service is an all-embracing term for a sector we turn to at different times in our lives for tangible support. This includes assistance for new parents, mental health services, addressing substance use, emergency food relief, NDIS and employment support services, help with independent living as we age, palliative care, youth work and much more. However, the ongoing impact of significant cost increases, especially rent, fuel, food, wages and insurance, puts community service organisations under enormous financial stress and emotional strain, and many have or are having to consider winding back the support they provide, or risk going under themselves. This hurts our most vulnerable Tasmanians at a time when they need these services more than ever. For people in crisis, every delay brings greater risk to their physical and mental health, together with the likelihood that problems and challenges will become more complex and even harder to resolve. I’ve witnessed this firsthand as Patron of Mersey Community Care Inc., which provides excellent home maintenance, transport, social and home support services via a variety of schemes. As with almost all community service providers, fewer volunteers, increasing transport, wages and regulatory expenses are making it exceptionally difficult to maintain current levels of support, let alone meet the ever growing demand for their services with a growing population experiencing an escalation in the cost of living pressures. So what needs to be done? Our Government(s) must recognise the true value that community service organisations deliver, and the requirement for fully indexed, fair and sustainable funding that covers the cost increases over which they have no control. These organisations have the local knowledge, reach and capacity to deliver support and services in ways that Governments cannot, and if the independents and minor parties are to be the coalition kingmakers, now is the time for them to effectively use this power to get a fair deal for our battling community services sector – and address the needs of the communities that voted them into Parliament.
2023
INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2023 - ADVOCATE NEWPAPER ARTICLE - 12/10/2023 International Men’s Day (IMD) is celebrated on 19 November every year and is marked in around 80 countries worldwide. This year’s theme “Healthy Men, Healthy World” aims to shine a light on the issue of men and boys’ health. While some may ask why we need such a day, we know there are many barriers and inequalities experienced by men, as well as women, and IMD seeks to acknowledge some of these and more importantly, to celebrate the good things about our men and boys together with the positive contributions they make to our society. One key aim of IMD is to highlight some of the social issues that men and boys face, including the surprising fact that 50 Australian men a day are dying from preventable causes, before they reach the age of 75. Australia is one of the healthiest and wealthiest countries in the world and yet men born in Australia still die an average of 7 years younger than women born in Australia. Sometimes referred to as the “gender health gap”, this disparity in health outcomes includes the fact that men and boys account for; 3 in 4 suicides, 4 in 5 heart disease deaths under 75, 3 in 4 alcohol-related deaths, 3 in 4 road deaths, 96% of workplace deaths and 70% of deaths in young people 15-34. These figures are staggering, yet there are few strategies and policy documents that acknowledge men as a priority population - and less than adequate allocated resources towards addressing this disparity. The difficulty in accessing timely health care, coupled with the natural stoicism of men in seeking help, does little to improve the statistics; especially so when chewing concrete and being seen to just ‘get on with it’ is almost the definition of a Tasmanian male. The growing cost-of-living pressure only adds to the reluctance of many men to risk what they might view as 'wasting time and money' to seek help. Research has shown that the best way to improve men’s health is to tackle the underlying social factors that shape our health like boys’ education, our experiences of fatherhood, our working lives, our social connections and our access to male-friendly services. However, its not all ‘doom and gloom’. We can take comfort in that around the state men are supporting each other through local community-based activities such as Men's Sheds, accessing resources through Men’s Resources Tasmania and attending local events such as those organised by the North West Coast based organisation, Man Up Tasmania. Whilst there are a number of ways IMD can be acknowledged, most celebrations will share the common objectives of valuing male role models, improving male health and acknowledging the contribution of men and boys. One such event being held in celebration of IMD 2023 is ‘BBQ at Bellsy’ on Sunday 19 November, 12.00pm to 2.30pm at the Bells Parade BBQ and reserve area in Latrobe. The event is a free Family Fun Day and offers a BBQ lunch ($) provided by the Latrobe Community Shed Group or attendees can bring their own BBQ/picnic lunch. There will be a range of sporting and recreational activities on offer, a display by the Mustang Owners Club of Australia, live music and a great opportunity to connect with your community. On this International Men's Day I also acknowledge and commend the work of the various funded and unfunded, voluntary grassroots and community-based organisations in our community and across Tasmania. I celebrate the mateship these organisations bring to their communities and thank them for difference they are making in working towards improving the lives and health of men and boys. I genuinely believe that today’s Government, and future governments, could bridge the inequity of financial commitments to our men's organisations, which proactively look at bettering the lives of this somewhat neglected section of the community. Indeed, let’s start a conversation about the issues impacting so many men and look at what can be done to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Addressing male wellbeing outcomes is good for all of us so this IMD, stay healthy, take action, check in on a mate and maybe we can all improve male health together.
CANNABIS - THE POLITICAL PARADOX ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE – 18/09/2023 Almost all of us have an addiction of one sort or another, and perhaps for many of us it’s as simple as finding that perfect cup of coffee. For others it’s sugar, a substance described by David Gillespie as a ‘sweet poison’ that’s more addictive than powerful opioid drugs such as cocaine. Launceston based Dr Gary Fettke hit a wall of bureaucratic pain when he dared suggest that diabetic patients could see big health benefits by cutting back on refined sugar in their diets. And yet sugar is very much a part of our daily lives where its effects are seen as a health issue rather than an addictive dependence. However, if you possess or use minor amounts of illicit drugs you can face the full force of the law. Whereas the harm of cannabis is perhaps minimal when compared to the possible impacts of sugar, tobacco and alcohol on a user and their family’s health and wellbeing. Our communities face a dilemma where there is an urgent need to stop the criminal elements involved in drugs, whilst at the same time trying to divert individuals away from the justice system into health services and recovery - a perfect quandary for governments in what is a judicial nightmare. Almost every jurisdiction has investigated the idea of decriminalising minor personal possession, cultivation and use of drugs such as cannabis. Inquiry recommendations including decriminalisation (Queensland and Western Australia) were immediately vetoed by the governments of the day and dare I suggest due to political dogma rather than evidence-based decision-making. Many readers may not realise that the ACT changed its laws three years ago to allow the possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis, and to grow and consume cannabis at your home address. The ACT legislation also contains strong safeguards that prohibit underage and public use, and dealing is still illegal. The outcome has been heartening as in the first year there was a 90% drop in offences, no increase in usage and no increase in hospital presentations. Punitive measures for illicit drugs have failed us and we’re overdue for a fresh approach. With a mainland precedent that’s working well, Tasmania could improve on this, remove the stigma that blights lives and see a lasting benefit for all sides of our community.
MATURE MINOR VOTING ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE – 04/06/2023 Worldwide voting ages vary from 16 to 25 year olds with both optional and compulsory requirements. Whilst most nations choose 18 as a notional default, there are in fact, 9 countries which have a legal voting age of 16. For instance, Scotland initially made a ‘one-off’ decision for those mature minors (16 and 17 years) to be included in the franchise for Scotland’s 2014 referendum on independence and, shortly thereafter for all Scottish elections. Since 2014, mature minors have continued to vote in all Scottish Parliament and local council elections. A 2021 case study undertaken in Scotland, provided evidence on the immediate effects of voting age reform on young people’s engagement with politics. The study revealed a boost in confidence in a youth voice and led to a perceived increase in political efficacy and engagement. Many young Scots said the introduction of ‘Votes-at-16’ gave them a voice to be heard; an opportunity to be taken seriously and a feeling that they had power to affect change. It was found that the newly enfranchised voters developed higher levels of interest in politics that their non-enfranchised peers. They learnt to form their own opinions, and to take responsibility for their political decisions. Political citizenship in one’s formative years is found to be critical in the transition into an informed and autonomous adulthood. Australia’s young citizens today have many diverse matters to consider and address such as social, economic and environmental issues, and deserve a fully inclusive and collective platform upon which to be heard. Young people, in my view, are worthy of voting age reform. Mature minors deserve an authentic voice in our nation’s democratic process and should be given a say in collectively shaping our Local, State and Federal Governments and, the policies, direction and ideals of our truly democratic nation. In 2022 the Minister for Local Government introduced compulsory voting for the October Local Government elections. With State elections currently scheduled for 2025 and the next Local Government elections in 2026, Tasmania can be the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce voluntary voting for mature minors. Our Government should introduce voluntary voting to assist in shaping well-informed, empowered and active political citizens for our collective future, it could also lead to a more dynamically integrated society, and improved societal representation, both of which are critical for a healthy and flourishing democracy.