Green party launch health policy in Australia
The leader of the Green party, Bob Brown, has launched the party’s health manifesto.
Brown has included a national dental care scheme, which will be implemented with the aim of promoting good oral health and clearing lengthy waiting lists across Australia; currently, around half a million people are waiting for dental treatment in Australia and some have been waiting for more than twelve months.
Over the course of the last six months, dental healthcare has been a subject of great debate amongst party leaders and ministers; patient groups and dentists across the country have complained that previous governments have paid little attention to oral health and consequently, waiting lists are long and standards of oral health are falling.
Now, as the parties launch their election campaigns, oral health has come to the fore and politicians are debating ways to improve dental care and reduce waiting list times. The Green Party are keen to encourage educational schemes and help people to realise the importance of good oral health; Mr Brown, a former health professional, said he recognised the importance of good oral health for good general health.
The party manifesto also proposed higher tax on junk food and alcohol advertising, a ban on advertising junk food before 9:30 pm and the appointment of a minister for mental health. Other significant policies include the legalisation of gay marriage, an improvement in the treatment of asylum seekers and the introduction of a national recycling scheme.
Join this Discussion
Thanks for Green Party story.
Bob Brown is a terrific and honorable fellow.
Have known and admired him and the Green Party for years.