In this issue:
Industry Self-regulation of Food and Drink Marketing to Children: Is it Responsible?
Who’s Accountable in Queensland’s Parliament?
Industry Self-regulation of Food and Drink Marketing to Children: Is it Responsible?
Government regulation of market behaviour generally receives bad press, with critics arguing that companies and industries are capable of self-regulation. In this article, Lesley King and Lana Hebden find that the evidence for such capability is wanting in the case of food advertising to children.
Carbon Tax, ETS, or Both?
Julia Gillard’s carbon policy is out. In the fiery debate conducted between Government and Opposition, everyone and their dog seemingly has an opinion about the “carbon tax” and its effects on Australia’s future. The problem is, those very same people would be hard-pressed to pinpoint the exact form or even basic nature of Gillard’s policy. In this article, Aleksandar Gujas spells out the fundamentals of a carbon tax and an emissions trading scheme along with a comparison between the two.
Preventing Chronic Pain
Osteoarthritis is commonly viewed as a “natural part of ageing.” It is not inevitable, however, since the modifiable risks account for a significant proportion of osteoarthritis burden. For this reason, argues Lynne Parkinson, it is important to continue to build on good evidence-informed prevention policies and programs for a healthier lifestyle.
Who’s Accountable in Queensland’s Parliament?
Proposed changes to the role of the Speaker in the Queensland Parliament are generating controversy. With the Parliamentary debate on the legislation due on 2 August, a Brisbane forum deserves attention. Scott Prasser sets out the issues and concerns about executive government intrusion into the running of Parliament.
Beyond Black and White
The proliferation of contemporary media supposedly strengthens and enriches our democracy. We have a surfeit of news, current affairs, expert-based commentary, panels and talk shows that “flesh out the issues”. But is there better debate as a result? Martin Leet argues there is more noise, but not necessarily more enlightenment.
‘Preventing Chronic Pain’ raises some very interesting issues around this persistent/chronic pain condition.
The Australian Pain Management Association Inc. (APMA) is very aware that older people with unrelenting pain are not getting the best healthcare or the best outcomes. It is very apparent through our telephone helpline that many older Australians are indeed told that their pain is a natural part of getting old… and little can be done, even when they have put off seeking treatment until they could bear the pain no more and are open to hearing medical advice for treatment and pain self-management options.
Moreover, public pain management clinics are in short supply and remain even more so for the elderly. Whilst not all chronic pain conditions are lifestyle related and so not as preventable, I applaud this work in adding to the evidence base for the management of osteoarthritis.