Aljo-Log

Archive for October, 2007

This is a photo of Australian Prime Minister John Howard. He got elected four times for a three year term. The Australian Parliamentary Elections will be held on November 24th this year. And the opposition is ahead in the polls. Still I find PM Howard the most capable, effective and successful Prime Minister I have ever heard of. In 12 years he paid off the national debt and forced down unemployment to a 33 year low. To me PM Howard is Mister Australia, a title he more than deserves.

Aljo_

10 October 2007

World Mental Health Day is an important event on the international calendar and one I am pleased to be able to celebrate with the Mental Health Council of Australia and many other important organisations across Australia including beyondblue and Sane Australia.

Mental health is a major issue in Australia. Nearly one in five Australians will experience a significant mental health problem at some stage in their lives. There are even higher levels of mental health problems among young adults. The impact is felt by families across Australia and touches all parts of our community.

I therefore welcome this opportunity to offer my appreciation to all those people across Australia who spend their lives battling their own mental health issues, caring for someone who experiences mental illness, or working in the many services that offer much needed treatment and support.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2007 is a focus particularly on the impact of culture and diversity on mental health. We are blessed in Australia to enjoy a vibrant and diverse community which makes for a healthier community.

My government, in partnership with all other Australian governments, has committed unprecedented levels of funding to improve the way we respond to mental health in Australia, including an additional $1.9 billion over five years through the COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006-2011. This will provide funding for a major increase in health services available in the community, new respite services, an increase in the mental health workforce and new programs for community awareness about drugs and mental illness. I am delighted with the initial uptake of many of the new initiatives that are currently being rolled out in every community across Australia. We still have a way to go, but I think we are now starting to make some headway on this very important issue.

I hope all mental health organisations have a successful day today promoting World Mental Health Day and in their often very demanding ongoing work supporting people with mental illness.

Yesterday I saw on German WDR television a drama show about the criminal investigations branch of the Cologne police department. One of the main characters was played by Klaus Behrendt, whom I knew from the ZDF drama series Kanzleramt. I really enjoyed ‘Tatort Köln’. Normally I don’t view WDR but I zapped by and saw a few scenes which made me decide to see almost the whole show.

Aljo_