Grassroots Launceston - Innovative & Local Community Projects & Organisations

"Progress in this City is Dead"

nuf said.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 3:16 pm 0 comments

Dalai Lama nails the issue yet again

From today's Calendar page:

"Through money or power you cannot solve all problems. The problem in the human heart must be solved first."

This is the reason that efforts to improve social inclusion and cohesion so frequently stall or are actively opposed in Launceston.

Hearts have been hard for too long. Blaming a person for their circumstances has become the deeply ingrained culture of this city and as a consequence many people who are doing well in Northern Tasmania just don't have deep compassion for their neighbours who may be struggling.

Inevitably this means that the will to solve our problems locally simply doesn't exist.

If it were otherwise, we'd be doing much better than we are.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 4:31 pm 0 comments

Thought for the Day

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posted by Alan Melton @ 4:37 pm 0 comments

Follow up Letters to the Editor of The Examiner - 4 to 1 against bigotry

The Examiner, Friday 31 August

Amelia Viney, saw through the smoke and mirrors about traffic and sewerage, to nail the real issue - bigotry.

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The Examiner, Wednesday 2 September

One for the residents.

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The Examiner, Friday 4 September

Another against - plus as an added bonus some unrelated prejudice.



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The Examiner, Saturday 5 September

The final word? Apparently not........



The Examiner, Thursday 10 September

I think this one is on this vote, so I'm claiming it too!

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posted by Alan Melton @ 5:00 pm 0 comments

Has conservative & bigoted Launceston struck again?????

The most ultra-conservative of Launceston institutions, the Launceston City Council, appears to have sent a message to public housing tenants that they are not welcome in their town, by refusing a planning application for public housing units in Newstead against their own Planning Officer's advice.

The motion to refuse the application was dressed up as concern about traffic flows, sewerage capacity, housing density and resident amenity, but each of these issues was addressed by the Council's own planning and infrastructure experts and found not to be valid reasons to refuse discretionary use. Both the Planner's recommendations and the resident's objections are on the public record in the Agenda for the Council Meeting of 24 August 2009 on the LCC website, so you can be the judge.

If you're a public housing tenant perhaps you'll perceive comments about property values falling and similar "the sky's falling in " hysteria from objectors as code for you're not welcome in my neighbourhood.

If you do, you're probably more disturbed by the Aldermen's reaction to the fear campaign, by apparently giving it life and contributing to the vilification of public housing tenants? Perhaps you'd now be very wary of giving any sitting Alderman your vote (which is as good as the next person's) in October?

The Aldermen may believe this was about planning, but the potential neighbours at Newstead (and the perceptive journalist who reported it)knew better. Consider this quote from The Examiner of Wednesday 26 August - "(we) bought property in the area because there was no low cost housing and (we) fear that our standard of living would be impacted on."

Remember this when some of these same Aldermen come knocking on your door in October and ask them to go on the public record by issuing a media release confirming that they support public housing tenants and welcome planning applications from social housing providers such as Housing Tasmania, anytime and anywhere in the Municipality. If they're not prepared to make this statement on the public record then you'd be entitled to seriously question their motives in the Newstead matter and vote accordingly.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 3:07 pm 0 comments

Australia Day.............January 26 just too divisive

I'm with Mick Dodson and Ron Barrasi....January 26 is the wrong day to celebrate our national day. Why not a date that we can all embrace? There is nothing to be gained in clinging to a date that causes unnecessary suffering to Indigenous Australians PERIOD. (And I say this as someone whose ancestor arrived in Sydney Cove as a convict on the First Fleet; it's not the right date).

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posted by Alan Melton @ 1:38 pm 1 comments

Zions Hill "Beyond the Box"

This innovative project was conceived by Zions Hill in 2008 in response to the incidents of rock throwing by young Ravenswood residents that resulted in Metro cancelling night time services to some areas of that community.

Zions Hill were developing plans to partner with the community of Singaraja in NE Bali to build orphanages and a community radio station, when the Metro crisis came to a head back home in Ravenswood.

Beyond the Box is a way of linking the work in Indonesia with the development of at risk youth from Ravenswood.

The following is from Zions Hill's "Singaraja mission and Beyond the Box Trips" pamphlet:

An Intro to Singaraja..

The Place: Singaraja is in the regency seat of Bali, Indonesia. The name is Indonesian for "Lion King." Along the north coast, east of Lovina, Singaraja has a population of 80,500. Singaraja was the Dutch colonial administration centre for Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands until 1953, and the port of arrival for most visitors until development of the island further south.

The People: Zions Hill sent a team to Bali in June 2008 and there they caught the vision to partner with Dmaker (PS Paulus) to build orphanages and a Community Christian radio station in Singaraja. Where there are orphans who have lost everything and those which fled from Timor due to the destroying of their homes, it is time for us to move out of our comfort zones in meeting desperate needs.

The Plan: Apart from Zions Hill adopting Singaraja as its overseas Mision field, we are looking for long and short term partners to assist in preparing and sening four to six youths, per year, on short term aid trips to Indonesia to work with an orphanage.

What are Beyond The Box Trips?

"beyond the Box" aims at epowering the young people of Ravenswood involved with Youth Justice and problems within the community, a life changing and defining opportunity that causes them to realise how fortunate they really are, and that they too have something to give. The trips therefore involve living and working with the under-privileged from a developing nation such as Indonesia. The young people will be sent in pairs while in the constant company of a qualified adult team leader from the church who mentors them throughout the trip.

The trip is not a holiday, but will be the culmination of a six month commitment to the mentoring of each individual - during which we also connect them with the right service providers in sourcing employment and/or the various fields necessary (i.e. mentorship, employment assistance, arts programs, drug rehab centre, Adult Ed).

"Beyond the Box is empowering our community to move from a "give me, give me" mentality to a "I've got something to give" idea. It's about a community catching a selfless heart. It's Beyond OUR Box"...PASTOR Chris Billing, Project Director

For more information: Zions Hill Church, 7-21 Warring Street, Ravenswood - Phone 6339 1766, Fax 6339 4998 or email beyondthebox@zionshill.com.au

Or to donate directly by electronic transfer - Zions Hill Community Care Inc, BSB 807009, A/C No. 12254825 & please specify that it is for Beyond the Box.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 7:22 pm 0 comments

Charity begins at home

A wonderful story this week about the hugely successful campaign to raise $55,000 for lifesaving neurosurgery for 4 year old Evandale resident Sophie Hart.

The Examiner reports today the exciting news that Sophie's surgery has been successful.

It also reports that the appeal raised $130,000. Coming as it did a few days before Christmas, this makes the result even more remarkable.

But does it also say something else about what it takes to engage and spark the generosity of the community?

Sophie's need was of course urgent and life threatening. My wife and I heard the story of this beautiful and innocent 4 year old and contributed immediately. Apparently, so did a lot of other people.

However charities have found it harder this Christmas to come by funds.

Obviously Sophie's appeal shows that money was available in the community for discretionary giving, but clearly none of the mainstream charities who work overtime in supporting people through the Christmas period managed to inspire people to give to anything like this extent.

Is that because people view their many clients as less deserving than a sick child or is it simply that they cannot identify with their needs? Is it a case that many people blame those who need to rely on charities for the circumstances they find themselves in? If so, is that really fair?

Interesting........................

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posted by Alan Melton @ 4:37 pm 0 comments

2008 - A year in review

Christmas 2008 seems as good a time as any to return to the Blog for a critical look at social inclusion and community development in Launceston and to express my hopes for the future.

I wouldn't characterise 2008 as a particularly good year in the fight against poverty and exclusion in Tasmania. As always there's been a lot of talk, but very little substantive action - even in the areas where new money has been announced much of it is still to find its way out of the doors of the Treasury. Homelessness, social housing, school attendance, literacy and numeracy, suicide prevention, mental health and family support are all areas of service delivery that remain in need of increased, intensive and genuine community activity.

I'd like to reiterate at the outset of this article that I believe that social exclusion is generated by the actions and inactions of everyone in society and that consequently all elements of that society, including the business sector and individual Tasmanians, as well as Governments, have a responsibility to participate in the fight against it.

Without question, the most pressing problem for many Tasmanians is our relative poverty compared with mainland Australians. Employment is the best protection against poverty and social exclusion. As I've said elsewhere in this Blog, I feel strongly that community development must ultimately be underpinned by sustainable economic development. Consequently, I applaud the strong growth of recent years which has resulted in significant improvements to the welfare of many Tasmanians, particularly the long term unemployed.

However economic growth alone is not enough, and is never likely to be enough, to overcome entrenched disadvantage.

The benefits of a stronger Tasmanian economy haven’t been enjoyed universally across the community, especially for those on low incomes who haven’t been able to access the labour market or improved wages due to disability or lack of educational attainment, and who have been squeezed by decreasing housing affordability and a rising cost of living.

Looking back on my last post made over a year ago, the issues I'd identified then remain just as critical to combating poverty and reducing the levels of human suffering in Launceston today. Significantly though, there's one additional priority that I'd identify. Such is my new found understanding of its importance that I'd elevate it to the top of my list.

That issue is education; at its most basic, literacy and numeracy.

50% of Tasmanians are allegedly functionally illiterate. Assuming that that is true, and there's nothing in my personal experience to suggest it isn't; it's a shocking statistic given that we are living in the Information Age. Ignoring the cost in terms of diminished personal and economic potential for the individual and the Tasmanian community; how hard must it be cope in a society where you are either excluded from, or struggle to participate in, the full range of social, cultural, employment and educational opportunities that are on offer? How can we accept the development of a class system where those who don't have access to information are effectively second class citizens?

So if improved educational attainment is such a crucial protective factor and offers an alternate pathway to a lifetime of poverty, why isn't our existing system producing literate young adults and what can be done to boost the outcomes we are achieving for the many that our current practices fail?

No doubt the AEU would argue that it is all down to teaching resources and that more teachers would drastically improve literacy and numeracy outcomes.

As an outsider I see this as a conveniently simplistic answer to complex issues. I view the issue from a very different perspective.

I'm often shocked and disappointed by the numbers of vulnerable young people that I encounter who are completely disengaged from education, sometimes by upper primary school age.

The majority of these young people come from homes where education is not valued or parents simply don't have the capacity to support their kid's learning skills because they themselves were raised in disadvantaged communities where negative sub cultures prevail and positive role models are hard to find. These students are almost always experiencing conflicts in the school environment (be it with peers, older students, or teachers and the prevailing disciplinary system).

There are no easy answers to changing cultural attitudes towards the value of education but I do believe that it is incumbent on the Government to invest in community education campaign to make more Tasmanians aware of the protective value of literacy and numeracy against poverty.

Fortunately with regard to the second factor, there are existing practice models that offer better ways of handling conflict than the prevailing system which is founded on the principle of exclusion (of both bully and bullied).

My experience is that young people become excluded from school either through their own behaviours or through the actions and/or inactions of others. I cannot stress strongly enough how prevalent bullying is in schools, and how many young people become school refusers and drift away from education when the issue isn’t addressed well in their individual school. Often this disengagement is slow, punctuated by increasingly frequent absences and growing animosity towards the school by parents who feel totally unsupported in a time of crisis.

Bullying is in urgent need of address, but I don't support the current policies of suspensions and exclusions simply because it is unproductive and merely adds further names to the education casualty lists.

Like minded colleagues and I have come to the conclusion that the answer lies in a radical shift in the disciplinary policies in public schools towards Restorative Practice (RP). We need to keep people in schools, not exclude them.

There is a growing body of evidence in the literature in support of Restorative Practice in schools. This is complimented by positive anecdotal reports from the forward thinking educators who have implemented Restorative Practice in this State (mainly in Southern Tasmania). It is time for RP to become a formal policy approach of Government and not left to the discretion of individual school leaders.

So my hope for 2009 is that RP becomes a part of school and community life in Launceston, so that we can keep more young people engaged and learning.

If you're interested in learning more about RP and its place in schools please see:

International Institute for Resporative Practices , or

Restorative Practices International, or

www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/submissions/RJ%2004.1%20Circle%20Speak%20attachement%201.pdf

As we end 2008 homelessness and the lack of affordable housing throughout the State is another high priority issue for the Tasmanian Government and community. Stable and appropriate housing is the basis for health, well being and participation.

This is a supply driven crisis so the answer is obviously to increase supply.

The Government has committed $60 million dollars to the cause. Rather than continually re announcing that commitment as occurred throughout 2008; 2009 must be characterised by construction activity on the ground.

Aside from actualising this investment in social housing, including public housing, the Tasmanian Government must take a leadership role in planning to ensure that infill development opportunities are maximised in our major cities (such that the corridors of exclusion leading to our poorly located broadacre public housing estates are bridged by mixed housing, prior to further peripheral expansion of our cities). This is not only socially responsible, it is also environmentally responsible policy (i.e. reduced commuting, greater population density for public transport viability etc).

So my hope for 2009 will be genuine leadership in housing, not more of the rhetoric that has stalled progress over the past 3 years.

Breaking the homelessness cycle is contingent on the availability of appropriate support in the community, as implicitly recognised in the endorsement of the Common Ground housing model.

As the current state of play stands, I don’t believe that adequate community resources exist in the areas of mental health, disability services or family support services to ensure the quality of life and participation of some of the most vulnerable Tasmanians. The temptation in 2009 will be to cut services in response to the global financial crisis, but despite the misguided views of the TCCI there is virtually no fat to trim in front line service areas. Cuts in these areas will desperately affect the most vulnerable Tasmanians and must not be allowed to occur.

Undoubtedly Tasmania is a more tolerant community than it was, say just 10 years ago. And yet the published letters to The Examiner in 2008 underscore the fact that intolerance in the form of racism (particularly towards Aboriginals), religious bigotry and homophobia are still rife in Northern Tasmania. I was particularly affected this year by a letter from a young 23 year old gay guy that came at the end of a vicious debate in which homosexuals were characterised as perverted and unwelcome in Tasmanian society. This man said he could never come out to his former class mates or current work mates as he knew their deep prejudices very well having heard them for years. Sad as this is, it was probably a wise decision since I read this week that Rodney Croome has said Tasmanian gays and lesbians were twice as likely to be harassed and bullied in the workplace than their mainland brothers and sisters. Way to go Tassie, no wonder our schools are full of bullies and we continue to have such dreadful suicide rates.

In response to this "Year of Bigotry" I've waged another (unsuccessful) mini-campaign to lobby the Editor of The Examiner, Fiona Reynolds, to either stop printing letters that promote intolerance and hatred or change The Examiner's Mission Statement from the somewhat hypocritical "To produce a quality newspaper that builds its community.". I haven't even had a courtesy letter in reply but I guess I'll take up the fight again in 2009. Will you join me the next time you see an offensive letter published? freynolds@examiner.com.au

Not everything about 2008 has been bad though. One positive example is Zions Hill Church's "Beyond the Box" youth initiative in Ravenswood (which I promise to write more on in the New Year). Another is a very good response by the Gaming Commission to the Social and Economic Impact of Gambling report, which suggested some good strategies for further controls on poker machine gaming. The test for 2009 will be to see if the Treasurer has any desire to act on these recommendations.

So plenty to fight for in social justice in Launceston in 2009. Merry Christmas from a Buddhist and I hope you arrive renewed and ready to rejoin the fray in the New Year.

Labels: Restorative Practice

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posted by Alan Melton @ 3:26 pm 0 comments

3 Years in the making but finally released - Tas Parliament Joint Standing Committee Report into Strategies for the Prevention of Suicide

I know I said I was done BLOGGING, but I wanted to bring some closure to this story that we have been reporting on since the beginning.

The Tasmanian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Community Development has finally released it's report into Strategies for the Prevention of Suicide.


The report is OK as reports go. But it really only highlights the inadequacies of our current response to having the second highest suicide rate in the nation, and I don't believe it carries us any further forward in dealing with this health crisis.

Like other reports I believe it will ultimately die a death due to lack of commitment and funding. The media is in an enormously influential position to breathe oxygen into the question of an appropriate community response to suicide through the sensible and educational reporting of the issue and by holding public officials to account. Sadly, I'm not certain that that commitment exists to sustain the sort of campaign that would be required to elevate this cause of preventable death to the same prominence given to road safety campaigns.

Readers can rest assured that whilst I may not be posting regularly I will not stop campaigning on the issues that matter to me including:
* Child Protection (including securing the future of NEWPIN in Tasmania);
* Suicide prevention;
* Affordable rental housing;
* Gambling reform (particularly regarding poker machines);
* Quality and properly resourced youth programs;
* Community and economic development to eradicate poverty; and the
* Promotion of private and Corporate philanthropy.

On the latter point, what a wonderful front page story in today (Saturday 17 November)'s Examiner celebrating a $500,000 donation to local charities by the Vos Group. Congratulations and thanks to both the Vos Directors and The Examiner for giving it the prominence it deserves.

Let's continue the struggle to see compassion extended to everyone in our community. Hopefully one day people with show the same passion for their fellow beings as they do now for the forests.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 7:51 pm 0 comments

My tribute to the Mirror State

Tasmania is the Mirror State.

We're always looking into things.

No seriously, you would not believe the number of Reviews underway into all sorts of social issues and service failings. You also wouldn't believe how many very good Reports lie gathering dust on a shelf somewhere for want of the will and the money to implement their recommendations.

It occurred to me that many of the organisations and projects that I've reported on in this Blog are either struggling to find the resources they need to deliver the outcomes they had hoped for, have already collapsed, or are under funding threat despite having demonstrated significant success.

Similarly, many of the social issues we've canvassed haven't progressed far enough to ease suffering. For some, such as suicide prevention, another review/consultation process has commenced before we've even seen the report of the first.

So I've decided as my own (ironic) tribute to the Mirror State, to Review & Report on the status of all of the major issues or programs that I've covered here since 2005.


Northern NEWPIN(6/6/05) - The program itself continues to deliver wonderful outcomes for its members, but it’s future is uncertain as it is yet to secure recurrent funding.
Northern Suburbs Community Centre (6/6/05) - Continuing to meet the needs of many northern suburbs residents.
Ravenswood District & Community News(6/6/05) - Now part of the Ravenswood Neighbourhood House programs. Doesn’t appear to be published with any regularity anymore.
Suicide Prevention(23/8/05) - Still no report from the Tasmanian Parliamentary Inquiry two years on from receiving evidence from Sally and Jane! The current DHHS Community Consultation is continuing, but I imagine we are still some time away from recommendations let alone funded initiatives. Who has, and who will, pass over in the time we wait?
Mayfield Youth Action Group(26/12/05)- No further funding. Specific Mayfield activities have ceased (but the need for them hasn’t).
Corporate Social Responsibility(14/2/06) - A huge disappointment given that a primary ambition of mine (and the original reason for this site) was to grow corporate philanthropy in Launceston. Whilst I’ve personally witnessed some incredibly generous individual donations recently, for all intents and appearances corporate giving in Launceston remains poor compared to mainland standards, and certainly none of the projects I’ve promoted have been fundamentally assisted, let alone delivered, by a business White Knight! Congratulations to those who continue to give quietly and regularly (including the much maligned Gunns), but we really need to create a stronger tradition of giving amongst medium sized businesses (5-25 employees) if we are going to achieve the human and community potential inherent in this City. It's our town; all our responsibility.
Neighbourhood Houses (14/2/06) - The 33 Neighbourhood Houses in Tasmania continue to provide services on a shoe string budget. They meet the needs of some constituents very well, but will never be able to achieve the full range of Strategic Objectives required of them by the Tasmanian Government without the funding for a higher level of service and professionalism. That funding need not, and should not, be solely the responsibility of Government and is just the sort of social program that would lend itself well to business support.
LYNX(12/7/06)- Continuing with the loyal support of LIONS and committed volunteers. Providing a much needed option in the wake of the disappointing pull out by Youth Insearch, but constrained in what they can achieve by both funding and resources.
Launceston City Mission’s Ashley House (20/1/07) - Progressing under the capable management of City Mission and Rotary. A great response to the initial appeal but more financial support needed to cover the capital cost.
Blokes United(30/1/07)- The Blokes are meeting regularly but they still have no funding for meaningful programs and no home base/workshop. The dream of a Men's Centre remains just that.
14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (13/2/07) - Going beautifully. His teachings are more relevant and meaningful than ever, but of course Tibet is still not free!
Primary Health Reform(5/4/07) - The most controversial issue I've covered on the Blog, it is proving to be a political quagmire eg the anxiety about the closure of Ouse and Rosebery Hospitals. My position remains that the State has to put more money into Acute care and prevention/health promotion activities, and the Commonwealth needs to take responsibility for these mainly aged care rural facilities. Just don’t look forward to a well designed Tasmanian health system anytime soon.
One Care/Phillip Oakden House(5/6/07) Lost. Phillip Oakden House is closed. 3 public palliative beds are being provided at St Lukes Hospital on an interim basis but there’s no guarantee the service will ever return to the building the community lovingly created for the purpose.
Ashley Youth Detention Centre Reform(13/7/07)- No announcements from Government yet about what, if any, recommendations will be adopted.
Pokies Reform(10/9/07) - No progress yet in either Tasmania or mainland Australia, but it’s early days. The current review provides a focus for activity, but whether the ultimate report leads to real reform or more mirror gazing remains to be seen.

Clearly this is a disappointing litany of failure, and these are only those issues that I've been free to canvas on this Blog.

Progress in this city is well and truly dead; and so I suspect is the Grassroots Launceston Blog.

Although I've had some good traffic over the years, one would have to objectively conclude from the total lack of progress on these important issues that continuing this Blog is a waste of time. Even though it's always been secondary to me to actually taking action on issues, I can't justify spending future time Blogging that could be better used helping individuals directly.

And so for now, I suspect this is my last post. I've taken a good, long, hard look at myself in the great Tasmanian tradition - but unlike Government I've decided that I want to do something more productive with my future !!!!! :-)

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posted by Alan Melton @ 4:47 pm 1 comments

Trying to ease Pokie pain - My submission to the Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania

The Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance has engaged a Consultant, the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies, to undertake a Social and Economic Impact Study into Gambling in Tasmania.

Written submissions were invited from the public to inform the study, which is due for completion in March 2008.

The scope and objectives of the study appear to have been strategically set to ensure that the Consultant doesn't actually provide commentary on their findings or specific recommendations. None-the-less a well designed study should expose the suffering caused by this trade, particularly with regard to the poker machine industry, and the hollowness of claims that the industry has a net economic benefit to Tasmanians. It will hopefully provide a strong platform on which to campaign for meaningful reform to the control and administration of gaming in 2008.

National Council of Women Launceston have put in a submission to SACES informed by their successful "Both Sides of the Coin" forum and I've independently submitted the following to add weight to NCW's campaign and encourage SACES to produce a rigorous and well thought out study.

Re: Social and Economic Impact Study into Gambling in Tasmania

I am writing to express my concern about the social impacts of gambling in Tasmania, particularly with respect to problem gambling on poker machines.

As and an interested citizen I have sadly witnessed at first hand the human suffering caused to affected individuals, their families and the wider community by problem gambling.

From empirical observation I believe the prevalence of problem gambling has increased with the decision to extend poker machines into licensed hotels circa 1998, because it essentially engages and enslaves a different demographic of psychologically vulnerable people who would not previously have had ready physical access to poker machines. This is true because in my experience people who become addicted to poker machines are not people who gamble excessively on other forms of gaming, but who have become mesmerised and seduced by these machines after being exposed to them for at critical times in local venues. Obviously I’m not in the position to explain the psychology of such addictions but I have no reason to doubt the testimony of addicts that the machines filled a personal void in their lives by offering them the illusion of participating in socially acceptable and exciting entertainment.

But this is not entertainment and nor is it socially beneficial. What benefit is there in people losing their dinner money, or family rent, or dignity, as I have observed? What social benefit is there in people being driven to commit crime to pursue a form of gambling that the well referenced Productivity Commission report into Australia’s Gambling Industries (1999) has already exposed as attracting 42% of its revenue from problem gambling?

I would argue that the industry and Government are morally culpable and potentially legally liable, for knowingly putting such a dangerously addictive product onto the market and in over supply. Given this background knowledge why has the Tasmanian Government allowed, and why does it continue to allow, this product to be sold in the two most socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs by SEIFA index in my City of Launceston (namely Rocherlea and Ravenswood)?

If it does not know now who is contributing to the turnover in poker machines in these two suburbs and their disposable incomes, I would urge your study to find this out and inform them. I think you’ll find that the money is coming from local people with limited disposable incomes. People who we do know are statistically less advantaged in terms of personal transport and who wouldn’t normally have had ready access to poker machines if the current Tasmanian Government hadn’t extended licences beyond the existing Casinos. Fortunately for those in Rocherlea who cannot afford a car, they now can be encouraged to walk to the Rocherlea Tavern by an advertising balloon that informs them the new gaming room is open from 8 am everyday.

Clearly the addictive nature of poker machines and their obvious social disbenefits aren’t obvious enough to the Tasmanian Treasurer for him to implement a rollback of poker machine licences. The assumed reasons are the alleged economic benefits to the State, operators, hotel licensees and hospitality staff that accrue through poker machine addiction.

With respect to the operators, the Federal Group, the economic benefits would appear to be very real and undiminished by community debate about the morality of their trade.

I think that the net economic benefit to hoteliers and employees is less clear and deserves study within your current commission. Are hotels with gaming rooms really more profitable as a direct result of providing that product or are other factors influencing turnover (such as the shear fact that these venues have had an overdue make over)? Are they losing patrons who are turned off by gaming? Are they also losing potentially skilled employees who are uncomfortable with providing service in venues that knowingly profit from human suffering (in contrast to the ethics involved in the responsible service of alcohol)? I would urge you to rigorously consider these questions in the preparation of your Report.

Finally and most importantly in terms of your work, I look forward to you demonstrating the net economic disbenefit to Tasmania from gambling, particularly from poker machines.

The income to Government from taxation is readily calculated, but the financial costs are equally obvious to people working in the human services in this State.

For every social impact there is a direct and often quantifiable financial cost.

Some of these social consequences and their direct costs to Government include:
· Homelessness (eg crisis accommodation and support, outstanding debt to the State through unpaid public housing rent).
· Crime (to finance the addiction) (eg police, courts, prisons).
· Family breakdown (eg counselling, family court services, restraining orders, additional housing for new households formed as a result).
· Increased Alcohol & Drug use by gamblers and affected family members (eg counselling and treatment services, police, courts and prisons)
· Increased incidence of Family violence (trigger) (eg counselling, police, courts, prison)
· Negative Mental Health effects including Depression/Suicide (eg counselling).
· Negative labour market effects (eg decreased productivity, loss of skilled staff).

Given the finding that every problem gambler directly affects seven people, these costs are potentially multiplied many times throughout society.

This list is by no means exhaustive and I would implore you to be very thorough in your own analysis of the nexus between problem gambling, social impacts, and the direct and indirect financial costs to all levels of Government in Tasmania.

I note with some disappointment that the scope and objectives of this study do not require you to deliver recommendations to Government for the future management and control of gambling in Tasmania.

Despite that I hope that you will feel ethically compelled to make recommendations that follow as a consequence of your findings.

Such recommendations should include enhanced legislative protections of problem gamblers by both the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, including a mandated Code of Conduct that requires Federal Hotels to adhere to best practice in harm minimisation.

Reforms that I would particularly support include, but are not limited to:
· Rolling back the number of poker machines, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged areas;
· Ensuring venues aren't allowed to employ psychological techniques (eg dim background lighting/absence of clocks) in venue design which are unethically intended to promote the hypnotic, timeless state experienced by many problem gamblers (i.e. "the zone");
· Ensuring that Poker machine manufacturers and venues limit the use of linked jackpots etc that promote excess gambling;
· Limit the cash changing facilities on poker machines to a realistic $200 maximum;
· Ban ATMs from venues or their immediate vicinity (750 m);
· Ban cash advances on credit accounts at venues or their immediate vicinity (750m);
· Ban rewards/loyalty schemes linked to Poker machine use;
· Adequately publicise the virtually unknown Tasmanian Government Exclusion Scheme, particularly the very good provisions for third party and Commissioner of Police exclusions (by mandating a variety of media and public education strategies that Federal Hotels must fund and employ as part of their license conditions).
· Ensure that Third Party exclusions are automatically granted subject to later Review so that relief can be immediate.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this Study. I look forward to reviewing your findings and trust that they’ll reflect a rigorous and critical examination of the harmful personal, social and economic consequences of this industry.

Yours sincerely

Alan Melton

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posted by Alan Melton @ 4:45 pm 0 comments

A call to arms against the suffering caused by Federal's Pokies.....NCW Launceston's Forum on the Impact of Pokies - 19 September 2007

This issue is one we can't afford to ignore any longer. It causes suffering in this town every minute of every day. If you doubt it, consider the fact that studies show that at least $1 in every $3 that goes into the Pokies comes from a problem gambler. (Watch ABC 4 Corners of 10 September 2007 entitled "Hokey Pokie" online at http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/default.htm)


Time to put the spotlight squarely on Federal by supporting the National Council of Women Launceston's "Both Sides of the Coin" forum on Wednesday 19 September 2007.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 10:02 pm 0 comments

Vale' Mervyn John Melton 10/5/29-16/8/07

In loving memory of my father who passed away this morning. He was a man of enormous love who taught me even more about compassion than the teachings of the Dalai Lama. In keeping with the way I was raised I'd request donations to the Launceston City Mission in lieu of flowers.

Never forgotten.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 12:38 pm 2 comments

What's the rush, worth the rush...

This week saw the launch of a cool new website called what's the RUSH. Put together by the young people of Launceston College with the assistance of their Alcohol & Drug Counsellor, WTR is a well presented site that provides factual information about alcohol and drug issues in language that teenagers and their parents will understand.

Let's face reality. Some young people will use alcohol and other drugs whether we, as adults and parents, agree or not. That's why its important to talk openly and accurately to young people about the harms associated with alcohol and drug use, and for everyone to be aware of where they can go to get help with these issues.

WTR provides that reference source. As a parent I've bookmarked it and I'll use it. I'll also be letting my 13 year old know about it. I'd like to think she'd talk to me openly when she wants to know more about substance use and/or reality test the messages she's getting from her peers, but if she chooses not to I want her to at least know how to access reliable information such as that available at WTR.

Seeing is believing, so why not check it out for yourself?

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posted by Alan Melton @ 10:12 pm 0 comments

Do not despise the small work...

Here's a really good quote that came to me via my children's school newsletter this week (thanks Fay):

“If we just worry about the big picture, we are powerless.
So my secret is to start right away doing whatever little work I can do… If you and your friends do not despise the small work, a million people will remove a lot of suffering. That is the secret. Start right now.”
Sister Chan Khong, author and Buddhist nun.

What a perfect motto for both this Blog and the great grassroots work it hopes to highlight.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 11:55 am 0 comments

New research sheds light on the eternal question: what's in it for me?

To round off a big week on a more positive note - recent research published by FACSIA indicates that Corporate Social Responsibility is starting to mature into a core business activity for the top 100 national companies. And the reason? (Unsurprisingly) it's because there is a lot in it for them. Now if only more Tasmanian enterprises would follow suit we might really be able to change the world (or our part of it)!To download the Corporate Community Investment in Australia Report: http://www.facsia.gov.au/partnerships/downloads/cci_report_07.pdf.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 11:56 pm 0 comments

What is happening or not happening in Suicide Prevention and/or have Tasmanians totally lost sight of the things that matter most?

Tasmanians, and seemingly Launcestonians, have become an incredibly argumentative lot. Whilst debate is healthy, community feeling lately on issues such as the Pulp Mill and forestry have in my view taken on unnecessarily hysterical, personal and divisive undertones that I think will ultimately be detrimental to us all.

But there are some things that deserve to generate real anger and our apathy to suicide prevention is one of them.

For a start I'm as mad as hell that I live in a society that apparently cares more about the inanimate than its human members. Do we really care more about trees than the fact that we have the second highest suicide rate in this country after the Northern Territory? Surely the prevalence of this epidemic and tragic loss of human potential should get people out into the streets, but much like poverty no one cares unless it affects them personally?

At this point I should say that it is something that has affected me personally through the loss of my brother, so I do care and care deeply. But my brother died in another State and a long time ago now in what is generally assumed to have been less sophisticated and well informed times. It is something that I've always preferred to keep private and deal with in my own way. But in the last few years I've been reawakened to its continued prevalence and the fact that help and education is apparently no better in Tasmania in 2007 than it was in Queensland in 1989.

That prompted me to post a submission to a Tasmanian Parliamentary enquiry into Suicide Prevention Strategies on this Blog in August 2005. Incredibly, despite a death toll well in excess of the road fatality rate, that Report has still not been completed and released.

I was prompted to post again in December 2006 when the State Government's Suicide Prevention Committee announced an independent and extensive community consultation into suicide and prevention measures. Again, I asked what was the point of the Parliamentary enquiry if we were again to enter another protracted round of consultations.

Now seven months on Assoc Professor Des Graham has announced a consultation schedule and online survey. To be honest they look fine, but when are we going to see action?

I'd really love to see more noise about this and less name calling over Gunns and the Pulp Mill. How about it Launceston? Whilst we argue about whether the sun will rise again if the Pulp Mill is built, for some of our neighbours the sun will genuinely never shine again.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 11:21 pm 1 comments

Legislative Council report into Ashley Youth Detention Centre backs need for supported accommodation

Like most weeks lately, it's been another huge week in Tasmanian politics.

Not to be overshadowed by the release of that other report into the Pulp Mill, the Legislative Council Select Committee report into the Ashley Youth Detention Centre was unveiled this week.

In brief I found it a mature, well informed paper which presented 32 well thought out recommendations.

The most relevant with regard to these pages is Recommendation 4:The Government should actively encourage and resource non government organisations to provide supported accommodation for young people on remand and for young people exiting any period of custodial detention;as it effectively endorses the Launceston City Mission's drive to establish Ashley House for those exiting detention.

Of course this recommendation goes further in that it proposes a supported accommodation model as a remand alternative to Ashley, but the reality is that that may be some way off even if the Recommendation is accepted in full. As of now though it is the Mission who have courageously stepped forward to meet the needs of at least some of the young people and they deserve this community's total support. Once again I urge Launcestonians to contribute generously to the Ashley House campaign.

The full LCSC Ashley, Youth Justice & Detention Report is available from http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/ashley.htm

Post script - I read in The Examiner of 14 July that LCM have received a grant of $75,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund for Ashley House. That's great news, but don't think your personal contribution isn't still needed or valed.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 11:01 pm 0 comments

EdZone Photographic Exhibition - Pilgrim Church Cloisters

EdZone is a Department of Education flexible education facility located in the Pilgrim Uniting Church complex in Patterson Street. The results of a recent photographic project featuring the 1942 works of DG Wherrett are currently on exhibition in the Church Cloisters and well worth a look.
The DG Wherrett series from 1942 features black and white images of Launceston streetscapes. EdZone students recently retook those photos from the same angles to provide a fascinating before and after study of the evolution of Launceston. The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery have kindly lent the original photos for the exhibition and the current EdZone series will be donated to their collection at the end of the display.

Given the number of photos the exhibition will feature 3-4 sets of 20 photos, so keep coming back to see the different series.

The EdZone team would love to see the materials collated into a book and published, so if you're able to assist with sponsorship and/or publising expertise please contact EdZone Project Officer, Shaun Hall, on 0400 693 710.

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posted by Alan Melton @ 10:24 am 0 comments