I have studied and worked in the livestock industry for many years and like Sussan Ley MP, I believe that exporting live sheep overseas is inherently cruel.
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The Border Mail recently quoted a member of the live export industry who referred to “self-serving animal activists”.
I would like to know how donating time and energy to farm animals is in anyway self-serving. This is in comparison to the people involved in the export businesses that are making big profits from animal cruelty.
The live export industry has been given ample time to improve their processes and they continue to fail.
If the animal cruelty depicted in recent film footage had been about dogs or cats the industry would already be shut down.
Kerrie Warburton, Osbornes Flat
Recognise the signs
The Stroke Foundation has welcomed the Victorian government’s $4.2 billion budget boost to health announced in the budget on May 1.
We are also calling for increased access to emergency stroke treatment as well as improved access to health services for stroke survivors when they leave hospital.
It was encouraging to see the Victorian government ‘getting things done’ by increasing investment in paramedics and hospitals. It is now vital we ensure Victorians who experience stroke are accessing these services.
Victoria is home to some of Australia’s and the world’s leading minds in stroke. We have some of the best emergency stroke treatment in the country, but not enough Victorians are accessing it.
Currently, just 39 per cent of Victorian stroke patients are arriving at hospital within the 4.5-hour window for clot busting treatment – treatment we know saves lives and improves outcomes for stroke patients. Why?
Simply because not enough Victorians know how to recognise the signs of stroke and call an ambulance.
Stroke can be treated and it can be beaten, but only if patients can access the right treatment F.A.S.T.
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to recgnise the signs of stroke. Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? Arms – Can they lift both arms? Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero straight away.
The $25 million Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund provides an opportunity to increase access to emergency and urgent care by ensuring someone in every Victorian household knows the signs of stroke.
It also provides an opportunity to give all Victorians a fairer future after stroke by connecting them with services and supports they need after leaving hospital.
I look forward to seeing more detail on the Fund and working with Better Care Victoria to enhance access to services and improve health service quality and performance.
It’s time to ‘get things done’ to stop this killer disease devastating more Victorian families.
Stroke Foundation also welcomes the Victorian government’s commitment to improving health services in regional areas, continued commitment to the State Disability Plan and mental health initiatives.
I look forward to working with Minister for Health Jill Hennessy to ensure more Victorians avoid stroke, access appropriate stroke treatment and recover.