STUDENTS DEMAND A FARE GO

STUDENTS from the University of Queensland continue in their efforts to have the Tertiary Transport Concession Card scheme abolished.

Members of the University of Queensland Union are encouraging students to get involved with their protest against the TTCC scheme, which is set to take effect July 1.

University of Queensland Union Council member and President of the Queensland branch for the National Union of Students Laurence McLean said the introduction of the TTCC is an unnecessary burden for students and administrators alike.

“The process for getting the card is ridiculously bureaucratic, putting a burden on students to ensure extra paperwork is filled out,” Mr McLean said.

“The card itself serves little to no purpose in stopping so-called rorting of the system, which is still possible with the TTCC,”

A TransLink spokesperson said that under the new scheme a student’s eligibility for the TTCC won’t change from current laws.

“If a university institution deems a student to be enrolled in a course on a full time internal basis they are eligible for a TTCC,” the spokesperson said.

“Whilst we recognise that some students are required to carry an additional card, we believe it is important that only legitimate concession holders claim for concession travel,”

University of Queensland student Jocelyn Gibson said the new TTCC scheme won’t stop the fraud that already takes place on public transport.

“I can understand to a certain degree the point of this card, but when it’s actually put in to practice I don’t think anything will change,” Miss Gibson said.

“As it is now I don’t get checked for student ID when I use public transport, and based on that alone I highly doubt that every bus, train and ferry operator is going to check me when this law is finally introduced,”

To learn more about the TTCC visit http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/concessions/tertiary-transport-concession-card

THE RIGHT TO MARRY, THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS

NEW research shows legalising same-sex marriage could reduce mental illness and suicide in gays and lesbians.

But opponents of marriage equality have dismissed the claims, saying the gay community should accept that “bad things happen” and that “life sucks”.

It comes as the Federal Government announces it will challenge same-sex marriage laws passed in the ACT which would allow gay and lesbian couples to wed for the first time in Australia.

Researchers at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention said allowing same sex marriage could reduce mental health issues in the gay community.

Study coordinator Dr Delaney Skerret said people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered were at high risk for suicidal behaviours because of a lack of social acceptance.

“When the government do things to reduce the stigma surrounding minority sexual identity, they’re doing things to help foster acceptance at various levels and setting an example of how we should treat these sexual minorities,” Dr Skerret said.

National Director of Australian Marriage Equality Rodney Croome said it was important the issue of mental health issues the gay community were dealt considered in public policy.

“We know from research that’s been conducted in places that have achieved marriage equality shows that achievement of marriage equality reduces rates of anxiety, depression and suicide ideation amongst LGBTs, and there is no reason Australia would be any different,” Mr Croome said.

“I believe on the basis of those studies that achievement in marriage equality in Australia will have a dramatic positive impact on the mental health of LGBT’s.” he said.

However, Queensland State Director of the Australian Christian Lobby Wendy Francis said that the mental wellbeing of homosexuals were not as important as keeping the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

“Life sucks, and bad things happen, but I cannot get passed that it’s not the government who can decide that a child will be without a mother,” Ms Francis said.

Ms Francis said children were a compound right of marriage and no government should intentionally deny a child any possibility of having a biological mother and father.

“By changing the definition of marriage what we are saying is that a mother doesn’t matter,” she said.

For more information about mental health or help in a crisis visit BeyondBlue at www.beyondblue.com.au or call 1300 22 4636.

THE MEN'S SHED SEEKS DONATIONS

Mt Gravatt Men's Shed

MOUNT Gravatt based organisation ‘The Men's Shed’ is seeking out donations in order to continue operating and to expand its involvement within the community.

Men’s Shed Mount Gravatt welfare coordinator Elwyn Jackson, 70, said the non-profit organisation, which enables retired men to get together and learn new skills, wanted to be able to expand its role in the community and offer new courses.

“Essentially we need those dollars to be able to get the shed to where we want it to be, to get us really operational,” Mr Jackson said.

“Our whole purpose of building the shed was to get retired men together and enjoy the camaraderie of the other men involved, and that’s why having the Men's Shed open is so important to us.”
Mr Jackson said a $100,000 pledge by Bonner MP Ross Vasta was a welcome start to the fundraising, but that more support was needed to help the organisation make a difference for residents and stay operational.

“We are very appreciative of the local government, state government and even the federal government for all their donations,” he said.

“I think they are realising the importance of getting these facilities up and running.”Men's Shed Foundation member Rodney Larkin said the charity prided itself on community involvement.

“We have been involved in helping out a few of the local groups, such as the Red Cross, Bluecare, Salvation Army, The Anglican church and even some of the local schools,” he said.
“It’s important that all the men are active but it’s more important we can assist the community where we can.”

Nurse and Mount Gravatt resident Elisa Meers said she was glad to have an organisation like the Men's Shed in her local area.

“Working in healthcare I can see the many benefits of the Men's Shed,” she said.
“Keeping active is extremely important for mental wellbeing and I feel that organisations such as this should be a higher priority in the eyes of the government.”



For more information on the Mt Gravatt Men's Shed visit http://www.mtgravattmensshed.org.au/

Welcome...

Welcome!

My name is Tom, and this is my blog.


I am a journalist, and the point of this blog is to provide you all with news. I will cover all a variety of topics from what's happening locally and nationally, what's happening in politics, and I will even cover entertainment such as music, games and films.

I look forward to (or at least trying to) keeping you informed.
Until next time...

Shaggy