NEWS DESK Help for veterans This federal government is committed to supporting current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who may have been physically or sexually abused. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has introduced measures to make it easier for those affected to access compensation and to receive the mental health support they need. The Department has broadened the acceptance of statutory declarations as part of compensation claims, making it possible for such declarations to constitute sufficient evidence to establish that abuse took place. This change will benefit those who may not have reported abuse at the time it occurred or who have never previously spoken about it. A dedicated team has also been established to manage all new claims relating to sexual and physical abuse. Treatment for all mental health conditions is now free for anyone who has served just one day in the full time ADF. The Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service also provides specialist free counselling and group programs. I encourage anyone who may have suffered abuse in the ADF to contact DVA to access the support and benefits the department provides. Further information can be found on DVA’s website or by calling 1800 555 254. Dan Tehan, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Fish have feelings The conviction of a Sydney Fish Market trader for cruelty is being celebrated by compassionate people around the world. The trader’s subsequent appeal against the “severity” of the fine of $1500 imposed in February has been rejected by the District Court. Crustaceans were added to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in 1997
after it was medically proven that they feel pain. The incident, recorded on film, showed the trader holding a struggling lobster down on a chopping board before chopping off his tail with a butcher’s knife, which doesn’t kill the animal but causes immense pain, according to the RSPCA. The remainder of the animal was then fed into a bandsaw. While this case may cause the industry to think twice before abusing crustaceans, other sea creatures are still routinely subject to appalling suffering and agonising deaths. No Australian laws regulate the treatment of fish caught or raised for their flesh, and both commercial fishers and fish factory farms treat these animals in ways that would warrant cruelty-to-animals charges if the victims were dogs or cats. Fish that are ripped from the ocean suffer from rapid decompression, which can cause their swim bladders to rupture, their eyes to pop out of their heads, or their stomachs to be forced through their mouths. Others are still alive when they are cut open. On fish factory farms, tens or even hundreds of thousands of fish are confined to cramped, filthy enclosures, and parasitic infections, diseases and debilitating injuries are rampant. In some respects, fish’s cognitive abilities surpass those of dogs and some primates. It is time that all animals were given the basic rights to live and die without humans adding pain and terror for the sake of profit. The best way to ensure this is simply to not eat them. Desmond Bellamy, special projects coordinator PETA Australia Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
Growers urged to sign for good grape health MORNINGTON Peninsula grape growers are being urged to sign up to a program which would provide an early alert to threats from pests and diseases. Agriculture Victoria and the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association (MPVA) are working to improve biosecurity management practices on the peninsula by encouraging growers to embrace the property identification codes (PIC) program. Less than 45 per cent of peninsula grape growers have registered so far. MPVA technical chairman Tyson Lewis said by registering for a PIC, Agriculture Victoria is able to quickly alert local growers about a plant pest infestation or disease outbreak that may hit hard on the hip pockets of their business. “It is a grower’s responsibility to maintain or improve biosecurity practices on their property, to ensure their business is not left exposed to the damaging effects of a plant pest or disease outbreak,” Mr Lewis said. He said by having a PIC growers “will have an effective way to respond to potential grape phylloxera or any other infestation in the region”.
Phylloxera is a small insect that destroys vines by feeding on their roots and sometimes leaves. “Grapevine growers also need to remember that the application for a PIC is a legal obligation for your industry so I urge all vineyard owners who grow 0.5 hectares or more of grapes to register with Agriculture Victoria,” Mr Lewis said. The call for more growers to join the program follows an outbreak of phylloxera in vineyards near Maroondah. The Maroondah phylloxera infested zone (PIZ) was extended for the seventh time last week since being found in 2006. The previous extension was made in March this year. Vines hit by phylloxera have to be pulled out and replaced by vines that have been grafted onto phylloxera tolerant or resistant rootstock. Pulling out vines and replanting costs about $60,000 a hectare. “It’s time for vineyard owners to get serious about farm-gate hygiene to prevent an incursion of phylloxera,” Vinehealth Australia CEO Inca Pearce said. Keith Platt
The Village of choice. The Village Glen retirement community has always been about providing choice to our residents. CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION Villas and apartments, choice of floor plans, choice of size and style. There’s something for every budget. CHOICE OF LIFESTYLE For the active, there’s so many choices – golf, gymnasium, pool and bowls. For those more passive but creative times there is the crafts centre with pottery, china painting, quilting and many more. CHOICE OF HEALTH SUPPORT Registered nurse on site 24/7 providing daily clinics and now with Peninsula Flexicare, home support Government funded packages.* CHOICE OF CONTRACT There’s a range of ways to purchase at Village Glen including our popular “no monthly fees or charges ever“ package. All this in the heart of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Visit the website or call today.
Want to know more? Fill in the form below and return it to us to receive a free brochure. Name Address
335-351 Eastbourne Road, Capel Sound 3940 VIC 03 5986 4455 www.villageglen.com.au
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Southern Peninsula News 29 August 2017
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