Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in February 2010:

Hearing health in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a)

the extent, causes and costs of hearing impairment in Australia;

(b)

the implications of hearing impairment for individuals and the community;

(c)

the adequacy of access to hearing services, including assessment and support services, and hearing technologies;

(d)

the adequacy of current hearing health and research programs, including education and awareness programs; and

(e)

specific issues affecting Indigenous communities.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in April 2010:

The impact of suicide on the Australian community including high risk groups such as Indigenous youth and rural communities, with particular reference to:

(a)

the personal, social and financial costs of suicide in Australia;

(b)

the accuracy of suicide reporting in Australia, factors that may impede accurate identification and recording of possible suicides (and the consequences of any under-reporting on understanding risk factors and providing services to those at risk);

(c)

the appropriate role and effectiveness of agencies, such as police, emergency departments, law enforcement and general health services in assisting people at risk of suicide;

(d)

the effectiveness, to date, of public awareness programs and their relative success in providing information, encouraging help-seeking and enhancing public discussion of suicide;

(e)

the efficacy of suicide prevention training and support for front-line health and community workers providing services to people at risk;

(f)

the role of targeted programs and services that address the particular circumstances of high-risk groups;

(g)

the adequacy of the current program of research into suicide and suicide prevention, and the manner in which findings are disseminated to practitioners and incorporated into government policy; and

(h)

the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in achieving its aims and objectives, and any barriers to its progress

Question agreed to.