Author: Team

AUSTRALIAN CLINICAL TRIALS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES CLINICAL TRIALS 2019 NATIONAL AWARDS WINNERS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Clinical trials are vital to ensuring patients receive the best treatments and get the best outcomes. Effective and efficient treatments not only reduce suffering they can also mean less time spent receiving treatment and less money spent by the patient and the health system,” said Prof John Zalcberg, Chair of ACTA.

“There are treatments in regular use that are not fully supported by evidence, and investigator-led clinical trials are important in testing assumptions and making sure we are providing the most effective treatments,” Prof Zalcberg said.

The Clinical Trials 2019 National Awards gives us a great opportunity to get together and celebrate some of the great work that has taken place in Australia, or led from here, including:

  • A trial that answered the question of whether an aspirin a day really keeps the heart attack away.
  • A trial that will lead to a complete revision of international guidelines and change abdominal surgery practice around the world
  • A trial that will improve recovery time for survivors of septic shock and see them spending less time in intensive care units
  • A trial that embraced consumer recommendations and support to help clear the way to prove the best treatment for saving preterm babies

“The winner of the 2019 Trial of the Year award is the ASPREE Trial, which looked at the efficacy of people 70 and above taking aspirin daily in preventing age-related illness including heart attack and dementia,” said Prof Zalcberg.

“A treatment that has almost achieved folkloric popularity was proved to potentially do more harm than good, given that aspirin also increases bleeding. While aspirin was viewed as a cheap preventative, the ASPREE clinical trial has the potential to keep people from suffering a known side-effect caused by taking a treatment we now know doesn’t help.”

The ADRENAL Study was a Finalist for Trial of the Year and took out the STiNG Award for Excellence in Trial Statistics.

“As well as proving that hydrocortisone reduced the severity and duration of shock, lowered time on life support and meant shorter hospital admissions, the ADRENAL study was the first Australian ICU trial to be included in the Portfolio of the National Institute of Health Research, UK, facilitating UK resource support. The ADRENAL team also developed and manufactured a GMP-licensed internationally exportable parenteral placebo formulation, creating a valuable resource for future triallists,” Prof Zalcberg said.

This year saw the creation of a new award for consumer engagement and involvement with consumers. The winner, the TORPIDO 30/60 study wanted to determine which initial concentration of oxygen should be given to preterm babies in the delivery room. The team invited consumers to be involved in the design of this trial to assist with ideas to alleviate parental concern and increase the number of babies entered in, and benefiting from, the trial.

Professor Anne Kelso, CEO of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) was keynote speaker at the event.

2019 Trial of the Year Winner
ASPREE

ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly

ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study was an international, multicentre clinical trial to determine whether daily low-dose aspiring prolonged good health by preventing or delaying age-related illness such as cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), dementia, depression and certain cancers in the healthy elderly. It is the largest primary prevention aspiring study ever undertaken in healthy people aged at or above 70 years and the first to weigh the benefits versus the risks.

Associate Professor Robyn Woods, accepted the award, saying, “I’m proud to have been involved in such a significant study as ASPREE, and to have led such a fine, talented team of researchers and support staff. It was a huge undertaking that is already seeing real impact in the community, with millions of older people around the world without a clinical need to take aspirin, now able to take one less daily medication.”

2019 Trial of the Year Finalist

ADRENAL

ADjunctive CorticosteRoid TrEatment iN CriticAlly ilL patients with septic shock

Steroids are commonly used drugs in medical practice for a variety of conditions. Whether hydrocortisone improves survival in patients with septic shock was unclear.

The ADRENAL study was developed to determine if hydrocortisone, compared to a placebo, reduces 90-day-all-cause mortality in patients admitted to an ICU with septic shock.

Lead author of the ADRENAL study Professor Bala Venkatesh, of The George Institute, said: “It’s a great honour to be a finalist in these prestigious awards. Sepsis does not discriminate and around a quarter of people with the disease will die. And many more will be left with life-long disabling conditions such as amputations.

“This award will help raise much needed awareness about sepsis. It also highlights the importance of such trials as ADRENAL that are enabling us to learn more about sepsis and improve survival rates and better outcome for patients the world over,” he said.

 2019 Trial of the Year Finalist

RELIEF

REstrictive versus LIbEral Fluid Therapy for Major Abdominal Surgery

Every year at least 310 million people undergo major surgery worldwide, and they all receive intravenous fluids – generally receiving up to 7 litres on the day of surgery. The RELIEF team believed existing evidence for fluid restriction during and immediately after abdominal surgery was inconclusive. They were concerned that fluid restriction could increase the risk of hypotension and decrease kidney and other vital organ perfusion, leading to serious complications after surgery. It also meant that more patients might require admission to the intensive care unit after surgery because of haemodynamic instability – adding expense and complexity.

Professor Paul Myles, Chief Investigator said, “Our international study clearly demonstrated that fluid restriction did not reduce complications or improve recovery after surgery. Importantly, we found that fluid restriction damaged the kidneys and increased the risk of wound infection. This simple intervention – administering moderately liberal IV fluids during and after surgery – is the first proven prophylaxis to prevent kidney damage after surgery. This new information can better inform not only anaesthesiologists and surgeons, but also junior doctors on the wards. This will change practice around the world.”

2019 ACTA STInG Excellence in Trial Statistics Award Winner

ADRENAL

ADjunctive CorticosteRoid TrEatment iN CriticAlly ilL patients with septic shock

The design of ADRENAL resulted in several firsts for the Australian ICU network –

All pre-specified and post-hoc analyses were transparently reported in the NEJM publication

Associate Professor Billot said: “We knew that the ADRENAL trial was likely to have substantial impact. Our goal was to make sure the statistical analysis was as ‘robust’ as possible. In particular, we paid a lot of attention to the statistical analysis plan to ensure a high degree of precision and transparency. We are very pleased to be recognised with the “Excellence in Trial Statistics” award”.

 2019 Consumer Involvement Award Winner

TORPIDO 30/60

Targeted Oxygenation in the Respiratory care of Premature Infants at Delivery: effects on Outcome

The TORPIDO 30/60 study wanted to determine which initial concentration of oxygen should be given to preterm babies in the delivery room. Enrolling babies into a study of this nature is complex because it is not always possible or appropriate to gain parents’ approval at a difficult time.

“Small variations in the routine treatments that premature babies receive soon after they are born may significantly influence their survival. What happens in the first 15 minutes from birth can dramatically alter the rest of a baby’s life,” said Professor William Tarnow-Mordi Director of Neonatal and Perinatal Trials at the National Health and Medical and Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical Trials Centre.

The team invited consumers to be involved in the design of this trial to assist with ideas to alleviate parental concern and increase the number of babies entered in, and benefiting from, the trial.

Melinda Cruz – founder of Miracle Babies, acknowledged consumer expert and mother of three babies who were born preterm – was invited to be a member of the Trial Management Committee which worked with the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee, eventually gaining a waiver of consent for TORPIDO 30/60.

This means that all preterm babies can benefit by entering the study, including those born at night, on weekends, or in emergencies – a group that was often missed in previous trials. It means that after 30 years, TORPIDO 30/60 could find out which level of oxygen was better for preterm babies.

Melinda Cruz said, “I am really honoured to be the inaugural winner of this award and that the collaboration between parents and researchers is being acknowledged in this way. It is one of the biggest ways to make an impact on advancing health. I am hopeful that this recognition will open more opportunities and that working together will continue to grow.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

After The Vote…

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The return of the incumbent LNP means Budget 2019/20, as presented in early April, should be rolled out. In terms of health, the focus was on continuing initiatives to progress the four pillars of the Coalition’s ‘Long Term National Health Plan’ (see later). The development of the Long-Term National Health Plan had been announced two years earlier by the Hon. Greg Hunt, who was at the time relatively new to the Health portfolio. The announcement was preceded by focused activity to sign compacts with potentially vocal and volatile stakeholders. These compacts and other relevant activities are listed in the Table below.

Agreement / Compact Other Party (ies) End date Key Purpose
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Consumers, providers, States & Territories Reports: Oct 2019 (I) Apr 2020 Terms of reference include quality and delivery of service, meeting needs, future challenges, sustainability
National Health Reform Agreement (and Addendum) COAG States & Territories 30 Jun 2020 Public hospital funding; Health Care Home (HCH) model
Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) Pharmacy Guild 30 Jun 2020 Community Pharmacist renumeration; Wholesaler payments; funding for community pharmacy programmes, Pharmacy Location Rules
Compact: A Shared Vision for Australia’s Health System Australian Medical Association 2020-21† Early resumption of MBS indexation; reversal of bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging; MBS review; My Health Record uptake; Health Care Homes
Compact: Strengthening Medicare Royal Australian College of GPs 2020-21† Early resumption of MBS indexation; MBS review process; after-hours MBS items; workforce reform; My Health Record uptake
Agreement to improve access to & affordability of medical devices for privately insured Australians Medical Technology Association of Australia 31 Jan 2022 Price certainty and reduce time to market for medical devices; transparency & efficiency of Protheses listing processes
Strategic Agreement Medicines Australia 30 Jun 2022 Delivery of $1.8 billion in savings; PBS process improvements
Strategic Agreement. Compact: Strengthening PBS-Measures to Support Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Uptake (2-year extension) Generic Biosimilar Medicines Association 30 Jun 2022 Greater certainty of Government pricing policies for F2 Formulary medicines with brand competition, in an environment of ongoing medicine price reductions associated with price disclosure 
† period of forward estimates from 2017-18 budget; (I) Interim

The compacts were said to be a platform for the national plan and ‘underpinned by a range of shared principles …, transparency in decision making, accountability for reforms, stability and certainty in regards to Government investment ‘. The ultimate success of this approach was reflected in how health was debated equally alongside the other common issues important to Australians in the lead up to yesterday’s election (no controversy, unlike ‘Mediscare’ in 2016). The roll-out of the National Plan reforms is scheduled in 3 waves:

  • Wave 1: guaranteeing Medicare, agreement by COAG on an opt-out model for My Health Record and investments in mental health psycho-social support;
  • Wave 2: sustainability and affordability of private health insurance, mental health particularly in rural areas, workforce strategy, aged care reform; and
  • Wave 3:reform of public hospitals and post 2020 agreements with the states, primary health care and preventive care.

Activity appears to have been well progressed into Wave 2 when the election was called. The next Federal Minister of Health will be in demand as the compacts (and agreements) come up for review. The 4 pillars and Budget 2019/20 initiatives are loosely in line with the Department of Health operational Outcomes:

  1. Guaranteeing Medicare and Access to Medicines [TGA, MBS and PBS; Outcomes 4 & 5]
  2. Supporting our Hospitals [State funding; Outcome 2] 
  3. Prioritising Mental Health, Preventive Health and Sport [Outcome 3]
  4. Life Saving and Job Creating Medical Research [Medical Research Future Fund; Outcome 1].

Note: Ageing and Aged Care [Outcome 6] was also specifically addressed by the Budget in the environment of an ongoing Royal Commission. Many of the identified activities for funding mirror those likely to be part of the Commission Recommendations when they are tabled.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3203″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

About the Author

Sharon Leadbitter is Principal of TACS Healthcare, an independent consultancy providing market access and health policy services to the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Game Changing 3D Printing Creates Prosthetics Limbs For As Little As $1

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While traditional prosthetic fingers can cost up to $6000. The man who started the now registered charity, Mat Bowtell’s revolutionary “kinetic finger” can be made for 90 cents.

Bionic hands cost just $8 in materials and the charity is currently working on a bionic arm that is stated will be equivalent to a $40,000 arm, which is hoping to be made for between $50 and $100.

Free 3D Hands Mission also releases all designs to the public under open-source licenses. With the aim to decentralise designs and empower communities, encouraging others to develop the ideas and designs further.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MTAA WELCOMES COALITION’S ELECTION COMMITMENT TO THE MEDICAL DEVICES SECTOR

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Agreement, signed in October 2017, will save private health insurers $1.1 billion in payments for medical devices over the next four years, and helped deliver the lowest private health premium increase in 18 years in December 2018.

A key part of the Agreement was the undertaking by Government to accelerate the process of listing non-implantable medical devices on the Prostheses List, to allow more Australians access to cutting edge technology.

“We welcome Minister Hunt’s commitment to the medical technology industry, that if re-elected, they will continue to honour the Agreement signed in 2017,” said Ian Burgess, MTAA CEO.

“The Agreement has provided certainty for the industry and delivered the lowest private health insurance premium increase in 18 years.

“The Government’s undertaking to list non-implantable devices on the Prostheses List has resulted in patient access to life-changing catheter ablation technology through their private health insurance.

“We look forward to many more cutting edge medical devices being made available to patients as part of this ongoing process,” Mr Burgess said.

In the event of a change of government, MTAA would actively contribute to the ALP’s proposed Productivity Commission review of private health insurance, however, Mr Burgess emphasized that it is important that the reforms that result from the Government’s Agreement with the MedTech industry continue to be progressed.

 

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LAST DAYS OF THE CAMPAIGN

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The number of seats in play may make it challenging for either party to claim victory on Saturday night. The YouGov/Galaxy poll released on Friday showed Labor slightly in front with a 51 to 49 result against the Coalition, but of interest to last minute voters is the fact that the Coalition has increased its primary vote in this poll by 2 percentage points, leading Labor 39 to 37.

While a result may not be certain on Saturday night, we have compiled a list of critical seats to keep an eye on, wherever you’re watching the outcome.

WE’RE WATCHING… THE ODDS

The final poll of the campaign, from YouGov Galaxy, has kept the margin relatively close, positioning Labor with a lead of 51-49.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3178″ img_size=”full” title=”SPORTSBET”][vc_single_image image=”3179″ img_size=”full” title=”TAB”][vc_column_text]TAB has recorded a number of large bets for Labor in the last day, seeing it firm to $1.18 and although TAB is seeing money come in for the Coalition, it has pushed the Coalition out to $5.50.  Around the country, TAB has betting markets in a range of marginal seats, some of which are changing rapidly.  Over the last few days, these have seen the Coalition firm in a number of seats, while a few unexpected seats are now falling to Labor in terms of the money flow.

WE’RE WATCHING…THE SEATS THAT WILL LIKELY DECIDE THE GOVERNMENT

We have prepared a bit of a form guide for you on a State by State basis as a guide of what seats to watch on election night.

We have identified two seats in each State or Territory that we will be watching to get a quick snapshot of how the election has gone for the major parties.

While either party could form government without winning the listed seats, the party winning the majority of the seats which are listed below is likely to form Government.

Australian Capital Territory

With all seats predicted to be held on notionally large Labor margins, there is a general consensus that there are no seats in play in the ACT, with Canberra, Fenner and the new seat of Bean all expected to go to Labor on election night.

New South Wales

As the most populated State, New South Wales has a number of seats which are in play for both major parties on election night.

Reid (LP – 4.7%, sitting member has retired)

Labor has spent considerable time in the inner western Sydney seat of Reid. Labor may feel they have the upper hand, with their candidate campaigning hard for more than a year. If Labor can claim victory in Reid, it could signal a strong showing for Labor throughout NSW.

Lindsay (ALP – 1.1%, sitting member has retired)

If the Liberal Party hopes to form government, the former bellwether seat of Lindsay will be a necessary gain. Encouraging for the Liberal Party, a recent opinion poll has them holding a predicted 52% – 48% lead in Lindsay. A tight contest will surely be on the cards in the western Sydney seat.

Northern Territory

With the two NT seats being held by Labor, a win for the Coalition in either of these seats would be a key gain for them.

It is worth noting that as Solomon and Lingiari have less voters than standard-sized electorates, the margins can be misleading, as only approximately 3,500 people’s votes would need to be change in either seat for the seats to change hands. This, coupled with a general discontent with the NT Labor Territory Government, has resulted in both seats being considered as ‘in play’.

Queensland

Queensland has been considered one of the key battlegrounds in this election. Both major parties have visited the ‘Sunshine State’ on a number of occasions with the goal of winning a number of in-play seats.

Flynn (LNP – 1%, Mr Ken O’Dowd MP)

Labor will be looking to claim victory in the regional Queensland seat of Flynn, as a win in Flynn would indicate Labor is likely to pick up a number of seats in Queensland. With the seat’s location between Bundaberg and Rockhampton, Adani has been an issue in this tightly held LNP seat.

Herbert (ALP – 0.02%, Ms Cathy O’Toole MP)

The Coalition has Herbert in its sights, with the seat held on the smallest margin in the country. A seat that will likely be influenced by the conservative minor party vote, the Coalition will be hoping that its deal with the United Australia Party will deliver them a win in Herbert.

South Australia

As a small state by population, South Australia does not have many seats which are considered to be in play. However, both parties will likely have the following seats in their sights in their quest to form a majority government.

Boothby (LP – 2.7%, Ms Nicole Flint MP)

Early in the campaign, Labor identified the southern suburbs seat of Boothby as its most likely gain in South Australia. If Labor can claim victory in this traditionally Coalition held seat, it will be an important gain in the quest to form government.

Mayo (CA – 2.9%, Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP)

A former Liberal stronghold, Mayo is currently held by the Centre Alliance. With a strong victory at the ‘Super Saturday’ by-election, the Centre Alliance firmed their hold on the seat. If the Liberal Party can reclaim Mayo, it will be a big win in their fight to retain government.

Tasmania

As the smallest state by population, seats in Tasmania often change hands against the nationwide trend. Currently the Coalition does not hold any of the lower house seats in Tasmania.

If Labor is to form government, they will need to retain all their Tasmanian seats. If the Coalition manages to win any of the Tasmanian seats, this will add to their chances of retaining government at a nationwide level.

Victoria

Victoria is considered one of the other key battleground states this election, with Labor hoping to replicate the results of the state election in November 2018, which saw a large swing from the Coalition to Labor.  Significant gains in this state will likely see a majority Labor government.

La Trobe (LP – 3.2%, Mr Jason Wood MP)

La Trobe is a seat that has only ever been held by Labor when it forms government. Labor will be hoping its strong performance at the 2018 Victorian election will translate to La Trobe, where there were significant swings towards the Labor Party.

Corangamite (LP – 0.03%, the Hon Sarah Henderson MP)

Currently held by the Liberals, Corangamite is now notionally considered Labor due to the recent electoral redistribution. The Liberal Party has spent significant time in the ultra-marginal electorate, which it will need to hold if it is to retain government.

Western Australia

With a number of seats arguably in play this election, Western Australia has received quite a bit of attention from the major parties. Labor will be aiming to unseat two current Cabinet Ministers who currently hold marginal seats in WA.

Hasluck (LP – 2.1%, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP)

Located in the north of Perth, Hasluck is held by the current Minister for Indigenous Health and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care. Labor has identified Hasluck as winnable, and would be keen to win the seat to support its chances of forming a majority government.

Cowan (ALP – 0.7%, Dr Anne Aly MP)

Held on a small margin, Cowan looks to be the Liberal Party’s most likely gain in WA. Held by the Liberal Party for nearly a decade prior to the 2016 election, a redistribution narrowly gave the seat to the Labor Party. This seat could go either way come election night.

Other Seats to Watch on Election Night

Cowper – Mr Rob Oakeshott is aiming to return to Parliament as an independent with the sitting Nationals member, and former minister Hon Luke Hartsukyer, retiring at this election.

Wentworth – Elected only seven months ago, independent member Dr Kerryn Phelps AM, MP will be contesting the seat once again. It is unclear whether the momentum that brought her in the first time will be replicated on election day, having regard to the Liberal candidate, Dave Sharma, campaigning hard since the by-election.

Warringah – Former prime minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, is in the fight of his political life as he tries to retain the seat that he has held for 25 years against former Olympic skier and barrister, Ms Zali Steggall OAM.

Dobell – The Coalition will be trying to win this seat back off Labor, with rumours circulating that this contest will be tighter than expected.

Farrer – With the Coalition suffering poor results at the NSW state election in rural seats, the Hon Susan Ley MP’s traditionally safe seat is at risk to an independent candidate, Mr Kevin Mack.

Dickson – Held by the Minister for Home Affairs, Labor will be looking to unseat the Hon Peter Dutton MP, who has been in Parliament since 2001.

Flinders – A three-way contest between Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Labor and Independent candidate, Ms Julia Banks MP, will see the minister facing a challenge to his position through preference deals in the seat.

Higgins – The seat of retiring member, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, this will be a contest between the Liberal Party and the Greens, with Labor preferences likely to play a key role.

Indi – With independent member, Ms Cathy McGowan AO, MP retiring, the Coalition will be hoping to regain this traditional Liberal seat, and with the Liberals and Nationals contesting the seat, preference flows should help the Coalition over the line.

Lyons – Despite being disendorsed, Ms Jessica Whelan has continued to campaign strongly and with a Nationals candidate running, conservative voters in Lyons may still have a voice in Parliament.

Sturt – The seat of the retiring Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, the seat could come into play depending on how strong the typical ‘retirement swing’ is against the Liberal Party.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]

These Insights have been provided by the team at Nexus Public Affairs.

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Edwards Lifesciences ANZ recognised as Employer of Choice

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The online survey of 191 companies and almost 3,000 employees asked respondents questions around what career paths employers provided, what learning and development opportunities are available and what rewards and recognition are given for a job well done.

For example, Edwards is committed to welcoming Diverse Perspectives, and has hosted a series of unconscious bias workshops for its employees.

In the workplace, it has found that personal bias affects many of the daily choices we make and is, therefore, quite prevalent, but it is mostly unconscious choices that we make. Although bias occurs unconsciously, if there is no awareness and it is left unchecked, these biases can have a negative impact on an organisation’s effectiveness. Thus, examining of unconscious bias and the role it plays in workplace decisions may provide better understanding for all employees.

In order to increase awareness of unconscious bias and its impact on decision making in the organisational setting, Edwards has heavily invested in providing its employees training and development using the SEEDS Model by the Neuroleadership Institute to help break those biases.

Managing Director of Edwards Lifesciences ANZ, Pat Williams said:

“This is a fantastic achievement as the only medical technology company to be recognised sets Edwards Lifesciences apart in the industry.

“Our HR team deserves the recognition for delivering training and professional development programs across our ANZ organisation that align to our patient-centered Credo.

“It’s no surprise that our Director of HR, Yolanda Mallouhi, was awarded the MTAA women in MedTech Champion last year. This was reinforced recently when in front of 300 HR peers across Edwards Lifesciences, Yolanda was awarded the 2018 HR Innovative Contribution Award Winner.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

And the Winner is…

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Will the electorate reward Bill Shorten and his bold social policy program, underwritten by major changes to tax?  Or will the electorate forgive the Liberals and their revolving door leadership, to give Scott Morrison his own mandate to govern.

Make no mistake, this election is close. Where once the Liberals saw themselves as no chance, there is now some hope. For Labor, having previously seen this election as a sure thing, they now have a sense of nervousness.

The first week of the campaign was a shaky one for Labor. After week 2, Labor was able to steady their campaign and, on balance, deliver a solid performance alongside the Liberals.

What has become apparent from the published polls is that neither side has been able to break away from the other.

Labor will take some heart that in every major published poll during the campaign it has shown them consistently, if only narrowly, in front on a two-party preferred basis.  In saying that the polls are not infallible.

The interesting takeout from all the polls, is that neither side has had a primary vote to guarantee victory.

Labor needs a primary vote of 38-39 to be confident of a win, however they haven’t once reached those numbers during the campaign. The Liberals on the other hand need a primary vote of around 43 but have also been able to reach that number. This makes any outcome for this election complicated to predict, with certainty.

Come this evening when the votes will be counted, it will be the battle of the preferences, with key states in Queensland and, followed closely by Victoria, likely to determine who forms government.

Some seats in Queensland are likely to see a combined vote for the minor parties of around 30% or possibly more. The question the everyone will be asking will be, ‘where do those preferences go?’

It’s worth noting that, based on all the published polls, the average combined vote for minor parties across the country is 25% in the House of Representatives, and even higher in the Senate.

This election is unique for some key factors as well.  It will be the first campaign where a third-party (Clive Palmer) will probably have outspent the major parties thanks to an estimated $50 million advertising carpet bombing.

According to the AEC over 4 million (approximately 25% of the total number of register voters on the electoral roll) people have cast their ballots in early pre-poll voting – this is unprecedented.

So, who will be crowned the victor come election day?

If the polls are to be believed, Bill Shorten and Labor would eke out a narrow win, and with 76 seats required for a majority, that narrow win looks to be only 78-80 seats.

For the Scott Morrison and the Coalition, while their path to 76 looks incredibly difficult and on balance a stretch, a hung Parliament followed by a minority Morrison Government supported by crossbench independents, would be their best-case scenario for re-election.

Enjoy your democracy sausage![/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1915″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Fassina is the Managing Director of Insight Strategy and has served as a strategic adviser to MedTech and pharmaceutical stakeholders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Logan Hospital to Begin Stage 2 of Redevelopment Plan as Demand Booms

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stage 2 of the Logan Hospital’s redevelopment plan will build upon the Queensland Government’s previous $281 million commitment of Stage 1 that included 192 extra beds.

Logan Hospital has also received $33.4 million commitment to build an Urgent and Specialist Care Centre at Logan, which will treat people with urgent but not life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

This large amount of investment is in response to the rapidly growing demand for services in the Logan area.

With urgent action required as Queensland Health’s own data showing Logan Hospital was among the worst in the state for waiting times.

Deputy Mayor Trevina Schwarz stated “Logan Hospital is one of the most in-d]emand in Queensland with upwards of 88,000 admissions to the emergency department each year.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Indigenous People Living With Dementia To Receive Extra Support

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The community project will aim to:

  • Increase community awareness, and drive acceptance, inclusion, and support for community members living with dementia
  • Improve knowledge, confidence and the capacity of community organisations, allied health and aged care professionals to respond to the needs of community members living with dementia
  • Identify gaps in current services

At the announcement Minister for Indigenous Affairs Ken Wyatt stated, “as researchers continue to explore the causes and contributing factors behind the higher prevalence of dementia among our people, this important project will help address this awareness gap and lay the foundation for better local support.”

Consultants will also identify individuals who will receive training, support and mentoring to continue to champion the aims of the project after it ends.

Outcomes and findings from the project will inform future dementia policy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Australian Researchers Working on Online Tool to Help Women Considering Egg Freezing

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The website would include a questionnaire in which users were asked to write the “pros and cons of egg freezing based on their own personal values.

The quiz will cover a range of topics, including the woman’s understanding of success rates, when they would ideally like to become a parent and whether they would have regrets if they didn’t give egg freezing a go.

The decision aid will then provide feedback along the lines of ‘it looks like egg freezing might be for you, or not.

Currently, women are relying on information from commercial providers and internet sources such as unmoderated forums and blogs. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]