What Australian newspapers say on Monday, August 27, 2007=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2007
What Australian newspapers say on Monday, August 27, 2007=2

The Canberra Times says in a book out this week, retired Catholic bishop Geoffrey Robinson
has criticised the Catholic church's efforts to `manage' the problem of sexual abuse.

Robinson is critical of the lack of church leadership shown over the scandals and the
defensive ways it sought to deal with the problem, sometimes in attempts to sweep it under
the carpet, at other times to shut victims up so as to limit liability to them.

"Only a few bishops have seemed to most outsiders to put the interests of the flock
ahead of the institutional interests of the church," the newspaper says."

"Perhaps celibacy itself is not a cause of sexual abuse, but the maintenance of the
rule deprives the church of the services of many men who feel unable to make that sacrifice,
and involves the church in a great deal of hypocrisy in the pretence that it is widely
observed."

Adelaide's The Advertiser says half the respondents to a Galaxy poll published today
believe the $17.3 billion budget surplus is a result of high taxes.

The poll shows voters believe the Howard government has not done enough in infrastructure
spending and in the providing more generous tax cuts.

"This is the Achilles heel of the government's economic record -- that at a time when
the tax take is at a record high, basic services seem to be deteriorating due to lack
of investment," the newspaper says.

"It also represents a challenge and a political opportunity for Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd."

Hobart's The Mercury says Australia's public health system is in crisis, with chronic
bed shortages, excessive waiting lists, staffing problems and the closure of essential
services.

Mr Rudd responded to the Howard government's takeover of the Mersey hospital by proposing
an overhaul of the national health system and its 750 public hospitals.

"The Mersey hospital takeover may well be an extreme case of pork-barrelling, but it
raises the bigger question of whether it is indeed time for the federal government to
take control of the health system," the newspaper says.

Australia's public health system is too important to be used as a political football."

Darwin's Northern Territory News says one would have thought the Territory government
would have been delighted with Mr Rudd's proposal to take over responsibility for overcrowding,
emergency department delays and nurse shortages in public hospitals.

Yet Chief Minister Clare Martin is unwilling to give up control of hospitals despite
the massive challenges they offer.

"For better or worse, public hospitals are run by state and territory governments and
are always going to be more responsive to local needs than bureaucrats in Canberra," the
newspaper says.

"How could a planner down south possibly understand the unique conditions in the Territory,
where tribal indigenous people live on the fringes of modern society?"

Perth's The West Australian says only four applications for small bar licences have
been submitted to the state Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor since relaxed licensing
laws were changed to allow small bars to open four months ago.

The industry believes prospective bar owners are deterred by the red tape.

"Applications in WA for both small bar licences and permits for restaurants to serve
alcohol without meals include a public interest test," the newspaper says.

"In Melbourne, there are far fewer restrictions on the establishment of small bars,
and so the numbers have increased."

Brisbane's The Courier-Mail says the long-term costs of equine influenza to the racing
industry and the general economy could amount to billions of dollars if the measures put
in place are not as effective as possible.

The personal hardship in terms of lost wages already being felt by those in casual
positions associated with the industry needs to be recognised.

"The eventual outcome of the crisis ... should be twice-yearly vaccinations of all
race horses, assuming the strand of the disease found in Australia is one that vaccines
can prevent," the newspaper says.

"So far, the response of the racing industry has been positive and united."

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