government initiatives

“Protect Yourself Online” National Cyber Security Awareness Week

The 2010 National Cyber Security Awareness Week (June 6 – 10) focused on protecting personal and financial information online. “Australians are increasingly relying on the internet in their everyday lives, from banking and shopping to accessing news and keeping in touch with friends and family,” Senator Conroy said. “The Awareness Week aims to educate and [...]

Young people ignoring safe sex advice

1,000 new HIV cases in Australia every year Chlamydia cases rise to 60,000 between 2004 and 2008 Young people aged between 20 and 29 at highest risk The sharp increase in sexually transmitted diseases signals the potential of a new wave of HIV cases. Many young people today cannot remember the shocking Grim Reaper ads [...]

2010 World No Tobacco Day

87% of females prefer to date non smoking partners 80% of smokers don’t believe cigarettes damage the skin* Monday 31st May is ‘world no tobacco day’. This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is using World No Tobacco Day to emphasize the negative aspects of smoking; particularly for women. In Melbourne, The Royal Dental Hospital [...]

Introducing R18+ games into Australia may lead to violence in teenagers

A recent study by Professor Craig Anderson “Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and pro-social behaviour in Eastern and Western countries: A meta-analytic review”  has confirmed that young people exposed to violent video games, themselves become more violent. Researchers monitored individuals ranging from young children to university students and covering a wide range of [...]

Important new review "Sexualisation of Young People"

A recent review commissioned by the Home Secretary and published in the UK by Dr Linda Papadopoulos, “Sexualisation of Young People” has put the spotlight on the sexualisation of children and teenagers within our society. It has brought to light growing trends that are both alarming and insidious. The continued de-sensitisation to the sexualisation of [...]

Ethical lessons for Years 5 and 6

Year 5 and 6 students will shortly be able to attend classes on ‘ethical discussions’ that are being introduced on a trial basis in ten NSW government schools across Sydney. These schools include Haberfield, Darlinghurst, Crown Street, Leichhardt and Hurstville. In April students at these schools who do not currently attend scripture lessons can participate [...]

National poll on raising the legal drinking age to 21

AUSTRALIA should increase the legal drinking age to 21, according to a national online poll. Kevin Rudd has again sparked outrage on the ABC's Q&A by suggesting that he 'personally' supports an older drinking limit and sees 21 years old as quite reasonable and feasible. Suprisingly this view was also later supported by an online [...]

Government releases report on anti-bullying technique

The Australian Government earlier this week released research showing results of a study investigating a new technique to reduce bullying. The research assessed the 'Method of Shared Concern', a technique which aims to reduce and eliminate bullying without directly punishing the bullies. The technique involves non-confrontational meetings with the students involved in the bullying where [...]

Police operation to target drunken violence this weekend

Police in capital cities around Australia and New Zealand are tonight preparing for a weekend of high-visibility policing aimed at reducing alcohol fuelled violence. The two day blitz titled Operation Unite will start tonight at 6pm, and will focus on tackling alcohol fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour, especially violence. Thousands of extra police will be [...]

New Government guidelines warn against the medication of ADHD

The Government has released new guidelines which warn against the use of drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. The guidelines, which originally stated in 1997 that medication was a suitable treatment for medication, have been changed to instead advise that "Medication should not be used as first-line treatment for ADHD in [...]

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