Firstly - the intersection of binge drinking and rape culture.
Mark Metherell of the Sydney Morning Herald has done a sterling job turning some fairly dull anti-booze research into a relatable and relevant public health message. Just as his article "Binge culture puts young women at risk" (SMH, 18/11/2010) summarises the report so you don't have to read it, I shall summarise his article to save you, dear reader, some time.
ATTENTION WOMEN: If you binge drink, you will probably be raped, and it will be all your fault. So don't binge drink.
Well done, Mr Metherell, for articulating this valuable public health message. Your concern for the young women of our fair city, nay, country, touches me deeply.
Secondly - the perennial Villawood problem.
The current asylum-seeker visa process is inefficient, expensive and untenable. Mandatory detention benefits no one, not the Australian taxpayer nor the "alleged" refugees. I propose that the current system be overhauled and replaced by a single, streamlined, one-size fits all process by which prospective on-shore asylum seekers, arriving by plane or by boat, are immediately issued with a bullet to the head as step one of the visa application process. It's quicker, more reliable and much more humane.
Thank you for your attention. I shall await my OAM in the post.
