PENGUINS BRIGHTEN HOSPITAL
THE Federal Government has decided against intervening in the insurance market in Northern Australia, ruling out a cyclone mutual and an insurance pool in its longawaited response to the Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce.
Insurance Council of Australia chief executive Rob Whelan said the Government’s response was fair, reasonable and balanced.
“It provides clear direction for government policy, and the insurance industry is already well advanced on many of the key recommendations,” he said.
Mr Whelan noted the Government’s call for reforms to the General Insurance Code of Practice. He said the code had been undergoing a thorough review this year to help ensure it remained relevant, and the Insurance Council would today announce it was extending the deadline to provide submissions to the review. Final submissions to the Code Review are now due by January 19. Go to www. codeofpracticereview . com. au QUEENSLAND Health Minister Steven Miles will write to his federal counterpart to seek urgent action over a funding black hole that could blow out to almost $ 1 billion.
Mr Miles said the Sunshine State was already owed more than $ 150 million for services dating back to the 2014- 15 and 2015- 16 financial years.
“When the entire 2014- 15 to 2018- 19 period is considered, the Commonwealth funding shortfall could be as much as $ 979 million,” he said in Cairns yesterday. ’ TIS the season of giving at the Townsville Hospital as some new visitors have waddled into the children’s ward bringing smiles and Christmas cheer.
The Brothers Leagues Club distributed Christmas penguins throughout the ward to give young patients their first gifts for the festive season.
Townsville Hospital Foundation general manager Judy Higgins- Olsen said the Brothers Leagues Club had been long- term supporters of the foundation.
“They continue to attend our fundraiser events and this is the second year in a row they have donated Christmas toys,” she said.
“It’s quite cute as some of the children who receive these toys from the club are actually smaller than the toy itself.”
Brothers Leagues Club operations manager Matt Keeffe said they were just happy to be able to put smiles on the children’s faces.
“We are pretty well known in the community and not just always about football and making money for the club,” he said. “It’s about giving back to the community as well.”
Anyone interested in making a donation to the Townsville Hospital Foundation can do so now by visiting its website.