The Politics of Suicide in Australia

The Politics of Suicide in Australia.

For Download/Print 3P pdf including last 2 pages of financial info not shown on this page below click …  The Politics of Suicide Prevention Updated 31.7.16

By Tim Barritt. Updated 31.7.16.

$5.5 Billion / Year on Infrastructure – $41 Million / Year on beyondblue

This is less the one percent of infrastructure expense amount,

with 1,153 Road Fatalities but 2,864 Suicides (1,711 more) – in 2014.

Our Physical ‘Infrastructure’ vs the ‘Emotional Roads’ of 24 Million Aussies.

Commonwealth/State Funding for beyondblue, 2014/15.

P2 of this download is from the Consolidated Financial Statements for Australia’s Peak body for Suicide Prevention beyondblue, for the year ended 30 June 2015, which tells us…

  • The Commonwealth, States and Territories contributed $41 Million to beyondblue
  • This was approx 78% on beyondblue total revenue for this financial year.

Federal Funding for infrastructure 2007-2014.

P3 is from Australian Parliamentary website which gives the ‘Estimated Actual’ Federal expentiture on infrastructure across Australia from 2007-2014, which tells us the following…

  • In these 7 years a total of $38,379 Million  was spent
  • or and average of $5,482 Million  per year
  • or approx $5.5 Billion/year.

Road Fatalities vs Suicides 1983-2013.

During this 33 year period Road Fatalities have gone from 22.27 /100,000 of population in 1980 to 4.90/100,000 in 2013, a reduction of 78%.

While Suicides were 10.9/100,000 in 1983, and were 12.2/100,000 in 2014.

In REAL Fatalities, this means 1,153 Road Deaths in 2014, while 2,864 Suicided.

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In 2014  the then CEO of beyondblue, Ms Kate Carnell said the following, after the 2012/13 figures came out, 2,535 Aussies or nearly 7 Suicides/day.

”This represents a national tragedy and should act as a call to action for all Australians to tackle the issue of suicide”.

beyondblue media release 25.3.14.

 

I wonder if there is any Politician in Australia who is able to tell their electors and electors children – why it is that they think this situation has developed?

N.B. last 2 pages with financial info is ONLY available on pdf click here

The Politics of Suicide Prevention 12.1.16

Tim Barritt.

Updated 31.7.16.