This World Stroke Day the National Stroke Foundation is urging workplaces and individuals to act FAST to identify the signs of stroke.

FAST is an easy to remember, simple way to recognise if someone may be having a stroke: Face – has the person’s mouth drooped? Arms – can they lift both arms above their head? Speech – is their speech slurred? Can they understand you? And Time – call triple zero (000) immediately, do not delay. 

Standard Solar is among the workplaces supporting the National Stroke Foundation’s FAST campaign through the First Hour initiative. The company is encouraging and supporting its workforce to donate one hour of pay to the National Stroke Foundation in support of FAST in addition to providing stroke education.

Standard Solar Managing Director Rob Grainger said the company is supporting First Hour and FAST initiatives as the team knows first-hand the impact of stroke and the value of time in its treatment.

“I am alive today because my mum recognised the signs of stroke and many of our team have also seen the impacts of stroke within their families,’’ Mr Grainger said.

Mr Grainger was just 41 when he was struck down by a massive stroke. It was a Sunday night and Mr Grainger was alone at home and speaking to his mother interstate on the phone. While talking, Mr Grainger’s mum noticed his speech started to slur and Mr Grainger began feeling weakness in his arms.

“I was talking to my mum [while experiencing symptoms] and over the phone she knew what was happening, she said ‘I think you are having a stroke, you had better get to the hospital.”

On hanging up the phone Mr Grainger’s mother immediately called an ambulance, sending it to Mr Grainger’s home and saving his life. Doctors said, without his mother’s quick action treatment would have been delayed and Mr Grainger may have died or been left with a serious disability.

Following the stroke Mr Grainger spent four months in hospital learning to walk and talk again; today a minor limp and his rapid speech are the only indications of his stroke.

“You think stroke is an older person’s problem and not something to worry about, you don’t think that at 41 you will have a stroke. But it can happen to anyone, you don’t know why or who,’’ he said.

National Stroke Foundation National Director Programs Rebecca Naylor said time was critical in treating stroke.

“Time is a vital weapon against stroke. Every minute counts. The sooner the person having a stroke gets help and critical treatment, the better the chance of survival and quality of life,’’ Ms Naylor said.

“One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime and 30 percent of stroke survivors are of working age, yet most Australians still don’t really understand what a stroke is or what to do about it.”

The National Stroke Foundation is urging work places across the country to get behind First Hour and the FAST initiatives by supporting a donation by their workforce and providing education on the signs of stroke.

“We are asking for people to donate one hours, just one hours pay, this doesn’t seem like much but collectively it makes a huge difference,’’ Ms Naylor said.

“If we can educate more people on the signs of stroke and what to do when they see a stroke happening, we can help save lives and slash disability.”

Register online to join First Hour at www.strokefoundation.com.au

The National Stroke Foundation supports workplaces with resources to help promote and support the campaign including a how to guide, promotional video, posters, digital materials, an elevator speech to start conversations around the campaign and an employee deduction authority.

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BOTH major parties must commit to measures that make Victoria’s key tourist attractions more enticing to Asian visitors and attract additional cultural events to regional Victoria, said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith today.

In welcoming the Coalition Government’s commitment to expanding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Ms Smith called on policy makers to adopt complementary recommendations to ensure Victoria capitalises on the resulting visitor growth.

“VTIC applauds the Coalition Government’s decision to expand MCEC, and urges Victorian Labor to echo this commitment, for the significant benefit it will bring to Victoria’s business events’ and tourism sector,” said Ms Smith.

“Improving this facility will result in more visitors to our state, so there’s now more than ever a need to ensure we take the opportunity to grow jobs.”

VTIC calls for the major parties to commit to the following:

- Grow the events’ sector by establishing a dedicated sales team to secure new and expand existing regional medium-sized events.

Cost: $2 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 600
 
- Make Victoria’s tourist attractions more appealing to the lucrative Asian visitor market through culturally appropriate upgrades to displays, ticketing and visitor information.
Cost: $7 million annually
Estimated state-wide job creation: 1600
 
Tourism could create nearly 9,000 additional jobs for Victoria over the next two years if the right policy settings are in place, according to VTIC research.

“As a growth sector in a rapidly changing economy, tourism has great job creation potential as it brings in visitors who spend money, which creates jobs and sustains communities,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments come ahead of the tourism industry’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Victorian Tourism Awards, which showcases the leading tourism products, experiences and services across the state.

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The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has congratulated the winners of the 2014 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards for the outstanding contribution they make to the state’s tourism sector.

“On behalf of the industry I congratulate the award winners who have been recognised for the outstanding contribution they make to tourism in our state,” said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

"VTIC is delighted to see so many of our members achieving success and recognition through these awards, as the majority of winners and finalists (over 62%), are VTIC members.

"Solid business foundations are essential for a sustainable and professional tourism industry. The Victorian Tourism Awards are a wonderful way of showcasing business excellence, as well as the depth and breadth of products and experiences in our state."

Ms Smith’s comments come in the wake of more than 900 tourism and event industry leaders and professionals gathering at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last night to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the awards which showcase the leading tourism products, experiences and services across the state.

Some of the winners by category included: 

- Sovereign Hill - Major Tourist Attractions
- Peninsula Hot Springs - Tourist Attractions
- Melbourne Cup Carnival - Major Festivals and Events
- Bendigo Tramways - Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - Business Tourism
- BIG4 Beacon Resort - Tourist and Caravan Parks
- Naturewise Eco Escapes - New Tourism Development
- Alla Wolf-Tasker - Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- Fowles Wine Cellar Door Café - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
- Frankston Visitor Information Centre - Visitor Information and Services 

The evening was opened by Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Hon. Louise Asher MP, and the audience was also treated to a performance by the cast of “Once”, the musical currently showing at the Princess Theatre.

Once again VTIC played a significant role in the tourism awards program, delivering preparatory workshops across the state, as well as coordinating the entrants’ mentoring program and judging panel.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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THE legal rules for tax disputes will come under scrutiny at a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow.

Tax barrister, Mr John Hyde Page, will give evidence before the House Standing Committee of Tax and Revenue in support of his submission to the Committee’s Inquiry into Tax Disputes.

Mr Page has represented clients previously under investigation by Project Wickenby, a cross-agency task force which plays a role in the Government's fight against tax evasion, avoidance and crime.

In his submission, Mr Page stated that:

• objection decisions by the ATO are “often … little more than a ‘cut and paste’ of the audit decision”
• a body separate to the ATO should be responsible for making “fraud and evasion” findings, imposing large penalties, making large default assessments, and issuing garnishee orders and departure prohibition orders
• the Federal Court should have full powers to review a finding of fraud and evasion by the ATO.

A finding of fraud and evasion against a taxpayer has important consequences. The usual two or four year time limits on audits no longer apply and sometimes taxpayers need to provide documents about transactions going back as far as 10 years.

Committee Chair John Alexander MP said that, “The Committee looks forward to hearing about whether the legal rules for tax disputes could be made fairer for taxpayers, while still helping the ATO do its job. This especially applies for findings of fraud or evasion, which have been one of the key issues in the inquiry.”

The Committee will also hear from Mr Richard Wytkin, an accountant and tax agent in Perth.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
The hearing will be broadcast live at: www.aph.gov.au/live.

4.30 pm (approx.) Mr Richard Wytkin (teleconference) 
5 pm Mr John Hyde Page Submission 22
5.45 pm Adjournment 

For further information: contact the committee secretariat by telephone 02 6277 4821, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/taxrev.

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