316usman/thematic2b huggingface dataset:
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636650934.pdf (Australia)
To: Committee Secretariat, Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport UWA Public Policy Institute submission to Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia The University of Western Australia Public Policy Institute (UWA PPI) works to enhance the translation of UWA expertise and research into evidence to assist policy decision makers in government, businesses, and not-for-profits.

UWA's Centre for Sleep Science has been a leader in Australian sleep medicine for many years.
Headed by Professor Peter Eastwood, the Centre recently has undergone a $1 million upgrade and is equipped with state-of-the-art sleep recording and analysis equipment.

A clinical partnership with the West Australian Sleep Disorders Research Institute at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital supports academic courses from graduate certificates to PhD programs.
UWA PPI notes the findings of last year’s Sleep Health Foundation report Asleep on the job; costs of inadequate sleep in Australia1, which show that four in ten Australians are suffering from indicates that this inadequate sleep reduces healthy life in Australia, leads to premature death, and as a result of these and direct financial and productivity impacts has a $66.3 billion annual cost to Australia.

inadequate sleep.
inadequate sleep.

Worryingly, the data also UWA PPI commends the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport for tackling this issue, which is a serious national problem and needs addressing.
Our Centre for Sleep Science will be providing a more detailed response, but our input is that the university sector could usefully be involved by an increased government investment in: • • research on the causes, impacts and costs of inadequate sleep and sleep disorders; research on the uptake of support and treatment by different groups of Australians; and • Commonwealth funding support for post graduate and continuing professional development courses in sleep disorders and their treatment.
1 https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/files/Asleep_on_the_job/Asleep_on_the_Job_SHF_report- WEB_small.pdf Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 3
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636678860.pdf (Australia)
Hi I have just read about the Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia and wish to bring to your attention the impact it has on people with schizophrenia especially those with a more chronic and severe psychosocial disability, not only on their mental health but also on their physical health and well being that also contributes to the early death rate of those people.

People with schizophrenia die on average 25 years younger than the rest of the general population.
Addressing the problem of sleep health hygiene and awareness in this group of people (and clinicians and community support workers) would help to reduce the early death rate from physical illnesses such as cardiac and lung problems.

I have attached two research papers on this topic that are relatively recent from well known and credible researchers for your information.
Having just had the experience of people with schizophrenia being diagnosed with sleep apnoea, iit has come to my attention that it is prevalent in people with schizophrenia.

This is a big issue that causes problems to both their mental and physical health.

I have found that though it is a relatively well known problem, it is not often addressed or diagnosed and thought it was worth bringing to your attention .
Another factor that you probably are aware of is that many people with schizophrenia also consume huge quantities of caffeine whether through coffee or coca cola or other caffeine laden drinks, and large amounts of caffeine can also cause psychosis.

(not to mention the large amount of sugar or sugar substitutes in the sugar free versions that adversely impact on their physical health.)
One of the main reasons they consume caffeine laden drinks is that their medications makes them drowsy and they take the caffeine to keep them awake and a bit more alert - self medicating.

This of course would be further compounded if they also have sleep apnoea and the self medicating on caffeine would also increase.
One of the symptoms of their illness is that they sometimes lack motivation and sleep apnoea would only increase this symptom and may also cause them to have micro sleeps during their waking hours.

Their medication also makes them gain weight and renders them more prone to having diabetes, which makes them more likely to have sleep apnoea and if they have sleep apnoea, and self medicate further with increased caffeine and sugar intake etc etc ..

It is an ongoing harmful vicious cycle.


To address this problem in this group of people, there would need to be intense on going assistance from clinical and community workers including peer workers in especially in the initial stages of diagnoses and to educate them to have them understand and adhere to the treatment to use the CPAP machines.

Some in this group may also need on going support to keep the equipment clean to ensure the machine equipment is hygienically clean for everyday use.
Kind regards Janet Milford Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 16
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636693270.pdf (Australia)
Please reconsider mandatory helmet laws, they reduce cyclist presence and awareness leading to less cyclists and less safe cycling.

Ariel Richtman Personal choice and community impactsSubmission 316
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636696054.pdf (Australia)
From: Sarah Joseph If possible, I wish to clarify my point about sexual harassment, and the use of the word "offend".

The word was lifted from the SDA and put into s18C.

In my view, sexual harassment is a different type of act to a racist speech act.

The more precise analogy would be misogynistic or sexist speech.

I am not trying to say that sexual harassment is a worse/better act than racist speech.
I am trying to say they are different acts so one can't just lift the concepts associated with one and apply them to the other.

It's not quite oranges and apples, but it might be oranges and mandarins.

Cheers Sarah
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636700779.pdf (Australia)
Honourable Members of the Committee I wish to draw the Inquiry's attention to the prescribing of BENZODIAZEPINES for problem sleeping.

If there is to be a public education program promoting the need for high quality and sufficient sleep, please may it be accompanied by a health warning NOT to take BENZODIAZEPINES.

BENZODIAZEPINES are for emergency use only, for 14-28 days' use and even within that timeframe require a withdrawal by gradual taper.
Addiction and tolerance to the drug can quickly follow if these guidelines are exceeded.

The GABA receptors in the brain are stripped of their natural ability to bring about the amazing and vital function of sleep.

Long term use has wide ranging detrimental effects on health.

Should a patient learn these truths and wish to withdraw from the drug, increased horrors are likely to follow.

The procedure is harder and considerably longer-up to years- than withdrawing from heroin.
It can be a nightmare experience.

I refer you to a simple read of Wikipedia- withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

Suicidal ideation is not uncommon.

Understanding and support for sufferers is exceedingly hard to access.

The only government funded Benzodiazepine Withdrawal and Recovery Service, Reconnexion is in Victoria.

(I understand Reconnexion will be making a most informed and valuable submission to this Enquiry).

What about the rest of Australia?


In other words, there are to quote from the RACGP/ Clinical guidelines/Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, PartB/Benzodiazepines/2015/1.3.1.4.

Increasing awareness of problematic use, including misuse: 'Australia is likely to have a large, but relatively hidden population who unintentionally misuse benzodiazepines and who have developed an iatrogenic dependence...' I would suggest the patients don't 'misuse', they are being abused by the benzodiazepine.
And if a large group has been identified, what is being done for that group?

Those sufferers?

And in reference to this Enquiry, a cohort of people who can no longer sleep well and naturally due to oftentimes, inappropriate prescribing?

I wish to include with this submission the letter I wrote regarding my personal experience to the Mr M Dirienzo CEO Hunter New England Health NSW in 2017.

In conclusion, I am so grateful that the miracle of sleep is becoming more highly valued.
For those it evades, it can be excruciatingly debilitating.

May many regain or reclaim the undervalued benefits of sleep due to the Enquiry's initiatives.

Yours sincerely Sandra Kirby Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 13
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636720261.pdf (Australia)
Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 117 Tab A Sleep Related Facts and Data • Professor Drew Dawson, expert in areas of sleep and fatigue research, says if people fall below 6 hours of sleep, they will be at about double the risk of an accident or injury.

A recent study of 3,300 people in New South Wales found that 18.4 per cent reported sleeping fewer than 6.5 hours per night on average.
• • • Inadequate sleep is highly prevalent in Australia, 39.8 per cent of the adult population experience some form of inadequate sleep.

In 2010 there were an estimated 1.5 million Australians (8.9 per cent of the population) had a sleep disorder (insomnia, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnoea).

In 2010, 9,584 people were injured in workplace accidents in Australia caused by sleep disorder.
• The Sleep Health Foundation estimated the total cost associated with sleep disorders in Australia in FY2017 was $66.3 billion.

• The direct cost from workplace accidents in 2010 was $52.5 million.

• Indirect financial costs associated with sleep disorders and conditions attributable to them were estimated to be $4.3 billion in 2010.

This includes $3.1 billion in lost productivity due to premature workforce separation, mortality, and absenteeism.
• Lack of sleep was estimated to result in 3,017 deaths in 2016-17.

It is expected that more than one Australian will die every day from falling asleep at the wheel of a vehicle or from industrial accidents due to lack of sleep.

The remaining mortality is due to sequelae such as heart diseases and diabetes.

• The prefrontal cortex responsible for logical reasoning and complex thought is particularly vulnerable to sleep deprivation.
Experts think this may explain why people typically have such a hard time recognising their own fatigue and level of impairment.

Reference 00675-18 - MIN18/3187 Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 117
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636724638.pdf (Australia)
Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to raise awareness of the unclear situation in escort agencies in the Northern Territory.

While the escort agencies hire staff as sub contractors they are treated more as employees.

This situation greatly disadvantages sex workers while I assume has economic benefits for the agency owners.

Examples of workers being treated as employees include; • Workers are told what to wear and how to present themselves while delivering services.
This is controlled to the detail of the agencies insisting on manicures, cosmetic waxing and types of underwear.

• Workers shifts are dictated to them including start times and finishing times.

I have heard many stories of workers being late to their shift and being fined $50 - $100 for being late.

This money is taken out of their earnings.


• Some escort agencies do not provide safe sex products for free but instead add a mark up to their cost price and therefore make additional profit on the sale of condoms and personal lubricant etc to sex workers.

• Sex workers are not usually offered the discretion to choose to not go out on a booking.
Similarly when the booking finishes early, for what ever reason, the escort agency forces the sex worker to stay with client by not picking him/her up, until the time paid for has passed.

Examples of workers operating as sub contractors include; • Workers do not operate under separate trading name to the escort agency.

In an instance where a worker has promoted themselves as a independent business the worker was made redundant for trying to ‘steal the agencies clientele’.
• Sex workers are expected to cover overhead costs while on bookings.

For example, when a customer pays for the services with a credit card this worker must ring the details of the card through to the escort agency reception to get authorisation.

The cost of the mobile phone call is the responsibility of the worker.

• An essential part of sex workers safety is to take a mobile phone out on a booking.
This is to be used to “check in” and “check out” with the escort agency so that they are aware of where the worker is and if everything is ok.

Mobile phones are also used if the sex worker feels threatened during a booking and they contact the agency for help.

In these instances a safe code word is used to alert the escort agency but not the client.

Again with these uses of the phone, the sex worker is responsible for paying for the mobile phone.
• Escort Agencies do not provide workers with group certificates.

• Escort agencies do no provide access to work-cover, sick leave, superannuation or other employment entitlements.

I hope these points bring to your attention the unclear practices occurring in the Northern Territory.

If you would like to discuss any of these matter further please do not hesitate contacting me.

Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council, Sex Worker Outreach Project 9 March 2005
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636732491.pdf (Australia)
Newcastle LDAT – Make FASD History Newcastle Juvenile Justice System Aims & Objectives 1.

Ultimate goal to make FASD history in Newcastle 2.

Focus on those areas evidence suggests highest priority 3.

Focus on most vulnerable (restorative process) 4.

Identify where Newcastle can make a difference 5.
Effectively address issue of cognitive impairment in local JJS Prerequisites • Identification of and collaboration from all local stakeholders • Inter agency/NGO buy-in and cooperation • Leg work (LDAT small funds) • Evidence based, not reinvent the wheel, avoid stigmatisation • Harness Newcastle’s strong sense of achievement and other attributes including personnel and resources (research, medical, community/welfare, justice, university etc) Proposed action plan • FASD prevention starts with awareness • Workforce development of all local stakeholders is critical (WA model of care) • Critical mass pool of FASD awareness spill-over benefits to broader community • Achieve agreed common levels of awareness and potential cost savings and related efficiencies from existing programs FASD awareness modules 1.
What is FASD – magnitude of harms 2.

Identifying cognitive impairment - manifestations of FASD given it’s a ‘spectrum’ of disorders 3.

Implications of cognitive impairment including victim, offender & witness 4.

How should we respond in JJS to kids (carers?)

suspected with an cognitive impairment 5.
Creating a (model) diagnostic referral pathway Identifying existing barriers to timely diagnosis • Lack of workforce awareness in some sectors • Significant local health resource gaps (lobby capacity of LDAT) • Exchange of vital inter agency information • Existing lack of recording of alcohol use patterns and suspected impairments • Historically no local unifying force – silo free zone Acknowledge importance of early warning • GPs, Pre school, infants, primary early secondary schooling (average age first JJS contact 12.5 yrs) • Police usually have numerous contacts before this time • Earlier detection of cognitive impairment greater opportunity to modify some behaviours • Essential GP involvement in project • Dr Webber’s Health pathway Summary of LDAT ‘Many hands’ project • A ‘model’ project to achieve FASD awareness workforce development across all local stakeholders • Establish NSW Pilot for cognitive impairment diagnostic diversionary pathway similar to NSW adult justice trial • Address critical information flows between stakeholders • Incorporate early warning stakeholder sentinels within project • Driven by this community reference panel THANK YOU Newcastle LDAT – Make FASD History Our Town’s Juvenile Justice System Tony Brown Chairperson Newcastle LDAT
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636748060.pdf (Australia)
SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COVID-19 INTO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Division/Agency: International Aviation Technology & Services Topic: Awareness of international air passenger arrival cap Proof Hansard Page: Written (02 July 2021) Senator Kristina Keneally asked: IQ21-000055 Since 20 March 2020, please provide details of the international air passenger arrival cap.
Please provide the total cap on a monthly basis.

Please also provide the same data broken down by state and territory on a monthly basis.

Answer: International passenger arrivals caps were first introduced in July 2020.

The table below outlines weekly arrivals caps for each state by month, noting there were variations within specific months as outlined in the notes.
Year Month NSW (per week) VIC (per week) QLD (per week) SA (per week) WA (per week) TOTAL (per week) July August September October November December January February March April May June July****** August 2020 2021 Notes 3,150* 2.450* 2,450* 2,940 3,000 3,000 3,010* 3,010* 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 1,505 1,505 0** 0 0 0 0 1,120 1,120 1,120** 0 880 1,000 1,000 500 500 500 500 1,000 1,000 1,300 1,300 - 500 500 600 600**** 490**** 525 525 525 1,025 1,025 1,025 1,300*** 490 1,025***** 1,300 1,300 530 530 650*** 530**** 1,300 1,300 650 650 530 530 265 265 512 1,025 1,025 512***** 530 265 265 4,175 3,975 4,475 5,565 5,925 6,935 6,945 6,472 5,865 6,095 6,352 6,370 3,185 3,185 * In NSW the international passenger arrival caps were subject to temporary reductions from 3,150 to 2,450 on 20 July 2020 to 27 September 2020, and from 3,010 to 1,505 from 15 January 2021 to 15 February 2021.
** In Victoria all international passenger arrivals were suspended from 1 July 2020 to 6 December 2020 and from 14 February 2021 to 7 April 2021.

*** In Queensland international passenger arrivals were reduced from 1,300 to 650 from 15 January 2021 to 14 February 2021 and again from 1,300 to 650 from 31 March to 30 April 2021.
**** In SA international passenger arrivals were suspended from 21 November to 30 November 2020, and returned at 490 arivals in December 2020 to 14 February 2021, and were temporarily suspended from 25 April 2021 to 27 April 2021 and from 26 July 2021 to 27 July 2021.

***** In WA international passenger arrivals were reduced from 1,025 to 512 from 15 January 2021 to 14 February 2021 and again from 29 April until 31 May 2021.WA cap temporarily returned to 530 in June 2021.
****** All caps halved from 14 July 2021 to 31 August 2021.

The Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania have also received international repatriation flights during the period.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636848327.pdf (Australia)
To the senate.

Having personally experienced union harassment (which included threats of physical violence) in the building industry I am appalled at the prospect with regard to the volunteer CFA of which I am a member.

Should this occur with government sanction and support I will immediately withdraw my membership as a local firefighter and brigade officer.

John Allen 1st Lieutenant Acheron Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Bill 2016 [provisions]Submission 193
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697636862956.pdf (Australia)
Parliamentary inquiry into Sleep Health awareness in Australia SleepGP seeks to up-skill GPs in order to manage uncomplicated Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

We have treated over seven thousand patients in primary care with referral out to specialists in about 10% of cases.

It is very appropriate for this chronic disease to be managed in primary care alongside all other common chronic illnesses that primary care already manage successfully.
The recent Medicare Task force was very top heavy with Sleep Physicians and as such the new criteria increase their workload rather than allowing up-skilled GPs to competently manage OSA in General Practice.

What is of major concern to us is that, when we analyse the sleep study criteria that MBS are about to apply and then apply them to sleep studies already performed with own fairly strict criteria, we find that women will be disproportionately disadvantaged.
Because of the bias of entry criteria towards typical ‘male symptoms’, men are less disadvantaged by the new criteria.

Indeed, as per the table below you can see that 49% of women with moderate or severe OSA will no longer be eligible for a Medicare funded Sleep Study without having to go to the inconvenience and expense of seeing a Sleep Physician.

This is a totally unnecessary and punitive step to apply and should be brought to the attention of the wider community.
Moderate Total OSA Grade Severe Existing study results 1423 studies 282 female 657 Proposed criteria (With ESS ≥ 8) will reduce 1423 previously eligible studies to 773 decrease 49% decrease 49% female 375 191 334 143 decrease 49% Incidentally, SleepGP is totally privately funded and we would love to open a discussion with Government in order to make this RACGP accredited education program more widely available to interested GPs John Malouf Founder SleepGP Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaSubmission 52