Apr 10, 2002 ... FREECALL 1800 600 005 OR VISIT: www.citroen.com.au/c5 *Based on 2.0L SX
manual. Price excludes dealer delivery and statutory on road ...
Wednesday April 10, 2002
First published 1831 No. 51,350 $1.20 (incl GST)
THE QUEEN MOTHER 1900-2002
‘You can shed tears that she has gone or you can smile because she has lived’
Britainunites,touchedbyaqueen Peter Fray Herald Correspondent in London ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Britain fell silent last night as millions of mourners gathered across the nation to pay final respects to the Queen Mother, praise her remarkably long and dutiful life – and witness a touching and traditional funeral service. An opening anonymous poem, chosen by the Queen Mother, summed up the nation’s mood: ‘‘You can shed tears that she has gone or you can smile because she has lived.’’ An estimated 400,000 people had queued – the crowds stood 15-deep in places – to watch her coffin taken on the short journey from Westminster Hall for her funeral at Westminster Abbey. They listened to the service broadcast on public address throughout a hushed central London. Inside the abbey, 2100 dignitaries, foreign leaders, friends and members of the royal family gathered for a 50-minute funeral service, which was bookended by two simple poems and finished with a rendition of the Last Post and the national anthem. It was ceremonial Britain at its finest, complete with stirring hymns, Bach’s humbling organ music and soulful prayer, and stood in stark contrast to the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997, which included (Sir) Elton John’s adapted version of his pop classic Candle In the Wind. Some saw yesterday’s big crowds as evidence that the Queen Mother’s death had brought the royal family and the public closer together. An opinion poll published by Britain’s Independent newspaper showed that only 12 per cent of Britons now wanted the monarchy scrapped, against 34 per cent a year ago. More than half of those surveyed wanted to keep the monarchy unchanged, while 30 per cent believed it should be retained but modernised. The poll found strong support for the royal family among young people. One such portent of change could be the presence of Prince Charles’s partner, Camilla Parker Bowles, at the funeral. Royal observers said it signalled improving relations between the Queen and the future king’s lover. Central London was brought to Continued Page 9
Goodbye . . . members of the royal family follow the Queen Mother’s coffin as the funeral procession moves to Westminster Abbey. Polls show the outpouring of emotion surrounding her death has boosted the monarchy’s popularity. Photo: AP/Stefan Rousseau
Budget to force up drug prices Mark Metherell and Michelle Grattan ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Prescribed drug costs are expected to rise by at least 10 per cent for most Australians in next month’s federal Budget as the Government slashes $2 billion from the growing cost of pharmaceutical benefits over the next four years. The standard out-of-pocket payment of $22.40 charged for prescriptions is likely to rise to more than $25. Pensioners and health care card holders also face increases to the $3.60 concession rate they are charged for scripts. People on concessions account for 80 per cent of the cost of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The Government will argue the increases are justified because the actual cost of drugs has risen much faster than the indexation of PBS charges in recent years. But any big rise in pensioners’ out-of-pocket costs would risk a public backlash, so it is expected
that non-beneficiaries will carry a heavier rise in costs. The Health Minister, Kay Patterson, is also likely to target doctors and the drug industry in the Budget – in an attempt to haul back the heavy promotion and prescription of expensive drugs. The Budget will contain a range of measures designed to stem the chronic rise in the cost of the PBS, which blew out by 20 per cent to more than $4 billion last financial year. The Government’s key adviser on drug subsidies, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, has expressed concern about the rising price of new drugs. Other measures may be aimed at encouraging use of cheaper, generic drugs. Under a pilot program to operate from July 1, the medical community will be financially rewarded for prescribing patients fewer and cheaper drugs. Under the program, half the money which GPs save the government by cutting the use of
subsidised drugs will be given to GP divisions — umbrella groups that represent GPs along geographical boundaries. The program will cover three of the most commonly prescribed drugs — antibiotics, cardiovascular, and peptic ulcer drugs. The changes in the Budget promise to define 2002 as a tough year for the sick, following increases in health insurance premiums and reduced benefits announced by many funds last year. Social spending areas are being squeezed because the Budget is faced with pressure on two fronts – from the Government’s election splurge and the big increase in defence spending. Defence is consuming Budget dollars not just because of the war against terrorism but to finance the expensive White Paper program. The Minister for Family and Community Services, Amanda Vanstone, also faces a tough job selling heavy cuts in her portfolio. Sources say it is one of the
T H E R E V O L U T I O N A RY C I T RO Ë N C5 V OT E D ‘ E U RO P E A N CA R 2 0 0 2’ A N D ‘ I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R 2 0 0 2 ’.
Budget’s big targets. Significant savings include a tightening of the eligibility criteria for the fastgrowing disability support pension – which has about 640,000 people claiming it. The disability pension is more generous than the dole, and the number of claimants has been growing rapidly. Senator Vanstone was cracking hardy about cuts last night. ‘‘I’m comfortable with this Budget outcome,’’ she said. ‘‘Reform at first blush is not always easy. But when people consider on reflection what we’re looking at doing, I believe they will see the merit in this path, just as they have with the first stage of welfare reform.’’ The spending side of the Budget is now more or less in place, with cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee finishing work on Monday. Full cabinet will review its work on April 22. Senior ministers are still to put together the Budget’s revenue measures.
WEATHER
INSIDE
Details – Page 18
Police force farewells a comrade
Parkinson’s disease stemmed
Constable Glenn McEnallay’s fiance penned a eulogy for his funeral yesterday. Amanda Mahon told of waiting up each night for her partner to return, for a two-minute chat and to be sure he was safe. But on March 27 he was gunned down while following a stolen car. ‘‘You were supposed to come home for dinner,’’ she wrote. ‘‘I was making your favourite steak and vegies. I had no idea.’’ The Police Commissioner, Peter Ryan, told the funeral at Taree: ‘‘Glenn’s death has brought home to everyone the dangers police face every day in the line of duty.’’ Page 5
Doctors may have cured a case of Parkinson’s disease by injecting a man with stem cells from his own brain. The man’s symptoms of trembling and rigid muscles have not recurred. The US study will fuel the debate over the use of embryonic stem cells because it adds credibility to the views of those who believe stem cells taken from adults can be just as useful. Page 3
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Rush on private maternity beds Mothers-to-be are competing fiercely for private hospital beds because of a surge in demand created by the growth in health insurance. Even before they confirm they are pregnant, women are booking beds in private hospitals. Page 3
Israel’s war reaching a peak
Salute . . . Amanda Mahon, centre, and Commissioner Ryan yesterday. Photo: Rick Stevens
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The focus of Israel’s internal war turned to Jenin on the West Bank yesterday as hundreds of Palestinian militants were reported to be preparing to fight to the death – even to blow themselves up – rather than surrender to Israeli troops. But despite strong pressure from the United States to withdraw, Israel’s campaign is far from over. After five days of fierce fighting in Nablus, the Israelis allowed Palestinian medical workers to take 62 wounded to hospital and remove the dead from the Jamal Bek mosque. Page 10
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First came ‘European Car 2002’. Now the Citroën C5 has claimed the title of ‘International Car 2002’ from BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Peugot, VW and R A N G E F RO M Audi. Not surprisingly, journalists from America, Europe and Asia who voted * for the C5 were impressed by the radical design and host of functions the intelligent C5 activates to complement your driving style. The C5 includes auto-activated lights, wipers, locking and air-conditioning. New Hydractive-3 suspension automatically adjusts the ride height to suit road conditions and driver input. Available in petrol or diesel and standard with six airbags, ABS, a trip computer and optional tiptronic style gearbox, the C5’s innovative shape also means it has a serious amount of interior space. Vivé la Revolution!
$4 1, 9 9 0
BANKSTOWN Continental Cars, 9759 1977. LEICHHARDT Rick Damelian, 9560 1000. PYMBLE Pymble Automobiles, 9488 8744. CANBERRA Gulson Can berra, 6280 6755. GOSFORD Eurotech, 4324 2405. MOSS VALE Peter Donnelly Citroën, 4868 2000. NEWCASTLE Paul Skewes Prestige, 4969 6022. FREECALL 1800 600 005 OR VISIT: www.citroen.com.au/c5 *Based on 2.0L SX manual. Price excludes dealer delivery and statutory on road costs and includes GST. Metallic and lacquer paint extra. BWMCIT0404_SMH
