During this time, people wear purple and hold events to raise funds and awareness of the condition that will affect more than 800,000 Australians in their lifetime, and 50 million people worldwide. 

Sadly, due to social stigma and misconceptions, many people with epilepsy do not disclose their condition and live in fear of being ‘found out’.

This Purple Day, Epilepsy Action Australia would like to encourage communities to shine a light on epilepsy by lighting up purple a local landmark and raising funds for community education services to better the lives of those affected.

Interventions by Epilepsy Action Australia can help increase understanding in our communities, such as epilepsy awareness sessions, seizure first-aid training, and the Online Academy, which offers several courses about epilepsy for parents, carers, schools and healthcare professionals.

I would encourage your community to support Purple Day during March by simply making a donation or getting involved (www.epilepsy.org.au).

Please help shine a light on epilepsy this Purple Day and put your region on the map.

On behalf of all Australians living with epilepsy, thank you in advance to your readers for supporting Epilepsy Action Australia.

Your support helps to reduce isolation and ensure people living with the condition are able to live the best life possible.

Carol Ireland,

Chief Executive Officer

Epilepsy Action Australia

In recent years, we’ve seen an alarming spike in the use of the drug ice in regional and remote communities across Queensland.

Anyone with a family member or loved one who is gripped by this devastating drug knows time is precious and a talkfest isn’t going to cut it.

Despite this growing scourge, it has taken the Palaszczuk Labor Government two years to announce a plan to tackle ice.

Perhaps it’s because they have had three police ministers in two years or simply because Annastacia Palaszczuk is a Premier reluctant to govern?

Now we learn their long-awaited plan is taking the form of another Labor talkfest – and one in ‘draft’ form at that.

The fact is, the Federal Government already had a National Ice Summit and Taskforce.

The Taskforce made 38 recommendations and a National Ice Action Strategy was signed by state leaders, including Annastacia Palaszczuk at COAG in December 2015.

All Annastacia Palaszczuk needed to do was put a plan into action.

But instead she has put forward yet another half-cooked policy.

Worse still, Labor wound back the LNP’s strong criminal gang laws.

They did this despite clear evidence that organised crime groups are entrenched in the methylamphetamine market in Queensland.

Unlike this do-nothing Government, the LNP has shown strong leadership.

Last year, we introduced a five-point action plan to take ice off our streets through the Dob in a Dealer program, greater drug addiction support services, law enforcement cooperation, increased prevention and strong criminal gang laws to keep bikie clubhouses closed.

We don’t need more drafts or reviews.

The real plan is here, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Let’s just get on with it.

Tim Mander

Shadow Police Minister