This is because when we try to get a loan from any of the big banks, when we go to them they won’t help.

Because when you say to them you’re a pensioner or disabled person they close their books in front of you, for all we are is a number, not a person, just a bloomin’ number.

If we can get a bank for only disabled and pensioners, we can get a loan off you.

You can take out the payments from our pension pay that you give us and we can get our cars or pay bills.

The big banks take extra money off you if your loan is a day late, they slug you a fine for not paying on time.

So Mr Minister, try and get us a bank for only Centrelink people, for as I said, you pay us our wages and you can take it out straight away, there on the spot and no extra fees like the big banks do to us if we get a loan.

Help us so we can live a normal life

Mick Ahkin

Bega

In rural and regional communities, people repeatedly tell me the drug ice is causing serious damage.

The statistics say the numbers of ice users has doubled since 2010.

I’ve taken a personal interest in this topic for quite some time, and now, as Minister responsible for drugs policy, the issue of ice is a key priority. 

Last year I directed the Australian National Advisory Council on Drugs (ANACAD) to make ice its number one issue.

 In March at the UN Conference on Narcotics in Vienna, I had member countries agree to share research and cooperate on this issue.

At countless police stations I’m told the same thing: “We can’t police our way out of this”. 

We must reduce demand for ice, so we also need education and treatment services to get people off ice.

I’ve visited treatment facilities and I’ve seen that ice cuts down those with money and those without (who often then turn to crime), mums and dads as well as youth – people from all walks of life.

Every community I visit seems to have a tragic ice story.

Recently I heard about a brother and sister suiciding after becoming hooked on ice.

The recent Australian Crime Commission report confirmed organised crime gangs are targeting rural and regional Australia.

The Prime Minister, myself and the Minister for Justice have announced a taskforce to report to government on the ice situation – what’s working and what’s not – and produce an interim report by mid-year.

 This will help us build a National Ice Action Strategy.

 Members of the community, have your say. 

Government can’t solve this on its own.

This problem reaches deep into the community and we need community help to tackle it.

Submissions to the taskforce can be made at www.dpmc.gov.au/taskforces/national-ice-taskforce.

Fiona Nash

Assistant Minister for Health