Legal Studies: Increasing the Legal Drinking Age, Grade 11

Good afternoon madam speaker and fellow distinguished members of parliament. Today, I wish to discuss the potential of an amendment to the Queensland Liquor Act 1992. 

Laws are rules that ensure that society functions in a fair and legitimate way for all citizens. They protect our general safety and reinstate our individual rights as citizens.

Without laws, we would all live in fear. The strongest, hardest and most powerful person, group and or organisation would be in control of society as a whole.  

In Queensland, there are two main sources of law- common law and constitutional law. 

Common law is essentially judge made law. It is the result of judicial decisions of cases that have come before the courts. Decisions that are made by judges in the higher courts become precedents or rules which other judges in the lower courts are obliged to conform with. 

The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is governed. It provides the basic rules for the government of Australia including the Commonwealth Parliament and the Parliament of each individual State. Therefore, even an Act passed by a Parliament is invalid if it is contrary to the Australian Constitution. 

Although many people under the age of 21 enjoy a drink of alcohol without any problems, our teens have developed an increasingly dangerous culture of heavy drinking and binge drinking over the last three decades, which over time can have serious consequences. 

The excessive consumption of alcohol not only harms the individual alone but society as a whole in terms of abuse- physical and physiological, crime and driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Under 155A of the Queensland Liquor Act 1992, a person must not sell liquor to a minor. If the person is the licensee of, or an approved manager working at the premises the maximum penalty is 250 units- equivalent to around $30,000. Under 156A an adult must not supply liquor to a minor at a private place, unless the adult is a responsible adult for the minor. The maximum penalty for this 80 units- equivalent to around $10,000. 

The legal age for purchasing and using alcohol in licensed premises was 21 in all Australian states however, these regulations were amended in the late 1960s in each state and the alcohol consumption age was lowered to a mere 18 years. Since then, the drinking age has been subject to political controversy around Australia.

Take Mathew Baldwin for example, are there any hands here that know who he is? 

Basically, during Mathew’s youth he grew and addiction for alcohol. He claims that his 20’s were a blur and when he wasn’t working he would be drinking. 

“Just the monster I became, violent behaviour, speaking to loved ones like I'd never speak to anyone. I lost relationships, friends. Just my mother and father having sleepless nights, having to come out and get me at bus stops, train stations, because I was out of money" he said.

The Australian National Council on Drugs found that one in eight deaths of Australians under 25 are alcohol related. Mathew said that there were numerous occasions when he came close to being in one of those statistics. 

A survey conducted by the Sydney Morning Herald at the end of the Schoolies festival at the Gold Coast in 2010 revealed that 75% of recently graduated students partook in drinking games and 64% of students consumed more than 10 alcoholic beverages per night. A 2013, Youth Risk Behaviour Survey found that among high schoolers 21% binge drink, 10% drove after drinking alcohol and 22% rode with someones who had been drinking alcohol. In the US, a review of seventeen studies in the various states that raised the drinking age found that the average number of young people involved in road accidents decreased by a whopping 16% with the increase of the drinking age. 

Furthermore, youths who drink alcohol are more likely to experience school problems such as absence and poor grades, social problems such as fighting, physical problems such as sickness and hangovers, physical and sexual assault all due to the fact that the alcohol depresses the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. It has also been proven that youth who start drinking before the age of 18 years, are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependance than individuals who begin drinking at or after 21 years. 

With the legal drinking age having previously been 21 years in Queensland, raising the drinking age from 18 years should not be a big issue. An American Gallup Poll found that 77% of Americans would oppose a federal law that lowers the drinking age to 18. It is therefore clear that the majority of the American population supports the current legal drinking age of 21 years. 

Although, many Queenslanders have said that they would oppose the increase of the drinking age to 21 many have argued that as the age of adulthood is 18 years, the drinking age should also be 18 years. It is clear that the amendment is being done in the best interest of the youth, general public and all other parties and overtime the stakeholders would see a significant improvement in public venues such as roads for example as it has been reported that the higher the drinking age, the lower the rate of traffic accidents- therefore minimising the risk for both the youth and other law abiding citizens. 

Freedom Writers: Film Techniques - Stereotypes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c5pbePUc2g

Good Morning! My name is Richard LaGravenese, the Director of the 2007 film Freedom Writers; a tale of a rather new and inexperienced teacher who has been assigned to teaching and inspiring a group of “at- risk” students, a group of students who also happen to be members of opposing gangs that are considered problematic and dangerous in the face of society.

I have utilised a range of camera angles and movements in my film to help construct a profile of the life of Brandy Ross (played by Vanetta Smith) and the experiences she was facing in her unfortunate and violent household. 

The high- angle shots used upon Brandy when she was being beaten by her father in the house was utilised to place the audience in the perspective that she is small, vulnerable and relatively powerless. The high camera angle ensures that Brandy appears smaller in size and stature from the frame of the audience and her father who is beating Brandy and her mother appears to be in a position of power and significance. 

By utilising high angles, I aim to present the dominant nature of the father in the household and the way domestic violence has played a pivotal role in the families life. Her vulnerable position when being attacked represents her vulnerable stature towards society - an example of this is in the opening scene when she is closing her jacket. My use of vulnerability in her life, allows other teenagers who have been influenced by domestic violence or other forms of violence to connect and feel the true emotions she had felt by being a social outcast due to her situation at home. 

By utilising this scene, I have explored Brandy’s search for her true identity within society in the face of violence and emotional devastation. 

Continuing on with camera angles, I have utilised a closeup shot to convey a different effect to the high angle shot that talked about earlier. The closeup shot upon Marcus (played by Jason Finn)  exaggerates his facial expression in a scene when his friend shoots himself, an event that has significantly shaped his life. 

Unlike the high angle shot, the closeup shot of his facial expression aims to convey a sense of emotion and draws the viewer to share Marcus’ feeling towards the incident. Instead of portraying a sense of domination and power like the shot above, the closeup shot magnifies Marcus’ face and allows the audience to understand that he is innocent, unaware as to what is going on and that the idea of suicide is not something he is used to and or comfortable with hence his confused face and facial reaction. 

Whilst initially, following a very stereotypical storyline I have disrupted and challenged the traditional stereotype by introducing the confusion on Marcus’ face to show that what he has just witnessed is new to him and not something that happens in every ‘black persons’ life, but rather only a handful. The consequence he received as a result of being present at the crime scene (despite doing nothing wrong) however was relative to his colour and the fact that his race is looked to as the villains in every situation. By disrupting the stereotype, I have allowed the audience to gain an insight into the life of a young, African- American and allow other people who have experienced unfair consequences based on their race and colour to be able to connect with Marcus and feel what he did when he was put in juvenile detention for something he did not do or partake in, he really just was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

The narration when the teacher (played by Hilary Swank) is reading over her students diary entries convey the messages I want to portray directly to my audience opposed to messages conveyed through another character. My use of narration influences the audiences interpretation of the characters, the situation and the overall story line. 

The narration does not only allow the audience to hear the voice of the victim but more importantly, allows the audience to feel what she is feeling when recalling the unfortunate situation she was faced with. Scientists informed me when filming this scene, that the human brain react strongest to the sound of voices in films and through the use of narration, I have ensured just that. 

It allows members from the audience, to further connect with Brandy and hear her reflection upon the event, her thoughts on the event and the way she was thinking at the time of the event. By doing this, the audience is in a better position to relate to Brandy’s situation and has the opportunity to take action against domestic violence and help prevent such acts happening to other children like Brandy 

It is clear that through the use of camera angles and sound in my movie I have established a profile into the past lives of a select few students who have had experienced racial discrimination for events that students had never committed and or events in which students had no control over. 

English: The Shifting Heart, Grade 11

Introduction:

Picture yourself being an Italian immigrant in the 1950’s.

Imagine yourself stepping into a brand new country full of hope and opportunity and everywhere you go you're faced with discrimination and hate.

Imagine if you were physically and verbally abused because of your heritage.

Richard Beynon’s, The Shifting Heart is a play set in the late 1950’s in a community in Collingwood in Melbourne, Australia. The play provides the audience with an insight into the life of a lower class Italian family, the Bianchi family. Over the course of the play, the family is faced with various controversial challenges including physical and psychological challenges Italian immigrants who moved to Australia in the late 50’s were faced with. 

Richard Beynon, the author has used a Christmas tree as a symbol to explore the theme of hope throughout his play. It is through his use of the Christmas tree that we can see the Italian Immigrants perception of life in Australia in the 1950’s where foreigners were not accepted and were forced to conform with the Australian ways and traditions despite strong acts of prejudice and discrimination from third party citizens as well as fellow family members. 

Body Paragraph 1:

The first element that the audience is introduced to that represents the hope of the Bianchi family is Gino’s mature and genuine act of purchasing the Bianchi’s very first Christmas Tree for Momma as well as the the thought of including eight candles for each of the eight years the family has been in Australia. On Page 39, Momma states ‘in all that time, this; the first Christmas tree’. Her statement reflects upon her hope of a new beginning for the Bianchi family, a beginning for assimilation between the Australian and Italian culture, a beginning of maturity for Gino and a new beginning for Clarry and Maria’s near born baby. At this point in time, Beynon has positioned the audience to feel like the prejudice and discrimination the Bianchi family had faced was coming to an end and daily life was going to improve significantly. 

As Pope John Paul once said, a Christmas Tree ‘exalts the value of life’ and ‘becomes a sign of undying life’. Life in the Bianchi family at the time of the arrival of the Christmas Tree was optimistic and demonstrated Pope John Paul’s saying however, just as Christmas festivities must come to an end at one point in time and Christmas trees must come down after the Christmas period, the families happiness and optimism also comes to an end which is exhibited through Gino’s dramatic death in the latter of the play. 

Beynon’s connection between the Bianchi families dying hope has been effectively conveyed through the timing of the play coinciding with the Christmas period and the fact that all good things, which in this case was the novelty of the families very first Christmas tree must come to an end at one point in time which was expressed through Gino’s death.

Body Paragraph 2 :

The second element that the audience is introduced to that represents the hope of the Bianchi family is Gino’s gift of the Christmas tree as well as the specific number of candles that were housed within the tree.

On Page 39 Momma is quoted saying ‘Eighta years! One for each year we come to this country’.  

Gino’s gift to Momma Bianchi was a Christmas tree with eight candles. The eight candles that were gifted represented the hope the Bianchi family had of living a calm and positive life. The candle light represented Gino’s intended thoughts of providing a clear path for the family - keeping controversy and negativity away. Little does he know, life for the Bianchi family will soon take a turn for the worse resulting in his death. 

Beynon utilises the candles to position the audience into feeling a sense of direction and stability for the Bianchi family. As soon as the audience feels comfortable with the positive direction of the family, the play exhibits that the prejudice and discrimination towards Italian immigrants from the Australian community has not nearly been shifted or lost but rather increased and the hope the Bianchi once had of interacting and assimilating with the Australian community and culture was completely abolished. 

Conclusion:

It’s clear that Beynon has utilised a range of acts of prejudice and discrimination to prove that assimilation between the Italian culture and Australian culture is impossible and the hope the Bianchi family once had of the intercultural mingling was complete and utterly terminated. The hope and life of the Christmas period was merely a distraction and pause for the Bianchi family and  the eight candles that once signified a clear path for the families future is now just a set of eight ordinary candles. 

I’d like to leave you with one final quote today; as Ellie Wiesal once said ‘“No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them” ‘

Bridging the Poverty Gap!

According to the World Wealth Report, the top 10% of wealthy individuals control 86% of the entire global wealth while the ‘poorer’ half of the globe only owns 1% of the world’s wealth. 50% of the 2.2 billion children around the world live in poverty - therefore every other child lives in dire circumstances. 

While many children in established regions enjoy the luxury of learning in a multi modal environment, children in these establishing regions have limited to no access to such educational environments. 

The International Labour Organisation estimates that some 215 million children globally between the ages of 5 and 17 years have to work, so there is often no time left to attend school. 

Having personally worked with children in these establishing regions, it has been clear that if we enable children to discover the world of education we will be able to help each individual child achieve their personal dreams in today’s emerging 21st Century Digital Economy. 

Providing opportunity for a new generation to beat the poverty trap should be a key goal. However, in today’s technology based world, the traditional teaching methods in these regions represent an outdated way to address the global wealth issue. These traditional teachings include farming, mining, stitching and cleaning. 

Over the past few years, various organisations and philanthropists have attempted to help solve this global crisis in the form of providing educational technology to these regions however, only a small percentage of the underprivileged population has been able to utilise this material to create a better future. 

Take Sir Li Ka- shing for example, who’s heard of him?

When Li was 15, his father died of tuberculosis. In order to support his family, Li had to leave his education behind and work at a plastic plant. Unlike many, Li was given the unique opportunity by the plant owner to discover exactly how to operate the plant. In 1950, Li founded a plastic manufacturing company, a few years later he grew to be the largest supplier of plastic and to date is the wealthiest person in Asia with a net worth of $31.9 billion. The plant owner gifted with education gave back and allowed Li to create a better future for himself and his family. 

If us, somewhat educated individuals replicated the plant owners mentality in the future we could together empower less educated children to believe in themselves, their unique individual abilities and personal talents. It only takes something simple like giving someone who is less fortunate the opportunity to learn a new skill to help solve poverty. Alternatively, if you’re feeling a tad generous you can take the ‘mainstream’ approach of donating in the form of a cash sponsorship or through your old books to your local charity. 

Given that education is a key leverage point to tackle the negative impacts of poverty and that these children want to attend school, a renewed, 21st century style commitment to public education is essential. 

I’d like to leave you with one quote today, true intelligence is not about knowledge, but imagination. 

Aggressive Game Play in the Curriculum

“Schools are contributing to a culture of violence by offering sports that encourage aggressive game play in the curriculum”

It is clear that sports offered in schools do not encourage and or develop aggressive beliefs due to the other great teachings in the Health and Physical Education curriculum. Such sports include: Rugby, Hockey, Basketball and AFL. The sport of Rugby in particular is referred as a violent sport due to the implications on some, but can be a sport we can take life lessons from, a source of stress relief and a social experience for some. Although some say it is a dangerous sport and should be abolished from the curriculum it is a necessity in children’s lives in this day and age. Therefore, I disagree with the provided statement. 

Rugby is a sport that really harvests and develops the passion and drive towards being a parent. It depicts the tale of parenthood and raising a child. The role of a parent is to ‘lead your child’. This is quite similar to the role of a captain on the Rugby field. He must lead the team; he must encourage his team to victory and must overcome any obstacles they may face. Such actions are exhibited in parenting as a child needs a leader, someone to show them the right from the wrong. Furthermore, the art of discipline is another benefit of playing the sport of Rugby. The ideology of being strong and high spirited is essential as children need someone with such skills rather than a parent who is milquetoast and or overly laid back. Commitment is another example that reinforces the fact that Rugby is a necessity in our lives. In an 80 minute Rugby game, the players must play with force and passion to finish and hopefully win the game. When a player is tackled, play is continued and everything in the player’s power must be done to continue to remain possession of the ball. Parents require this quality so they can demonstrate to their child to never give up and keep persisting until you achieve success. They must make sure that when the child does indeed fail at a given point of time, they have the will and determination to get back up and keep running with the intensity he/ she came with. Violence in Rugby overshadows this point and if played within the rules can be a game in which violence in the sport is a minority.  

The elements incorporated by the game of Rugby: stamina, mental and physical strength and fitness help release the stress in modern day society. The energy put towards playing such a high intensity sport is extreme and provides children a fresh outlook on life. It can release large amounts of tension and anxiety due and can be a method of reaction from day to day stress. It also de- clutters the brain of thoughts and helps the child see straight in stressful times. Though stress is a common factor in violence, if these elements are combined when playing the game this should not be an issue. (Better Health Channel, Rugby- Health Benefits) 

The above text highlights the many reasons why Rugby is a necessity in our school lives. It provides the child the foundation of many important lessons for later in life, helps to relieve stress and helps with the social life of a child. With the correct equipment and the element of sportsmanship from both teams, Rugby is a tremendous addition to the curriculum. 

• 2010, 5 Lessons Rugby Taught me,http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/12/09/5-lessons-rugby-taught-me-about-fatherhood/
• Better Health Channel, Rugby- Health Benefits, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rugby
• Greek, 2011, Social Benefits of Rugby, http://allbestessays.com/Social-Issues/Social-Benefits-Rugby/1733.html

SOSE, Japanese Whaling, Grade 10

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

The following report will outline the various features of whaling: practises, prevention and action. 

Whales are magnificent, large and unique animals on planet Earth (Greenpeace Foundation). Every year, the Japanese whaling fleet sail thousands of kilometres each year cruelly eliminate the whales in the Southern Ocean. 

These animals are primarily hunted for their rare meat and highly priced oil (National Geographic). Organisations such as Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society help prevent such catastrophic incidents from happening in the sea. This report however will focus on the Japanese whaling fleet. This report will outline and describe whaling, prevention of such acts and the affects it has had both on the environment and the great animals. 

2.0 WHALING PRACTISES: 

Although in the modern day, the general public around the world is highly against the act. The practise of Japanese whaling has significantly developed over time and killing a whale in the modern day has been assisted with many new technological methods thanks to portions of Japanese tax money assisting with research in such equipment. 

A general Japanese whaling ship is equipped with whaling sonar system. When the ship is in the surroundings of a whale, a 30 gram penthrite grenade armed harpoon is shot into the whale. If the grenade armed harpoon is not shot cleanly, another harpoon is fired and or a high calibre rifle is used to finish the deadly act (Animal Planet, 2014). 

This method of killing is truly terrible and costs associated with doing so is tremendous. However, the Japanese government still persists with the act. 

3.0 PREVENTION:

In 1946, eighty governments from countries around the world joined to form the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The International Whaling Commission is the global body in charge of conservation of whales and the management of whaling (International Whaling Commission, 2014). 

In 1982, the Whaling Commission called for a moratorium on commercial whaling. Japan was allowed to whale purely for scientific purposes while Norway was allowed to hunt for meat. 

Although, many species of whales have benefitted from the moratorium, organisations are still trying to prevent whaling in general (National Geographic). In 2012- 2013, Japan killed 445 whales in which they claimed was for ‘scientific purposes’ (WDC).  

This claim is false as they have been constantly been caught selling the meat and oil of the whale for a high price even before any testing on whales had been conducted. (Thornton, 2010) Figure 1, which is depicted below proves that countries with the scientific permits are abusing this right to commit the deadly act of whaling and kills are rapidly increasing over time. 

It has been clear that many global anti- whaling campaigns such as Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherds have prevented the whaling craze in Japan and subsequently the Japanese people have begun to oppose the act of whaling and as a country, have rapidly tried to decrease their consumption of whale meat. Despite the decline of demand for whale meat, the whaling industry has continually has been growing in Japan due to Japanese tax subsidiaries. Though, financially whaling is a loss (a mere US$22 million total turnover in 2008), the Japanese government will not concede to a somewhat ‘defeat’ as they have been fighting this act for many years and some say, would cause shame to the acting government as it has been a Japanese tradition for many years.  

4.0 ACTION: 

Though commercial whaling has been abolished, few countries such as- Norway, Iceland and Japan have continued to whale under the ‘scientific research’ act. Worldwide, the general public considers whaling to be a cruel, unnecessary and harsh act. In order to take action, if everyone were to put pressure on the whaling governments, whales will remain protected for many, many more years (Yeovil Innovation Centre). Furthermore, by signing petitions organised by anti- whaling committees, there is better chance they will be heard and respected (Sea Sheppard, 2013). 

5.0 CONCLUSION:

It has become evident over the last year that the general public and political voices around the world have made a significant difference in the world of whaling. On the 31^st of March, 2014 the International Whaling Commission ruled that the Japanese had to cease its whaling hunt in the Antarctic. This was a tremendous win for the anti- whaling committees and has given them a drive to stop the Japanese whaling in the Pacific. With the constant help and support of the public, we can help to stop whaling all together! 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Green Peace Foundation, Campaign Information, http://www.greenpeacefoundation.org/action/campInfo.cfm?campId=12
• World Animal Protection, http://www.wspa-international.org/wspaswork/whaling/
• Australian Government, Marine, http://www.environment.gov.au/node/18367
• Thornton S, 2010, Big Fish: A Brief History of Whaling, http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/news/big-fish-history-whaling/?ar_a=1
• International Whaling Commission, 2014, Whales, http://iwc.int/home
• WWF, 2014, Whales killed by whaling since moratorium, www.iwf.panda.org
• www.Cgeorgemuler.com
• WDC, Whaling in Japan, http://uk.whales.org/issues/whaling-in-japan
• International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Economics of Japanese Whaling, http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/economics-of-japanese-whaling-japan-ifaw.pdf
• J. Sakuma, The Disastrous Results, Volume 51
• http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/wildlife_and_habitats/australian_priority_species/whales/threats_to_whales/whaling/whaling_faqs/
• Animal Planet, 2014, About Whaling, http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/whale-wars/about-whaling/japanese-whalers-how-japanese-kill-whales.htm
• Yeovil Innovation Centre, Whales, http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/whales-saving-the-whales/100
• Sea Sheppard, 2013, Sea Sheppard Needs Your Help To Save Whales & Help Captain Watson, http://www.seashepherd.org/news88-and-media/2013/01/29/sea-shepherd-needs-your-help-to-save-whales-and-help-captain-watson-1481

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease of a faulty secretory gland (National Institute of Health, 2014). In 1938, Dorothy Andersen of Columbia University performed various autopsies upon children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Following on from the tests, Andersen released an in-depth report into the effects of the disease. The report concluded that in most, if not all cases, the pancreas was always ‘destroyed’. Andersen named the disease “cystic fibrosis of the pancreas” (Scientific American, 1995). The faulty gene caused by cystic fibrosis controls the movement of salt and water in and out of body cells, so the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it difficult to breathe or digest (Cystic Fibrosis Trust Registered Charity, 2014). It was reported that the incidence of cystic fibrosis in Australia was 1 in 2800 births and about 1 in 25 people were carriers of the genetic mutation (Philip Robinson, 2011). This essay will explore and analyse the various elements of the deadly disease ranging from screening, treatment, and its unfortunate implications upon Jonothan Jackson. 

Cystic Fibrosis can only occur when both parents of a child are carriers of the gene that causes the disease. In Section A of the Appendix, a graph of this process is provided. Carriers generally do not show symptoms of cystic fibrosis however when two carriers conceive a child together, there is a 25% chance that the newborn will have cystic fibrosis. In Section C of the Appendix, a punnet square that represents the figure above is provided. Cystic Fibrosis carrier screening is a genetic test that determines if one has changes to the cystic fibrosis gene. Either a blood or saliva sample is required for the screening. While the screening is optional, the results can be used to make the right decision when attempting to reproduce or thinking about reproducing (Cystic Fibrosis Australia, 2014). After birth, every newborn baby in Australia has the opportunity to undergo screening to identify whether the baby is at risk of any genetic disease. The test is safe and only a few drops of blood are required from the baby’s heel. The benefit of taking this test is early detection. Many disorders can be resolved if diagnosed early and prompt treatment is taken, more information about treatment will be discussed below (Better Health Channel, 2014). 

The signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis can differ depending on the intensity of the disease. Screening of newborn children is a standard procedure in Australia and all 50 states in the United States of America. The mucus that clogs the lungs and digestive organs can cause a persistent cough, wheezing, breathlessness, lung infections, salty sweat or an inflamed nasal passage. Symptoms of the disease include poor weight gain, intestinal blockage and severe constipation (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Being 30 years old, Jonothan currently may be suffering from various problems and without having treatment for such an extended period, could be detrimental. He potentially may be facing lung damage, lung scarring and poor lung function. (Genetech, 2014) 

Cystic Fibrosis is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which effectively means that both copies of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator or CFTR gene in each cell have mutations. The CFTR gene provides instructions for making a channel that transports negatively charged particles called chloride ions in and out of cells. Chloride is a component of sodium chloride, a common salt found in sweat. The flow of chloride helps control the movement of water in tissues- necessary for the production of mucus (National Institute of Health, 2014).

Unfortunately, cystic fibrosis does not have a cure. However researchers over the past few years have discovered that a number of treatments significantly help in curing cystic fibrosis. Goals in conquering cystic fibrosis include: preventing and controlling lung infections, loosening and removing sticky mucus from the lungs, preventing and treating blockages in the intestines, providing enough nutrition and preventing dehydration. Main treatments for controlling lung infections generally are through physical chest therapy, exercise and medicines. Treatments for digestive problems consist of having a well- balanced diet based around calories, fat and protein (National Institute of Health, 2014). A Brisbane based company with the name of HSK Instruments, has developed a revolutionary product called Pepster to help cystic fibrosis patients with their respiratory physiotherapy. Essentially, the respiratory physiotherapy is completed in a game like environment and the data from the exercises is collected and given to the doctor managing the patient (HSK Instruments, 2014) 

In the case of Mr Jonothan Jackson, it can be viewed in two ways: from the airports view and Mr Jackson and his family.  From the airports point of view, it is clear that a perfectly healthy air traffic controller is a necessity as the role is extremely hands on and requires the utmost of attention due to the intensity of the role. A condition like cystic fibrosis could potentially be detrimental and could cause the killing of hundreds of people travelling around the world as the effects of the disease include coughing up blood sporadically, Pneumothorax (build-up of air between the lungs and the chest wall that causes the lung to collapse) (Healthwise Incorporated, 2013). From Mr Jackson’s view, the financial implications could be catastrophic as cystic fibrosis treatment is expensive and if unemployed, he may not be able to afford the necessary treatment he requires to fight the disease.  

In regards to the question regarding whether his medical condition should be passed on to a future employer. The information should indeed be passed on as his condition significantly affects many of the body’s systems, more notably the lungs and digestive system. If Mr Jackson were to suffer from one of the many physical effects of cystic fibrosis whilst on the job, it could cause significant danger to others. Therefore, it can be justified that if his current employers inform his potential future employers about his medical condition it would be fair. Alternatively, a part time job that allows him to work with flexible hours would be ideal. Jobs that include physical ability would be perfect as physical exercise builds stamina, which stimulates endorphins and improves cardio- fitness (Cystic Fibrosis Australia, 2014). Such jobs include delivering mail and youth and community work (University of Kent, 2012). 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

WEBSITES: 

National Institute of Health, 2014,What is Cystic Fibrosis?  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cf/

Cystic Fibrosis Trust Registered Charity, 2014, What is Cystic Fibrosis? http://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/about-cf/what-is-cystic-fibrosis

Robinson P, 2011, Cystic Fibrosis in Australia, 2009: results from a data registry, https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/195/7/cystic-fibrosis-australia-2009-results-data-registry

World Health Organization, 2014, Genes and human disease, http://www.who.int/genomics/public/geneticdiseases/en/index2.html#CF

Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide, 2014, http://www.cfww.org/about/article/400/What_is_Cystic_Fibrosis 

Cystic Fibrosis Australia, 2014, http://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/all/learn/ 

Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012, Cystic Fibrosis, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/basics/symptoms/con-20013731

Better Health Channel, 2014, Newborn Screening, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Newborn_screening 

Healthwise Incorporated, 2013, Cystic Fibrosis Topic Overview, http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/cystic-fibrosis-topic-overview

Genetech, 2014, Cystic Fibrosis Progression, http://www.pulmozyme.com/understanding/cf-progression.html 

Scientific American, 1995, Cystic Fibrosis, https://www.msu.edu/~luckie/cfarticle.html 

University of Kent, 2012, Careers and Employability Service, http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/outdoor-careers.htm  

HSK Instruments, 2014, Pepster by HSK Instruments, http://hskinstruments.com/more.html 

VIDEOS:

Khan Academy, 2014, What is Cystic Fibrosis?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucbxYIVztz8 

2011, What is cystic fibrosis? Animation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMAOEOmLoUE 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2014, 2014 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORURXnKjCso 

Mauch R, 2013, Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Disease, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItSsVJPQEY 

Wineland C, 2014, What is Cystic Fibrosis?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWWpPAXFEFs 

BOOKS:

Karen Hopkin, 2010, Understanding Cystic Fibrosis.

David M. Orenstein, Jonathan E. Spahr, Daniel J. Weiner, 2012, Cystic Fibrosis- A Guide for Patient and Family. 

Sharon Giddlings, 2009, Cystic Fibrosis

Judy Monroe, 2001, Cystic Fibrosis- Perspectives on Disease and Illness

Ruth Bjorklund, 2008, Cystic Fibrosis

Allison Peebles, Judi Maddison, 2005, Cystic Fibrosis Care: A Practical Guide 

DNA and RNA

• Proteins are made of long chains of amino acids. There are 20 different types of amino acid from which to make proteins
• Transcription: the process of making a copy of mRNA from DNA, means transcribing or copy, transcription takes place in the nucleus, where DNA is located
• Translation: The process of turning mRNA into protein is called translation, translation takes place in the cytoplasm where the ribosomes are located
• Genes: made up of DNA, organised into larger structures called chromosomes 
• Chromosomes: tiny thread- like structures
• DNA Replication: New double strands form by complementary base pairing, the DNA ‘unzips’ to form single strands, occurs before cell division and ensures that all daughter cells have identical genes, DNA helix uncoils and acts as a template for the new complementary strand. 
• DNA is semi- conservative: occurs before mitosis/ meiosis during interphase 
• DNA Replication: DNA unwinds with help from Helicase, free nucleotides form complimentary bonds with DNA strand- both sides, New DNA strand forms with help of DNA Polymerase

Economics: Flight Centre and Visy and Amcor

1.0 MARKET STRUCTURES: 

In the world of economists, there are a range of different market structures. These structures include: Monopolies, in which there is only one producer/ seller for a product. Gaining entry in such a market is restricted due to the high costs associated in the entry. An example of a Monopoly market place is in Saudi Arabia where the government has full control and rights over the oil industry. (Investopedia)

The Oligopoly market place is structured in such a way where there only few firms in a particular industry. The few firms in that industry have full control over the price and like a Monopoly marketplace; Oligopolies have high barriers to enter the market place. (Investopedia)

Perfect competition, is when there are many buyers and sellers and when there are many products and services. Due to the many sellers, there are many substitutes in the market. In a perfect competition marketplace, there are very few barriers of entry and the price is determined by the consumers and no one can affect the market. (Investopedia)

Monopolistic Competition market places include many firms that produce similar but not perfectly substitutable products. (Investopedia) Each of the firms make an independent decision on pricing and there are very few barriers of entry and exit. (Economics Online)

2.0 ANTI- COMPETITIVE ACTS:

Anti- competitive practises include ways that limit or prevent competition in the market place. This is against the law! (ACCC) 

Common anti- competitive practises include: dumping- company sells a product in a competitive market at a loss, exclusive dealing- a retailer or wholesaler is obliged by contract to only purchase from contracted suppliers, price fixing- companies collude prices, refusal to deal- two companies agree not to use a certain supplier and dividing territories- agreement by two companies to stay out of each other’s way. Criminal penalties of such acts can be up to $220, 000 per offence and or up to 10 years of imprisonment.  (Australian Government)

3.0 ACCC:

The ACCC is Australia’s competition regulator and national consumer law champion. They mainly promote market competition and fair trading. (ACCC) It was formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practises Act 1974 and Consumer Act 2010. 

The ACCC’s primary role is to educate both consumers and businesses as to their rights and responsibilities in these acts. As well as to improve market conduct, use resources efficiently and effectively enhance competition in our regulatory activities. (Scam Watch) 

4.0 FLIGHT CENTRE: 

On the 28^th of March, 2014. Flight Centre was ordered to pay penalties of a whopping $11 million for infringing the Trade Practises Act on six occasions between 2006 and 2010. (ACCC)

 The company attempted to enter anti- competitive arrangements with three international airlines: Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. Flight Centre wanted to eliminate differences in the air fare by attempting to induce the above airlines to enter into a price fixing arrangement. More specifically, Flight Centre wanted to stop these three major airlines from offering and booking their own fares at prices less than what Flight Centre offered. (Bainbridge A, 2013) 

Between 2005 and 2009, representatives of Flight Centre sent multiple emails to the three airlines to induce the airlines to begin price fixing. Flight Centre did not dispute that the alleged emails has been sent to the different airlines but had a very different idea of how it should have been interpreted. They claim that the communication was in the context of a principal- agent relationship in which Flight Centre was the agent and was trying to gain assurance that they were being given access to the same air travel service as other travel agencies. (ACCC) 

The Flight Centre price fixing scandal was so the company could obtain the benefit of prices greater than those which would be obtained in a competitive market and be able to state that they are the cheapest in the air fare market place. (ACCC)

5.0 VISY AND AMCOR:

Another example of the illegal act of price fixing was committed by Visy and Amcor, the cardboard box giants. (Sydney Morning Herald, 2011)

Between the two companies, Visy and Amcor had control over around 90% of the corrugated fibre packaging market segment. This segment was worth between $1.8- 2 billion per year. In the span of 2000- 2004, the two companies joined forces to raise prices of their products while also maintaining their particular market shares. (ACCC) 

The two companies consulted with each other to coordinate frequent price rises and customer quotes. (Main A, 2011) If a customer were to receive quotes from the other company, they would swap information regarding that particular transaction to ensure that the competitors quote was higher than the other. (ACCC)

 The ACCC was seeking declarations, injuctions, pecuniary penalties, orders relating to trade practises training or compliance programs and costs from Visy and Amcor. (ACCC) 

Both Visy and Amcor reached a $95 million settlement in a class action against their price fixing scandal. Amcor will pay two thirds of the settlements and Visy will pay one third. (Mallesons, 2006) The cartel went on for almost five years and had it not been formally reported, would have still been active. (ACCC)

• Investopedia, Market Structures, http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics6.asp
• Economics Online, Monopolistic Competition, http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Business_economics/Monopolistic_competition.html 
• Australian Government, Anti- competitive Behaviour,  http://www.accc.gov.au/business/anti-competitive-behaviour 
• http://www.australiancompetitionlaw.org/overview.html 
• Australian Government, 2014, About ACCC, http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694363 
• http://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/11-million-penalties-imposed-on-flight-centre 
• Bainbridge A, 2013, Flight Centre loses ACCC case on attempts to price fix with major airlines, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-06/accc-flight-centre-judgement/5141294 
• Main A, 2011, Visy, Amcor payout a cartel record, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/visy-amcor-payout-a-cartel-record/story-e6frg8zx-1226019365905 
• Sydney Morning Herald, 2011, Amcor, Visy settle for $95 million, http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/amcor-visy-settle-for-95-million-20110310-1bomq.html 
• Mallesons , 2006, The Visy cartel proceedings- a roadmap, http://www.mallesons.com/publications/marketAlerts/2006/Documents/8275376w.htm