Exercise keeps the brain healthy: research

PEOPLE who do regular physical activity have healthier brains and reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a report released to mark dementia awareness week.

Apart from overall health benefits, physical activity significantly improves brain health, says Dr Maree Farrow, co-author of a paper released by Alzheimer's Australia and Fitness Australia.

"About half of Alzheimer's disease cases are potentially attributable to risk factors you can change," says Dr Farrow, whose paper is based on recent Australian and international research.

A study by US researchers shows that around 13 per cent of Alzheimer's disease cases are attributable to physical inactivity.

And Australian research shows a small increase in the number of physically active people could have a dramatic impact on the number of dementia cases.

It is normal for the brain to shrink a little as people age, says Dr Farrow. But this is reduced in people who engage in regular physical activity.

"Whatever your stage of life, being fit and healthy matters," Dr Farrow says.

"We can't yet cure dementia but we can reduce our risk by simply becoming more physically active," says Fitness Australia CEO Lauretta Stace.

"This can be as easy as going for a regular walk."

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Chief scientist unfazed by cabinet lineup

AUSTRALIA'S chief scientist Professor Ian Chubb has played down concerns about the incoming coalition government's failure to appoint a dedicated federal science minister.

The move by prime minister-elect Tony Abbott, which will see some areas of science come under the industry portfolio, has drawn community and Labor criticism and even sparked outcry from within the Liberal Party.

But Prof Chubb said supporting the future of science was about more than a ministerial title.

"If you look at the federal budget, science is spread over 14 portfolios already, so putting another one in there doesn't really make a huge amount of difference," Prof Chubb told ABC TV.

He said Australia needed to adopt a strategic approach to science which he hoped would involve a number of federal ministers and portfolios, with the support of the prime minister.

"The real benefit is when you have a senior minister with influence and a bit of power, who's passionate about science and whether they carry the title or not is a separate issue," Prof Chubb said.

The chief scientist's response was less passionate than that of Western Australian Liberal Dennis Jensen, who said "science is in crisis" and needed expert decision-making at a federal government level.

"We've got a minister for sport, for God's sake, but we don't have a minister for science," he told ABC TV, taking a swipe at the decision of his own party.

Acting Labor leader Chris Bowen said the omission of a federal science minister, who has been in place since the 1930s, showed the "botched" coalition cabinet line-up.

Prof Chubb - who is also a member of the Climate Change Authority, due to be scrapped by the incoming government - admitted there had been value in a dedicated science minister, but said a "whole of government" approach was the way forward.

On the topic of climate change, he said Australia should not ignore the evidence, describing as "silly" people who dismissed it as a myth.

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Push for big booze clubs to pay more fees

BOOZE-SERVING venues in NSW should pay much higher licence fees more frequently to help pay for the cost of alcohol abuse, health and community groups say.

Alcohol abuse costs the NSW government $1.029 billion annually but only $1.09 million is collected from licensees, the NSW/ACT Alcohol Policy Alliance (NAAPA) said.

It argues in favour of annual "risk-based licence" fees, substantially higher than the one-off $5000 application fee paid by some large establishments.

A hotel licence costs $2000 but an additional application fee is charged for extending trade beyond midnight.

The highest fee, though, for a late-trading authorisation is $3000, which allows premises to keep the grog flowing between 2am until 5am.

Venues should be charged according to their capacity and opening hours, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, chief Michael Thorn said.

Under the NAAPA scheme, for example, the Sydney CBD mega-club The Ivy would have to pay $25,184 per year, the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club would pay $16,790 while the Coogee Bay Hotel would pay $20,387, each year for their licences.

"Liquor licenses should never have been granted in perpetuity," Mr Thorn said.

"The paltry one-off application fee that licensees are currently paying is not enough. An annual fee would return both equity and accountability to a system severely lacking in both."

In its submission to the statutory review of the NSW Liquor Act 2007 and the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007, the NAAPA also advocates earlier closing times, late-night lock-outs and the abolition of 24-hour licences.

"Studies have shown that assaults occur most frequently at licensed premises after midnight," the submission states.

"Standard closing times for all on-licence premises across NSW from Monday to Saturday should be midnight, with extended trading venues limited to 3am and lock-outs no later than 1am."

The NAAPA also wants small bars - those that have patronage limits of 60 - to be governed by "the same rules and regulations as other licence types".

"One quarter of the total costs of alcohol abuse to the NSW community are criminal justice costs," the NAAPA submission says.

"The modest one-off licensing application fees currently paid by NSW liquor licensees do not even come close to recovering these substantial costs."

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Abbott springs into action on day one

EDS: STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 (AEST) September 18, 2013

CANBERRA, Sept 18 AAP - The big day has arrived for Tony Abbott and the new prime minister will not stand still, with plans to launch into key legislation to scrap the carbon tax and crack down on asylum seeker arrivals.

After Wednesday morning's visit to the Governor General's Canberra residence, where Mr Abbott and his coalition cabinet will officially take on their new roles, he plans to head to Parliament House and get to work.

"Today is not just a ceremonial day, it's an action day. The Australian people expect us to get straight down to business and that's exactly what this government will do," Mr Abbott said in a statement.

Top of the to-do list will be instructing the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to set in motion moves to repeal the carbon tax.

Incoming treasurer Joe Hockey will be tasked with directing the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to suspend its operations.

Moves will also be made on Mr Abbott's "stand or fall issue": Operation Sovereign Borders.

"It's so important that we send a message to the people smugglers that, from today, their business model is coming to an end," Mr Abbott said.

He is expected to name Deputy Chief of Army Angus Campbell as head of the operation, which includes turning back asylum-seeker boats when it's safe to do so.

It is understood Major General Campbell, a former SAS commander, will take charge of the operation and be promoted to the three-star rank of Lieutenant-General, with special operations commander Major General Gus Gilmore as his deputy.

Wednesday is Mr Abbott's "day one", when he has long promised to make a difference on the number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat without a visa.

The Immigration Department will stop granting permanent protection visas and instead reintroduce temporary protection visas for those who arrive by boat, while permanent residency will be denied to those who have already arrived.

The start of government business might come as a welcome relief for Mr Abbott, who has faced widespread criticism, including from within his own party, for naming just one woman in his cabinet of 19.

"We will deliver results for the Australian people from day one and live up to our pledge to have a safe, secure Australia and a strong, prosperous economy," Mr Abbott said.

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Penthouse mag owner files for bankruptcy

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