Dissatisfaction with immigration grows
Immigration has increased considerably since the late 1990s and between 2004 and 2007 the proportion of voters who want the intake to be reduced rose from 34 per cent to 46 per cent. While support for a reduction was highest in New South Wales, this support was already high in 2004. In relative terms support for a reduction rose most strongly in Victoria. This may be because, over the four-year period, Melbourne absorbed a greater proportion of Australia’s population growth than any other region. Despite growing electoral disquiet, the new Labor Government is increasing the immigration program to record levels.
More 'relaxed and comfortable': public opinion on immigration under Howard
In the last two years, polled opinion on immigration has shifted; whereas earlier surveys indicated that most Australians thought the migrant intake too high, surveys taken after the 1998 election and 1999 referendum point to a public which is more evenly divided. This paper sets out the evidence for this shift and defends its validity; it points to possible reasons for the change; and it explores the relationship between policy-making and public opinion on immigration, pursuing the implications for opponents of immigration who seek to base their case for lower population growth on opinion-poll data.
Right coronary artery stenosis associated with tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty
A 70-year-old man with severe symptomatic functional mitral valve regurgitation underwent successful mitral valve repair combined with tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty. Pre-operative coronary angiography (CAG) showed no significant stenosis. One-and-a-half years later, the patient presented with an acute exacerbation of heart failure. Repeat CAG demonstrated tight stenosis in the right coronary artery (RCA) with arterial kinking that corresponded to the same point as the stenosis where the RCA is the closest to the tricuspid valve ring. The new lesion probably occurred as a consequence of the tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty.