FAIRFAX CHAT
Dear editor,
In January, our Federal MP Ted O’Brien verbally agreed to take part in a much-needed community conversation about nuclear power when approached by the President of our Marcoola Community Group – Susie Chapman, on behalf of many confused residents. A number of other community groups agreed to co-host the event on the North Shore, and she wrote to Ted with a suggested date at the end of March. Despite a number of promises that his office would get back to her, and after many emails and phone calls, she has heard not a word. I can only think that Ted doesn’t care about us, or perhaps he doesn’t feel comfortable having the conversation with his constituency. Or could there be a third possibility, that they’re keen to let nuclear drop off the agenda?
M & A Middlebrook,
Marcoola.
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POLITICAL PROMISES
Dear editor,
The election has brought a wave of promised tomorrows from our politicians.
They are often accompanied by unsubstantiated accusations, dodgy statistics, and misinformation reflecting Mark Twain’s statement that, “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled.”
President John F Kennedy observed, “Too often we prefer the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”
In the struggle to win power, President Ronald Reagan noted, “Governments tend to solve problems only to rearrange them.”
He added, “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: if it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it.”
William Mackenzie agreed that “The promises of yesterday are the taxes of today.”
Emma Goldman said, “Politicians promise you heaven before the election and give you hell after.”
Mark Twain observed, “A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.”
He offered a solution when he said wryly, “Politicians and diapers must be changed often and for the same reason.”
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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PENSION SUMS
Dear editor,
Australia’s population, a historical 27 million, has the highest growth after Labor allowed one million to immigrate, expecting another million if it wins the May 3 election.
The Coalition will restrict annual intake to 250,000. Most immigrants settle on the coast and in major cities. What is a critical need is a skilled immigration workforce to supplement Australia’s skills shortage, as it was post WW2.
Of Australia’s citizens over 16 years, approximately 5 million [according to March 31, 2023, statistics] depend on government income support, 1.3 million require rental assistance and 423,000 live in social housing. Taxpayers, royalties and indirect taxes support this scheme.
As well as the number of politicians who presently exist to run federal, state and local governments and programmes, taxpayers foot the bill for the unemployed and pensioners, bureaucrats and politicians’ salaries, perks, bonuses and life-long gold cards and generous superannuation payouts – the envy of ordinary taxpayers working to retirement age.
Are we overrepresented? A basic federal senator’s salary of $ 250,000 is supplemented by bonuses and perks, not available to taxpayers footing the bill. Most taxpayers find the highest cost of living in Australia’s history, will, upon retirement, if it is still a viable option, force them to rely on the old age pension.
Labor’s legacy to Australians, now and in the future, is an alarming $1 trillion dollars deficit with interest, a historical deficit, after just three years in Federal Government. Labor’s focus for the first 18 months: “The Voice ” referendum failed miserably, at a high cost to taxpayers. It is expected that generations of children yet unborn will pay for Labor’s three years of fiscal incompetence, robbing them of a high standard of living their forefathers worked and died for. Their motto doubtfully will be: ” Advance Australia Fair” into their future.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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ENERGY CLAIMS
Dear editor,
Des Deighton’s letter repeated the urban myth that wind turbines damage the health of those living nearby. Comparative studies show there is no systematic evidence for this belief. A New Zealand study found that there was no difference between people exposed to the noise from wind turbines and a control group that wasn’t. Millions of Australians now have solar panels on their rooftops, with no harm to their health. On the other hand, many of us are now suffering from extreme weather events resulting from climate change, while whole regions have been rendered uninhabitable by the nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima. Health risks should be evaluated by measurement and data, not the repetition of urban myths.
Ian Lowe, Marcoola
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HEALTH MATTERS
Dear editor,
An issue for candidates seeking our votes is where they stand on health. It is a concern that spans Australians, young and old, families and single people, rural and urban dwellers.
“You can have a thousand problems in life until you have a health problem. Then you only have one. Money, relationships, and stress fade away in the shadow of it.
“Health isn’t just something you have – it’s everything. When your health is compromised, every little thing becomes harder. Dreams get put on hold. Happiness feels distant and life’s colours start to fade.”
These are words from the heart of a true statesman – Nelson Mandela.
We need our politicians to attain this level of sincere understanding with policies to maintain our health.
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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ELECTION SIGNS
Dear editor
With the calling of the Federal election, I ask you make all candidates aware of DTMR & Council regulations on the placement of election signage.
The regulations state,
1. No election signage can be installed on public roads footpaths or parklands until writs have been issued for the Federal election.
2. When writs are issued signage on roadways, such as the Sunshine Coast Motorway, where the posted speed limit is in excess of 80kmph cannot be located within six metres of the roadway.
3. When writs are issued roads with a speed limit lower than 80kmph cannot be within 3.5 metres of the roadway.
This is a road safety issue not only for motorist but also those installing signs on motorways without necessary safety requirements when working within six metres of a 100kmph roadway.
Any signage incorrectly installed should not be touched but reported to Sunshine Coast Council or the Department of Transport.
Colin Caudell (Road Safety Advocate),
Coolum Beach.
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MONEY MANAGEMENT
Dear editor
The LNP wants to put us back on track, is that back on track to near trillion-dollar debt, inflation at 6.1%, wages stagnating, poor job growth, etc.?
How they will do it remains a mystery. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a few policies, but no real detail and no costings. They will come soon, he says.
During the State campaign, David Crisafulli kept saying the same until he finally released costings and details one day before election day.
Will Mr Dutton do the same with no time for proper scrutiny by the voters, and when a third will have voted. They have had three years to prepare the details.
Can we afford to go back to an LNP government? They had created two-thirds of the debt they left behind before COVID; wrecked trade with our biggest trading partner, no, not the USA but China; had scandal after scandal. Dutton’s team has lost a few senior members and some of those left may not survive the election.
After just three years and turning our economy around from what they inherited, the IMF has placed Australia second in the world for budget management among G20 nations behind Canada. All down to the prudent and responsible economic management by Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and the rest of the Albanese Labor government.
Who really are the better economic managers we need in these very uncertain times?
Robyn Deane,
Nambour.
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OLYMPIC STADIUM
Dear editor,
A green space like NY Central Park or Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens for an ever-growing crowded city, or a new stadium seating 63,000 fans for Brisbane’s future? Nah- the roar of the crowd near a hospital precinct- that’s the future.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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