ICAC
Dear editor,
If it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, would a Federal ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) find all the Quacks and bad eggs in the chook pen? Just asking.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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FRENCH SUBS
Dear editor,
In his column last week Ted O’Brien said that the new AUKUS security partnership and the decision to switch from the French conventional submarines to nuclear-powered subs is about keeping Australians safe.
PM Morrison seriously bungled the decision to unceremoniously dump the contract with France’s Naval Group. This has seriously harmed our relationship with France and damaged our standing worldwide as a nation that can be trusted to stick with a deal.
In a recent opinion piece, former PM Kevin Rudd, said if, after many years coming to the decision to go with the French subs, as well as contracting for them to be changed from nuclear to conventional boats, why didn’t Mr Morrison follow basic protocol and notify France of Australia’s change of course? And why not then call for competitive tenders from the USA, the UK and France?
Due to this government’s scraping the French subs, the Australian taxpayer will be out of pocket with figures of over $4 billion being cited.
In the meantime, we will be spending big on keeping the old Collins Class subs in service well past their use-by-date, on top of footing the bill for the much more expensive nuclear-powered subs which will hopefully be delivered by 2040; but, as with such procurements, who really can be sure?
So, Mr O’Brien had better hope diplomacy prevails and there are no conflicts anytime soon in our region, and preferably after 2040. Take note any potential enemies!
Robyn Deane,
Bli Bli.
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GRAFFITI
Dear editor,
Graffiti hoons deface anything they regard as a blank canvas. They pay for tins of spray paint and the public pays to remove the tags, which identify culprits. It is an expensive crime to erase and eradicate. It is a global issue, which has yet to be resolved, despite anti-graffiti laws. Few perpetrators are convicted, although they are easily identified.
The most recent guilty party, “LAKS”, has defaced public property around the Sunshine Coast Airport and Pacific Paradise shops. Using black and orange paint, this tag is the latest effort in vandalism in the Northshore area. Very few of these graffiti “artists” are caught or prosecuted. It is the public, which tolerates this crime in their community. It is the public who wears the cost in rates and taxes, courtesy of these mindless criminals who think it’s a game for fame.
It is also the public, which can identify them from their notorious “tags”. The fools think they are clever, drawing attention to themselves. However, their notoriety is soon their demise, when members of the public can name and shame the culprits. Anyone who recognises “LAKS”, should report the guilty party to the police, in the best interests of the public.
The graffiti “artists” lack of respect of person and property in our society, is symptomatic of a decline in morals and ethics. The laws themselves cannot control the incessant need for recognition and infamy, by those whose goal is breaking the law by any means available.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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