ADVERTISER PRAISE
Dear editor,
Reading the Advertiser is uplifting! Some of the people amongst us truly give hope that future community building will be strong. Coolum High is in great hands! Mr Ascott is quite clearly a person of exceptional integrity and ability. His highlighting of both students and the incredible work of teachers, couched in a thoroughly, communitarian context are the hallmarks of a great dedicated educator. All this built upon the foundational work done by the team at Coolum Primary.
Mr Gibson reminds us of the ephemeral beauty of trees/plants, yes, they talk to each other AND share nutrients via underground networks. Remember planting is great, but the importance of preserving older trees is orders of magnitude higher. Their services to a healthy biosphere are incalculable. History speaks of amazing resilience (thanks F.Windolf). Lest We Forget …
Dylan White,
Coolum Beach.
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TAX SPENDING
Dear editor,
I find myself agreeing with Robyn Deane that the avoidance of corporate tax would indeed make most Australians angry.
Creative accounting may be at the core, but we should remember that without deductions such as depreciation and other perfectly legal deductions, many projects would simply not get off the ground which in turn would deny expanding work opportunities.
I must correct one error in the correspondence which asserts that “Government can only spend what it gets in tax revenue.”
Way off the mark, because all Governments borrow – Federal, State and Local, and they borrow to the hilt and then they spend it. This is the problem, Australians expect more than the tax revenue delivers so, wanting to appease the electorate the Government borrows. We do not live within our means.
Peter Bayliss,
Peregian Springs.
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JUVELINES
Dear editor,
In times past, the acceptable adage was, “It takes took a village to raise a child.” It was a simpler time, when both parents, relatives and neighbours took responsibility for children’s welfare and being accountable for children’s behaviour. Today, some home lives are designated as “dysfunctional”, brought on by poverty, family breakdown or homelessness.
Children who live with dysfunctionality, or are left to their own devices, unsupervised, roam free without boundaries. They are often denied the luxuries they witness in areas where income is prevalent. This is more the norm than the exception. On the whole, low socio-economic suburbs are more likely to find life a struggle. Unemployment means that many children live without life’s basics, below the poverty line.
To improve their lot, even for a short period, they learn how to overcome, albeit unlawfully, the negative impact of poverty. Many join forces, planning to stretch the limits of their existence to experience an adrenalin rush. Youth crime is the result of failed policies, rhetoric, and forces beyond the control of families struggling to survive both poverty and relationship breakdown. Any attempt to deal with its symptoms fails. The root of the problem is never addressed.
Governments that fail to remedy social inequality, pay the price of under-funding human resources with a breakdown in law and order. Never enough money to invest in equity and social justice but are then forced to spend it to repair the damage. Everyone pays eventually.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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COGESTION BUSTING
Dear editor,
The intersection at Yandina Coolum Road, School Road and South Coolum Road has a plan to bust congestion and improve safety by the state MP.
I doubt very much, that the proposed solution will deliver on both counts. Traffic lights will not reduce – but possibly increase – congestion and frustration. Neither will it do anything to improve safety for kids. The lollipop people have a better handle on herding children than an automated light ever will.
A much better solution is to construct a footbridge over Yandina-Coolum road. This would provide real safety for kids and allow the traffic to flow freely.
There is NO consultation! Traffic engineers came up with the preferred option and what you see is what you get.
J Konrad,
Peregian.
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BUDGET
Dear editor,
The aftermath of Budget Week has been littered with members of the LNP opposition trying desperately to discredit the Albanese government’s 2023-2024 Budget.
For the first time in fifteen years, there will be a surplus. No mean feat considering the Labor government inherited nearly a trillion dollars in debt, a third of which was racked up before the COVID pandemic hit.
The LNP’s deputy leader claimed middle Australians are being left behind. Far from it – they will benefit from cheaper medicines, cheaper early childhood education, more access to bulk billing as Labor restores Medicare, energy price relief and better wages after years of stagnation.
While many, me included, would like to have seen more done to help the vulnerable, and the unemployed, and address the housing problem, Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers’ Budget reflects his mantra of relief, repair, and restraint.
Robyn Deane,
Bli Bli.
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HEART HEALTH
Dear editor,
I am pleased to say that with the help of more than 41,000 Australians – including your readers – we did it. We saved the Medicare Heart Health Check.
The Australian Government has heard and understood the importance of this vital Check to the heart health of Australians and is funding a two-year extension of the Check in the 2023/24 Budget, ensuring they remain available beyond June 30 this year.
We estimate that this means a further 250,000 Australians will be able to see their GP to learn their risk of heart disease before it’s too late.
More than 41,000 Australians signed the petition to save the Checks in just five weeks. Many sent letters to their local MPs, who in turn took up the issue with the Government.
Heart disease is mostly preventable, but it is a silent killer. As Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler acknowledged in his announcement, the Medicare Heart Health Check is our most potent tool in compelling people to pay attention to their heart health before it’s too late.
The Check is available for people aged 45 and over (30 and over for First Nations) and looks at your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, family history, amount of exercise and what you eat, and provides you with an understanding of how likely it is you will have a heart attack or stroke in the coming years.
Thank you. Your efforts have helped improve the heart health of many Australians and we are grateful for your unwavering commitment to this cause.
And finally – now that you have fought so hard for this Check, we urge you to please take it up if eligible. For more information speak with your local GP or visit www.heartfoundation.org.au
David Lloyd
CEO, National Heart Foundation of Australia
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NEW BUILDS
Dear editor,
In the last few weeks, I have had many heavy trucks and concrete mixers roar past my front door. What really annoys me is not just the noise but the reason why they were there. They are raising foundation levels to build new houses higher than the foundations of the houses beside them. I am writing about Marcoola whose original ambience was that of a village. Mainly low-set houses with back yards. Now the new houses with their raised foundations is a worry to our neighbours with the potential of flooding in heavy rain and high tides. Higher buildings cast longer shadows and the buildings can hide pleasant views seen from the original homes. They reduce the amenity of the small town. However, we do have the blessings of thoughtful neighbours. The fitter ones help the less fit older ones. We must do our best to keep all our folks happy. The Council is responsible for building regulations and drainage.
Lawrance Chadwick,
Marcoola.
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