A VOTE FOR JO
Dear editor,
I am not a member of any political party and always vote for the person standing for election (or re-election if I consider they have served their electorate)…so after seeing the Advertiser’s article regarding Jo Justo who is Labor’s candidate for Ninderry…. I contacted and was able to meet with Jo. She is a very personable lady who actually lives in the Ninderry electorate; is a longtime Coolum Beach resident and is active in the community.
Learning some of her life experience leads me to believe that Ms Justo would be a strong advocate for those residents in need of assistance, and also for protection of what remains of our environment here on the Sunshine Coast.
Linese Norrish,
Coolum Beach.
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ELECTION SEASON
Dear editor,
It’s global election fever. One “wannabe” politician believes his future bid will be founded upon just having “a concept of a plan”, [according to his debate], which will magically turn into successful policies overnight; nothing in concrete; as yet, no details for his health system; cost of living; Putin and Ukraine; resolution of the southern border and the housing crisis. That will see him through to a winning outcome! ” Just trust me!!!”
However, in the real world, in the meantime, we have a very imminent Queensland election looming. The stakes are high for the next “wannabe” first-time premier. Same scenario and same crises. Except in Queensland, as well as the economic crisis, we have a juvenile crime spree crisis, with little or no solutions for the past decade; not to mention Olympic Games in 2032. Who will pay the ferryman?
The Federal Treasurer boasts of a second surplus in a row. Australia is one of the world’s richest nations. The minor detail is that it soon will be in deficit for the next two years. It is unconscionable to have money in surplus, while we have Australian citizens living in parks, in tents, in cars and on the streets. For decades, both state and federal governments have failed to provide social housing and development for the disadvantaged. Increasing immigration – exacerbates the crisis. These politicians believe taxpayers are their private bank. For all their rhetoric and boastings, the crises remain unresolved. Pity voting is compulsory! No-one is convinced.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Dear editor,
Last Wednesday I got off the bus at Kowonga St, Pacific Paradise and was knocked over by a young lad speeding through on his bike or scooter – I can’t know! The impact was horrific and after a few seconds I was surrounded by passengers from the bus who were going to call an ambulance. It was my decision not to get the ambulance as I realise the state of the hospital emergency. Two doctors from care flight happened to be passing and stopped. They checked me out and took me home.
I was awfully shaken with cuts, abrasions and bruises and every bone of my body was sore, not to mention the shock which is having lasting impact. The young lad was extremely apologetic.
This is a shout out to our young people to please be more careful on footpaths.
Barb Holden,
Pacific Paradise.
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ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Dear editor,
My wife and I decided to venture to Ipswich from Nambour Station on a 3-hour rail journey for a mere 50 cents.
As we approached Ipswich, it was as if we crossed a border into another country at Booval where a group of young people boarded and swore loudly at each other, perhaps to overcome the noise of riding their scooters up and down the aisle.
The antisocial behaviour was an alert when we disembarked at Ipswich Station at 9.30am on a Wednesday. Confronting us was a squad of uniformed police wanding and patting down some passengers as if it were a cultural welcoming ceremony with a sniffer dog at the ready.
We chatted with two volunteers offering booklets on how we could assist police to combat antisocial behaviour. Adjacent was Chris from Ipswich City Council handing out free anti-graffiti kits to help householders remove the visual excrement from their property.
After removing ourselves from the swirling blue uniforms we set off to catch a bus and we met more police in the street. An officer said the operation was under ‘Jack’s Law’ introduced in response to the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019. With the media present, I think it also had something to do with the calling of a state election with street crime an issue.
The bus took us to the Rail Museum Workshops. They were most enjoyable and revealed that anti-social street behaviour is not new in Queensland.
In a report by the accountant for the railway company building the North Coast Line over a century ago, the navvies’ behaviour was a challenge for law-abiding citizens back then.
George Henderson wrote, ”The day following payday (Sunday morning), the usual thing was to see men lying about all over the place, suffering a recovery from the night before. During the Sunday, which was always a wild day, the men continued to fight among themselves all day, and right away until dark. In fact, I have seen them many a time fighting by candlelight. It was no use trying to stop them. Even the policemen could do nothing. There was nothing else but to let them fight, until they could fight no more.”
I doubt whether our next Queensland Government will adopt that laissez-faire strategy.
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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