PRESENTING A COMPELLING RESPONSE
The compelling response of Kon Karapanagiotidis (Time to embrace potential of refugees, Illawarra Mercury, May 24, 2016) to Minister Dutton’s insulting claims about refugees is essential reading for each and every one of us who will vote on 2 July.
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Dutton accuses refugees of stealing jobs and bleeding the welfare budget.
At the same time, he is a minister in a government that denies asylum seekers not only the rights to work but incarcerates them in hellish illegal off-shore camps that, in the past financial year, bled the federal budget of $2.91 billion.
That’s many times the amount that observing our legal and moral responsibilities would cost.
Be inspired by Kon’s words: be indignant and vote accordingly.
Julie Marlow, Berkeley
A HOUSING POLICY IN THE NEGATIVE
In March 2015 an inventory was taken of federal politicians negative geared properties.
The Coalition led the pack with 331 properties, followed by Labor with 162, then the Greens 16, then Palmer United 14, independents 13 and others five.
With over a two-to-one lead over the nearest rival, and with one National politician owning 18 properties, it’s no wonder Turnbull’s Coalition government have gone cold on the negative gearing debate.
John Macleod, Berry
A GENDER FAILURE IN SUICIDE STATS
Suicide is a gender issue. Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have something in common, both are wrong about suicide.
About 80 per cent of Australia’s suicide deaths are men. Most of these men are adults, most are not mentally ill and most make one just attempt.
This issue is more “gendered” than domestic violence.
The suicide prevention policies we have had for over 20 years target the young, mental health issues and hospital presentations. No wonder these suicide prevention strategies have failed so tragically.
Andrew Humphreys, Narrawallee
KOALA POPULATION FACING EXTINCTION
In early June, a section of Mambo Wetlands at Port Stephens is being auctioned off secretively online by the NSW Department of Education.
These wetlands contain the last viable breeding population of koalas on the Tomaree Peninsula.
It is vital that this land is retained as koala habitat and not sold off for yet another development.
A national icon faces yet another threat on its road to extinction.
Concerned citizens should contact the state premier, the education minister and the minister of the environment.
Georgia Phillips, Stanwell Park
MR HOWARD TO GET A WARM WELCOME?
So John Howard is campaigning with the Liberal candidate in Western Sydney.
Wasn't he the failed Prime Minister who was dumped by his own electorate?
Bet he won't be welcomed by the current Member for Bennelong during this campaign.
Bob Fulton, Darkes Forest
- Letters on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by Fairfax Illawarra and South East NSW group managing editor Kim Treasure, 77 Market St, Wollongong. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their telephone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.
