FEAR MORE OF THE SAME
Because they were not in control, conservatives petulantly label the years when Greens and independents supported a Labor government as “chaotic”.
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In truth, despite Turnbull’s pleas for a “stable” majority, we should not fear more of the same.
For that too short time Australia enjoyed a real Parliament, with genuine debate achieving important results (such as National Disability Insurance Scheme).
The tedious, familiar alternative is Parliament as an arena for set-piece oratory the outcome already firmly fixed in the party room.
John Parkinson, North Wollongong (Greens Member)
GOING OFF MY DIAL
My advice to Mr Anthony (Illawarra Mercury, June 22, 2016), who has had no business phone or internet connection for seven weeks, is to do what I did.
I refused to pay the full bill, after two weeks of no internet. The excuse? Those mysterious “outages”, and a faulty modem.
Telstra’s shoddy service, their fault, but I was told there would be a charge of $240 for a technician to install the new modem, so I had to awkwardly do it myself.
I got a deduction of half the bill, but now…no phone. Hello? (calling the Philippines again)
Barbara Cattunar, Wollongong
A CLEAR CHOICE
Much has been mentioned in the media that Bill Shorten doesn’t look like a prime minister. What does one look like?
Maybe a Bill McMahon, John Howard, Bob Hawke or Kevin Rudd. Perhaps a combination of all of them. This is ridiculous nonsense.
What should matter is the policies of the major parties and the philosophy behind them.
We have a clearer choice this time with an opposition proposing many long term policies on education, health, child care, climate change, NBN and structural changes to capital gains and negative gearing.
The Coalition’s proposals are three word slogans again: jobs and growth, business tax cuts, national economic plan and stopping the boats.
If we keep letting those with wealth maintain a firm grip on our country rather than developing an insight into how our country will look like in 10 or 20 years’ time.
We may well see what is happening in the USA, Great Britain, and large areas of the world, where people are sick and tired of short term, band aid solutions, where the majority are left behind.
Richard Ruse, Figtree
A TAXING ISSUE
Sadly much of the money in Panama and other tax havens is controlled by taxpayers who do not believe that they have to share their wealth to pay for essential public expenditure like hospital, schools, police and enough public servants to ensure the budgeted funds are spent correctly, properly and fairyland organised crime does not run the country.
Many Australians are unaware that paying tax in Australia is purely voluntary if can pay someone to advise you, while the tax industry and politicians wish to keep it a secret.
This investment in tax havens is helping to produce a mammoth budget deficit and funds moved offshore will not help jobs' growth.
Ben Morris, Wollongong
- 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.