Concerns remain
Response to the page 3 article by Cydonee Mardon "Through her sister's eyes" Mercury, Wednesday September 13, 2017.
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If mother Peta Gammie was the spokesperson for the same-sex "yes" campaigners, then any victory they may have whether now or in the future would be based more on understanding and respect for those who hold with the current definition of marriage. However, my concerns remain on the consequences of changing the definition of marriage.
Those who opposed the freedoms, legal rights and recognition of same-sex couples in Australia, did so out of concern that marriage was the next battleground. The LGBTIQ community and their supporters made continuing reassurances that marriage was of no interest. Yet, fast-forward to 2017 and the next progressive step is the "marriage".
Peta makes the claim "Equal rights for marriage would mean 'literally nothing would change for all of us".
That sounds fine, except it does not fit the experience of other countries that have legalised same-sex marriage. Much was made in the United Kingdom, about supposed exemptions, designed to ensure that believers would always by allowed to stay true to their convictions. Yet, four years later the very same people who made "heartfelt promises" now work tirelessly to undermine them. In Ireland were after only two same-sex weddings, the parliamentarians removed all the exemptions from the religious, educational and medical fields in one majority vote. Yet, like in Ireland, Australia's politicians keep telling us we'll protect your freedoms and democracy when same-sex marriage is made legal?
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
We refuse to learn
The council have at large expense commissioned a greening strategy.
A convoluted impossible recipe for our destruction. For 60000 years the original inhabitants managed this environment with such success that according to the inscription at Collins rock there was spread out trees no under storey dominant grassed areas similar to England small control fires.
If we could say that today would it allow those living among the uncontrolled spread of volatile trees less stress now that we have 200 fires and not into our summer yet.
As is the usual regardless of the massive fuel load on the escarpment council want 35 0/0 coverage with trees overall. It would be a step forward if they reduced the escarpment to 35 0/0 When the original people were stopped from managing the Environment it took 60 years for black Saturday in Victoria and every few years these fires roar across our landscape with incredible cost because we refuse to learn from the best teachers.
Ken McDougall, Bulli
Gamblers lose
Gamblers in the Wollongong Local Government Area lost $143 million in clubs in the 2015-2016 financial year. Problem gamblers were responsible for 40% of the spending on poker machines. Aster Group has closed Corrimal Leagues Club and has 70 poker machine licences which it intends to sell or transfer. Seventy. I suggest that the best option for the people of Wollongong would be for the government to buy back these licences and take them out of circulation completely. This would demonstrate that elected representatives have a concern for problem gamblers, their families and organisations which have to help them.
Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton
Cosy little closet?
At a recent luncheon date with some family and friends I heard part of a distressing conversation about the alarming rise of heterophobia within our society. Once again, I found myself shaking my head. Clearly, in New Australia, those not in agreement with same-sex marriage should just keep their views to themselves and find a nice cosy little “closet” to move into.
Richard Burnett, Wollongong
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