The fellow was asked if he would break the law to continue protesting and his answer was he would certainly consider it.

Interesting that there was no real response or widespread condemnation of someone suggesting it would be okay to break a law they disagreed with in order to harass people using legal health services.

Compare and contrast the reaction to the statement by the then new president of the ACTU Sally McManus that the union movement should consider breaking unjust laws in order to redress the imbalance in power now in favour of employers. Coalition politicians were wetting themselves to get the boot in.  The Murdoch press nearly ran out of ink printing paragraph after paragraph of anti-union rubbish.

You could hear the rabid foam splattering the microphones of the shock jocks just about calling for the summary execution of union leaders. Just thought it was an interesting case of the hypocrisy within our politics and culture.

Andrew Sefton, Thirroul

“Allo’ Allo!”, the ABC is in the news again.  Under the recent budget the ABC will have its funding index frozen for the next three years – as an incentive to cut some of the “fat” out of the organisation.  Not surprisingly, the ABC has gone into rant mode.

However, it has come to light that the ABC, a public service organisation, is paying $2.2 million in bonuses among those in its higher echelon. These bonuses are being awarded in a salary environment where 190 non-executive employees are already receiving salaries of around $385,000, along with generous super packages.

Besides this surprising news, the ABC also has recently expended $10 million on market research and another $1.5 million on consultancy fees. The ABC claims it does not use ratings as a performance measure and the organisation is non-profit making.  So, what might the ABC use as performance indicators to justify bonus payments?

Could it be for example for all broadcasting: the number of hits it makes on the Coalition versus the number of wins it gains for the Labor Party? And specifically, for TV: the number of repeat programs it can air each week and the number of “F” and “C” words it can fit into its broadcasts each day?

Tax payers should consider that old rule that says: If it acts and looks like a private-sector broadcaster, it should be changed into one.     

Richard Burnett, Wollongong

This week (National Volunteer Week) we’re saying a huge thank you to the people who take action and make our country a happier place.

Volunteering happens in all kinds of ways. Like the simple act of sharing a social media post about supporting newly-arrived migrants which, when thousands of others share, can have a huge impact. Other kinds of volunteering require a bigger commitment, like driving elderly isolated people to regular medical appointments and social outings, and can have a profound effect on the lives of individuals.

At Australian Red Cross, volunteers are a lot like our engine room; they support communities when natural disasters hit, make daily phone calls to isolated people, greet customers to our op shops, donate blood, and fundraise for us. This week we’re celebrating not just our volunteers in New South Wales, but everyone who takes action to make our society stronger, more connected and supportive.

Thank you for your generosity and making New South Wales and Australia a better place. Find out more about volunteering at redcross.org.au/volunteer

Jody Broun, Director, Red Cross in NSW