QUEEN OR COUNTRY
My office in Shellharbour has received a spike in requests for portraits of Queen Elizabeth.
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Other MP offices have had the same requests following an online article about the “Commonwealth Constituent Request Program” that was almost correct.
It is true that constituents and organisations can request nationhood material which includes flags, copies of the constitution, recordings of the national anthem and, of course, portraits of the Queen.
The program was designed to assist schools and service organisations gain access to these materials.
There is not an unlimited supply and they do come at a cost – to the taxpayer.
If every household in the Whitlam electorate was to request a portrait of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the cost to the taxpayer would exceed $250,000.
I’m pretty confident that most members of the Royal family would think that this quarter of a million dollars on portraits would be better spent in the region.
And just for the record – yes I am a republican and I’d take the same view of spending taxpayer money on a portrait of a president – particularly when a reasonably good copy can be downloaded and printed at home.
Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones MP
WALKING THE DOG
I watched on TV, the awful news with the Labor MP Emma Husar in trouble, accused of sexual harassment and bullying her staff. The Government thought she had a firm, case to answer.
But it turned out that most of it was a bad case of political smearing. The bullying charge has substance, because Emma had asked staffers to take her dog for a walk, and perhaps pick up droppings.
I worked 44 years at BHP BlueScope, in an environment of noise, acid, caustic and ammonia fumes, and hot molten metal.
I would have welcomed an invitation to take my manager’s dog for a walk any time, any day, all day.
I should have been so lucky. How can anyone describe walking a dog as “bullying” for goodness sake.
John Pronk, Wollongong
THE TEAM’S A DRAGON
If the Dragons are playing to instructions then the coaching body must take full responsibility for the comprehensive smash up by a team that is destined to collect another wooden spoon. Heads must roll.
D J Preece, North Wollongong
LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Seriously Dave Cox, I do wish the Mercury would start paying you for your whingy letters, you'd be a millionaire by now if they did.
This time it's about WCC. Take a look around at the revitalisation going on. The jobs being created from tourism.
My goodness, how about writing something positive for once, it must be exhausting being so angry all the time.
L Hunt, Port Kembla
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