A FAIRER SOCIETY
With the Federal Election now upon us, a key issue to consider is what sort of county/community we want.
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I see no point in having a strong economy unless all people benefit. How can any party/Government feel good bragging of a budget surplus when there are large numbers of homeless people, a lack of affordable housing, under-employment and high levels of poverty.
How does that lead to a Liberal/National Party claim about being good economic managers.
It was the Australian Labor Party that showed significant capacity to manage the economy well during the financial crisis - good judgment putting money into infrastructure including housing at that time made good economic sense and delivered a good economic result.
Currently, we have employers allowed to lock out workers. This is unacceptable. The recent dispute at the coal loader shows the importance of standing together and fighting for principles such as employment security.
The current industrial system must be changed and this can only happen with a change of Government.
I was surprised to hear the current Government bragging about low unemployment. That's just incorrect. The data shows people to be employed even if they only have two or three hours casual work. Under-employment still renders them poor, and unable to pay basic living costs.
Funds to ensure essential community service workers such as those in crisis services, supported accommodation and domestic violence support have not currently been put into the forward estimates and yet the payment of such costs is a legal requirement.
Again how is it possible to brag about a surplus when we know essential items have not been included in the budget figures.
How can hear complaints about the Aged Care System and not realise that expectations of quality care are not matched by decent funding arrangements.
I know what I want for myself, my family, and for those people doing it tough in our community - I want a Government that shares the prosperity with the people.
A Government that is willing to take action and address the social ills that are so devastating. I want a fairer society, I want a just society, and I believe so do most people.
Narelle Clay, AM, Barrack Point
WASTE OF MONEY
It was disgraceful that the PM spent $180 million on a refugee press conference on Christmas Island.
Let's stop the detention of refugees - it's a waste of lives and money.
The millions of dollars in shonky contracts to private security firms like Paladin can easily be avoided if asylum seekers are accessed here in Australia.
Well done to all that spent the first weekend of the school holidays at the Palm Sunday rally for refugees in Wollongong.
Cath Blakey, Wollongong
DON'T GET COCKY
I hope Bill Shorten is not getting to cocky like he has been over the last couple of weeks.
He seems to forget that Labor lost a lot of talent when half it's front bench followed Julia Gillard out the door. He should know better.
Matty Ryan, Fairy Meadow