VICTORIA, BANNING FISHING IS A DISCRIMINATORY ACT

DUE to the current COVID-19 crisis facing Australia health-wise and financially, I feel compelled to voice my family’s disappointment and disbelief at some of the Victorian Government’s decisions affecting the basic rights of us ordinary Australians.

I want to make one thing absolutely clear before I start. I agree with the social distancing rules, not gathering in crowds and generally keeping a safe distance apart in public, and also self-isolation rules when contact with people infected with this virus has occurred. Now let’s get to the reasons for this letter.

My wife and I have lived, loved and raised a wonderful family over the past 50 years, kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of whom we are extremely proud, so we are fully aware of the current situation and want to keep them safe.

But keeping them safe does not mean that myself and my wife and any other old-age pensioners who feel aggrieved as we do should put up with the blatant disrespect and discrimination directed at us because of our age.

The Andrews government has said the young can jog, the young can work out, the young can ride bikes, the young can surf and swim for their daily exercise — well, good luck to them staying fit and healthy. But what can I do? I’m to stay inside, out of sight and out of mind. Well, that won’t be happening as far as this ‘senior citizen’ is concerned.

My form of active, passive exercise and mental wellbeing was ripped away from me with this latest discriminatory act, which now stops me from fishing and accessing the water’s wonderful bounty, which up until now allowed me to put food on the tables of my extended family and friends. Never could I be safer and more isolated than on the water in my boat, without having to go near a crowded supermarket fighting for a roll of toilet paper. What has happened to our country?

Premier Andrews, you said only six months ago in a press release how you hoped Victoria would have one million recreational fishermen — ‘Target One Million’ it was called, in case you don’t remember. At the time you said angling was a great family activity that promoted physical health and mental wellbeing. So what’s different now?

Currently the rest of Australia allows recreational fishermen to both exercise and put food on the table.

Victoria is the only state taking these draconian measures — stop being wrong and get it right like the other states in our great country.

If any other aggrieved pensioners, fishermen or citizens feel the same as we do, ring or email your politicians.

Stand up for your rights. This rubbish has to stop.

Garry Ridgeway, Whittington