>> Letters to the editor

NBN shambles is bad for business

WHILE NBN Co and the federal government continue to tinker around the edges of actual reform, small and medium sized businesses across regional Australia are being left behind.

I constantly hear from small businesses in regional communities which have had their internet and phone services dropping out four or five times a day. This can happen for months at a time.

A recent survey by ASX-listed Reckon, found that a staggering 83 per cent of small business lack confidence in the delivery of Turnbull’s second-rate NBN. It also found that a majority of small business also believe that they will be left out of the digital economy. It is a shocking indictment on Mr Turnbull’s NBN and a stark warning to the government and NBN Co, alike.

More needs to be done to improve business experience of the NBN. A good start to fixing this issue would be for the government to prioritise a new consumerrights framework.

A framework which is designed to address the issues and technologies of today, not the ones from last century. It needs to put consumers front and centre and give a clear process to have their issues resolved.

NBN Co must also improve their small business services with dedicated small and medium sized business products. That’s just common sense.

With the emergence of 5G services, NBN’s continued poor performance in this area will only increase the risk of more businesses abandoning the network. The government and NBN need to read the mood and signals being sent to them, and get off the sideline and do something about the plight of local small businesses which have been left to bear the brunt of the government’s poor broadband decisions. Stephen Jones, Shadow Minister for Regional Communications.

Plant theft leaves empty feeling

I WOULD like to give a message to the person who removed a special plant, a Rozanne Geranium with a purple flower and a purple root, from the plant stand by my front door during the long weekend. They obviously knew what they were taking and I hope it gives that person pleasure. I derive pleasure from my plants, I usually prophegate them myself, buy ready or from the Diggers Club — as in this case. Sometimes I get gifts of plants or exchange other with other plant lovers or friends and family.

As I said, I get pleasure from my plants but that empty space has just left me with an empty feeling. Mrs LJ Kennedy, Kyabram.

Man v Duck is no great challenge

PEGASUS Economics has put forward a damning report into the Game Management Authority but avid duck hunter Steve Threlfall accused “latte sipping, lycra wearing, inner city-living groups of calling for an end to an activity they didn’t know anything about.” Perhaps Steve Threlfall is telling something about duck hunters. “Here we are, mighty hairy chested hunters ready to pit our skills against those pesky ducks. Golly it’s great for the self image.” PS. Have sent away for a lycra suit. Gerald Bleasdale, Kyabram.

Andrews takes aim at hunters

DUCK season opening weekend brings thousands of Victorian hunters and their families into regional Victoria every year.

But the huge boost they provide to our regional economies is under threat because the Andrews Labor government continues to push its anti-hunting agenda.

Daniel Andrews and Jaala Pulford appear to be undermining the credibility of the Game Management Authority (GMA) by refusing to adequately support it.

Strong enforcement requires a multiagency response to ensure the small number of people who choose to break the rules face the full force of the law.

Instead, Daniel Andrews and Jaala Pulford are using the GMA as a scapegoat to explain Labor’s failure to stand up for Victoria’s more than 130,000 recreational and professional hunters.

Duck hunting is a legitimate recreational activity, but Victorian hunters are being penalised by a Labor government desperate to keep the Greens on side. Peter Walsh, Member for Murray Plains.