Housing dilemma

Take a deep breath and plan

TOURISM operators have difficulty in finding accommodation for their staff or, more correctly, finding staff with accommodation. It is not the fault of Airbnb, short-stay businesses, because they are as entitled to pursue their dreams as anyone. It is probably a matter of survival for many. In Queenstown, NZ, employees need to pay tourist rates to live in the area of their employment. It just does not work. There are two choices: 1: A nanny state decrees the operator provides a percentage of accommodation, or 2: Operators provide a level of accommodation for their staff where it puts a need on the community to provide. We want the tourism. We want the staff. We want the accommodation. But we cannot whinge that the other sectors fail to provide. The shortage of housing is in whose hands exactly?

Still draws the salary

SO, while Nigel Farage struts around telling people that the rest of the world needs to follow Brexit and not trust politicians, especially those in Europe, he sits in Brussels being just the politician he so publicly derides, and continuing to draw his considerable EU salary in the process. He is, what my father would have said, a hypocrite of the first order!

Collateral damage

THAT our government is prepared to accept 119 children imprisoned on Nauru as acceptable collateral damage in the war against people smugglers is an indication that they have misplaced their moral compass. Psychologically traumatising children to obtain the perceived benefit of stopping the boats is callous, wicked and outside the purview of a civilised and compassionate society.

Understanding workers

JOHN Short is an outstanding union organiser. His fantastic skills means he’s open and responsive, capable and effective. He understands ordinary workers and the challenges they face in their daily work. His skills are just the sort the community needs and will transfer very well to the Senate. Good luck John.