YOUR VIEWS

RE “New call for extra cops” (GCB 29/6) – how low can the LNP go?

On Thursday they showed it through their candidate for broadwater. Three women have died in tragic circumstances, a husband is grieving their loss and this golden boy of the LNP decides to use this as a means to push his own political agenda and not even using correct information to do it.

It has been widely reported that the investigation into this tragic event is being run by Coomera Police through Sgt Proctor of the CIB, not Runaway Bay.

Worse his complaint revolves around the extra work the police have to do to write the coroner’s report, which Sgt Proctor from Coomera has confirmed he is preparing, all to get his name in the paper.

So this is the standard of the kind of person the LNP is running with, a standard that shows no sensitivity for the feelings of the public and those who must be distraught at the comments straight after such tragic circumstances.

I can only say that it is more decent to make no comment and let the family grieve. RON NIGHTINGALE, GOLD COAST NAIDOC Week is running until Sunday, July 9, and has the theme “Our Language Matters”.

The aim of this week is to celebrate the role language plays in linking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their cultural identity, land and people.

Today only about 120 of some 250 distinct indigenous languages are still spoken, with many at risk of being lost. Youth Off The Streets is trying fix this.

My organisation has specific programs that are run to connect our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to their culture and I believe this is one of the best ways to help our young people make positive choices and achieve their full potential.

The unfortunate truth is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians make up about 27 per cent of our prison population, have high suicide rates, and an overall lower life expectancy.

We cannot sit idly while these issues are still faced by Australians.

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been a privilege. I’ve seen so many young people turn their lives around through simply connecting with their culture, land and people.

We know that connecting young indigenous people with Aboriginal Elders and our own Aboriginal youth workers ensures they have cultural guidance in their most formative years. In some cases, all our troubled young people need is kindness and guidance from cultural leaders to turn their lives around.

I implore you to take part in local NAIDOC Week events.

Join me in encouraging our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to connect with their community and history and achieve greatness.

To read more about NAIDOC week and to find your event, please visit www.naidoc.org.au

FATHER CHRIS RILEY,

CEO AND FOUNDER AT YOUTH OFF THE STREETS