YOUR VIEWS

GOLD Coast locals remember the bad old days of Brisbane Labor ignoring crime on the Gold Coast.

We remember the Broadbeach bikie brawl that spilled onto our streets as Labor denied that we were facing a “law and order crisis”.

We remember that Labor starved our police of the staff and resources they needed to do their jobs.

We remember begging Labor to address the rise in crime to ensure that our national and international reputation as a great place was maintained.

That’s why the former LNP Government brought in tough laws to drive bikies out of our city, address drugs and alcohol-fuelled violence, and deliver the resources police need to keep our city safe.

Like many locals, there is nothing more important to me than making sure that the Gold Coast is the safest and best place to live, work, play and raise a family.

For the past three years, Labor has been at it again – recklessly ripping away police resources, removing one-third of officers from Surfers Paradise, and rolling out the welcome mat to criminal gangs by removing the LNP’s strong deterrent laws.

As we look to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and beyond, we must do everything we can to ensure locals’ and visitors’ safety. We’ll deliver 535 additional police officers state-wide and will give a $22 million boost for crime fighting equipment. We’ll bring back the tough laws that worked to keep us safe, unlike Labor who just don’t “get” the Gold Coast. JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK, LNP MEMBER FOR SURFERS PARADISE

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the female stranger who was standing in front of me in the queue at the Robina Town Centre QBD book shop on Sunday November 12 and who, without my knowledge, paid for a Bon Scott book I was about to put on lay-by.

I had never met this lady before and never got to speak to her, even after she rushed out of the shop after paying for the book as well as other items for herself.

I don’t know what was behind this unusual and extreme act of generosity but I’ll remember it for as long as I live. Could it be that she had a special relation with AC/DC?

If you’re happy to accept my offer, I’d like to offer you lunch if we ever meet again to thank you. In the meantime, I salute you and conclude by saying ... let there be rock! FRED, LABRADOR

I HAVE been wondering if when our aspiring politicians certified that they are only Australian citizens and not citizens of another country, they did so as a sworn declaration.

If so, should they be prosecuted for swearing false oaths and facing the possibility of the need to repay proceeds of crime – parliamentary remuneration they enjoyed for so many years as a consequence of their wilful blindness. GRANT

IT has cost $500,000 per refugee to incarcerate asylum seekers offshore.

On economic grounds alone it would make sense to process them in Australia. The Rudd agreement with PNG was for 12 months – they have been there under the Liberals for over four years.

Peter Dutton says he will not contemplate sending asylum seekers to New Zealand because of “pull factors”. Strange considering Mr Howard sent refugees to New Zealand under similar circumstances.

Using Mr Dutton’s logic, wouldn’t refugees to the USA also be a “pull factor”?

Let us be very clear. The boats have stopped because of turnbacks, not offshore processing. Some 31 boats have been turned back in the last two years with the usual Dutton secrecy and “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. RAY ARMSTRONG, TWEED HEADS

WITH elections bearing down on us, many of my fellow seniors appear to have forgotten the values we grew up on as our modern day pied piper Pauline Hanson woos them. With four-year terms commencing at this election it will be too late when many realise that they have not acted in Queensland’s best interest. DJ FRASER

SOME 1.8 million Queenslanders have demerit points, nearly double the amount in 2012, due to the near zero tolerance of speed variation.

There has been zero difference in accidents attributed to minor speed violations but massive increase in revenue.

And if 50 per cent of the population break the law on a daily basis, is the law wrong? If so, is there a political party or leader willing to address these issues?

We talk about electrical charges in upward spiral, well the traffic infringement revenue increase makes utilities look static – I’d call this tax by stealth. BARRY C, CARRARA