YOUR VIEWS

WRITE TO:P0 Box 1, Southport 4215 EMAIL: letters@goldcoast.com.au FACEBOOK: facebook.com/goldcoastbulletin

I’D like to urge Queensland motorists to slow down behind the wheel, especially leading in to Fatality Free Friday this week.

I was deeply saddened to hear about the accident earlier this week on Oxenford Rd, Gold Coast where a 15 year old boy lost his life.

As a local driver with two young boys who drives that road every day, I implore people to think about the consequences of their actions and slow down.

As well as a father I am Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer who unfortunately deals with the aftermath of the tragedies every day. I know only too well the catastrophic outcomes that families are left to endure when they, or their loved one, is seriously hurt or worse in a car accident.

Please have a conversation with other members in your family, particularly young drivers who feel invincible behind the wheel. They are not and neither are you. All life is precious and never fully appreciated until it is lost.

Drive safe and let’s have a Fatality Free Friday this week and every day after that. DAN SUTHERLAND, SENIOR LAWYER, SLATER AND GORDON

HISTORY is a good teacher and unchangeable, we must learn from it.

Carmen Mary Lawrence (Labor Western Australian Premier February 1990 – February 1993) made history by being the first woman to hold the position which she held for three years prior to a landslide election defeat.

Joan Elizabeth Kirner (Labour Victorian Premier, August 1990 – October 1992) made history by being the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat. Bankrupted Victoria.

Christina Kerscher Keneally (Labor New South Wales Premier, December 2009 – March 2011) made history by being the first woman to hold the position, which she held for a year and a half, prior to a landslide election defeat.

Anna Maria Bligh (Labor Queensland Premier, September 2007 – March 2012) made history by being the first woman to hold the position, which she held for four and a half years prior to a landslide election defeat. Left a massive debt.

Julia Eileen Gillard (Labor Prime Minister, June 2010 – 2013) made history by being the first woman to hold the position. Had a landslide defeat within her party and at the ballot box. Inherited a healthy surplus of $14.8 billion – left a $19 billion deficit and net debt of $153 billion

Keating left a deficit of $14 billion and net debt of $83 billion.

Howard left a surplus of $17 billion and net assets of $29 billion

Gillard left a $19 billion deficit and net debt of $153 billion

The women must demand only suitably qualified women become candidates with proven abilities. Incompetent politicians seriously demean the status of women and damage the good work done by the competent.

No gender bias in either direction, no qualifications, no ability and no pre-selection: We need inspiring competent leaders without fear nor favour to lead our nation.

The nasty shouting matches in Parliament disgrace our nation – we demand better. G J MAY, FORESTDALE

THERE are two matters concerning the governance of Australia that must be addressed by the next parliament. The first is Section 41 of the Constitution regarding citizenship of those in the federal parliament. I believe that all must owe allegiance to this nation and must not be dual citizens. There is no need for a referendum for any change.

The other is the amendment or removal of Section 44c of the

AHRC in regards to freedom of speech, and the methodology the AHRC uses in determining who is in breach of the legislation. There is and has been a global movement that only Anglo-Europeans are at fault of racial, sexual and other abuse. When they are abused by non Anglo-Europeans there is no action in support from the AHRC.

So much has changed in Australia since the 1970s and I believe that multiculturalism has failed. Migrants and refugees are not encouraged to assimilate into Australian society as those pre-1970 arrivals did.

The Dutch have dumped multiculturalism as it has eroded and corroded the Dutch culture and heritage.

The national government needs to address that too as it diminishing our culture and heritage. BOB BUICK, MOUNTAIN CREEK

REGARDING Shane Porter’s excellent letter in Monday’s Bulletin

(‘It may already be too late to rein in Chinese juggernaut, GCB, 21/5/18) – Hallelujah! Someone has finally said what I’ve bed shouting from the rooftops for years, and what’s more, it’s been published in a newspaper!

I am exasperated over the inept politicians of Australia who have kowtowed to big business wanting to increase profits by exploiting non-unionised labour markets at the expense of Australian industry, workers and commonwealth.

It is an absolute disgrace and borders on criminality that we have been sold down the river by globalisation and the abolition of tariffs, which were put in place to protect our way of life. Well said Shane porter! Well done editor of the Bulletin!

RUSSELL SHERMAN, BROADBEACH WATERS