Letter of the Week

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I AM both amazed and disgusted by the attitude and arrogance of many of today’s parents.

That Burrowes State School in the Brisbane suburb of Marsden will introduce a small fee next month for children being dumped off early at school is a totally reasonable and a valid decision.

It is not the job of schools to be child-minders before or after school hours but, if they are willing and able to take on this task, then I see nothing wrong with “charging parents” for the peace of mind, knowing their children are safe.

Some parents think everyone “owes them something” for nothing and one’s statement that she will continue to drop her daughter off by 8am even though she knows she will be unsupervised until 8.30am shows the arrogance of so many of her generation.

These parents think it is everybody else’s responsibility to look after her child.

We are all too aware of the threat of paedophiles in our communities and the fact that they are drawn to areas where children congregate, yet this parent infers it is not her responsibility to keep the child safe from danger because she has to work.

Parents need to be reminded that your children are your responsibility 24/7/365 and it is up to you to make sure that they are as safe from harm as they can possibly be.

I worked fulltime when my children were young and paid through the nose for them to be looked after. Back then it was just as expensive as now and all done without any type of government assistance. Today’s parents have it all so damned easy by comparison and yet it is still not enough.

If you cannot afford to provide a safe environment for your children, don’t expect everyone else to take responsibility for them. GAEL, MAUDSLAND YES, there is now equal pay for the genders in tennis.

There is, however, a disparity in some of the pay rates in the centre court.

The umpire, Carlos Ramos, received $633 for the whole game, while Serena Williams received $548 per second on the court and lost $24,000 off the court.

Workers don’t get paid enough and sportspeople are paid too much! DENNIS FITZGERALD FOR more than 70 years, Australian peacekeepers have played an important role in providing support and assistance to the international community.

On September 14 each year, National Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Day, we honour the courage and professionalism of Australian service and police personnel who have served in more than 50 multinational peacekeeping operations since 1947.

While the first Australian Peacekeepers worked as unarmed military observers, bringing violations to the attention of the international community, over time the nature of peacekeeping has evolved to include the management of more complex and multidimensional issues.

These have ranged from operations as military observers, providing logistical support, and monitoring ceasefires to landmine clearance operations, supporting democratic elections, providing policing support functions, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Tragically, 16 Australians have died serving as peacekeepers. This National Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Day, I encouraged Australians to respect and honour their sacrifice.

It is also important to remember and reflect on all those who have served in peacekeeping missions, and those who are currently serving in the Middle East UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), and the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). DARREN CHESTER, MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS