Letter of the Week
Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. In a remote hunting lodge, deep in the Scottish wilderness, old friends gather to celebrate New Year’s Eve. One of them is killed. Not an accident – a murder among friends.
Rules: Entries close each Thursday at 5pm AEST. The winner is selected by 2pm AEST each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49 (incl. of GST). Entrants agree to the Competition Terms and Conditions located at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/competitions, and our privacy policy. Entrants consent to their information being shared with HarperCollins for the express purpose of delivering prizes. Best letter competition runs until January 23 next year.
MOST definitely on the side of Shoshana. Outfit tasteful, she wears it elegantly.
How would attendant deal with breastfeeding mother? God forbid, he or she may consider that “inappropriate”.
GABI BUCKLEY
OH dear. What happened on Jetstar recently was laughable to the point of absolute stupidity. (GCB, Feb 13).
What a pathetically embarrassing ordeal for this passenger to endure at the hands of a naive flight attendant.
This female was dressed fashionably and in good taste to fly in a Jetstar plane, one that hardly reeks of dress standards. Surely this lady runs rings around a semi-intoxicated male in a singlet, boardies and thongs who travel that way.
The response from Jetstar showed a totally unsympathetic airline company that could easily have done so much better.
Nothing short of a free flight was suitable but a $50 voucher? OMG!
It’s ironic that the flight attendant has avoided all publicity. She should have received the same exposure as the passenger!
KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH
I SERVED on a committee with Cr Owen-Jones over several years and want to support Cr Tozer’s letter of Tuesday, February 12.
My recollection is that Cr Owen-Jones’ suggestions and recommendations on several occasions saved the city millions of dollars. His contribution to the audit committee was similarly executed, I’m told.
It pains me that Cr Owen-Jones has now been removed as chair from any council committee as a result of a recommendation of the Mayor. This was a bad decision.
Despite this, Cr Owen-Jones continues to contribute positively,
sometimes in the face of unwarranted criticism and unnecessary political machinations.
I hope for the sake of the city he continues to serve the city for many years to come.
CR DAWN CRICHLOW, OAM COUNCILLOR FOR DIVISION 6
WE live in a great country which allows freedom of speech which should be heard, even if you disagree.
There is a lot of talk at the moment about the building of a second casino with a noisy few saying they don’t like them and another one should not be built.
This goes beyond freedom of speech. Sure, if you don’t like casinos don’t go, don’t use the great bars restaurants and entertainment they provide but to say others shouldn’t is attempting to force your will upon others.
ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE
I AGREE wholeheartedly with Jenny Moxham’s letter in the GCB (Feb 9) and was shocked to read the dismissive replies in Chatroom from John Z and Betty.
Your two correspondents ignored
the suffering of more than 500,000 cattle due to inundation, but as Jenny said, all cattle are destined for terrible fates at slaughterhouses here and, worse, overseas.
We can all do better and I suggest we look at the catastrophic floods as an opportunity for change.
Conclusions can be drawn from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change report that rapid far-reaching transitions in land, energy, industry, building, transport and cities are needed as steps towards containing global warming.
Veganism is the fastest growing movement worldwide as people learn of the human health benefits, the benefits to our planet by stopping ecosystem damage and methane pollution and for the animals caught up in the food system.
Animal agriculture is the greatest contributor to climate change through the use of the land.
Let’s hope farmers are encouraged to diversify into new innovative ways of growing plant foods.
Take a look on the internet Betty and John you will be amazed at the plethora of delicious, easy vegan recipes that are available, a far cry from carrots and celery!
DIANE CORNELIUS
BHP used to be the Big Australian. Not anymore.
Eighty Australian workers were sacked by BHP via email last month while they were at sea.
The Australian Red Ensign on their ship was replaced by a Flag of Convenience, which allowed the Australian crew to be replaced with a crew from another country.
This is the latest chapter in the steady decline of our once-proud Australian Shipping Industry.
As an island nation, shipping is something we rely upon in many aspects of our day-to-to life.
In regional Australia, in some cases hundreds of kilometres from local ports, a strong shipping industry is still vital. Almost all our imports and exports are transported in the hull of ships.
The total value of Australia’s International Sea Freight Exports exceeds $200 billion, and our top two exports are iron ore and coal – both industries with strong links to regional Australia.
Ten years ago 32 Australian ships were doing coastal trade, today there are only 20. There are now only four vessels registered to Australia.
Instead of arresting the decline, the Morrison Government is speeding it up by trying to introduce laws that will eventually consign Australia’s status as a proud maritime nation to history.
Instead of wasting money putting $6.5 million towards recreating an Endeavour circumnavigation that never happened, Mr Morrison should be looking at ways to strengthen our once proud shipping industry.
We want more Australian seafarers crewing more Australian flagged ships that carry more local goods to and from Australian ports.
BHP should reverse its decision if it ever wants to be called a Big Australian again.
STEPHEN JONES, SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES