LetteroftheWeek
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 Accusation by Wendy James. A powerful exploration of the fragility of trust and the lure of the mob, from the Ned Kelly Award-winning author of The Golden Child and The Mistake.
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WHILE in my capacity as Combined Chamber of Commerce president, I got to meet Martin Ferguson on a couple of occasions.
Although we are cut from a different cloth it was not hard to recognise Martin was different to the hard core, left wing union agitator.
There was a sharp pragmatic mind under that mop of red hair, a mind that could put doctrine aside when realities contradicted them. That took both courage and leadership. This was a man I could work with.
It’s been a few years and Martin’s column (GCB, 1/7) was a reminder that there are still some wise heads on the other side of the political gulf.
Martin has urged an obstructive Labor to pass the tax cuts. Why? Because they would be good for all Australians, especially those in the low to middle income bracket. It would also stimulate a slowing economy and in time address that bane of the tax system, “bracket creep”.
It’s not the first time Martin has fired a shot across the bows of his own side and hopefully it won’t be the last.
I have no illusion that Martin has crossed the boundary to my side of the fence, he is Labor through and through. Like Hawke he recognises what is good for the country and is prepared to put philosophical concepts and politics aside to deal with the realities we all face.
The Australian electorate sent a clear and punishing message to Labor, a few heard it, but some have yet to attain the maturity and wisdom to accept it.
Opposition for opposition’s sake is counter-productive and in this case Labor’s attempt to save face in answer to its humiliating defeat is self-destructive.
Our democratic system requires an effective and relevant opposition.
Any government of any persuasion must be held accountable. If Labor persists in its obstructive course, it is effectively telling the electorate it doesn’t care what they think.
That arrogance is what lost them the last election and will likely lose them many more. Alby, are you listening?
BOB JANSSEN, GOLD COAST IT is now becoming obvious that our country that once offered us freedom of speech and freedom of the Press is slowly eroding away, caught in the vice grip of political correctness that has many members of the public now afraid to voice their opinions or dare to criticise others.
Since when are the public, including Israel Folau, forbidden to voice their opinions and criticism of others, who they regard as undesirables, and saying they “will go to hell”?
What if Israel Folau had instead rephrased the wording and said, “they won’t go to heaven”?
Would that have also caused an uproar among the easily-offended Rugby Australia hierarchy, who cowardly surrendered to political correctness, and shamefully fired their sporting legend.
I put it to the Bulletin readers, what the hell is so outrageously offensive about such a mild statement like “go to hell,” which is not insulting, defamatory or threatening to one’s safety.
That phase has been around for centuries, I remember as a kid hearing those words used in humour among adult men, and nobody was offended, but they were the days when men were real men.
KEN WADE, TWEED HEADS INTERESTING that the Gold Coast Convention Centre should be expanded (GCB, 1/7).
Looking at the photograph in the Bulletin, I don’t know where you could expand the place unless it went upwards.
If the convention centre had been built where it should have been, on the huge block bounded by Rio Vista Blvd, Hooker Blvd and Bermuda Street in Mermaid Waters and known as the Lakeview Development, there would have been plenty of room for expansion and room for a hotel too.
Traffic could also have been almost problem-free having threeroad access to the area.
Whoever decided to place the centre at Broadbeach near the casino got it wrong.
PETER JOHNSON, ROBINA A LACK of guys at the “Singles and ready to mingle expo” doesn’t surprise me.
Think of the competition out there.
My smart phone is flooded each morning with photos of gorgeous Asian and Ukrainian girls (well, they look like girls), just wanting to make my life complete.
There is so much choice, l am literally snowed under. l tell them l am 73 and not loaded with money, and they all say they love me even more for my honesty.
l send shots of me doing laundry ironing, vacuuming, mopping and cooking fabulous food so they know l’m not after a domestic slave.
l will need to employ a secretary to choose those who might be lucky enough to make the final cut.
DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH ACTING Mayor Donna Gates has said she’ll fight for the Gold Coast to become the “real home” of the Logies awards ceremony.
“It’s fantastic for the Gold Coast, it’s so exciting to see everyone here,” she said. “I love it. We love it. We all love it. No one throws a party like the Gold Coast.”
Well Donna – when you personally aren’t paying for it and you get the free meals and booze, while all us muggins out our here work out how to pay our rates notice, you might like to prove to us why $350,000 of public money was spent on a dud like the Logies and how it is going to reduce our rates bill?
I wait with bated breath. And please, none of the BS waffle you sent me. Prove it with real figures.
DARRYLE KNOWLES, MAIN BEACH