YOUR VIEWS

AS a former elderly patient at the Robina Public Hospital I would like to congratulate and thank everyone I was connected with.

From the paramedics who assisted and made me comfortable during my trip to hospital, the emergency doctors, nurses and radiologists, then the acute section for the elderly, doctors, nurses, student nurses, assistant nurses, the anaesthetist, the orthopaedic surgeons who brought me through with flying colours, then finally the rehabilitation section, what a wonderful team! My sincere thanks to you all, I shall never forget your smiling faces.

ADELAIDE DONOVAN, LABRADOR

I DON’T usually shop at Coles, but today after visiting a friend, I called into Coles at Pacific Pines and picked up half a dozen items and was amazed by their COVID-19 rules relating to customers having to pack their own groceries.

I entered the express lane and put my few items into the slanted trough to the left of the cash register, the girl then had to actually lean over the frame where the shopping bags would normally be attached to put my items on the small shelf to the right of her till.

The really stupid thing about this procedure was, apart from her having to lean past the area where the items would normally be put into bags, (getting closer to me than ever before), because of where the items were placed on this small shelf, I actually had to lean into the checkout area to reach my groceries and my head was no more than 3 inches from the checkout girl.

When I commented on the fact that this was rather stupid as I was closer to the checkout girl than I would normally ever be, I was greeted with – well, nothing. It was as if I didn’t even exist.

I do have to wonder, however, why it seems as if Coles have their own interpretation of this aspect of the COVID-19 rules, at least in the express lane? I don’t know how the normal checkout lanes work in Coles but I was definitely unimpressed with the express lane.

ELLIE GRANT, RUNAWAY BAY

REMEMBER the “Section 44” drama in federal parliament in 2017, used to kick out politicians with hereditary dual citizenship?

That Section 44 is in the Australian Constitution. That’s the highest law of our land – and only changeable via referendum. It overrides state laws (Section 109).

So why is it being ignored for the “Covid crisis” (GCB, 9/5)? State border closures and the National Cabinet are both unlawful under our Constitution.

Interstate travel cannot be blocked by state of car registration – see Section 117. The state’s border closures are for “quarantine” which is outside their remit – see Sections 51 and 61.

There is no constitutional basis for the “National Cabinet”. There is no mention of a “Prime Minister” (or even of political parties) in our Constitution.

Those leaders who assumed powers not granted under the Constitution are likely criminals. The destruction of our economy was probably illegal.

Surely the most damaging and expensive government-based panic-driven over-reaction of all time warrants a Royal Commission?

PETER CAMPION, TOLGA

UNFORTUNATELY, this week’s COVID-19 showtime has been brought about by some very careless and irresponsible Aussies after most of us have done the right thing and been very patient.

Many shoppers from Sydney to Perth out of COVID-19 jail (or so they think) and straight into a “coronavirus soup” so to speak! Social distancing long forgotten! Of course Myer and the major retail stores are welcoming these shoppers back with open arms but at what cost to the health of the general public!

Seems like to be dressed in highend fashion is paramount to these brainless people than the reality that this virus is still very much alive and waiting to strike when we let our guard down.

This is not a reflection of “mateship” but sheer stupidity in relation to putting others at risk. This is why our PM has enforced stages to cautiously lift our restrictions and that is to be reviewed regularly and can be reversed by our Government at any given time.

And just to add some more colour to the pot as restrictions are being slowly lifted, our Premier (Annastacia Palaszczuk) is forced to wear two hats now that Jackie Trad has stepped down as Queensland’s Treasurer.

As if our state’s leader hasn’t enough on her plate! Yes, our Premier will also be acting Treasurer until “further notice”.

I can just imagine all the critics now straightening their armchair attire and wondering can she demonstrate her ministerial standards at an optimal level and prove her steel leadership skills at this exceptionally difficult time.

This is not a “catfight” and ultimately our leaders are trying to pursue the best possible outcome/ goal for our safety and wellbeing.

Please stay tuned for the next episode!

PAM DELAHUNTY-HUNTER, BIGGERA WATERS

IT is beyond belief that environment minister Leeanne Enoch would proceed with destroying the well-loved Numinbah Forest Park picnic shelters and amenities within 48 hours of the local residents’ desperate blockade attempting to stop the bulldozers.

Is she so pig headed as to ignore the obvious disapproval of the people to this stupid and costly deed?

Is it that she wanted this done before MP Ros Bates could present the 2725 strong and growing petition to State Government?

CHRIS BOSHOFF, GOLD COAST