Politicians don’t listen

Stop! Wait a minute! Did you hear that? In between the politicians' talk there is a microsecond of silence.

This is the only time that they actually listen and all they hear is nothing or choose to hear nothing. Is it because we, the public, are so shocked by that silence; are so desensitised to their inane chatter; or are sure that they won't take our thoughts on board, that we say nothing in that microsecond?

Even at elections, where our voices are supposed to be heard at the ballot box, no attention is paid, and a win or a loss is explained by their political spin.

We go on with our lives and try our best to shield ourselves from their influence and yet this is probably how they prefer it.

Be it tax cuts, climate change, infrastructure, asylum seekers ... they don't listen and nothing changes and that microsecond has gone.

Greg Tuck, Warragul

What this means is that those struggling against symptoms of gender-dysphoria (feelings of being born in the wrong body) or those with unwanted sexual attractions will not be able to get the help they want.

Parents with a gender-confused five-year-old would be in danger of breaking the law if they encouraged their child to stick with their biological sex.

The platform says this is deemed by the ALP as “serious psychological abuse" and "when suffered within the family, as domestic violence against the child." (Labor National Platform 2015 p193).

Already the homosexual agenda is playing havoc with people’s lives. In Western Australia, a couple who had passed all assessments for suitability to become foster parents failed when at the last minute, they were asked to attend an LGBTI workshop.

They were required to endorse the program's sexual ethic, which they refused, and were then deemed ‘unsafe' for foster parenting because of this.

You vote Labor at the next election at your peril. Roger Marks, Drouin

The cast was fantastic, the singing awesome and having a live band and chorus just added to this performance.

This show just highlighted the importance of the arts to schools and our community.

I cannot wait for the West Gippsland Arts Centre to open so we can continue to see and applaud the local talent we have. Well done to all involved!

We are constantly hearing about the importance of STEM subjects in schools but let’s include the arts so all students can go full STEAM ahead. Debbie Dunlop, Drouin