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 Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty. Rivalries and resentment

Best letter competition runs untill January 19 next year. Entries close each Thursday at 5pm. The winner is selected by 2pm each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49. 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.

WELL, for the first time since I moved to the Gold Coast five years ago, I drove from my home near Southport Park to Bunnings on Olsen Avenue return and I never stopped once. Where is everybody?

The theme parks are deserted. So much so that at Movieworld today they were appealing for patrons to go on to the various rides.

The Dreamworld car park was only a third full this afternoon and this is Easter Holiday time.

The shopkeepers can’t believe how bad business is. Even the Games Lanes are deserted.

The whole area is like a ghost town but I do realise there will be areas around the venues which will be busy for the duration of their particular event. For all their dedication, somebody, somewhere has got it all completely wrong. They need to be accountable.

FRANK TEWKESBURY, SOUTHPORT

I WATCHED the opening of the games to the end. The only class act was Delta Goodrem. She should have been the opening act, instead she was nearly at the end.

Political correctness gone mad? Not one Australian flag flying on the main roads of the Gold Coast. There should be one flag only but we have two, one for Aboriginals and one for us causing division.

I also agree with Allan Jones. I did not know a Migaloo was an Australian animal.

LORETTA MORCOM,

ISLE OF CAPRI

THIS was the worst, most boring, pathetic Games ceremony that I have ever watched.

I kept thinking it would get better so watched the whole thing. What a disappointment. Far too much Aboriginal coverage.

Certainly will not attract visitors, too weird and scary at times. B. LINDSAY, VARSITY LAKES

PETER Beattie’s reason for the transport problems at the Commonwealth Games was that we are learning as we go.

Peter, going on your years in government where you did not go close to getting it right, what chance in a fortnight?

And good luck with the NRL and learning the team names.

ROD WATSON,

SURFERS PARADISE

THE language used by people in high places defines their integrity for their jobs.

And so, GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters, with his “lunatic” comment (GCB, 6/4), reveals just how he should be rated. The Bulletin’s cartoon yesterday really shows who got the arse end of the deal!

KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH

FOR the Commonwealth Games there are 10,000 police, Army, Navy, Air Force and private security services and thousands of permanent and temporary bollards, with street closures and airport scanners at Games venues, which make Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach an outdoor “jail farm”.

GOLDOC has told us to rest assured that it will be the safest place in Australia against any possible terrorist attack.

So when the Games are finished and the extra security is dismantled, can we still rest assured that the Gold Coast will be safe against any future possible terrorist attack? ANGELO, BIGGERA WATERS

I AM a volunteer at an op shop. This morning two females came to work as part of their community service sentence from the courts.

They were asked to sweep the floor, but they refused. They wouldn’t even touch the broom. They said it’s “demeaning”.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. We are not talking about cleaning toilets or even washing dishes, but simply helping a charity by sweeping the floor of the shop.

Finally their supervisor arrived and she agreed with them! She told our manager that she had no right to ask them to sweep the floor because it’s “demeaning”. Seriously?

We volunteers often have to sweep the floor as well as doing almost all the other jobs in the place. But sweeping is beneath them!

They should be grateful that a judge was kind enough, or silly enough, to give them community service.

But clearly they have no intention of serving the community, only themselves. Perhaps a spell in jail would cure their arrogant attitude!

JENNIFER HORSBURGH, ELANORA

POLITICIANS need to stop talking and act on aged care neglect in Australia.

Every day, elderly Australians experience unnecessary pain, suffering and premature death in aged care facilities nation-wide.

A complete lack of Federal laws means aged care providers can staff facilities however they choose.

As a result, the majority of Australia’s 2400-plus privately run aged care facilities are chronically understaffed. It is not uncommon or illegal for one nurse to be left with up to 200 residents at a time.

This means elderly Australians who have lived long, productive lives do not receive the care, food, fluids, medication or assistance they require.

This will likely occur today, tomorrow and every day until Australian politicians – from all sides of politics – act on the issue.

This means the introduction of Federal legislation that make safe staff levels law in all aged care facilities. Like the laws that exist in child care facilities, schools, learn to swim centres and pretty much every other facility in the country.

Queensland and Australian nurses and midwives will continue to campaign on this issue at anmf.org.au/campaign/entry/ratios-for-aged-care.

BETH MOHLE, SECRETARY, QUEENSLAND NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ UNION