Letter of the Week

TOURISM Minister Kate Jones’ attempt to “set the record straight” on a dive wreck for the Gold Coast has resulted in 300 words of mixed messages (‘Feds taking Coasters for granted’, GCB, 22/6). During the opinion piece Ms Jones lists the following reasons for not wanting to fund a dive wreck:

• The State Government has spent too much on the Gold Coast already because of the Commonwealth Games.

• The Federal Government should sink the vessel.

• The State Government can’t lodge an expression of interest because it’s the equivalent of “writing a blank cheque”.

Allow me to “set the record straight”.

• The State Government investment in the Commonwealth Games should not be used to justify a lack of future investment in the Coast. The Games belong to all of Australia. While the investment was welcome, there was also some pain for businesses during the event. This pain would be magnified if the funding pipeline for infrastructure in one of Australia’s fastest growing cities dries up.

• The Federal Government must play a role in this process, after all it is responsible for choosing who gets access to retired defence vessels. But to suggest Canberra should fund a State Government project seems strange when a boat will shortly be sunk off Bundaberg paid entirely by the Queensland Government. Why should the Gold Coast be treated differently?

• The State needs to show it’s serious about broadening the Gold Coast tourism economy and lodge an expression of interest. The fact we have a Council not only willing to contribute $2 million but meet any cost overrun above $10 million, shows the State Government’s $8 million contribution is anything but “a blank cheque”. The safety net is there.

People are fed up with weasel words from their politicians. If the State Government wants to make this project a reality it should put its hand up to secure a vessel, contribute the amount it has promised from the start, and instead of “setting the record straight”, set the Coast up for a “Golden Age” of tourism.

DAVID CRISAFULLI, LNP SHADOW TOURISM MINISTER, MEMBER FOR BROADWATER

CAN someone please explain why supermarkets are producing HEAVIER plastic grocery bags to sell to customers instead of providing the heavy duty paper bags we all used before the advent of the insidious plastic bags, the horrors of which we are now trying to escape?

Swapping light plastics for heavy plastics is an oxymoron. Bring back the brown bag – it’s not rocket science, but it makes more sense.

SALLY GREGORY, COOLANGATTA

I WISH to support the opinions contained in mail Thursday 21/6, from Keith Mouatt.

Good to know someone else shares my concerns for Australia.

FRANCES WATSON, RUNAWAY BAY

70 million for Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes and only 5 million to Tugun? It’s not going to be much of an upgrade then at that price - Terry

All other countries had their property bubble burst but we won’t. My caravan plot will be worth a million jars of vegemite. We are special. We are Australia. Where beer does flow and men chunder! We got this. - bankrupt bazza

Not quite convinced that the ban of plastic bags is a selfless act from supermarkets towards the ocean dwellers etc. I can just imagine the stink from our wheelie bins, if we put everything loosely into them. Sure we could buy garbage bags, but that would be equally wrong.

With a population of 24 million, the best Australia can come up with for leadership choice is Halal Mal and Shifty Shorten. Pathetic! Johnbrew

Ladies, keep 1 or 2 rolled up plastic bags in the bottom of your handbag. It will help to keep your bag in shape and you’ll always have a shopping bag to use or share at the checkout.

NAB is closing its bank at Sth Tweed. Those on the pension now have to go to Coolangatta. No compassion at all. Tony

Well done Lisa Baker for trying to keep costs down for Formals but seriously 300 for two tickets is criminal – remember there’s no alcohol in that! Food, which is often not enough for the boys and maybe a bit of music! Very hard for families to have to fork out that much.

Lindsay Jackson, last time I looked Woolongong and Newcastle are major ports where ships have been going for years. I’m sick of people wanting something that just isn’t right yet have no idea but want it anyway

JP you try and act tough with your arrogant texts, yet you say you’re freezing, you need to harden up pal, I wish you was in the Army with me, I would have toughened you up. Brian, retired ADF Major.

Keep this “cold weather” coming. Loving it

Here we go again as Australia’s Socceroos give there opponents too much respect and come away with virtually nothing in the World Cup. The first game we were beaten by the VAR system and the second game by poor substitute decisions. Tim Cahill, our most experienced player, hasn’t had a look in so far and it doesn’t matter what happens in the last game against Peru, the horse has bolted as France and Denmark only need to draw their last game and are both through to the next round. That I reckon is an even money bet. The dominator.

No wonder kids are all confused nowadays, adults are truly out of control. Kev, Helensvale

It was really cold yesterday morning. There goes the global warming theory. Yep, what more proof do we need than a cold morning in the middle of winter.

No plastic bags to put the groceries in but plenty of plastic bin bags to put the rubbish in and oven bags and fruit and vegetable bags. Just another supermarket con. Why not go all the way. Barney

I was very upset at the comments made by the Prime Minister regarding the staff working in aged care. I know first hand how hard they work having worked myself for many years in aged care. The pay is very low for what they do. Trolley boys working for supermarkets get MORE pay than these dedicated people and they have to undergo training before they are accepted. What training do trolley boys have to do?. Doesn’t seem fair … Elizabeth, Robina

Dodgy Annastacia knew full well, that if she had approved a CST on the GC, cruise ship company Carnival Australia/ South Pacific would not have been interested in building a mega CST in Brisbane.

Dear KJ. I live in the parallel street to Tabilban Street. If the speed limit was 60k it would still rake in the dollars due to the inconsiderate morons who belt down. Try lifting your foot instead of your angst for the 30 seconds it takes you to travel the 200m. Resident.

Could someone please tell me why are the yellow cutout figures of female and male workers in hard hats along the M1 near Brisbane? Didee

Parklands showground was one of the only showgrounds in the country to regularly turn a profit. We lost that to the Games Village. The Games have been over for a few months now yet still the village site is empty and idle. Longy.

People can’t afford 15 cents for a shopping bag? For real? No wonder house prices are falling. If you can’t afford a bag, good luck holding onto the house. Sarah