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 Riverstone Ridge by Mandy Magro. An authentic and heartfelt story about uncovering who you truly are and where you belong from bestselling Australian author Mandy Magro.

WE rarely hear good news for people with autism. Living with an invisible disability, they are often misunderstood, criticised and penalised for social and neurological differences they cannot control.

Worse yet is the industry of socalled cures, preying on those who are desperate for solutions.

That’s why I welcome the establishment of a Senate select committee to inquire into “services, support and life outcomes for autistic people in Australia”.

We are quick to criticise our politicians for holding too many public inquiries; but this time they have got it right, by looking into an issue that profoundly affects the daily lives of thousands of Australians.

It’s vitally important that we identify best practice diagnosis and support, and understand why autistic girls fly under the radar, missing out on early intervention.

Endeavour Foundation hopes the Senate select committee will be the first step towards systemic change and better life outcomes for people of all ages, living with autism.

ANDREW DONNE, CEO ENDEAVOUR FOUNDATION

OMG! When will the tirade end. Ken Wade (GCB, 28/11) now attacks Mick Fanning because of his rightful stance against drilling for oil on the Great Barrier Reef.

I’m sure most rational people will see through the Labor-bashing, anti-climate change rantings we have come to expect and listen to someone who is 38 years old and clearly knows what he is talking about in respect to the dangerous prospect of having our natural wonder of the world destroyed forever.

Good heavens, the Federal Liberals are trying their hardest to destroy it with their disgraceful lack of policies in addressing global warming – we don’t need further attacks on it.

JIM TAYLOR, MUDGEERABA

I HAVE lived in Ashmore for more than 23 years and was excited at the prospect of Joshua Smith representing me in Division 8.

Imagine my surprise when I received a pamphlet from a candidate for the “new Division 6” only to discover that I am now in Division 6.

Upon investigation today it seems that Ashmore is now split across three separate divisions. How is this good for the area? Why were the borders changed? Why weren’t we notified?

CAZ LOUGH, ASHMORE

ALTHOUGH a self-declared man of the Left, Clive James was far too much of a free thinker to swallow the nonsense of the climate evangelists.

In his contribution to the book Climate Change – the Facts 2017, he ripped apart the pretensions of its two high priests, Al Gore and Tim Flannery. Take this hilarious putdown of Flannery: “(He) will not shrink back to the position conferred by his original metier – an expert on the extinction of the giant wombat. He is more likely to be one of the mass media’s mobile oracles on climate. While that continues, it will be dangerous to stand between him and a TV camera.”

Or on the imminent climate apocalypse: “A starting point might be when the Sydney Morning Herald, on 3 August 1971, announced that the Great Barrier Reef would be dead in six months.”

None of the alarmists have been able to counter that kind of withering satire.

P.C.WILSON, MIAMI

JUST what have Israel Folau’s rugby teammates got to do with the upcoming court case over his wrongful axing?

Are they going to give character statements which will include things about him we don’t already know? I doubt it.

It might just push the Reds further into the red.

KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH

DOES Sally Spain, of the Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast branch, realise that wind turbines are responsible for many thousands of bird kills including many wedgetailed eagles?

If so why would she want more built?

ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE

KEN Johnston’s letter (GCB, 28/11) was spot on regarding Transport Minister Mark Bailey, and I also agree with the Minister who announced that fines for motorists who occupy disability parking spaces should be increased.

But will this concept prove to be another Labor failure, because today’s arrogant-natured motorist simply possesses that negative attitude about their woeful driving habits and blatantly refuse to pay their fines?

Does Annastacia not know that her failing Government is owed $1.2 billion in unpaid fines, and the only realistic solution to deal with these motorists, is to have their vehicles towed away to a safe and secure holding yard, and a minimum cost of $300 to recover their vehicle.

This method would guarantee the money will paid by the vehicle’s owner, instead of the courts process, and the offender’s usual old trick of using Sper, which should never have been introduced by Labor.

A simular concept should be introduced to deal with repeat drink drivers, speedsters and users of mobiles while driving, but in these cases, squashing of their vehicles should apply.