YOUR VIEWS

THE $60 billion over-estimate of the JobKeeper program should be viewed as a godsend at a time when Gold Coast businesses are feeling extreme economic pain.

A godsend because it gives the opportunity for the Federal Government to extend the JobKeeper program until December to ensure that we can sustain a safe and measured easing of restrictions.

The Prime Minister can now be compassionate as well as concerned.

I stand by my comments that safety needs to be our number one priority and until the Chief Medical Officer is comfortable and says it’s appropriate to open the borders, they should remain closed.

I firmly believe that the border closure is saving lives.

And by extending the JobKeeper program, the Government has the opportunity to save livelihoods.

If we can ensure that this surplus finds its way into the pockets of desperate Australian businesses and families until the end of the year, it will ease stress and save businesses.

TOM TATE,

MAYOR, CITY OF GOLD COAST

CAN someone please explain to me why the issues with vagrants in the CBD are ignored or simply put into the too-hard basket by Queensland Police.

It has become blatantly obvious that they are simply duck shoving their responsibilities in regard to enforcing social distancing laws and everything else involving this group of drunks causing grief to everyone using Nerang St.

Every day we see these drunks openly drinking, causing disturbances, stealing from local shops etc. Unfortunately most people have given up the fight, you quickly realise that dialling 131 444 will not get much of a response.

Has this State Government and the Qld Police simply thrown the towel in and given up on Southport?

How can a small group of drunks be allowed to run the precinct?

I would suggest, this particular group have simply slipped under the umbrella of poor homeless, and therefore the issue has become political, whereas they should be treated like every other citizen who commits offences.

With QPS pursuing their current policy of inaction they have lost the respect of the vagrants and are losing the respect of the locals.

DAVE GILMOUR, SOUTHPORT

WHY can’t the borders be opened but with strict conditions attached such as a requirement for tourists to be tested for COVID-19, with the onus on tourism operators to request a copy of the test, along with ID, prior to allowing entry into their facility?

The application of any process would be neither simple nor foolproof but at least it is a way forward.

KATHY CONRAD, GOLD COAST

I HAVE been a devoted reader of the GCB for many years, your sister publication, The Australian, and also ABC news radio with my ability to always filter out its bias.

But as someone without a hypochondriacal bone in his body, basically sick to death of all, and most, stories linked to the virus, though still and always sticking with the instructions we are repeatedly given, l now shut down listening to the cacophony.

It is called “saving one’s sanity”.

DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH

I THINK I have worked out why Palaszczuk want’s to keep the border

closed. She knows that a loss to the LNP is a foregone conclusion at the October elections so in addition she will not only leave the State $100 billion-plus in debt but with a devastated economy.

Bligh to Newman all over again!

RICHARD, GAGIE ORMEAU

PT (Chatroom, GCB, 29/5)

You are spot on PT! I am unsure whether coronavirus is here to stay but how it appeared in the first instance is still pretty much unknown, despite all the medical theories and various conspiracies.

But what is alarming is the various ways in which the virus presents within the global population (eg. gastrointestinal symptoms, rashes, body aches and worse still nil symptoms). Thus asymptomatic people are a cause of concern because they are an invisible host.

So, to err on the side of caution should be exercised stricter than ever.

Even the beaut “Hydroxychloroquine” drug touted to prevent and treat coronavirus has come under strict scrutiny because of its alleged side-effects such as heart problems.

So, what can we all do? Perhaps the old proverb “Patience is a virtue” applies now more than ever. In other words, wait it out and continue to abide by all precautions as set out for us.

Seems like the genie has no intention of returning to the bottle any time soon and unfortunately it still remains a mystery where it decides to travel next.

PAM DELAHUNTY-HUNTER, BIGGERA WATERS

WELL what can be said that has not been said about COVID-19 that has not been said? I cannot think of anything because of the unbelievably constant coverage.

Now that we know much more

and in Australia’s situation we have it under control within our borders.

By strict control of foreign visitors we most certainly can open all public facilities immediately.

Unfortunately our premiers are acting like dictators and particularly Queensland our dictator has decreed that we will destroy our economy and to hell with small businesses etc.

She has replaced common sense with fear, as most other states have, and we witness idiotic measures enforced on to undeserving citizens.

The public is fast becoming fed up with losing their savings and business.

For God’s sake open all clubs pubs etc, NOW.

NICK BELLOFF, SOUTHPORT

PREMIER Palaszczuk seems to delight in the belief that Queensland is superior to New South Wales by stupidly blocking entry into our state. (GCB, May 29).

We know we live in a great state but it’s certainly not her or her government’s doing. I don’t want to labour the point but it’s the people and the countryside that makes it that way.

Why she is denying our tourist attractions and our hospitality trade a living makes her guilty of not giving people a fair go.

She and her ministers have not taken a pay cut as many others have with many not earning a cent.

This is Queensland’s most selfish and uncaring government in the state’s long history and it is to be hoped voters will not forget this in October.

I don’t tune in to her boasting during her online reports about the virus and hopefully something will come along to wipe that ‘Beattielike’ grin from her face!

KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE STH