Fix it, then call an election
CITIZENSHIP CRISIS
HONESTLY, how hard can it be? The enormous cost to our community brought about by this silly impasse — not just financial but the loss of people we elected to represent us. I fail to see why we should be saddled with second choice. Wouldn’t it be enough to say if the political member or candidate was born in Australia then he/ she is Australian and eligible to sit in Parliament? If one was born overseas but has taken Australian citizenship since arriving, that person is also Australian. Just because a parent was born overseas does not mean one’s allegiance is owed to the country of birth of the parent. This is a ridiculous state of affairs and needs to be rectified as soon as possible. Then the right thing to do is call a general election. time we had another referendum. The cost could be reduced by including Aboriginal Constitutional recognition and a new flag. The abolition of the vice-regal offices of governor-general and governors would save millions that could be funnelled into health and education. Despite being a “functionally independent” nation, we have a foreign monarch as head of state. The Queen has the power to disallow any law but has yet to exercise this. A president, an eminent Australian selected by the people of Australia, would see us grow up and cut the umbilical cord.
Avoid pay drama
A NUMBER of correspondents are suggesting that those leaving Parliament on account of Section 44 should be making pay reparations and having pensions stopped. I hope no hasty action is taken in the direction of such penalties. It can only lead to further legal jurisdiction warfare and expense. I think any one of the legal firms dealing in compensation claims and complaints would find no trouble convincing the judge that the government (The Employer) had failed to clearly inform the ex-parliamentarian (The Employee) of the hazard in his/her workplace that is Section 44. Case dismissed.
Imagine Centrelink
NUMBER eight down and more to come no doubt. What a mess these highly paid “professional” people have placed this country in. They ask us to put our trust in A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. them to run this country, when they can’t run their own lives. Excuses, one after the other. If they were clients of Centrelink and gave false information filling out the paperwork all hell would break loose and money would have to be refunded. Try giving the tax department the wrong information and you face fines. Will these people have to refund moneys they are taken off the taxpayer. That will be a No.
Allegiance confusion
WHY, if we are so pedantic, do we expect a dual citizen to resign an elected office; then if re-elected, swear true allegiance to her majesty Elizabeth II (Queen of Great Britain), her heirs and successors? Australia is yet to have Queen Elizabeth I of Australia, so should not this oath to Elizabeth II be to Queen Elizabeth I of Australia? The answer must be as serious as us honouring citizen by descent. What if our prime minister was adopted and just reunited with his/her natural father?
Just govern
WHAT a joke are all of our federal politicians. We don’t ask much, just to be governed for good outcomes which helps our country. What other part of our society demand such accountability. If this were the case there would be a lot of unemployed people. Wake up and govern our wonderful country as it should be, fair for all regardless of dual citizenship situations.
Habitat anger
WHAT minister with a shred of competence would allow the habitat of a critically endangered bird to be destroyed? I am furious.
Destructive
SUSTAINABLE Timber Tasmania; different name — same destructive and government-funded incompetence.
Childish
HOW infantile can parliamentary debate become? Labor threaten that if the Liberals fire “missiles” over the citizenship debate, then Labor have “the ammo to go nuclear”. Sticks and stones.
Let it do its job
GOVERNMENT should be enabling TasWater to do its job, not running it down then taking it over to put their hand in the till.
Too frugal
YOU can understand companies not wanting too much waste, but when you are only able to pull out one bit of paper from a disabled toilet roll, must say they are going to the extreme.