On other matters
Governments in democratic countries are voted to office not power as so often reported by the media. Col, Cairns The prize for keeping a straight face no matter what is a deadheat between the North Korean newsreader and the White House press secretary. Stalwarts both of them. Steve, Westcourt Re:Barr Street Markets. Opening up Yarrum Street would create more traffic chaos. The residents of Heritage Gardens, who live on the fenceline, are fed up with speeding traffic. At times it feels like a vehicle is coming through your back door. HG Resident, Earlville “Boobs” were 2017’s top story (CP, 6/1)? No surprise there. So c’mon Cairns Post, give us what we want and boobs - sorry, boost - your business. Win win. Woz, Parramatta Park Selfish people want to close the Esplanade so they can make more money. Do they expect the elderly and disabled to walk hundreds of metres. Phil, South Johnstone Re: Flogging. I suffered corporal punishment at school - leather strap at primary school and the cane at high school. All it did was give gratification to sadistic teachers. Lindsay, Freshwater Anyone else getting terrible TV reception? Tried to watch the Heat v Scorchers the other night and the entire match was spoilt by fragmented pixels. Very very frustrating. Moa Dan, Gordonvale
Thirdly, parents of juvenile criminals to stand in court with their offspring. Fourth, juveniles lose that status and be treated as adults if committing adult crimes. Courts obliged to apply mandatory sentences for listed crimes, including use of the cane.
The whole judicial system, sometimes completely ineffective, needs a national review.
Criminals proven guilty to pay the cost of their cell occupancy, mandatory payment of all victim costs and damages through the sale of criminal assets.
The whole prison system to be reviewed. Hard-core prisons of different types to be established in the remote outback. The only other prison needed in towns would be transitory with the courts. You are either guilty and in jail (outback) or not guilty and free.
Once in jail, through extremely rigorous conditions, you then have to earn your right to rejoin society. John Wilkinson, Cairns