BIG HOPE FOR FILM

A $400 million location incentive to be announced by PM Scott Morrison today should ensure it’s all lights, cameras, action for the film industry here.

Hollywood movie giants are keen to cross the Pacific because we’re seen as COVID-safe. A major star wants to make their next big film on the Gold Coast, but the sticking point there and in attracting other studios to shoot here, use our production facilities and employ locals has been a tax offset rate of 16.5 per cent, well behind locations where it is 30 per cent. The PM’s plan removes that barrier – great news for an economy that has suffered the ravages of the virus and the bushfires.

IT would be easy to accuse the Labor Party of calling Buckingham Palace, and therefore the Queen, a liar. But let’s not inflame this silly piece of fake news.

The republican movement can’t be taken seriously while it is headed up by a guy who wears a red bandana.

We are talking about an alternative form of government, not a popularity contest for nutters. It proves we still have a long way to go to even get to the serious debate stage.

KEITH MOUATT, ROBINA

IF there was ever an argument to ditch the monarchy it has to be the revelation that a toffee nosed Eton boy with no law training was giving advice on behalf of the Queen to Kerr, a barrister and judge.

Kerr was so insecure and such a monarchist that he accepted and acted on this advice.

The result was a stain on our democratic parliamentary system.

TONY CAVUOTO, PALM BEACH

I CONFESS that having been brought up in the era of the typewriter, a telephone through which conversations were conducted, learning through reading books and most business conducted face to face, modern technology, effective communication and service can be challenging at times.

Yes, I appreciate my PC and what it can do for me. No more whiting out spelling errors or typos and I can get a communication out to be read and answered immediately. Google even saves me going to the library or reading an encyclopedia to source information.

Like most of my generation, there are limitations as to how I navigate through the more complex

or convoluted workings of these modern aids.

For instance, exchanging multiple texts when a conversation is more effective. Then the phone call greeted by a robotic voice asking you to press a certain number but none of those numbers relates to your inquiry. And then when you finally get through you have trouble deciphering the foreign accent at the other end of the line. Worse still, “Sorry sir, that is another department, please hold the line and I will try to put you through.” Dead air. The line drops out. Been there have you?

The implied convenience of going online to access and fill out a document is not a convenience to everyone.

The bank that serviced me for 33 years has temporarily closed and I wonder how long temporarily means? But I can call the centre or go on-line for my inquiries I’m in a Catch 22 and not alone. Where to from here?

We are not mentally challenged nor adverse to change but modern technology has moved rapidly in the past 20 years and catch up has become a daily challenge as things like personal service and communication or the lack thereof enter a whole new era. Forgive us if we start to believe we are a number, a task to be dealt with instead of a living breathing and feeling person.

I cope better than some and not as well as others which also leaves me wondering what has become the relevance of my generation when it comes to effective communication and service in today’s society. It’s not a whinge, just statement of fact. Like many I’m looking for a rational solution.

BOB JANSSEN, GOLD COAST

YOU could be forgiven for thinking “our” state has Joh ensuring his flock are being kept safely under his ever-steely eyes from above.

As one of the real “born in Queensland” I am often ashamed to admit it when you see the state has 52 varieties of God steering it.

DJ FRASER, CURRUMBIN

THERE are some phrases from the 2nd Century Greek Satirist, Juvenal, which have been proven to be particularly pertinent and well used today. One being “Who Watches the Watchers?” Another is “Give them Bread and Circuses and they will never revolt” meaning, if you provide enough perks, handouts or distractions, anything can be achieved.

Both quotes are mentioned in the opening pages of a book for everyo ne of us interested in what is happening, both in the open and behind the scenes in the world we live in, and is a ‘must read’.

The book is authored by New Zealander Ian Wishart, with the title – Totalitaria: What If the Enemy Is the State? This book was published in 2013 and has a photo of either Barack Obama or Donald Trump on the cover and available in all various options available today.

Don’t be put off reading it because of the photos on the cover and your possible dislike of either person, because I guarantee that you will be amazed by what was stated in the book in 2013 and, what has since become “reality”. It’s a pretty frightening insight into how bureaucracies and governments work and what are the realities behind social media platforms and the information collated and how it is used – regardless of the promises made by those behind them, that your information is protected.

Something of particular interest is the mention of the “Sidewinder Project” which goes a long way to understanding many of the decisions being made by our past and present bureaucrats.

The author is also an investigative reporter and has had death threats against him over the years because of his various investigations and, throughout his books he backs up everything with the pertinent links of origin of his investigations and has not held back on what or who he investigates.

GAEL BEALE, GOLD COAST

I AM writing to express my appreciation to everyone who supported The Smith Family’s 2020 Winter Appeal.

At a time when Australians have been challenged like never before, we have been humbled and inspired by tremendous generosity.

Our charity supports the educational achievement of children in need as a practical pathway out of poverty. The donations we received for our Winter Appeal will mean our vital out-of-school learning and mentoring programs can now be delivered to thousands more students living in disadvantage.

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, there was strong evidence that disadvantaged students were falling behind at school through not having the same learning opportunities as their more advantaged classmates. At age 15, the gap is equivalent to around three years of schooling.

The Smith Family exists to change children’s lives through supporting their education. To do this, we rely on the generous support of thousands of Australians.

DR LISA O’BRIEN, CEO THE SMITH FAMILY