YOUR VIEWS

I RECENTLY sent a message to

GCB about my concerns about playground equipment and shade cloths facing possible removal.

I am now thrilled to learn the Gold Coast Council has scrapped that idea. Thank you Mayor Tate and fellow councillors.

I can assure you the families that use the playgrounds will be very grateful for your decision.

FAYE BALL, MUDGEERABA

ROBERT Buick’s letter ( GCB, 28/7) shows he has little knowledge of Bob Katter. Yes, Katter is of Lebanese descent but this is something he does not hide.

Katter, his father and his son are fully integrated into Australian so- ciety. Katter is the only MP I have heard described as “we love our Bob” by non-partisan constituents.

Not that this would be very difficult his father was, in fact, born in Brisbane not Lebanon as Buick falsely alleges.

My understanding is Bob Katter’s grandfather was born in Lebanon. A bit of research before mouthing off would help.

Why is Buick using his JP post nominal in a clearly politically partisan letter? Should JPs be using their office nomenclature in political fights?

I wish my MP stood up for my electorate the way Bob Katter does for his electorate. ANDREW JACKSON HOW far out of touch with reality are the education officials who introduced the banning of references to Jesus in primary schools?

And where is the Minister who is presiding over this attack on traditional Christian values?

The policy, aimed at four to 12year-olds, includes a ban on sharing Christmas cards that refer to Jesus’s birth, creating Christmas tree decorations and making beaded bracelets to give to friends “as a way of sharing the good news about Jesus”.

I find it outrageous that Queensland bureaucrats are bending over backwards to cater for minorities within our community.

This country has long held a set of Christian values which should not be undermined. STEVE DICKSON, MEMBER FOR BUDERIM

AUSTRALIA’S policy is to make conditions harsher for Manus refu- gees. There has, for instance, been 16 self-harm and suicide attempts in just one week there.

Some 1900 asylum seekers who spent time on Manus will receive $70 million having endured inadequate food, water, shelter and medical treatment.

Contrary to promises, there’s no medical facility in the transit centre. The nearby hospital is not equipped to handle the refuges.

Meanwhile there are corroborated accounts of refugees being beaten up, robbed, humiliated and insulted by locals almost daily.

Parliamentary reports describe the misery we’ve imposed.

Like or hate the policy, the boats stopped. There is no evidence they will start again if we bring 700 men to Australia.

I urge people to write to your senators and tell them these refugees deserve a home in Australia. JUDY BAMBERGER, O’CONNOR, ACT