Letter's to the Editor 19/5/10

I don't know the individual who is responsible for writing your editorials, surely not the editor, because your conclusions about Dr Mike Kelly’s attendance are quite wrong and deliberately misleading.

Mike Kelly was elected in 2007 to the seat of Eden-Monaro and, as well you know, Batemans Bay was part of the electorate of Gilmore. Dr Kelly, by virtue of boundary change, was catapulted back into Eden-Monaro and therefore has not had time to establish his identity as a Labor representative.

Your reporters only report what they like to see and have no trouble reporting moronic answers to pointed questions in your so-called vox pop column.

Mike Kelly has done a fabulous job for Eden-Monaro and will, if re-elected, do the same job now that Batemans Bay is included in his electorate.

As a footnote, our previous Liberal representative, Gary “Noddy” Nairn, was very rarely seen walking the streets of Batemans Bay for the very same reasons as Mike Kelly, a huge electorate.

I would hope that in future editions of your paper your editorial policy is changed to just include a little piece of fairness and less bias towards the Labor Party.

Roy Johnston, Batemans Bay ALP, Branch president

I’ve found Mike Kelly!

In last Wednesday’s Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, the editor’s negative comments about Mike Kelly and the front page article seem to contradict the Where’s Mike Campaign.

How can you say he’s never here but, on the other hand, he is in Batemans Bay the same week as you say he is not.

By the public’s comments in Moruya, it seems that they have never heard of three degrees of separation.

I know that Mike has visited the southern part of the electorate on numerous occasions but, unless Mike starts driving around the electorate with a trailer with his face on it, certain critics will keep on the Where’s Mike bandwagon.

Thanks Mike for being there Friday night and Saturday at the Narooma Oyster Festival. By the number of persons talking to Mike, it appears they had no problems finding him!

Geoff Collins, Narooma

Thanks for your compassion

I strained my back while participating in water sports on the afternoon of April 25 at Nelligen. By the Monday I was in excruciating pain as my back was fixed in a spasm.

My sister, a local, insisted that Batemans Bay Hospital would be able to help me but having had extensive emergency room experience from a “carer’s” point of view over the past few years, I was unconsciously filled with trepidation of hospital treatment.

However, this recent experience at Batemans Bay has really turned things around for me and I felt that the kindness and professional treatment I was given that day truly deserves to be recognised.

Anyone with a crook back knows that the pain can be excruciating although it is not always visible to others. The triage nurse was extremely thorough and it was less than 15 minutes before she took me out back and found a bed for me to try to lie on.

I was immediately assessed by the doctor on duty and he too was very compassionate and thorough in his investigation. I was administered pain-killers and a muscle relaxant and, although it took almost an hour for them to take effect I was never rushed or my visiting young children made to feel a nuisance.

Consequently I wanted to publicly thank the attending staff for the priceless diligence and compassion extended to me that day that contributed to a much faster recovery.

Melinda Dwyer, Googong

Secret staff review

In the latest example of Eurobodalla Shire Council profligacy, we learn $30,000 of ratepayers’ money has been spent on a council staff review, the results of which, we are informed by the glorified town clerk Anderson, will be kept secret from those he expects to pick up the bill.

May we expect that this is a further example of outside consultancy recommendations being ignored by the coterie of nine?

Max Tickner, Bergalia

Liberals lack respect

The Liberal Party has shown a total lack of respect for the voters of Eden-Monaro in their choice of candidate to run in the forthcoming Federal election. They obviously think that no-one in the electorate is good enough to represent them, so they are sending in a party hack, Gazard, from the ACT Liberals.

While we in the ACT would be more than happy to see him go, I have no doubt Eden-Monaro residents will not fall for this cheap political ploy.

Vic Adams, Reid, ACT

A dose of déjà vu

After listening to Tony Abbott this week I have a ghastly feeling of déjà vu - not AWAs and Work-Choices again?

It is clear that he wants to bring back the worst elements of WorkChoices despite Australians voting it down in 2007. AWAs will be reintroduced. This means individual contracts, which threaten the pay and working conditions of all including our most vulnerable workers.

Unfair dismissal laws will be repealed, allowing an employer to sack an employee for no reason at all.

I am sure that most employers are well-meaning and caring but there are always those who are the opposite.

Mr Abbott stated only recently that although the phrase WorkChoices was dead, aspects of the old legislation should be reinstated.

As a union member I can say that the Rudd Government’s Industrial Relations Legislation is not perfect but it does endeavour to give workers a fair go.

Lorraine Maftoum, Malua Bay