Open letter to Ann Sudmalis
I've just read your latest emailed offering. Australia cannot afford the "income tax relief" you pretend to offer. You are attempting to buy votes in the forthcoming by-elections, and the general election to come. In doing so, you are reducing government income needed to reduce our national debt and to fund adequately the services our people need for themselves and want for those less fortunate. Some of us might pay a few dollars less in tax, but we lose a lot more in essential services such as education and nursing.
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On July 1, you accepted a pay rise. On the very same day, a vast number of Australian workers in the hospitality and retail sectors took a pay cut, because of legislation you voted for. Retail and hospitality are big around here, so this matters to us. These are our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and friends.
You and your treacherously devious colleagues pretend that was all about increasing employment opportunities in the sector - (by) Increasing employment opportunities in an already underpaying sector by reducing pay even further. More people get worse paying jobs. Gobsmacking.
I look to the east, and see Jacinda Ardern bringing social justice to New Zealand. I look further east and see President elect AMLO bringing long-awaited hope to Mexico. To the north of Mexico, I see young Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez win a primary over a veteran Democrat in in New York’s 14th congressional district. Guaranteed to translate that into electoral victory, she is representative of her constituency.
Change is afoot, and dinosaurs like you are are targeted. Enjoy the pay rise. I'm hoping it will be your last.
Terry McGee
Malua Bay
Australia can’t go alone
To Terry McGee and all his Coalition-hating mates (we have a lot of them judging by letters to editors in this and other newspapers): How about taking a realistic look at the climate change issue?
Imagine if you will, an Aussie taking a leak in an Oympic sized pool, and then umpteen trucks that have just pumped out the sewage from the houses of the American’s families, the Chinese families and the Indian’s families, turning up and emptying their loads into the pool.
That would be Australia's comparative contribution to global warming. Don’t get me wrong; I’m with you on the climate change issue, but don’t sheet the blame onto the Coalition, who you obviously have no love for.
There is no shield protecting Australia from the emissions produced by the three main polluters, so, no matter what we do, we still cop all that they throw into the atmosphere.
Until they come on board and stop willfully ignoring their collective responsibilities to lessening pollution, nothing will change.
Alex Wallensky
Broulee
Rotary reflections
Rotary Batemans Bay held its annual presidents changeover dinner at the end of June at The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.
It was a wonderfully ceremonious evening with much humour, but also filled with the dignity the club exudes.
Outgoing president, Maureen Manning, led the club during a very successful year of fundraising for our local community and internationally.
Rotary has contributed this year to The Tathra Bushfire Recovery, Batemans Bay Youth Foundation, which gives scholarships to high school students moving on to further education, NSW Surf Lifesaving Clubs, Maranatha Lodge, St Cecelia Music Society, Can Assist, Eurobodalla, Angel Flight, School of St Jude’s Tanzania, Batemans Bay Primary School Breakfast Club, Batemans Bay Football Club, Trainee Medical Scholarships, water and sanitation projects in the Philippines and Zambia, training of midwives in the Solomon Islands.
The End Polio Now campaign in conjunction with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed to the eradication of 99.9 per cent of polio in the world.
The new president, Alan Russell, is, in conjunction with a very experienced, eclectic board, planning the way forward and a strategic plan will be implemented by August this year.
Rotary Batemans Bay has an extremely dedicated group of members and their partners, who work tirelessly, whether it be at the sausage sizzle at Bunnings or cooking donuts in the Rotary Van at Corrigans Beach, or working to make all the charities that are supported viable. There is a solidarity of like-minded people coming together in the spirit of charitable giving which is humbling to observe.
The Club will warmly welcome anyone interested in good humoured fun and dedication to truth, fairness, goodwill and supporting those in need. Rotary does not have any religious or political affiliations. Visit www.rotarybbay.org.au
Mary Harper
for Batemans Bay Rotary
Royal love
Everybody saw the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The pastor mentioned love. Here is an example: “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12)
