Letters to the editor 30/03/22

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PALMER SIGNS

Dear editor,

After closing down the Palmer resort, which resulted in over 700 people losing their jobs, evicting people who legitimately owned property in the resort, and losing untold millions of dollars of tourism income for the local area, I was absolutely amazed to see Clive Palmer’s election propaganda all down the David Low Way and up Tanah St. West.  Not only is it an eyesore, but it is an insult to anyone who has lived in the Coolum-Yaroomba area while he owned the resort.  I hope passers-by will see it for the stunt that it is and steel their resolve to vote the Palmer party last.

Karen Mork,
Coolum Beach.

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POLITICAL SIGNS

Dear editor,

Just what does Clive Palmer mean by his garish billboards shouting about freedom?

What Mr Palmer doesn’t say is how he is paying for those billboards which are dotted all around the countryside. Last financial year, he pocketed $334 million in royalties from Chinese conglomerate CITIC, and he is set to get as much as $250 million a year in royalties for another project. So, he has a bit of spare cash to splash about.

CITIC has invested $15 billion in West Australia. Employing 3,000 workers and building infrastructure.

On the other hand, Mr Palmer pockets the money and plays games with our democracy.

Mr Palmer doesn’t care who wins the election he just wants to have the balance of power and obviously, his own personal financial interests are foremost in his mind. He really has no interest in our freedom or our democracy.

When you vote, send him a message that our precious democracy is not for sale.

Robyn Deane,

Bli Bli.

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Dear editor,

I see our local member Ted O’Brien trumpeting the promise of $1.6 Billing for funding the long-awaited heavy rail line between Beerwah and Maroochydore along the CAMCOS corridor.  What took the Morrison government so long?  Our state government made an announcement of funding for this project nearly four years ago.  It’s taken that long for the federal government to commit their share.  Plenty of budgets in between!  .. is it election time? 

Rod Stringer,

Coolum Beach.

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TRANSPORT COSTS

Dear editor,

With a new bounty of fuel GST windfall, our Premier Palaszczuk, denies Queensland commuters, in particular those on concessions, any discount on public transport. Regional Queensland’s public transport infrastructure is all but ignored.

Motorists are hit with higher fuel costs and Queensland’s public transport is still Australia’s most expensive. Any wonder it is not well patronised at 11.4 per cent – the taxpayer subsidising the shortfall! Those with no option but to use public transport, are paying Australia’s dearest fares. 

Alternatively, Tasmania is offering free public transport for five weeks. New South Wales is allowing the public free travel for 12 days over the Easter break, from April 14 and the school holidays. This gives their constituents a break from high fuel prices and shows they are in touch with the pain of travel costs. The high cost of fuel discourages any travel.

Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria allow concession card holders free “off-peak” public transport travel. New South Wales charges concession cardholders a maximum of $2.50 per day, free car registration and free licences. There is no free “off-peak” travel for concession holders in Queensland. Taxes are mainly invested in transport infrastructure in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

What does our state government do to encourage the public, especially those outside the CBD, to use public transport? With only 11.4 per cent of our population using public transport, one wonders why other states can offer free travel sessions and “off-peak” for concession card holders, yet our Labor Government won’t! 

E. Rowe,

Marcoola.

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WORLD POLITICS

Dear editor,

It is deeply distressing to see every day the footage showing Ukraine being destroyed and in particular, the faces of the children and their mothers, innocent pawns in the power play between the USA on the one hand, endeavouring to fulfill its aim to reduce Russia, and Putin, to succumb to the American aim of global hegemony: and Putin underestimating the resilience of the Ukrainian people, misguided though they may be, as lives are lost, homes and cities destroyed and millions of citizens achieve refugee status as they flee their land.

I have been accused of being a Putin apologist when I have stated my understanding of why he has brought on this invasion; friends block their ears or usher me out of their homes; they say there is another side to everything, but they don’t want to know how our great and powerful ally, the USA, is responsible for this proxy war against Russia.

I am not alone in my belief that the USA is a greater threat to world peace than Russia, or China.  We are being brainwashed by our media and “leaders” and the dementia afflicted President of the USA…my fear is that he will push Putin too far whereas diplomacy in the early stages would have prevented this appalling situation – sadly diplomatic skills are lacking in the warmongering administration of the USA and one can only hope that America will butt out and allow Putin and Zelensky to negotiate a peaceful and face-saving solution to end this war.

Linese Norrish,

Coolum Beach.

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