SUPERANNUATION 
Dear editor,

Recent capital gains tax and negative gearing changes have been sold on the basis of intergenerational equity—the old supporting the young.

Yet in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget, there were no changes to superannuation funds, including large industry and union-linked funds, which continue to benefit from concessional settings unavailable to ordinary taxpayers: capital gains effectively taxed at around 10% in the pension phase versus up to 30% outside super, plus the ability to offset losses against income.

This exposes a clear double standard. While everyday Australians face tighter limits on building wealth, large super funds, including union and industry funds, retain highly favourable tax treatment.

If intergenerational equity is the goal, it must be applied consistently.

Otherwise, as Orwell wrote, “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Colin Caudell ,
Coolum Beach.
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POLITICS  
Dear editor,

Unbalanced with two right wings, who will steer the Red Queen’s new plane in her flights of fancy with her one notion that she has “a lot of work to do”  in readiness to rule Wonderland in 2028? Please explain.

Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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STADIUM PROTESTS 
Dear editor,

Making life difficult for any developmental progress in our state, blocking any or every effort to modernise, protestors camp on the sites set out for new modernising infrastructure. Without any legal right or title deed to where they set up, it is the modus operandi of the tent community claiming  crown land for themselves.

No investment or personal sacrifice on their part. Musgrave Park at West End, often called ‘First Nation Headquarters’, was the camping site when South Bank was to be developed. Resistance to any progress on crown land became a bone of contention for any development and progress of our state capital. These protestors continually resist development by state authorities, throwing plans for our future state into question.

Queenslanders want our state to draw global interest for all the right reasons. This is the dilemma driving the present protest with Victoria Park and the imminent Olympic Stadium for the 2032 Olympic Games.

It appears to be drawing attention once again to their cause, which slows the development of Victoria Park, only six years prior to the  Brisbane Olympic Games. It happens every time our State Government wants to put Queensland on the world map. Many still live in the past with a chip on their shoulders. It is pointless to continue to display contempt for legitimate progress.

E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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700 DWELLINGS   
Dear editor,

I refer to the so-called ‘Pop Up’ consultation session that was conducted recently in Coolum in order to gauge community reaction to the proposed 700-house development on South Coolum Road. The concept of providing “affordable” housing in a time of need has merit, but it raises many concerns in regard to the proposed location.

*It is a Maroochy River tidal floodplain area that gets runoff from Mt Coolum.
*The land has a regular history of flooding to the extent that water crosses over South Coolum Road.
*The land forms part of the ‘Blue Heart’ concept, committed to sustainable and adaptive floodplain management in the Maroochy River catchment.
*The land is currently zoned rural.

Even if these issues could be overcome by the developer, it raises the question as to at what cost? When flood mitigation costs are taken into account together with property ownership insurance (assuming insurance could be obtained?), the likelihood is that “affordable” housing would become “unaffordable”.

In a nutshell, more housing would be most welcomed, but it is in the wrong place!

Richard Payne,
Yaroomba.
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JOURNO PRAISE  
I applaud Mr Reynolds and his articulate and laudable visions for constructive journalism! And absolutely agree that the Advertiser is a fantastic example of such ideas in practice.

Sometimes, even in journalism, it is important to make a statement regarding what’s good or not. The reason for this is that it encourages the formation of a space for people to express their experiences in regard to issues. This is most pertinent and necessary when change is required.

Dylan White,
Coolum Beach.
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FAST FOOD STH COOLUM RD 
Dear editor,

The South Coolum Road development application next to Woolworths proposes another fast-food outlet with a drive-through provision. With being overweight and obesity a serious public health issue, do we really need to encourage more people to eat junk food without even having to get out of their cars?

Ian Lowe,
Marcoola.
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ELDERLY KINDNESS  
Dear editor,

I’ve noticed that older women can be so caring if they pick up on the symptoms of lonely older men.

They see them standing in the supermarket express lane, counting the items in everyone’s basket. If someone pushes through too many, the men give a look that says, “This is how societies crumble.”

Some take up new hobbies, like Googling illnesses, instead of seeing their GP – they are worryingly self-medicating on whatever is on special.

Beneath the quirks lies something tender. Research shows that for around 60 per cent of older men, their best friend is their wife. She’s not just a partner – she’s their social organiser and emotional interpreter.

When she passes, many don’t have a wide circle of mates to fall back on. Their friends have moved away, grown frail, or passed on. And because they were raised to be stoic, they often don’t know how to rebuild a connection from scratch.

So the quirks begin. These aren’t signs of eccentricity. They’re signs of absence.
Connection doesn’t need to be grand. A neighbour’s wave. A walking group. A weekly coffee.

Sometimes, the smallest gesture is enough to soften the quirks, ease the worry, and remind them they still belong to the world.

I’ve watched many older women step forward and do just that with a bonus hug to fill the emptiness. Good on them.

Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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