Letters To The Editor
Recovery plan
The Federal Labor Party understands the importance of the Roads to Recovery Program to regional Australia and to the local councils who have the responsibility of upgrading and maintaining our local roads and transport infrastructure.
That's why a Latham Labor Government will continue the $300 million per year Roads to Recovery program to ensure that the economic, safety and environmental benefits of good transport infrastructure are guaranteed across Australia.
Under Labor's program $200 million per year will be allocated directly to local councils to upgrade local transport infrastructure. We will also extend the criteria for projects eligible for funding beyond roads to include other transport-related projects such as public transport, bicycle facilities, runways at regional airports, freight terminals, railway crossings and walking trails.
A further $100 million per year will be allocated under a strategic program with a focus on whole-of-region outcomes. It will encourage local councils to think regionally, not locally, and in partnerships with other councils, all tiers of government and the private sector to get more projects completed more often.
This strategic part of Labor's Roads to Recovery program will ensure that projects that attract funding will be determined at arm's length from the Minister for Transport and with strict criteria that ensures projects stack up financially to ensure the best use of tax payers' dollars and deliver the best outcomes for our communities, regional economies and in turn the national interest.
Federal Labor in government will implement a National Integrated Land Transport Plan that will be developed in an open, transparent and accountable way and Labor's commitment to the continuation of the Roads to Recovery Program is a key part of our Plan.
It's a positive Plan. It's responsible, open, honest and will deliver long-term benefits for the entire Australian community.
Martin Ferguson MP
Federal Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
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Shared views
Congratulations to Eric Wilson (Echo, July 22) for his letter on Mungo McCallum.
I share his views and find it hard to believe that such a quality paper such as The Echo would consider printing this one-eyed drivel by Mungo McCallum.
RL Vockler
Goonellabah
The choice is yours
Eric Wilson (Echo, July 22) accuses Mungo McCallum of 'rabid hysteria' and being blatantly pro-Labor with his 'poisonous outpourings'. He asserts that Mungo's column is a waste of space which detracts from an otherwise 'near-excellent weekly newspaper'.
While Mungo does obviously have a close affinity with the Labor party, he is often also highly critical of it. Besides, his weekly column almost brings a bit of political balance to a paper which also carries weekly columns from no less than four National Party members, including the likes of Ian Causley, who often uses his column to launch 'ceaseless outpourings of vitriol' on the Labor party as well as anti-war or pro-refugee groups.
I would suggest to all Echo readers that, knowing where Mungo is coming from, you can choose to bypass and not read his column - as I now do with Ian Causley and all his National friends.
Andy Gough
Larnook
Like father
In response to B Guy's informative letter on the FTA (Farewell to Aus Trade Agreement), that our Prime Minister is intent on cementing with the USA (Echo, July 22). I would like to add a pertinent query to this business arrangement. Why does John Howard's son work in America for George Bush, and no political, media or public furore is made of it?
Currently, we have Howard Jnr employed by Bush as a member of Bush's electoral team. Surely the incestuous interests between Howard and Bush must be of concern to the public. The Prime Minister must represent the voting Australian public, NOT misuse his position to increase favour with his "new friend", and now his son's employer.
How much tax is Howard Jnr paying on his lavish American earnings? Or does it all get "written off" on some political education exercise?
Readers, is it appropriate that the son of a leader of one country who is vying for election is employed by the leader of another country also vying for election?
Particularly when the Free Trade Agreement is dependent upon both Howard and Bush returning to office to ensure it is hastened through.
It all smacks of nepotism... and more!
The lying, sneaking, conniving and secrecy evident in Howard's Ministership unfortunately mirrors that of Bush's Presidency.
Where has democracy gone?
Pauline Hastings
The Channon
A bit rich
It would be lovely to be rich to vote for Labor at the next Federal Election.
Rich enough that I could take a risk on a Prime Minister whose only policies relate to issues like children's advertising on television, mentoring and reading to toddlers.
Rich enough that I do not have to worry if Mark Latham does a 'Liverpool Council' on the Australian economy.
Rich enough that I do not have to worry about bread and butter issues that affect my family, like interest rates, family payments, tax and the future of the economy.
Rich enough that I could vote for a millionaire ageing rock star who doesn't even live in the seat he represents let alone understand the needs of the local people.
It's funny because I always thought the Australian Labor Party represented the working Australian person.
Bob Wilson
Alstonville
Read all about it
Dear Eric Wilson of Goonellabah. If you don't like what Mungo writes, you don't have to read it. I didn't have to read your crock of ..it but I did.
Freedom of choice I think it's called now! Before you go off, you didn't have to read this either, too late, you did! (you dud!)
J Harvie
Goonellabah
PS Who cares how you vote, anyway? It's supposed to be private.
Spaced out
I see that Lismore Council is cashing in its parks calling them 'Vacant Parkland'. What's this? A play on words or something? It doesn't have to be developed to be a park. What's wrong with having natural bushland and leaving it alone? Our city has precious little open space left and any attempt to flog off the rest should be resisted strongly. Remember it could be your local park next!
Greg McPhee
Lismore
Reality check
There is only one thing more frustrating than an anal academic and that is the pseudo academic. The only way to deal with this beast is to engage in a purely academic exercise and that is what I set out to do.
Let me put it another way. How do you, for example, handle a situation whereby Nick Casmirri in [The Politics of War] gets on his soap box and without a thread of evidence shouts out to the entire world that I'm a racist and a war monger. It took Nick only three, what he calls logical steps, to reach that conclusion. People out there are "manufacturing" their own truth and bending the facts to suit their own agendas. To some people this might not be a big problem. To me reality is right up there with oxygen. Without it we perish.
What is ironic is that we all bat for the same team. For all I know, the experiment in Iraq might work. I don't have a crystal ball. The bottom line, however, is that human beings are not lab rats and the experiment is morally indefensible. Bravo to Mr Lang for his latest letter. My condolences to Mr Casmirri, his logic just expired.
E Bartos
Lismore
Many thanks
Kids in Community (KIC) Awards 2004. The KIC Committee would like to sincerely thank you for supporting the 2004 Awards.
What a great night it was with over 80 nominations resulting in 100+ young people or those working with youth being recognised before an audience of over 500 in the "sold out" auditorium at the Lismore & District Workers Club. It was an evening of inspiration and celebration.
Evidence of the value and acceptance of the Awards programme is highlighted by the extensive media coverage in all local papers, through the radio and television stations and the attendance of so many official guests and major sponsors at the Presentation Night.
Thank you and congratulations for being a part of this successful event which is funded solely by local businesses, individuals and groups and which continues to highlight the positive actions being taken by and for youth to make our community a better place to live.
Please thank Terra on our behalf for her great coverage of the Awards night.
Maria Kelly
On behalf of Kids in Community Inc.
You will pay
Many families receiving family and childcare benefits would be caught out because the Howard Government had failed to tell them that there would be an extra pay fortnight in the 2004-05 financial year.
That means that as many as 5502 local families will be struggling to pay back debts that they weren't even warned about.
Because there will be 27 pays this year instead of the usual 26, many public and private sector employees will receive an extra pay packet. While they may appreciate the extra income it will be very temporary. It won't be long before John Howard is clawing it back.
For a typical Page family on an annual income of $50,000 this could mean an extra $2,000 for the year. But because they haven't declared this additional income they could be liable for family and childcare debts of between $400 and $800.
Some local families could have debts of up to $1,000. This latest breakdown in the family payment system could see the total level of family payment debts in Page skyrocket to $5,502,000.
Already one family has been proven right by not trusting the Federal Government and its $600 bonus. They set it aside believing they would have to pay it back and they have now been vindicated.
This is yet another failure of the family payment system. The Howard Government should have told families to factor in the extra fortnight's pay into their estimated income. Under the Government's zero tolerance policy we will now see the all too familiar clawback of payments which families claimed in good faith.
Kevin Bell
Labor candidate for Page
Petition thanks
The Commonwealth and State governments deserve to be thanked for the recent decision to jointly fund a $16 million radiotherapy facility in Lismore (Echo July 22), but the planned cancer unit is a win for the whole community.
Two years ago, after listening to the case for offering radiotherapy to cancer patients who presently travel some distance for treatment, the community gave unprecedented support for a petition seeking such a service.
A total of 16,000 people across the area signed their names, adding further strength to the unwavering support of nine Mayors and our State and Federal MPs.
This wonderful victory for 'people power' will benefit everyone, as cancer directly affects one-in-three people and touches the lives of all family members, friends and carers.
The inclusion of radiotherapy equipment in a cancer unit at the redeveloped Lismore Base Hospital is another step towards consolidating Lismore as a medical centre of excellence.
On behalf of the Board of Northern Rivers Area Health Service, I would like to thank those involved in the campaign for their valuable support.
The role played by the local media, including the Northern Rivers Echo, was a vital part of this campaign.
Elizabeth Rummery
Board Chair,
Northern Rivers Area Health Service
Scouts birthday
1st Kempsey Scout Group extends an invitation to all past and present Leaders (Scouters), Youth Members (Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts, Venturers, Rovers), Group Committee Members (Parents) and interested members of the community from all the Scout Groups in the Macleay District to attend our 90th birthday celebrations to be held on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at the Scout Hall, Tozer Street, West Kempsey from 9.30am until 3.30pm.
Morning tea and lunch will be on sale.
The first Scout Troop in Kempsey commenced in 1914. Groups in the Macleay District were 2nd Kempsey, 3rd Kempsey, 4th Kempsey, 2nd Kempsey-Crescent Head, 1st South Kempsey, 1st Smithtown, South West Rocks, 1st Bellbrook, Crescent Head, Lower Macleay, Sea Scouts and Air Scouts as well as 1st Kempsey.
If you, any of your family or friends were members of a Scout Group on the Macleay we need you to help us celebrate our 90th birthday. Please pass this invitation to every past member you know.
Your reply by August 30 (to confirm your attendance) would be greatly appreciated. Please write to 1st Kempsey Scout Group, PO Box 181, West Kempsey, NSW 2440; email tsn19193@tsn.cc; phone Narelle on 6562 2930 or Dot on 6562 5511.
D McDonald
Kempsey
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