Out of touch with ordinary Australians
It is with little wonder that Conservatives refuse to raise the Newstart unemployment benefit, because many come from positions of privilege and wealth. They have no idea what it is like to battle. Many Conservative voters, too, have no idea.
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Angus Taylor was bright and hard-working enough to win scholarships to an elite school and elite university in Oxford, England: this shouldn't be forgotten. What also shouldn't be forgotten is Mr Taylor's family wealth that was there behind him all the way. He never had to stand in a Centrelink line, never had to attend pointless interviews and appointments with job agencies.
As I recall, Mr Taylor in his gap year worked on farms, but I doubt he had to rely on a farm labourer's income for all his needs. Mr Taylor studied Economics, which reduces all humanity to the dollar without any sign of trying to understand the whole of the human condition. It is my opinion Mr Taylor is out of touch with ordinary working Australians and especially the unemployed.
The Deputy Prime Minister has suggested the unemployed move to the regions and do work like fruit picking. There is nothing wrong with fruit picking, I have done similar work.
But this just goes to show how out of touch Michael McCormack really is. In proportion to the money people on Newstart actually receive, what is the price of a decent tent that keeps the rain out, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, camp cooking equipment, extra food and transport and rental on a caravan park camping spot. All hard to achieve without some kind of family backing.
Sure as hell can't afford a decent car on Newstart. Sure as hell can't move from poverty when you're bankrupted by Newstart and the lack of work.
What do local Liberals think? Local Nationals? Show your colours, Conservatives. Tell the poor of Goulburn to sleep in the dirt. And before you pick on me personally, I have a small business which gainfully employs me.
Stuart Mawbey, Goulburn
Original penalties levied should have been upheld
I find it disappointing to read (Goulburn Post, July 24) the radical vegan activists who disrupted production at Southern Meats on April 8 with their meaningless protests were let off with no conviction and a 'slap on the wrist' by a District Court judge. The original penalties levied by the Magistrate in the Local Court should have been upheld.
In the weeks following April 8 both the State and Federal Governments promised new tougher laws against such illegal activities. I don't think the announced changes to the NSW Biosecurity Act on July 22 by Deputy Premier John Barilaro have yet been passed by State Parliament, but it's good to hear they are coming. I am not aware what changes to Federal legislation to address these issues have been, or are, proposed.
It seems these promised announcements (between April 8 and July 22) didn't filter down to the District Court judge who upheld the appeals and goes against what the government has promised. The decision of the District Court will only encourage these radical activists to regroup and reform for another disruptive assault some time ... especially since no convictions were recorded so they can start all over again with a clean slate.
It is one thing for government to pass legislation to address an issue but whether the courts apply it as intended is another. I hope the government passes this legislation soon. I guess we will have to wait and see what future penalties, if any, are applied to these radical activists next time they offend.
Southern Meats is a renowned export quality meatworks employing hundreds of people and a valued business to the local economy in Goulburn.
