THE fact that Prime Minister Scott Morrison decided to make a statement about the report of the royal commission on aged care before the report had been circulated to the press ('Report urges sweeping aged care reforms', Newcastle Herald 2/3) is a clear indication to me that his government is hoping other major scandals of his accident-prone government will hide his neglect of the care of the aged.
As the Attorney-General Christian Porter was to front the media later the same week, I believe Mr Morrison knew that the headlines would be dominated by Mr Porter's problems (''Alleged rape 'didn't happen', says Porter', Herald 4/3) and the accounts of the amazing speech of Grace Tame at the National Press Club ('Grace's thunder can't be stolen', Herald 4/3) so his government's record of abuse so horrifically recorded by the report would not be given the examination and criticism it deserves.
In my opinion the prime minister is obviously treating the care of the aged as just a political problem, as he does every scandal without any commitment to solving the underlying problem as evidenced by his handling of the Higgins and Porter rape allegations.
As a 91-year-old I can assure Mr Morrison that I, and I am sure my fellow aged, will not be shunted off to the bottom drawer and ignored as he did the first interim report of the royal commission named Neglect. The implementation of the recommendations of the royal commission in all its detail must be made to stop the abuse and neglect that has been highlighted as the responsibility of this Coalition government .
Frank Ward, Shoal Bay
The law must apply to all equally
I FIND the hypocrisy of our current federal government mind blowing. Innocent until proven guilty is shouted from the rooftops for a cabinet minister, but deemed completely irrelevant for the thousands of victims of Robodebt.
Similarly the presumption of innocence suddenly means right to anonymity for a cabinet minister but not for the thousands of people whose names are listed daily as facing assorted criminal charges ranging from petty crime to murder.
Janet Sutherland, Hillsborough
Time was right to do decent thing
IN response to Bryn Roberts (Short Takes, 8/3) the JobSeeker payment was doubled from about $550 per fortnight (not per week) to $1100 per fortnight, when it became apparent that many "decent people", to use Stuart Robert's description, would become unemployed and we couldn't have them struggling on $40 a day like all the "dole bludgers" who didn't deserve it, according to him. Those people would also get the rise because it was too hard to separate them from the "decent" unemployed.
I suppose everyone who finds it frustrating to read reports of welfare recipients will be mightily relieved to hear that JobSeeker payments are now being reduced to about $520 a fortnight (not per week). I do hope none of Stuart Robert's "decent" unemployed are still on JobSeeker.
Barnard Ward, Edgeworth
Park plans if they're hampered
CITY of Newcastle is now admitting there are issues "outside of [its] control or responsibility" in questions I have put to them regarding the development of the Foreshore Park Masterplan ('Council bans resident over staff exchange', Herald 4/3) Why, then, is the public being invited to participate in an expensive community engagement process on Foreshore Park that suggests council is able to accommodate public feedback?
To be clear, the council's website shows the community have already said they want to see "more trees and shade, accessible toilets, picnic areas, improved cycle paths, and more pop-up events and activations". However, under Schedule 2 of the Services Deed signed by council on 16th Dec 2016, without the knowledge of the elected councillors, paragraph v) states the council must "promptly notify V8SCA (Supercars) of all development applications and/or approvals, construction approvals and /or applications, and/or traffic works to take place within or contiguous to the Circuit during the Term".
It follows that Supercars must agree to any permanent changes council is planning to make in the park. This must inevitably place severe design constraints on any masterplan drawn up by the council during Supercars' term. In order to do justice to community feedback, I believe City of Newcastle needs to hold off on any further planning until they regain total control of managing the city's parklands.
Christine Everingham, Newcastle East
Drink in population's ramifications
I RECKON City of Newcastle council can't have it both ways with the lockout laws. In my opinion they have encouraged and instigated a new residential settlement in inner Newcastle comprising thousands of new residents in a condensed living environment, then they seem to expect these settlers to not expect peace and quiet after dark.
All this money acquired through development applications and extra residential land rates comes with responsibility to ensure people can live in a safe and quiet environment, and feel safe to go out after dark.
Newcastle's inner city entertainment has had its day, and like most things in life it's now time to move on to more suitable places. As for the costs, I think the council should be prepared to accept responsibility and share these costs.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Question of life in jail or death
THE presumed suicide death of alleged fraudster Melissa Caddick points to a dilemma that will shortly face the people of NSW. Other states and NZ have already legalised assisted dying or euthanasia for people who are certified as being in their right minds, and who are facing certain, painful, undignified and miserable deaths. NSW should follow suit, with legislation expected by the end of the year.
The question arises: Should convicted criminals also be given the option of being painlessly euthanised rather than face long jail terms (what does this say about our jails?) It could be argued that criminals have forfeited their right to 'escape' justice via euthanasia. Instead, they should face their victims in a court and be punished. This begs the question: what is our criminal justice system seeking to do, and what does justice mean. Is it primitive payback, the Old Testament eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? Is it the victim or relatives' compensation? Is it deterrence, like putting a severed head on a pike on London Bridge, or is it reform and rehabilitation since it is arguable that no-one is a lost cause? Obviously justice can't be all of these things.
In Caddick's case, if she had appeared in court and had been questioned by attorneys, her victims may have obtained more answers and may have felt more closure. Her victims may have experienced some comfort if the court had convicted Caddick and sent her to jail for a long stretch. On the other hand, they could have felt cheated if the court had delivered a short sentence. Euthanasia for convicted criminals may relieve the suffering of incorrigible lifers who can never be released. It would also save the rest of us a motza.
Geoff Black, Caves Beach
SHORT TAKES
I SEE history repeating itself at King Canute's skate pool at South Newcastle beach ('Huge seas injure walkers, break fence', Newcastle Herald 8/3).
Tim Roberts, Newcastle East
WHEN is our so-called PM going to stop protecting his embattled ministers? His actions, especially over the last three weeks, prove to me exactly what a flim-flam person he is. But then again, I forgot he can go to his church every Sunday, sing a few songs and all is forgiven, then start all over the following week.
Daryl Frost, Eleebana
TONY Brown (Letters, 5/3) talks about a literal bloodbath back in the so-called bad old days. Really? I was around in the thick of it back in the bad old days. No bloodbaths, no ice-induced assaults, just people enjoying the vibrancy of live music in Newy. You were there, as I was.
Tony Morley, Waratah
ALLEN Small expresses concern that Wests may have been in error when resigning Coach Adam O'Brien to an extended contract (Letters, 4/3). Surely a club with such an experienced executive, would have clauses to cover all contingencies in any extended agreement. I believe it to be naive to think otherwise.
Robert Tacon, Adamstown Heights
SOME apes in San Diego have reportedly been immunised against COVID-19 before most humans, including most Australians. How ridiculous.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
LIKE all self-serving politicians, when their attempts fail to publicly justify their questionable actions, Reynolds and Porter have taken the mandatory time off to have their ego restored.
Bruce Brown, Marks Point
SOCIAL media, although very clever and convenient when used in the correct manner also has the opposite effect when used the wrong way. Most days of late it seems to be proving more detrimental to our society. Naturally, this depends on the individual but beware, there seems to be more bad news than good. Such a shame.
Col Parkins, Wallsend
IT has been reported that Defence Minister Linda Reynolds referred to Brittany Higgins as a "lying cow". These could be famous last words for this Minister. I hope they come back to bite her big time. In regards to the allegations against Christian Porter, we have listened to his response, but if we do not have access to the letter detailing the victim's account of the alleged incident we will never know who is telling the truth and I believe some doubt will linger.
Darryl Tuckwell, Eleebana
CHRISTIAN Porter, I am not saying that you are a liar, but I just don't believe you.
