QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk may think she is a good Queenslander, but in my opinion she is a very poor Australian. It is the way she is boasting about "her" Queensland and how grateful NSW should be if she decides to open their border.
Surely it is now time for us to aggressively get on the front foot and take the initiative away from her instead of just hanging around waiting for her to invite us in to spend our tourist dollars while we have small businesses struggling to survive here. We should keep our own in work.
Some numbers to ponder, obtained from Morgan research: in 2019 domestic visitors to Queensland reached 25.9 million, staying 103 million nights and spending $19.4 billion. That excludes overseas visitors. Surely we are never going to get a better invitation from the Queensland government to promote, promote and promote again to our own and other states what we have to offer, which in my opinion is far superior to what every other state has to offer overall.
We now have a lifetime opportunity to immediately launch the biggest campaign in our history highlighting the beauty and benefits of the Kingscliff, Lennox Heads, Ballina, Bryon Bay, Shoalhaven Heads, Mollymook, Jervis Bay, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Mudgee and more.
I am not thinking of a million dollar campaign, but a billion dollar spend. Given the figures above, if done properly one would almost guarantee a tenfold return. Who has sat in the Mollymook golf club enjoying a drink overlooking the pristine beach, or the Huskisson hotel looking out over the stunning white sands and clear waters of Jervis Bay? Sensational, and only two of thousands of wonderful places to see and enjoy.
Garry Murphy, Cooks Hill
An emergency bill is crucial
BRAD Hill (Short Takes, 3/10) is clearly not understanding the constitutions that outline both the state's rights and the Commonwealth rights; for if he did I believe he would not have written what he has written.
It is imperative that there be a good working relationship between the states and the Commonwealth governments. This is unfortunately not a common thing. Note, in regard to the fires of 2019, the PM offered defence assistance to NSW and Victoria. Only Victoria accepted, and as he had no further responsibility there he went on holidays. Recently the PM offered defence to deal with quarantine to both WA and Victoria; WA accepted and Victoria did not.
It is wise that there is an emergency bill put to the parliaments of Australia whereby in a significant emergency the Commonwealth government can release all resources needed to deal with the emergency. This will need careful and open debate to get it right, but it is clearly needed.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
Evidence is all we can judge
PETER Dolan (Letters, 5/10) sneeringly refers to Joe Biden's "alleged personal Catholic beliefs". Biden has been a Catholic his whole life.
He always wears the rosary his son Beau was wearing at the time of his death. There is no doubt about the sincerity of his faith.
In contrast Donald Trump holds the Bible like it's lost property, and can't name a single passage from it. The pastor at the church Trump claimed to attend says he never once entered it.
Mr Dolan says that Biden's abortion policy is at odds with "Catholic beliefs". But half of US Catholics say abortion should be legal. As wise Catholics have said, the Church is most truly its people. Mr Biden's policy is in accord with half the Catholic congregation's beliefs.
Mr Dolan asks what evidence there is that Mr Trump's current position on abortion is not his personal view. For 40 years Trump explicitly advocated pro-choice policies, and organised fundraisers for Planned Parenthood which provides abortion services. The evidence of his beliefs before he ran for the presidency is abundant.
It's not impossible that Trump has changed his mind, but Mr Dolan referred to evidence and that evidence is clear. In my opinion no search engine will find what isn't there; evidence that we can trust Trump's word on any policy he currently claims to believe.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
Trump argument is bad faith
ALBEIT unwittingly, Peter Dolan (Letters, 5/10), finally takes us to the nub of this debate. It's not whether Christianity provides justification to prefer Donald Trump as president of the United States of America; it's how a conception of the faith that even entertains that possibility could be called Christianity at all.
Mr Dolan expresses confusion about what I mean by Jesus' prescription for a Christian life, and Trump's violation of it. Given his strongly professed Catholicism, I suppose I should be surprised by this, but I'm not. As a Catholic myself (a far from perfect one), I know there are many in the church who seem to think spiritual guidance is better found in papal encyclicals than the gospels.
If Jesus didn't prescribe Christian life during his time on earth, what is it he was doing here? It's all there in the New Testament. Its essence can be found in the Sermon on the Mount ("Blessed are the poor in spirit....."), and the injunction to love one another. This, rather than conveniently packaged man-made dogma, is the indispensable fabric of the faith.
Put the Sermon on the Mount and that injunction beside a summary of Donald Trump's life and opinions. Is Mr Dolan seriously suggesting there is any parity between them? If Jesus was to vote in November, is Mr Dolan seriously suggesting he would vote for Trump rather than Biden?
Seriously?
That millions of "Christians" will vote for Trump doesn't establish his Christian credentials. Millions of Christians will vote for Biden. And many of the "Trump Christians" would also support a gun in every hand, racial segregation and believe that the Lord helps those who help themselves.
In any event, it seems to me Mr Dolan's preference for Trump is far more likely to be purely political than religious. Although he is hostile to the "radicals" and "activists" of progressive politics ostensibly because they are Godless heretics, I suspect it's really because he just doesn't like their opinions, and he uses religion to try to put the issues beyond rational discussion.
The irony is that the world imagined by progressive politics would be far more in keeping with Jesus' teachings than anything espoused by the populist perversion that now passes for conservatism.
Mr Dolan has said of me that Jesus doesn't sound like "my kind of guy". The more pertinent question is whether he's Mr Dolan's.
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
THE POLL
Do you agree with the crusher tackle charge for Chris Randall?
Yes 22%, No 78%
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
FINALLY the bypass that links Rankin Park and Jesmond is going to be built ('Fund the ramps: Clausen', NewcastleHerald 6/10). I thought there was not a chance in my lifetime the way Newcastle, a safe seat, continually gets bypassed with all levels of government funding. Now how about the freight rail bypass so that the traffic in Newcastle does not continue to stop due to rail level crossings? Please.
Ian Reynolds, Forster
I'M hoping that both federal and state governments will give grants to all local rural and regional councils to maintain and upgrade their roads. This will help stimulate the economy in local towns as well. Our rural roads are in appalling state, hopefully some local MPs still care.
Martin Burns, Cardiff
NO doubt China would have closely watched the New Caledonian independence referendum and been very disappointed they chose to stay aligned to France. I imagine China would have been there immediately had the result been reversed.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
I READ your article on the celebration of 50 years of Kmart ('Golden milestone for Waratah landmark', Herald 3/10). My late mother worked there as a store detective in the early days catching out shoplifters. So hearty congratulations on 50 years of continuous trading. May you prosper for another 50.
Philip Carter, Metford
GREG Hunt (Short Takes, 5/10), who is Bjorn Lomborg compared to the vast field work of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over many decades? They are not alarmists. They are part of the US Department of Commerce. Knowing what's brewing in the oceans and atmosphere helps stability, which is best for commerce. When it comes to climate warning, you heed the best.
Graeme Tychsen, Rankin Park
WELL, who'd have thought the Archibald portrait prize would become political rather than artistic? I believe it is an insult to the other artists to see the winning painting; in my opinion it could have been done by an 8 year old. With judges like this even Rembrandt and Van Gogh would have missed out. Channel 7 showed a portrait of our PM that didn't even make the cut and it looked very good indeed! I wonder if it had been of Albo it would have got a start? Oh silly cynical me!
Don Fraser, Belmont
FRANK Matzanke's comments on Steve Barnett's letter re union membership numbers declining is spot on. If you don't want to be in a union ok, but don't accept the conditions they have fought for and won.
John Keen, Gateshead
I'VE got a feeling Port Stephens will become mini Melbourne in a few weeks. The amount of visitors not complying with COVIDSafe regulations was here for all to see. Even Stevie Wonder would be shaking his head in disbelief at the lines of people lined up to get into cafes and pubs for hours to get in. Crazy man.
