AM I the only person who is ashamed of these ridiculous power plays by state premiers, flexing their political greed through continuous border restrictions to gain votes (''Lives at risk' from shut Qld-NSW border', Newcastle Herald 3/9)? People with medical attention and needs are being put through the red tape wringer and are suffering. No Australian should be refused or denied medical assistance.
In my opinion the premiers should be held accountable for any deaths derived from these uncaring, inconsiderate acts of stupidity, so you as fellow Aussies should voice your thoughts and opinions through your local paper and federal politician to ask the PM to pull down these tall poppy walls. This is not Berlin or Mexico.
I believe Daniel Andrews would erect another Great Wall of China if he had his way, instead of displaying COVID fatalities each day on the telly. Why not show deaths related to border closures, then do something about it to prevent these deaths?
Aged care is in shambles and should have been rectified well before COVID came into the mix. Get writing if you are concerned.
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
Apology needed on train words
IT would seem that the government is stalling on the bypass project ('Exit ramp', Herald 31/8). Every time a solution seems to surface, there is an issue. I believe the government needs to stop messing around and provide a road system to serve our area for years to come.
As for NSW being unable to build a decent train ('Trains 'not good': Premier', Herald 28/8), the premier needs to publicly apologise for her stupid remark. For years the area has built trains for our use, and good trains at that. We do not need foreign countries building our infrastructure. We need to have a good hard look at the free trade agreements.
There are a few things we can't do in my opinion and one of them is electing a leader for the whole state, not just Sydney. Our opposition seems a little short on issues as well. We deserve better than we are getting from the south from both sides of politics.
Greg Lowe, New Lambton
It's isn't always a user-pays system
I TOTALLY agree with Robin Gordon (Letters, 1/9) regarding the Valentine Swimming and Hydrotherapy pools. I need a walking frame to get around, so the hydrotherapy pool access and disability-friendly changing rooms are a great boon for me.
Council expenditure must be evaluated with need and use in mind, but I doubt there's a single project that is guaranteed to be used by all ratepayers. Why is that a prohibitive problem with this project? It's clear that aged and disabled people use the pools, as well as kids learning to swim and many others. I don't think anyone could sensibly suggest the pools are under-utilised.
The staff and volunteers who organise everything are always friendly and polite. They're also very supportive and helpful for patrons who have limitations. The Valentine pools are an invaluable asset to the community and unquestionably deserving of council support.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
Labels may make our meds safer
THE accidental overdose of drugs ('Accidental overdoses on the rise in Hunter', Herald 1/9) is nothing new when it comes to the older generation and will continue until pharmacists place on the label of medication, beside the dosage required, for what ailment or treatment the medication is prescribed. I myself find it confusing and frustrating when generic brands are often used in place of what I normally recognise, often being of different colour and size. People of age with limited memory shouldn't be asked to remember these changes.
I almost overdosed on blood thinning medication when the generic brand resembled in colour and size to a sleeping tablet I use every night. Even when the prescribed brand is given, what's wrong with printing the ailment being treated?
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
It's a Constance disappointment
WHAT can one say about the record of the NSW Transport Minister? He might say he gets things done, but many would say he gets it wrong. One only has to see what has happened to the Newcastle CBD to see what closure of the railway and putting the light rail in Hunter Street has done to the fortunes of business owners.
The new ferries have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. I find it interesting that Mr Constance said they were designed to enhance the experience of travellers by allowing them to travel on the top deck. This sounds fine until it is noted that passengers will have to move to the lower deck when going under some bridges. Didn't someone think of that? The extension of the Sydney Metro has had its critics as well. It would seem the Metro won't have the same carrying capacity on the Bankstown line as the double deck suburban trains. I've been told the plan is to build high rise apartment blocks near the stations. I wonder how the Metro will cope. It was also reported that station platforms on the Bankstown line would have to be modified as Metro platforms need to be straight. Is it any wonder some are calling for the metro to be terminated at Sydenham. Then there are the new intercity trains that were too big for many of the platforms.
Many of these issues would not have occurred had they done more research to see how well their proposals would work or if they would even fit. If they took the time to think about what they were doing, maybe they would get something right.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Care must be the operative word
I NOTE your report ('Aged care gets a $563m package', Herald 1/9) but as an aged person I was unable to find any reason to believe that most of this money wouldn't end up in the bank accounts of operators and bonuses for directors.
The interim report of the royal commission made it clear that operators in the for-profit sector are only interested in making profit and the care of residents usually ends up in neglect, as the commission stated. Before pouring in money that is desperately needed, the rules of care must be mandated by government and a regulator established with real powers to enforce regulations as a first condition of continuing.
The evidence before the royal commission and the horrific tragedy being enacted in Victoria shows that just throwing money at the problem as is the practice of this Coalition government, without the root and branch review and regulation with strong independent supervision, will only mean these private operators will buy more flash cars with the bonus and the residents will continue to die of neglect, as the royal commission reported. The industry also needs a minister with drive and concern to ensure these reforms are implemented.
Frank Ward, Shoal Bay
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
THE federal Treasurer tells us the country is in the worst recession since the Great Depression and the stock market goes up 109 points ('Devastating day, says PM', Newcastle Herald 3/9). Am I missing something?
Darryl Tuckwell, Eleebana
I HAVE a granddaughter stuck in London. The airlines are playing games; they take your booking then cancel it at the last moment, then put the price up again. They may be in charge now, but when it's over they're going to get blacklisted. It's called payback.
Bob Hollingsworth, Gillieston Heights
IN reply to Mick Porter (Short Takes, 2/9). Isn't it strange how people like Mick only notice and comment on the negative remarks I make about Newcastle teams when they play badly, but fail to see the positive and encouraging statements I make when they play well. I am a member of two Newcastle national football codes and have been for many years. No wonder I'm cranky.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
QUEENSLAND hospitals are for Queenslanders, according to Queensland's premier. So when Queensland gets smashed by the next big cyclone or flood, let's remind the leader of cane toad county that NSW money and emergency services are for NSW people. Also, if we host two games of State of Origin footy, we should close the border to the cane toads' supporters.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
ANTONY Bennett (Letters, 2/9) may be further embarrassed when he discovers Kiwi criminals are deported at the completion of their sentences, not straight after being found guilty ('NZ issues demand for Tarrant to be returned to Australia', Herald 28/8).
Darren Saxon, Pelican
ANTONY Bennett (Letters, 2/9) reckons he is angered and embarrassed by the federal government's selfishness in refusing to take back the Christchurch murderer to serve his sentence in Australia. I feel sure it will be given proper consideration.
David Stuart, Merewether
FOR Pat Scott (Short Takes, 3/9) my recollection is that it went something like this: "Spring has sprung, the grass has riz; I wonder where the birdies is? The bird is on the wing - but that's absurd; I always thought the wing was on the bird".
John Ure, Mount Hutton
THE pandemic. Never in the field of human con jobs has so much crap been foisted on so many by so few.
Darryl Thurston, Salamander Bay
DON'T worry, Steve Barnett (Short Takes 3/9), I enjoy a punt on the nags more frequently than your average veggo, but my favourite racehorse would have to be Chautauqua, the champion who eventually just refused to run. It seems some sentient beings are more evolved than others.
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
IT seems like Tony Abbott has swallowed one too many of Trump's bitter pills. How he made it back to his home country after doing his level best to screw everyone in sight is beyond me.
