NURSES are being a bit unreasonable complaining about the NSW government's plan for a wage freeze. Okay, granted, they have saved lives and allowed the economy to keep pulsing, and proven to the world how essential they are to the future of humanity, but a pay increase of 2.5 per cent?
The government has called you heroes, encouraged the community to clap for you in driveways and on social media, and they even said nice things about you on World Nurses Day this week. What more do you want from them? Pay that matches your worth? Come on.
Look, someone's got to pay for the treasury's bottom line. You don't expect the big end of town to contribute their fair share, do you? If they don't make squillions with the help of the government tax relief your effective pay cut will supply, how do you expect the trickle-down effect to work? Do you want to see people like Gina, Twiggy and Rupert pay the same percentage levels of taxes you pay? I hope you're all ashamed of yourselves.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
DON'T WATER DOWN SAFETY
IT was recently reported that the NSW Treasurer supported the continuation of the takeaway supply of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages from on-premise licensed venues such as pubs, small bars and restaurants once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. His justification was in effect, the world hasn't stopped and he was apparently unaware of any existing alcohol harms.
Firstly, the government's promotion of on-licensed premises supplying takeaway alcohol on the basis of a statement of regulatory intent'' posted on their website, remains mainly inconsistent with their liquor licenses issued under the NSW Liquor Act. I believe it is of dubious legality. Secondly, our treasurer's bubble must be oblivious to the extensively reported escalation in domestic violence fuelled by the increased consumption of alcohol at home.
Alcohol is no ordinary and safe consumer product. With respect, it's not the role of our Treasurer to be the chief partisan promoter of the powerful NSW alcohol industry. Since January 1995, the reported rate of domestic violence in NSW has nearly tripled and is about to exceed the rate of non-domestic violence for the first time. It is estimated that up to 65 per cent of domestic violence is alcohol related.
Crowded licensed premises and intoxicated patrons are a perfect mix for an increase and spread of COVID-19. We should trust the owners of such venues to control this deadly pandemic to the same extent they have ensured their strict compliance with responsible service of alcohol. I trust all our political leaders will put the public's safety ahead of alcohol industry demands for an earlier opening.
Tony Brown, Newcastle
BIG IDEA TO DITCH WOES
RECENT discussions between the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia have focused on the need to open travel arrangements across the ditch.
Why not do something bold? Roll-on, roll-off vehicle and passenger ferries from Newcastle to Auckland would create a new and unique tourism opportunity. Ferries such as these operate very successfully in Scandinavia and other European countries. This could be a major boost to Australian shipbuilders also.
Who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to drive to beautiful Newcastle, board a ferry for a two day cruise to Auckland and then drive around New Zealand at leisure before returning to Newcastle? This could be a winner.
Stan Keifer, Arakoon
DENY DISSENTERS A VOICE
I WONDERED how long it would take before some idiots in Australia would copy the gun-carrying maniacs in the US and start demonstrating against lockdown actions taken here by the government and health organisations to control the spread of this insidious virus.
Well, it didn't take long for them to emerge protesting against lockdown, carrying placards and obviously not complying with directives. I would plead with all media outlets to stop reporting the activities of this small minority of non-conforming people and understand the requirements of the majority for a change. Surely there are more important news items to broadcast. I believe no coverage of those individuals seeking personal attention will result in no protests.
Peter Mullins, Rankin Park
OPPOSITION MUST EVOLVE
I AM not a Scott Morrison fan, but I will admit that he and his government have done an admirable job during this crisis. Sadly, in my view the same can't be said about the sad state of Labor counterparts including Albo and Jodi McKay.
I believe they do nothing but whinge, complain and knock the present government, and yes, I doubt their capabilities if they were in control. The way that they are going at present gives you the fear that they will be in the political wilderness for many years to come. It, in the words of Gough Whitlam, is time to sort out all the dismal, stupid extremists in the party and go back to basics or face decades in opposition doing what they do best: whinging, complaining and offering nothing to warrant the high salary that they are obviously happy to collect.
Dennis Crampton, Swansea
DON'T HOLD BACK ON APP
SUSAN Simmonds (Letters, 11/5) wondered if people who have downloaded the COVIDSafe app have given it much thought. She went on to say that the app won't protect you, and that only testing the entire population would achieve this.
I have downloaded the app, after much thought. I don't expect it to protect me. It isn't intended to do that. It will alert you if you have been in contact with someone who tested positive, but it isn't saying stay away from them. As your correspondent notes, it can only notify you once you've already been close to that person. It tells you when it would be wise to get tested.
The earlier you find out you have this dreaded lurgy, the sooner you can isolate and the less it will be transmitted to others; the sooner you can be treated, and the better your chances of successful treatment and full recovery.
It doesn't protect you from getting the bug. It gives you a better chance of knowing early that you've got the bug, and gives everyone the protection of people who test positive isolating as soon as possible.
Testing only works for the moment you are tested. You could get tested, walk out of the clinic and pick the bug up on the way home when you pick up a takeaway dinner. Your test result could come back 48 hours later as negative because, at the moment you were tested, you didn't have the bug but you contracted it after the sample was taken. Testing helps, the COVIDSafe app helps. Neither is a silver bullet, neither works perfectly, but both make a significant difference. Using our whole arsenal is the way to give ourselves the best chance.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
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.
SHORT TAKES
COVID-19 has shown us how little success we've had teaching and learning the basics of financial literacy. With Afterpay, Zippay and other too easy credit options available, it's easier to have it all now and then try to pay for it later. A good outcome from the pandemic would be some focus on saving rather than buying what you can't afford and probably don't need.
David Hoar, Adamstown Heights
PHILLIP O'Neill, after your article on trail bikes ('No lockdown for two-wheeled menace', Opinion 11/5) you are definitely in the running for the Hunter's most miserable man in my eyes.
Graeme Bennett, Warners Bay
DOES Professor Phillip O'Neill know that motorbike riding in NSW state forests is legal on a registered motorbike ('No lockdown for two-wheeled menace', Opinion 11/5)? Please do not say that every off road bike rider is breaking the law. I myself have road bikes.
Martin Burns, Cardiff
HERE'S a suggestion, Franklin White (Letters, 11/5), why don't we all agree to suspend the NSW state government from the coronavirus epidemic and follow the directions and recommendations of the federal government? This would be a lot less confusing and leave Gladys time to sort out her in-house problems with her ministers and staff. With any luck we could all get used to just federal government control and completely abolish state government. The savings in taxes would be unbelievable.
John Fear, Newcastle East
VALE Jack Mundey, a great Australian who was largely responsible for the preservation of some of Sydney's iconic heritage buildings. Without his vision we wouldn't have The Rocks or many other examples of Sydney's natural and built environment. They would have been destroyed by the quick buck merchants who seem to proliferate in this day and age.
Peter C Jones, Rathmines
SCOTT Hillard (Letters, 9/5) says he has a problem with believing someone from the government with advice. Maybe he should revisit the three original furphies: your cheque is in the mail, of course I will still love you in the morning, and finally I am from the government and here to help you. Good luck.
John Bradford, Beresfield
SO true, Corey Crooks ('A starter at least for cafes and restaurants', NewcastleHerald 11/5). As you say, there definitely seems one rule for some and another rule for others. It's like hospitality venues are the ones being punished.
Craig Swan, Kotara South
I BELIEVE the report detailed in Monday's paper regarding green steel is like a story out of Alice in Wonderland, ('Steel city reborn with a green edge', Herald 11/5). Most of their ideas of producing steel in the near future are clutching at straws and I believe it would be about 30 years into the future if ever before anything would eventuate from this place. The nearest thing Grattan Institute is going to get to steel is cutting down ironbark trees. Dream on.
