Very happy, Ann
I write in complete support of Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis. I was present when Ann carefully considered the mood of her electorate in seconding the motion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The mood of the electorate is supported by the almost 1000 who attended public meetings and of those the 99 per cent who supported motions instructing Shelley Hancock to oppose the merger. There are 2000 signatures on a petition to oust Shelley for supporting a merger.
Shelley, you seem besotted with Michael Baird’s boyish charm. Posts of him with a puppy dog when the issue concerning the electorate is forced amalgamation. Your condescending tone to community members and your snub of Margaret Nyholm at the Ulladulla meeting is of great concern.
It has become obvious you support the merger. Ann is prepared to support her community and has performed exceptionally well in Canberra. We are not the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro. Local branches need to support Ann and instruct Shelley to support community views.
J. Willmott, Mollymook
Biodiversity is crucial
Two days before the 2015 election, the Baird government announced it would scrap the laws that protect our biodiversity, native animals and vegetation and replace them with a much weaker and flawed model. There is no doubt this will lead to increased land clearing. The continued loss of what native vegetation we have left will be devastating to our environment, native animals and their habitat.
Two years ago, the Queensland government severely undermined its native vegetation rules, resulting in the doubling of land clearing and the removal of almost 300,000 hectares of bushland.
This is issue affects everyone, from suburban Sydney to the far-west of NSW. We know native vegetation is crucial for biodiversity protection, and it also improves farmland value while increasing production outcomes. Protecting biodiversity and having controls on land clearing benefits the environment and the economy.
That’s why more than 1000 people, including some of Australia’s leading academics, ecologists, land carers as well as everyday people from around the state have already signed onto an open letter calling on Premier Baird to save our environmental protections and the potential for irreversible loss of biodiversity. You can join them and at biodiversityislife.org.
M. Faruqi, Greens MP
Homelessness myths
Youth Homelessness Matters Day is on Wednesday, April 13. In order to get people in the community to support the cause it is important to make them understand the issue so they can empathise with young homeless people and take action.
The first step to achieving this is to break down some of the most common myths about youth homelessness:
Myth: Homeless young people choose to live a life on the streets. Fact: The most common cause of youth homelessness is domestic and family violence, with 70 per cent of young homeless people leaving home to escape family violence, child abuse or family breakdown.
Myth: All homeless young people are mentally ill or substance abusers. Fact: Only a quarter of homeless people are mentally ill, and about 40 per cent are alcohol or substance abusers, with around 15 per cent suffering both disabilities.
Myth: Young homeless people are all criminals. Fact: Most young homeless people are not criminals, and – according to the National Law Centre On Homelessness and Poverty – homeless people actually commit less violent crimes than housed people.
Breaking down these misconceptions will bring us closer to fixing the issue. This Youth Homelessness Matter Day, I encourage everyone to get involved to help young homeless people back into society.