Security stifles speech
I am very concerned that the Member for Gilmore feels the need to hire security guards at upcoming public forums regarding cuts to the aged pension. I assume that public money is being used for this exercise. Given that most of the participants will be aged pensioners I am wondering form of violence Mrs Sudmalis is anticipating. Can she provide one tangible example where there has been physical violence at any recent events that warrants the hiring of security guards?
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The fact that people need to register to attend the event means that any known troublemaker will not be able to attend. If the security is more about stopping any differing views or questions that are against government policy then surely this is an affront to free speech and democracy.
There has been a lot of anxiety around these pension changes and perhaps meetings should have been held late last year before the changes came into force so that elderly people could understand the changes before they actually took effect.
Many people have lost a significant part of their pension. Centrelink advised there were 2000-56000 people impacted in our area.
Coupled with council rate rises and increasing rents those on fixed incomes are really feeling the pinch. We need a representative for Gilmore who is better able to address these issues and communicate with the electors of Gilmore than Mrs Sudmalis seems able to do.
D. Hanlon, Vincentia
Casualties of war on trees
The headline and photo “Tragic Loss” in the SCR of last week is a forerunner of what might occur as we march blindly into climate change.
Conditions on the featured property will most likely not have changed in recent years but the loss of a valuable and productive animal should make some consider how this can be prevented.
If insufficient natural shade for productive animals is not available, then some form of manufactured protection should be considered.
To make matters worse the recent biodiversity legislation makes a point of the reduction in the number of “paddock trees” per hectare which can be retained. The “self-assessed” clearing of vegetation on private property should be a warning that large numbers of trees can be removed as required but no provision is mandated for the protection of valuable stock.
The war on trees continues in NSW even though Mike Baird is gone.
A. Stephenson, Nowra
Light up in purple
Throughout March, communities around the world are dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy, culminating in Purple Day on March 26 (International Epilepsy Awareness Day). During this time, people wear purple and hold events to raise funds and awareness of the condition that will affect more than 800,000 Australians in their lifetime, and 50 million people worldwide.
Sadly, due to social stigma and misconceptions, many people with epilepsy do not disclose their condition and live in fear of being “found out”. This Purple Day, Epilepsy Action Australia would like to encourage communities to shine a light on epilepsy by lighting up purple a local landmark and raising funds for community education services to better the lives of those affected.
Interventions by Epilepsy Action Australia can help increase understanding in our communities, such as epilepsy awareness sessions, seizure first-aid training, and the Online Academy, which offers several courses about epilepsy for parents, carers, schools and healthcare professionals.
I would encourage your community to support Purple Day during March by simply making a donation or getting involved (www.epilepsy.org.au). Please help shine a light on epilepsy this Purple Day and put your region on the map.