Shortchanged by bank
Now that the banking Royal Commission's findings regarding the appalling behaviour of the big banks have been handed down, it seems to be "business as usual" for the Commonwealth Bank, at least.
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They have been ordered to remediate millions of dollars to the customers they ripped off for years. So where is the money to come from to pay for the damages? From their loyal customer base.
The Commonwealth Bank ATM at Bomaderry provided a vital service to the local community and travellers using the train service. The ATM has been removed without warning and with no chance of appeal.
If you are a CBA customer, please consider changing to another provider, as this is the only action a bank understands. Your continued support for CBA lets them get away with further unconscionable behaviour.
C. Carter, Bomaderry
Nuclear debate needed
While the rest of our nation is moving to engage in more public debate about nuclear energy, not so our local member Mrs Phillips.
Her strident objections reported in the local paper and in her maiden speech to parliament rejecting to all things nuclear makes any discussion of this subject nigh on impossible.
Many other countries have nuclear energy as part of their energy mix and their energy prices reflect that mix. To refuse to engage in debate in examining nuclear energy per say is simply bloody minded.
Sitting on ones high horse whilst stating ones own and party policy in rejecting the nuclear option is arrogant. Rejecting the practices of others while imposing undue pressure on your own constituents via energy costs is galling.
B. Cumberland, North Nowra
Panel beating
The NSW Treasury is no more than an employment agency for retired politicians and conservative sympathisers; with the Treasurer, head of recruitment.
Dominic Perrottet, the king in the "counting house", is shaping tax and incoming finance as a banking service under the control of his loyal conservative subjects.
His latest, the formation of a six-member panel to oversee and improve financial arrangements, including GST, is an abrogation of legislation that already exists, within the terms of reference of the Federal Financial Relations Council (CFFR), the body responsible for overseeing the financial relationship between the Commonwealth and the states and territories.
Take a look at some of a few panel inclusions: former New Zealand treasurer and prime minister, Bill English, and retired political identity, former Australian deputy prime minister John Anderson. Sure, they are both fully qualified to join the panel but they are not needed (none of the panel are).
J. Macleod, Berry
Time to tax meat
Pacific Leaders are appealing to Australia to do something about greenhouse emissions. Our own children are striking to protest inaction. But what can we do?
A new research report suggests that meat could be targeted for higher taxes, given the industry's role in climate change, deforestation and animal cruelty.
Fitch Solutions said "the global rise of sugar taxes makes it easy to envisage a similar wave of regulatory measures targeting the meat industry".
The idea is taking off in Europe, where German politicians are voting to remove the VAT discount on meat.
A report in the scientific journal The Lancet estimated that reducing meat consumption would result in the prevention of more than 11 million premature deaths each year, cutting of greenhouse gas emissions and preservation of land, water and biodiversity.
It's time - to tax meat or, better still, ban it altogether.