Opportunistic
In response to Harriett's Swift's letter, it is unfortunate that she has sought to create controversy based on an unpublished report by the University of Canberra that is subject to peer review and possible change.
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Forest and Wood Products Australia is interested in understanding the range of views that exist about forest management and to establish indicators of social licence to operate.
As a society, we have now spent nearly three decades trying to achieve consensus around socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development across urban and rural Australia. All economic activity has an environmental and social impact and thus has varying degrees of social licence to operate. However, there is currently no universally accepted methodology to measure social licence or how this concept can help facilitate consensus.
Sadly, we live in an increasingly polarised society, and this is particularly evident when activists like Ms Swift seek to opportunistically exploit unpublished research to further their stated cause.
Ric Sinclair, managing director, Forest and Wood Products Australia
Fed up and frustrated
Over recent times it feels like there is a growing discontent and frustration among the public with the way our politicians think more or their own political future than caring about the people they represent.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Are you sick and tired of how politicians won’t answer simple questions from the media?
Are you angry how rich private schools get public funding at the detriment of poor public schools.
Are you unhappy how health care is expensive and often unaffordable and many have to wait ages in pain for a hip replacement or a new knee?
Do you think that age care has become an industry rather than a right?
Are you worried how funds for the ABC, the last vestige of free, unbiased thought, have been slashed unmercifully by politicians because they don’t like criticism?
Do you think it unfair that owning a house is not a reality anymore for young people?
Do you think it right for a young married mother to have to sleep in a car each night due to lack of public housing?
Are you frustrated beyond belief how little is being done to combat climate change?
Do you feel we need to develop a more compassionate approach to cater for refugees who wish to live in our “wide brown land”?
Finally, nothing is being done towards the disarmament of nuclear weapons, which poses the greatest threat against the survival of this planet.
We cannot rely on our politicians for change to come. This will only occur if we, the people speak out and tell our representatives that we are not happy with their performance in the Parliament. It is humiliating when we see our own school children having to speak up for us against unfair political decisions.
If we want change, we need to write to our political leaders and demand they answer these questions in a clear and precise way well before the next election.
Robbie Wilson and Jennifer Van Gorder, Bega
Unemployment
In the 2018 June quarter, the unemployment rate in Bega Valley Shire was 6.56 per cent. The unemployment rate is derived from the ABS labour force survey and Centrelink data and compiled by the Department of Employment.
In the 2018 June quarter, the unemployment rate in the City of Sydney was 3.76 per cent.
If you think this is wrong and you want more infrastructure money spent in Bega creating jobs then protest. Ring your Liberal member and tell them of your thinking and feelings as regards these facts.