Time to get something done
I can't understand what this Save Our Station group is on about, nor do I understand how they've garnered any support. As far as I can see, the current state government proposal is to put some much needed funding into developing the biggest eyesore in town, an absolute dump of a car park, full of potholes, poorly lit and strewn with rubbish. What's the problem with that? This whole "protest movement" reminds me of the short sighted naysayers that whinged about Federation Square when it was built. The actual train station is not part of the plan at all and is not under any threat whatsoever; correct me if I'm wrong. The way I read it, the government plans to restore and use an old, decrepit blue stone building and fix an absolutely hideous car park. As it stands, the car park is the ugliest site in town and lets the entire precinct down. I do wonder about the number of prominent SOS supporters and members who are also members of the Liberal Party. Is partisan politics the reason for such intense and seemingly irrational objections? I can't see the problem with developing that horrendously ugly car park. Maybe I've missed something?
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Stuart Walsh, Eureka
A lasting impact on us all
As a result of supporting survivors of child sexual abuse in Tasmania, Anglican Bishop John Harrower now suffers from vicarious traumatisation. He and I also struggle with vicarious traumatisation when we think of our asylum seekers and the treatment they are receiving from our government. Clouds of sadness descend upon us at any time. How many Australians feel the same way? Is it worth continuing the struggle for justice? Of course it is.
Diane Collacott, Ballarat
Mixed messages
The mother of a man dead in the street from drug overdose has condemned the Victorian government for not providing "medically-supervised injecting rooms". While trying to sympathise with the lady's grief, let's keep clearly in mind why she is wrong. For injecting rooms to function, the police must turn a blind eye to illegal-drug dealing which means abandoning the rule of law; a big decision and an irresponsible one. If we don't arrest and punish drug-dealers, they'll continue enriching themselves at the expense of others' self-destruction. We must aim at nothing less than getting users completely clean and staying that way, otherwise we let them down.
Arnold Jago, Nichols Point
A chance to have a say on our most precious commodity
Water is the lifeblood of communities across Northern Victoria. It fuels agriculture, recreation, and tourism, and has a multitude of other functions from which our communities and environment derive important benefits.The Nationals recognise the importance of healthy waterways in Northern Victoria, which is why recently we moved to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Management, Use and Governance of Environmental Water. This is a chance for water users, concerned community members and stakeholder groups to give their views and tell their stories about blackwater events and about the use of environmental water in our region. The inquiry will help future policy makers identify any actions that can be taken to manage blackwater events and to make optimum use of environmental water for the health of our waterways.
Written submissions are now being accepted. These can be emailed to enrrdc@parliament.vic.gov.au Terms of Reference, other contact options and general information about the inquiry is available at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrrdc or by contacting my Echuca electorate office on 5482 2039. I strongly urge all interested parties to take up this opportunity before submissions close on August 25.
Peter Walsh,Shadow Minister for Water
