Letters to the editor

As for our Redland City Council looking to help out, why do they not hire an old industrial shed to help house these people until the state government actually does something about it?

- R. Viney, Wellington Point

I’M GLAD that the council magazine is being received well, or so we are told by mayor Karen Williams.

I would like to see some proof that supports this statement. Also, why is the magazine called Our Redlands Coast. 

It should be called Our Redland Coast. We live in the Redland, not the Redlands. This area got its name from the colour of the soil. Secondly, it is laughable to see the name of the magazine alongside the council.

People will think that we are not too sure what to call our locality. Thirdly, whoever thought of calling the Redland a coast must have a vivid imagination. The only coast is on North Stradbroke Island.

I believe that we have a perfectly good local newspaper that serves and has served our community very well.

If the council or councillors wish to advise us of events surely a cover section could be produced and included with the newspaper. This would be a lot cheaper.

The magazine also features photos of our mayor and councillors. Do we need this?

- M. King, Victoria Point

I READ with interest (RCB, Oct 3) your comments about MP Andrew Laming obtaining special drugs for Desmond Considine.

What a pity you could not have reported Andrew’s efforts and left it at that. Instead, you had to denigrate the same person you had just applauded.

While not disputing your overall comments, I believe it would have been kinder to have just reported his effort.

Sadly you follow the usual path of most newspapers. I wish Des a full recovery.

- J. Kemp, Redlands

AFTER the by-election for former PM Malcom Turnbull’s seat we are hearing the same old diatribe as to why we have turned our backs on major parties.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has got the message and will listen to the people. We all know he will not.

I’m limited for space but Mr Laming, I’ll try and save you sending out one of your loaded questionnaires and explain what it is we want you to fix.

Firstly there is the cost of living. Costs to households have risen 12 per cent over the past decade while household income has risen by 2 per cent. Your government’s answer is to give tax cuts to big business.

Your answer to high electricity costs is to sell power stations to companies who need to make profits and then to tell us to shop around. We tried that. We got all sorts of discounts for a few months then bills rose.

When the Aussie dollar goes down, oil companies raise the price. When the dollar rises this is another excuse to raise prices. The government does not see a need to act. 

We have boat people in camps for years when their only crime is to try to escape persecution.

The budget is in surplus. Whoopee. If you do not spend our money on infrastructure then it is bound to be in surplus.

So Mr Laming, this is why your safe seat is not safe any more. It has nothing to do with same sex marriage or any of those other red herrings you pop into our letter box.

Come to think of it, I’ll run against you at the next election as an independent. Trips overseas at taxpayers’ expense seem inviting to this 81-year-old pensioner.

- D. Cotton, Alexandra Hills

THE Federal Court of Australia is considering the latest native title claim by the Quandamooka people.

Most people have no idea about the extent of Aboriginal influence over land use.

This Quandamooka claim is invalid, especially as it affects Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay islands and most of the waters.

The Native Title Act 1993 states that native title is extinguished by past valid acts like the grant or vesting of freehold estates and leases that conferred exclusive possession. Such leases and titles have existed over these islands since about 1865.

Additionally, a threshold requirement when assessing native title is that there is evidence that a recognisable group or society presently recognises and observes traditional laws and customs in the area. No Aborigine lives today as did his traditional ancestors. Even in the most remote groups, western goods abound in the form of food, clothing, cars, electricity or housing.

The claim seeks to separate the rights of Australians based on ethnicity. We should worry because this claim is one of many. 

Aborigines get significant and special treatment not available equally to other Australians. Governments spend vast sums on Aborigines in trying to improve conditions and many groups get royalty payments from mining and other companies.

If you object to the Quandamooka claim, contact council.

- L. Hackett, Redlands

THANK you to the Redland City Bulletin for publishing my letter about the bus shelter and seating at the corner of Finucane and Cleveland road opposite Spotlight. 

Council said the work would be completed by 2022 but only if funding was available. 

- G. Moloney, Alexandra Hills