Where is the Prime Minister?
The fires up and down the eastern seaboard are arguably an unprecedented ecological disaster. While we've had mega fires before, and fires during droughts, and fires in several states at once, I cannot recall anything like this since I arrived in Australia in 1976.
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The beautiful forest, farmland and rural communities from Queensland down to Moruya are either burning or threatened - just look at the RFS maps. These fires are larger, hotter, more fast moving, driven by the relentless strong winds of the last fortnight.
In all this tragedy, where are the pictures on the nightly news of the Prime Minister and his deputy flying over the burnt out areas, comforting the shocked and grieving residents who have lost their homes, fences, livestock, beehives, sheds and houses!? When have we heard the words of praise and gratitude towards the exhausted but still battling fire fighters, the police, the emergency services who wrestle with the fires and the threats to people? Where do we see pictures of the PM shaking the hands of those who are supporting and sheltering evacuees? All the fire fighters and police, emergency services, Red Cross volunteers and others, those who lend horse floats and fodder for evacuating animals and rescueing wildlife?
It looks like our daggy Dad is more interested in bashing unionists, in repealing laws that bring medical help to those we've incarcerated, in gadding about to the South Pacific to patronise our Pacific Nations neighbours, than in the fires ravaging eastern Australia threatening unprecedented ecological damage to our beautiful country than in doing his job! And for Heavens sake, don't mention Climate Change!
Laura Hakkinen, Lyons
Compensation not the issue
M Buckley (Letters, December 1) appears to have entirely missed the point of the entire Mr Fluffy debacle.
He seemed to believe that home owners were advised of all dangers and the cataclysmic failure cleaning process, when they purchased their homes. He also seems to be of the opinion that compensation was what home are seeking - he could not be more incorrect. Buckley also stated that the fact that a complete list of Fluffy affected homes hasn't been published is "nothing more human error". I am unsure how he can make such a statement, as the Fluffy community has repeatedly requested that the full list be published - these requests have been denied by the Government.
Mr Buckley, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Fluffy affected families, and actually educate himself about the issues that concern the community - after all, would Mr Buckley like to live, or have his children live, with the threat of asbestos, for the next 30 to 50 years. I think not.
Kathy P, Downer
Keeping a low profile
A commentary by Ian Warden (Focus, December 1) lamented the fact that he does not know, has never met and in fact has never learned a single thing about Alistair Coe. Ian Warden is not alone. Alistair keeps a very low profile and as much as I would like to see the Barr Government toppled in the next ACT election, I have little faith in Alistair Coe being a strong Chief Minister as most of the time he seems to be missing in action.
I hope Alistair and indeed all the members of the ACT Liberal party read Ian Warden's column so they can lift their game, get in touch with the people of Canberra and win the next election.
A.Cooper, Wanniassa
Chipping in for tenants rights
What is surprising about the ACT government's decision to put the tenant advisory service out to tender is that this has not happened before now, given that the current provider operates with a budget of $444,000 per annum ("A-G 'evicted' in rally to save tenants' union", December 4). Perhaps all the major tertiary institutions could be asked to chip in to help fund the service in future too, since its client base includes students.
Sue Dyer, Downer
Water restrictions needed
Canberra's dams were full three years ago and now only half full due to climate change accelerated low rainfall. It amazes me that the people running our water agencies don't seem to understand what is happening with global warming and our climate and don't significantly publicise current limited water restrictions or are not now bringing in higher level restrictions.
Rod Holesgrove, Crace
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