Re: "ACTCOSS, Gambling Alliance call for sweeping changes to ACT gambling laws" (canberratimes.com.au, October 21).
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ACTCOSS claims gambling harm costs our community $214 million a year. This is almost the same amount Canberrans spend on gambling of all types. Not every dollar of spend equates to a dollar of harm.
A large proportion of poker machine revenue goes back into our community; $30 million in gaming taxes, GST, $11 million in community contributions, $1.6 million in gambling harm levies, $400,000 to the Chief Minister's Charitable Fund, and maintenance of our community clubs. Clubs also create over 1700 local jobs.
The ACT's machines are not the most dangerous and their spin and bet limits are regulated. No machines operate here until they have been approved in NSW.
ACT machines are subject to NSW protocols but here we have additional protections. The most obvious example is our machines will not accept $50 notes as they do in NSW. Gaming can't be advertised here as it can in Victoria and NSW.
Statements made on cash availability are also erroneous.
We have tough cash-out laws. ATMs are restricted to a single $250 cash transaction, this is not the case in NSW and if any club member makes two or more EFTPOS transactions in a day there is a requirement under the Gambling Code of Conduct for that to be reported. This helps identify those who may need help.
1322 fewer machines are operating since 2015. Only 43 clubs remain operating compared to 62 in 2009.
There are other facts but they get in the way of a good story.
Gwyn Rees, Chief Executive,
Clubs ACT, Barton
Better service please
I suggest that what Australians want most from Australia Post is an efficient letter and package delivery service.
According to its 2020 Annual Report, Australia Post generated revenue of $7.5 billion but only earned profit (before tax) of $53.6 million. It has 4,330 post offices, of which 2,529 are in rural and remote areas. It has more than 75,000 people in the workforce. (By contrast the US Postal Service has 600,000 employees for a population of 331 million, while the UK Royal Mail and Post Office between them have 166,000 to service 68 million.)
Every year, Australia Post is in a precarious situation from a profitability perspective. Having to provide unprofitable rural and remote services and chronic overstaffing drag the organisation down financially and mean reduced services elsewhere, as in cutting deliveries to three times a week. (And it can now take two weeks for a letter to go between major cities - despite Australia Post's claim of 97.1 per cent on-time letter delivery.)
This is really the situation ScoMo needs to sort out. The government should subsidise those rural and remote services an efficient business would cut out altogether and review its staffing levels. No matter how much Australia Post pays the CEO, and it currently pays far too much, its flawed business model will continue to be a formula for unsatisfactory mail services and increasing costs.
C Williams, Forrest
Holgate worth keeping
The article by store owner Angela Cramp setting out how Christine Holgate saved the Australia Post stores ("Holgate saved us: Post licensees", October 28, p29) outlined the great improvements to Australia Post since she became chief executive.
It would be the height of folly to dismiss her because of the minor perceived misdemeanour of rewarding senior executives with expensive watches for outstandingly successful negotiations with three of the big banks.
The Prime Minister should turn his attention elsewhere!
Neville Exon, Chapman
Nice timing
Is it a coincidence my 2021 rates notice arrived just a few days after the election? My rates went up 219 per cent in seven years, a yearly average of 31 per cent, whilst inflation was less than five per cent. And that includes my pensioner discount. Others pay even more.
The Green and Labor clowns have given us a miserable legacy. A $900 million tram has replaced just one bus route. We have a Chinese solar panel farm that works than half a day and a toxic chemical battery that may power Canberra for only five minutes.
What poor use of our money. They promise more of the same. With the Wuhan virus costs now impacting everyone Canberra ratepayers face a costly future.
Anthony Horden, Jamison Centre
Gas has a role
Recent letters have spruiked the cost benefits of transitioning from gas to electric. The gas network takes the brunt of Canberra's enormous winter heating load.
Is Canberra's electricity network able to handle this heating load alone without significant augmentation? Who would bear the cost? The consumer of course. If the gas network is phased out, expect electricity prices in the territory to raise significantly.
Surely we should consider more than short term thinking when making the necessary transition away from fossil fuels.
Jenny Castles, Turner
Support Tharwa
I was saddened to hear that Tharwa Preschool may be down on enrolments for 2021. Next to the Murrumbidgee, the preschool provides a natural setting for kids living in the suburbs.
My grandson loved his year there and the morning drive was a happy time singing Wiggles songs. What could be better than a short trip through idyllic countryside, followed by a river crossing and sometimes a coffee at Lanyon Homestead?
I strongly encourage parents in the southern suburbs to consider this gem of a centre in 2021 for their children.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic
Not value for money
I certainly endorse paying taxes including for good public services ("Our progressive city", Letters, October 28).
However, I doubt that we are getting good value for the taxes we pay - although in the interest of full disclosure I mounted this argument as a candidate in the recent election.
ACT taxes currently are the highest in Australia on a per capita basis, and the former government (now returned) forecast them to increase much more quickly than wages over the next three years. So, it is almost certain the ACT government leads the nation on the tax side of the equation.
It is harder to compare government services across Australia - mainly because it is difficult to measure the quantity, let alone quality or effectiveness of services.
In recent years, I think that tax (let alone government borrowing) has increased much more quickly than government services.
However, much more importantly, over the next four years we (citizens, public servants and all of our MLAs) should question the balance between tax, government borrowing and government services and ask the government to "please explain" if we think the balance is out of whack.
Bruce Paine, Red Hill
Ring your bell
I have always thought cyclists have had the better of things in general. Is it not law that they have to have a bicycle bell?
The times I have been "surprised" by a cyclist coming from behind without warning has caused me angst on many an occasion. It should be a compulsory requirement that all bikes should have a bell.
It would assist if they called out when approaching from behind. Two "yobbos" who whizzed past me without warning almost caused the dog I was walking to break loose as she was scared out of her skin. I guess the ignorant would not comply to either bell or calling out anyway.
Geoff Thomson, Page
Allocation welcome
Thank you to the NSW government ("NSW to spend $192m to fight bushfires", canberratimes.com.au, October 23) for providing funds to assist rural firefighters.
I saw how hard local RFS brigade members worked last summer. They will benefit enormously from this funding boost. The NSW government also has a goal to reduce carbon emissions to slow down climate change.
I just wish the federal government would also adopt stronger policies to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. This is what is needed to try and ensure that we don't see the same bushfire impact again.
Michelle Storey, Yass River, NSW
Explanation correct
David Tuckwell's explanation of the Liberal's loss in the ACT election (Letters, October 22) was right on the money. Another element to consider may well be the ACT demographic, which is much less likely to swallow populist election stunts nor the total absence of any Canberra Liberal policy substance. Lower rates, better services. Really?
All this, together with Canberrans obviously taking climate change more seriously than almost elsewhere in the Commonwealth, assured the 2020 electoral disaster of the naive Canberra Liberals.
Neil Wilson, Turner
TO THE POINT
THE US DISEASE
The problem with American "culture" is that it is saturated with superficiality and obsessed with celebrity.
Let's hope Australians resolve to avoid this ghastly American disease and to return to decent values.
Unlikely though, given two thirds of our parliamentarians are grovelling American vassals.
Rex Williams, Springwood, NSW
TORTURE, NOT ABUSE
Re: "Spare child sex offender time in jail" (October 27, p2).
Child "abuse" should be called out for what it is; far worse than what abuse indicates.
It is child "torture" and should be named and recognised as such in the hope this term highlights the horrendous impact on vulnerable children.
Jen Smith, Canberra
TRUMP'S TRIUMPH
"Make America First" Trump undeniably achieved this; and in just few months. Just look the COVID-19 case and mortality statistics. He's a worldbeater.
Mokhles k Sidden, Strathfield, NSW
OFF WITH THE FAIRIES
In most parts of the world if you were so disconnected from reality that you walked around saying the coronavirus "would just disappear" and that America was "on top of it" when case numbers were going through the roof you'd be referred for a psych assessment. If you happen to live in America they call you the "commander in chief" or "Mr President".
N Ellis, Belconnen
DIDN'T THEY GO?
US election voting numbers should be much reduced from 2016 when Trump won. That's because of all the celebrities and the top end of town who were going to move to Canada and elsewhere. Or didn't they go? Does this mean their words are just political speak?
G. Knight, Narrabundah
MORE DISCRIMINATION
With the ACT Liberals choosing women as both leader and deputy leader I suppose we can expect a piece from Jenna Price, with her fine nose for gender discrimination, decrying the situation. I'll hold my breath, shall I?
Greg Pinder, Charnwood
FISH ARE BITING
Jevon Kinder (Letters, October 26) you certainly brought out a few more of the anti-Trumpster brigade. It appears they are entitled to express their opinions whereas you need to keep yours to yourself. Each day I look forward to the whining that you write about.
Alex Wallensky, Broulee, NSW
NO MANDATE
For many of us the ACT election result was no more a mandate for light rail than a mandate for rates increasing at a much greater rate than CPI. The result was a sad indictment of just how abysmal the alternative was.
Warwick Bradly, Weston
TROLLEY BUSES?
While there has been much talk of trams I never seen any mention of trolley buses.
We had them in Australia 60 or 70 years ago.
I remember them in Hobart. Overhead wires allowed them to manoeuvre and they were quiet. Were they ever given any thought for Canberra?
Alastair Bridges, Wanniassa
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