Dear editor,
It’s heartening to read Tom Venning’s thoughts about his new role as the Federal Member for Grey (‘Venning looks forward to new role’, Eyre Peninsula Advocate, June 12).
He seems to be across the issues facing the electorate but has refrained from the usual opposition response of simply bashing the state and federal governments and opted for a more thoughtful and partisan approach.
On the shortage of doctors he presents what is “a Tom Venning view, not a Liberal Party view”, for instance.
He also makes it clear that he’s “here to work with the government whether it’s blue or red” and asks “what are the relationships in the Labor government that I need to form to advocate for your issues?”
I think this approach is what a lot of weary voters have been hoping for in their elected members.
He obviously has youthful idealism on his side and we should all hope he survives the brutal machinery that demands undying loyalty to the party machine.
Phil Fitzpatrick, Tumby Bay
Spending needs to be controlled
Dear editor,
I concur fully with Ian Macgowan in his letter ‘We must think about tomorrow’ (Eyre Peninsula Advocate, June 12).
Unfortunately, local governments have learnt from the incompetence of their state and federal counterparts – spend big today as it is someone else’s problem tomorrow.
David Scott, Port Augusta
Are sanctions too little, too late?
Dear editor,
At last! A belated action by the Albanese Government in conjunction with the UK, NZ, Canada, and Norway to censure Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far right and senior members of the extremist government of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.
Ireland, Spain, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia, amongst others, have stood tall in their condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, whilst our government – so quick to criticise other countries for human right abuses – has for many months spoken in weasel word language, seemingly paralysed or too timid to act.
Meanwhile protestors are ridiculed, university students are chastised and in some cases expelled, and unfair accusations of anti semitism prevail in the Murdoch media and the universities.
The United States, as Israel’s main backer, continues to veto the latest Security Council resolution demanding a permanent ceasefire and the bombings continue.
However, some heartening developments have been the hundreds of thousands of people across the world who have rallied to express their disgust and despair for the onslaught that is happening in Gaza.
People who are appalled by the abominations being faced by Palestinian children in particular and will not remain silent.
Documentaries such as ‘No Other Land’ – made under duress by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers – and Louis Theroux’s BBC program ‘The Settlers’, will stand with the public statements of condemnation being made by lawyers, judges, academics and historians; including many people of Jewish faith and/or identity.
Our Labor Government lost its voice on Gaza and the Liberal and National Opposition party stance is either ignorant or pathetic.
Kathy Bradley, Louth Bay
Clear as mud
Dear editor,
I have been a Facebook user for a number of years.
After initially dismissing it as a social platform, which I believed that I had no interest in, use or purpose for, I decided to open an account.
Over time I have found it useful for keeping connected to family, friends, interest groups and for accessing information and services.
A number of times I was informed by friends that their account had been hacked, and being told to ignore friend requests and having contact with that account.
I was perplexed – am still are – as to why certain individuals would do this and what benefit they could possibly gain from doing so.
Recently, I was contacted by my niece to ascertain if a site, using a personal photograph and my surname, had anything to do with me.
I quickly advised her, and my other contacts, that it was not me and to report it, like I did immediately, as a fraud or a scam.
After considering my notification, I was advised that the reported account had not been removed, after having been reviewed by technology and human reviewers.
How can an account, clearly using my personal photo and surname, not be removed or shut down, or be identified as suspect?
As Pauline Hanson would ask, “please explain?”
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Whale protection to be congratulated
Dear editor,
For some time I have been puzzled how a significant whale birthing area at Fowlers Bay has been allowed to be accessed by any tour operators.
I congratulate the state government on its decision to recognise water around Fowlers Bay as one of only three Whale Nursery Protected Areas in SA – another excellent step in its consistently good marine management.
Further, I hope that all commercial disturbance of birthing whales be eliminated completely rather than restricted.
The whale-watching experience at Head of the Bight offers a superb viewing experience with no disturbance to the whales, with breathtaking vistas along the cliffs in quieter times.
Scientific information can easily be gathered on whales from drones, aircraft and simple land spotting.
There is simply no need to disturb whales with noisy boats of any kind during their intimate act of birthing and rearing young.
Paul Burton, Denial Bay
