RE: "Prime Minister Scott Morrison confronted by angry punter on a visit to Edgeworth Tavern, Herald online 6/4".
The Prime Minister takes politicking to the pub, and his supporters claim he "deserves a bit of respect". Maybe they should have cleared the tavern, just as they did the street of Lismore last week. That certainly avoided the "angry punters" and any chance of being disrespected.
Of course he deserves respect, but so do ordinary Australians. He's had a "fair go", something he's denied many of the "punters" he will face in outings like Wednesday's excursion.
Warren Dean, Newcastle East
Does this pass the pub test?
AS someone in the hospitality industry and having to deal with hundreds of compliance issues daily, not least RSA-related compliance, can I ask - does Mr Morrison hold an RSA certificate?
Not sure as to the exact wording but I know it is to cover 'the sale, supply or service' of alcohol (or similar). On Wednesday he was photographed pulling beers in Edgeworth Tavern.
Will the question be asked of Mr Morrison and other politicians as we head to election season? I just find it a bit unfair to see the laws (possibly) flouted.
Gordon Laffan, Stockton
Terms could fit Labor types, too
JOHN Ure's letter, ("PM's very good at pointing finger at others", Letters, 7/4), used the terms "lying, bullying and being a horrible, horrible person" relative to Scott Morrison.
Actually, I immediately thought of Kristina Keneally and Penny Wong when I read that. Mr Ure has been critical of every Liberal leader from John Howard to Scott Morrison over the years on this page, but I wonder how he or other Labor voters could possibly be happy to have those two ladies making important decisions about the future of this country.
David Stewart, New Lambton
Careful what you wish for
AS clearly can be seen in most opinion expressed in letters in this journal, writers lean more than a little toward supporting the current federal Labor opposition.
However, in the upcoming election people should be careful about what they wish for as they may just get it. With the strong possibility of a Labor/Greens coalition, there are many questions the voter should ask themselves. With their stated policy of removing the tax to GDP ratio currently at about 27 per cent there are no limits to what new taxes or tax increases they may introduce. Think death tax, capital gains tax on principal place of residence, tax on unrealised capital gains, vendor tax on the sale of principal place of residence, this has been used by Labor previously.
These are but a few but and there could be many more. Not forgetting the carbon tax, they vowed not to introduce it but as soon as they were elected they attempted it.
As well as taxes, what are their climate policies? Which mines are they going to close, what power stations are they going to close, what are their plans for petrol and diesel-powered motor vehicles?
The Labor Party will deny and disown all of this but if forced into coalition with the Greens they will have no choice. They have not offered any costing for any of their policies so look out. So far their main issue appears to be placing a fully qualified nurse in every aged care facility, very noble. But no timeline and no costing.
Raymond Stewart, Charlestown
'Hollow' promises from Labor
ANTHONY Albanese and Jim Chalmers need to explain to the Australian voters why the Labor Party has not had a budget surplus since 1989?
Also how come the Rudd government managed to blow a $20 billion surplus in such a short time with the so-called "world's best treasurer" at the helm?
The Labor Party has proven time and time again that it cannot responsibly run the Australian economy. Hopefully enough voters will see through the hollow cash splashes of Labor and vote accordingly.
Chris Munzenberger, Singleton
Speaking volumes about ScoMo
JOHN Beach, ("Credibility the first casualty", Letters, 1/4), in regards to you asking if Scott Morrison is our worst Prime Minister, in my opinion, the short answer would be yes.
I don't think that there's ever been anyone less fit for the top job than Scotty from Marketing, but if anyone felt that they could name a different candidate for worst of all time, then I'd at least be willing to listen.
Despite it not exactly being uncommon for Liberal Party members to throw each other under the bus (as was the case when Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison all became Liberal Party leaders), I believe it speaks volumes that so many of Scotty from Marketing's colleagues don't seem to have a solitary kind word to say about him.
Even the consistently panned former prime minister Tony Abbott didn't cop so much criticism, as even he didn't have as many constant stuff ups or foot in mouth moments. Perhaps the best purpose that Mr Morrison has served is making Mr Abbott actually look competent by comparison.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Pensions are an entitlement
SCOTT Hillard, (Short Takes, 6/4), my average income through my working life was around $50,000, which considering the average wage is around $80,000, I would consider low income.
According to the ATO the tax on $50,000 is 32.5 per cent, the lowest tax rate is 19 per cent. I think I'd prefer being in the top 10 per cent of earners where those employed in politics and public offices etc are.
Pensions are an entitlement. And I'm sure those in private employment whose compulsory tax-free super would make up for their high taxes.
Steven Busch, Rathmines
Taxation is not so simple
SCOTT Hillard, (Short Takes, 6/4), Steven Busch is quite correct in his assertion that "struggling pensioners paid one third of their income in tax".
I fail to understand why you feel the need to use the pejorative term "take issue". You have quoted current income tax rates. If you research historic tax tables you will see that Steven Busch is quite correct.
In addition, those high income earners hardly shoulder the burden of tax. The people of whom you speak are more likely to have taxation shelters and as a result I dispute your assertion that the top 10 per cent pay 50 per cent of all tax collected.
I do know that the ever inflationary GST is paid by those less able to afford it, including pensioners, while another section of society pays very little. If high income earners are so hard done by, how do you explain the explosion in housing costs and just who are the people who can afford the multi-million dollar home sales in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?
Marvyn Smith, Heddon Greta
SHORT TAKES
TO the Edgy Tavern patron who gave the worst PM Australia has ever suffered a mouthful of truth on Wednesday night, can I please buy you a beer, sir?
John Lawton, Belmont
THE council says that South Newcastle Beach was neglected and rundown and has been for years. I believe this was not the case prior to a damn big rock blocking Bathers Way making the thoroughfare impassable. Now we have a damn big skatepark doing the same. Open up the road and allow the community to use it again.
Larry McAllister, Kurri Kurri
THE latest storms have reinforced the educated opinion that the skate bowl should not have been built in the present place at South Newcastle beach. Other storms will destroy it if the skate park continues to be built. The council must recognise that they have made the wrong decision. The council is responsible for ratepayers' money and not to squander it on ill-researched projects. They must only continue with the walkway. The council would earn more respect if they recognised that they have made a serious error of judgment.
Jenny Iredale, Stockton
YOUR article about the head of venom at The Australian Reptile Park was very informative but I think that using the term 'vaccine' throughout the article rather than 'antivenom' was misleading, ("Journey from venom to vaccine", Herald, 1/4). The antivenom made by CSL from snake venom is used in hospitals as a treatment after snake bite, not given before exposure to protect against the effects of snake bite. We have become used to talking about vaccines since COVID began, but in this case the word is inappropriate. Please get your COVID vaccine booster to protect yourself and others.
Wendy Webb, Warners Bay
KEN Stead, (Short Takes, 31/3), no answer to your question, will satisfy you. For those with faith, no explanation is necessary, but for those without faith, no explanation is possible. For those who don't believe in God, could you explain to me why so much pain and suffering is being rained down upon people who have done nothing to deserve it? I guess you won't be able to.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
KEN Stead, (Short Takes, 31/3), your question has been answered, in the short version. Ever since God turfed Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, ego has dominated and mankind (each and every one of us) has perverted and polluted our world, leading to the current pain and suffering that we see and experience. The Bible has the longer answer, obviously not suited for this forum. But if you're game, try this for a start. www.christianitytoday.com and search "why is suffering allowed?".
