FUTURE GENERATIONS AT RISK
While the recent decision by the Liberals and Nationals to support extending the ban on unconventional gas in Victoria until 2020 is a welcome one, many people in Ballarat and around regional Victoria want coal seam gas and all other unconventional gas permanently banned.
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The danger of contaminating water aquifers and the threats to the community's health, farming and the environment are too huge to mess around with.
Australia has abundant renewable energy resources that can be used to meet much of Australia's energy demands.
We should be increasing our renewable energy targets here in Victoria - we have currently fallen behind other states such as Queensland and South Australia, both of who have higher RET than Victoria.
We should be developing these technologies instead of relying heavily on CSG and brown coal.
With two young children myself, I hate to think of risks to them in the future if we don't act now to permanently ban unconventional gas.
Zara Pritchard - Ballarat East
POOR RETURN ON OUR RATES
I visited my parents yesterday in a Melbourne suburb, where the median house price is around $2m, yet their Council rates are $350 less than mine here in Ballarat. Comparing what value they receive for their rates to what l get is ludicrous.
They receive a green waste and hard rubbish collection. Their roads and footpaths are well maintained. I am unable to get our Council to repair a square metre of the footpath outside my house.
These are just a few of the disappointments I have with our Council; the list goes on.
Linda Robinson Ascot Street South
SENIORS HIT AGAIN
The Turnbull Liberal government has ordered a review of Medicare services and procedures because of "fears" that the system may be being overused.
This review is directed fairly and squarely at the aged and ageing. A rapidly growing demographic which is the most likely to require medical treatment.
It is now clearly an economic crime to grow old. The elderly are consuming too much of the Medicare cake.
The First Turnbull government is shaping up to become the last Turnbull government.
Michael J Gamble - Belmont.
THE WHEEL HAS COME FULL CIRCLE
Mr Abbott claims he was removed as Prime Minister illegitimately. He specified it is wrong that so many Prime Ministers have been discarded in the past five years, it should never have happened and must end.
If Mr Abbott despised it so much, why did he implement and develop it into an art form?
Attacking individuals in a feral and sexist manner became commonplace under his leadership, he appeared enthusiastic delivering the vitriol and destroying individuals lives and reputations, but finds it abhorrent being on the receiving end.
We usually learn through life that what goes around comes around.
Mr Abbott, through the desire to become authoritative at any cost is now receiving his true desserts.
Wally Reynolds - Perth
THE BIG DAY EVE
About 20 years ago, premier Jeff Kennett pinched the Show Day public holiday from Victorians without a mandate. Now Premier Daniel Andrews has honoured an election promise by giving it back as a grand final holiday. This much-needed respite will provide rest and recreation for a workforce which is bearing greater workloads and stress than it did two decades ago. It is also an opportunity for small business in the regions to share in the benefits of increased patronage over a new long weekend.
Hans Paas, Castlemaine