PTUA Connecting Ballarat Proposal Must Be Approved
The ambitious "Connecting Ballarat" Proposal must be approved.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I'm an active public transport user, and have witnessed the debacle that is the current system on a regular basis. Has anyone who created this system actually used the service? Have they stood at the Ballarat Bus Interchange and waited for the buses to come through? It can be a confronting and frightening place to stand and wait especially if you're catching the late buses home.
We've lost the bus that used to service our area, even as new developments are being green lighted and state in the planning permit that a bus stop is located 340 metres away. (Which it hasn't been since the new system was in place.) My neighbours and I now have to walk at least 940 metres to catch a bus - especially one that will get me to the station so I can commute into Melbourne.
This new Ballarat bus proposal makes sense. The fact that folk can then commute across Ballarat on the one bus is sensible.
Congratulations to the PTUA for putting forth a sensible vision of our future public transport needs.
Jac Wheadon, Canadian
Dividing church and state
There must now be clear separation of church and state. The current debate as to the right of some religious schools to discriminate against same-sex attracted students and staff is discrimination and must stop. No child should be discriminated against, as no adult should be.
We as a society have an obligation to fundamental freedoms and human dignity. Yes, human rights include freedom of religion but not the right to discriminate.
It is pleasing to see our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are in agreement in their support of LGBTIQ students and staff who are potentially facing this issue.
As to church and state, I would suggest that if a religious school exercises discrimination against gay students and staff, then we must demand that they no longer receive public funding from the government.
Religious belief is just that – belief. Sexual orientation is not a choice.
Ron Egeberg, Soldiers Hill
A thought for those on the edge
This week is Anti-Poverty Week, an annual opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges poverty creates within our community, and to advocate for better responses from government, business, community, the sector, and even perhaps ourselves.
Despite Australia’s long held reputation as the lucky country, poverty in Australia is real. According to the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) ‘Poverty in Australia 2016’ report, an estimated 2.9 million people live below the internationally accepted poverty line – including 731,000 children.
On a local level in the City of Ballarat, an estimated 22.7% of people live below the poverty line, with a weekly individual income of less than $400.
While these statistics are overwhelming, as a community, we can come together to do something about it. We can ask our leaders to take action to advance fairness in Australia, and we can work together to raise awareness and promote solutions.
This Anti-Poverty Week, we encourage you to host an event, or join a local event near you, by visiting www.antipovertyweek.org.au.
Vicki Sutton, CEO, Melbourne City Mission and Jenny Davidson, CEO, Council of Single Mothers and their Children