NOW we have agreed to support same-sex marriages, those of us outside the inner circle need some advice on how to go about it. Seriously. How, for instance, do we address their mail? How do they like to be introduced to newcomers? Two surnames? He referring to his partner as his husband does not help, nor she referring to her partner as her wife. The computations are mind-boggling and confusing. It's a brave new world we live in now, and ‘meet the missus’ doesn't hack it any more. We need help here.
Ron Elphick, Buff Point
IT has just been announced that one in five of the biggest organisations in Australia has not paid any tax over at least the last three years, as if we didn’t know. This comes about by the legal use of our flawed tax system, and when you add to that the actual tax that all big and medium businesses are required to pay it averages out at about 17 per cent. I think this government is playing the public for fools and, what’s more, they seem to be getting away with it.
Allan Earl, Thornton
WHAT a lovely tribute to Pam Todhunter in the Herald on Wednesday inserted by her family (Classifieds, 14/2). She must have been a wonderfully loved and appreciated person. May she rest in peace. What more can I say?
Elaine Richards, Salt Ash
MANY thanks to Mike Scanlon for Saturday's history article on the suburbs of Belmont North, Jewells and the long lost housing estate Wommara (‘Search for lost Lake suburb’, Weekender, 10/2). It was so interesting to read your column and history of our area. Keep up the great work; I look forward each week to your columns. Thanks again.
Lorraine Gibson, Jewells
PETER C. Jones, don't blame the Carr government for the closure of Belmont Sporties (‘Ongoing losses force Sporties club closure’, Herald, 9/2), blame the public for not supporting this club. No Liberal government has taken poker machines out of pubs either if anything this current state government has been making things worse.
Colin Geatches, Mayfield
INCREASING assaults upon paramedics raise a serious question about whether there should be mandatory sentences imposed for certain offences. It would seem from comments by victims that there is no real confidence of them getting any justice from the courts. I have always been a supporter of our justice system but now I seriously question whether the approach is working. I suggest it is now timely for our politicians to take action and enact mandatory sentences for unprovoked assaults on ambulance personnel.
Peter Mason, Fern Bay
MR Turnbull wants the public to again trust his government. How can we, or better still, why would we after the latest report from NSW Health about no cancer cluster in the Williamtown area (‘Cancer study sparks fury’, Herald 15/2)? Another one being swept under the carpet, in my opinion.
