I BELIEVE our heads of our government made a reasonable call when they decided to impose heavy penalties on people coming from COVID-19 ravaged countries, such as India.
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If we don't restrict the possibility of allowing this disease to take hold in our country, wouldn't the doubting Thomases be up in arms then, just like each-way Albo.
What would you suggest the government do in a situation where, for example, 5000 dual citizenship Indian/Australians rented a cruise ship and travelled to Darwin or Perth? Just be informed that there are 21 countries that have locked out travellers from India to their countries, maybe Jacinta 'Open' can take them all, as well as all the Chinese students that she is going to welcome with open arms.
We, as Australians, are not special, but we certainly protect our homeland and will repel invaders, whether they are a virus or foe.
I do believe that we can bring Australians back home in a well-structured and methodical way, and I think 21 days in isolation and be given the vaccine injections on stepping foot on our shores, regular testing be mandatory, chipping or ankle bracelets should also be considered (over the top, maybe but so is infecting 26 million Australians welcoming you home).
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
Government wrong to sell assets
I UNDERSTAND the concern that the Prime Minister is having regarding importing the virus from India at this present time; however we have a quarantine centre just out of Darwin and it would be wise for people returning from areas where there is high risks of potential transmission of the virus to be housed in this location.
As the location is isolated from the community it would be helpful and a very low risk, until the all clear is given for them to continue on to their intended destinations. As well, we do have some military facilities that could also have effective isolation quarantine in place so that a safe return under medical supervision can be made for all returning Australians.
It is incredibly short-sighted of previous governments of selling off the former quarantine centres that we had in every state of Australia, including the one on the North Head in Sydney. This proves that we should be prepared to re-establish such centres for future such needs. It is always wrong of governments to sell something just because we do not need it all of the time; however, this is a continual policy of governments as they fail to understand that some things are needed for emergencies and must be on standby all of the time so that we so we do not face problems like this one so ill prepared.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
PM acted as a leader should
ALL of this hoo-ha about Indian travellers being banned from coming to Australia is fair go.
They wilfully left to go there, mid pandemic, knowing full well that India is well known for its lack of care and health problems, yet off they go, and now that the holiday is over, they want to come back to the safety of good old, soft touch and easily swayed Australia.
It is my, and many, many more opinions that the ban on entry is right, maybe not long enough and not only to India. What do these good hearted people want? Open the gate, let carriers in, infect the people that have very carefully avoided this dreadful killer, not to mention the cost involved in quarantine costs.
Already we have cricketers going down with it in India and they are obviously irate about the entry ban, but let's not lose sight of the massive cash payments that they received. So I think they, knowing the risk, should simply shut up and wear it.
The prime minister and his cabinet did not make this decision lightly, this is what we elected him to do and for even the opposition to criticise the decision he has had to make, shows how gutless and stupid the critics really are.
Dennis Crampton, Swansea
Reasons to vote Coalition out
SHOULD the result of our next federal election see the government returned with Scott Morrison as Australia's prime minister, then it is game set and match to electoral insanity.
Since 2013, we have continued to elect LNP administrations which have fostered racial hatred based upon ethnicity and religion. LNP administrations with three-word slogans rather than constructive ideas for policy. A Liberal prime minister In Scott Morrison who abandoned us in our greatest time of need. LNP administrations whose ineptness allowed COVID-19 into our country. An LNP administration which has since, made "a dog's breakfast" of getting Australians threatened by COVID repatriated. An LNP administration which has made an utter shambles of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. An LNP administration which by threatening prison terms and fines on Australian citizens attempting to travel from India to home has possibly breached our Constitution. LNP administrations which have made corruption an art form. LNP administrations which have sought to conceal harassment, sexual and, other of government employees. Eight years of misogyny, maladministration and outright lies.
Yet with all the above for voters to consider at the ballot box, come next election, an LNP victory is on the cards.
"Only in Australia!"
Barry Swan, Balgownie
Highs and lows with the Knights
SHANE, you say you are 25 and have no memory of when the Knights were good, ("Performance indicates a problem", Shane Lodge, Letters, 5/5).
I'm 77 and have seen most home games since 1988 (probably 300-plus). During that time I also watched two grand final wins (1997 and 2001), Knights being selected and playing State of Origin and some even climbing aboard the Australia team and they played here and overseas.
Here's a few good players we had over the years; Sam Stewart, Michael Hagan, Mark Sargent, Tony Butterfield, Paul Harragon (The Chief), Andrew Johns, Adam Muir, Robbie O'Davis, Bill Peden, Steve Simpson, Danny Buderus, Matt and Kurt Gidley plus many more.
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- See what the sea can offer in emissions fight
- Plenty of hang-ups hinder NRL conference calls
- Like him or not, the PM should be respected
- Fixing Stockton playground should be child's play
- Elite cricket's rules on IPL stumped before virus hit
- India virus flight ban simply doesn't add up
- Making election promises is easier than delivering
The coaches have been pretty good as well such as McMahon, Waite, Reilly, Ryan, Stone and Brown. First ever NRL home game I walked out of the stadium not ashamed they had lost 28-4 to Parramatta. The 1988 results, Knights played 22 games, won five, lost 16, drew one and ended the season 14th of 16 teams.
I used to get down in the dumps after defeats and workmates told me that in the early days they dreaded coming in on Monday after a Knights defeat. But I'm over that now. The Knights have in 32 years have won two grand finals and been wooden spooners four times.
Above all they are human and we humans do the opposite of what others want sometimes.
Maybe they do need a good kick in the bum, but as I didn't play last weekend I cannot really know what went wrong. On Saturday at Wagga we might see resurgence.
Anyway in the meantime, go the Knights.
Wal Remington, Mount Hutton
SHORT TAKES
MICHAEL Slater and other cricketers unable to come home from India have no right to criticise the government. Sure, they were given permission to chase the obscene money in the IPL, but surely by now they should understand that this virus has no rules and circumstances change daily, if not hourly. Their situation is entirely different from Australian citizens unlucky enough to be stuck due to having to travel for family reasons.
Greg Hunt, Newcastle West
MICHAEL Slater has had a very successful and rewarding career playing cricket and now as a commentator on the Nine and Fox Sports TV channels. Now he wants the Australian government to bring him home because the lifestyle he is accustomed to has been disrupted. So why doesn't he seek help from the global media organisation he is working for over there? Apparently they are not concerned about the welfare of their employees. So it seems it is better to blame the Australian government than seek help from your billionaire employer.
Barry Reed, Islington
TO answer John Smith (Short Takes, 5/5), "greedy impatient relatives" is John Ure's term (Letters, 27/4), not mine, but it points to other motives less honourable than compassion in regard to assisted dying. I sometimes wonder whose suffering we wish to end. Taking a question at the National Press Club recently (available on ABC iview), the Chair of Dementia Australia, Graeme Samuel, in discussing possibilities of assisted dying for dementia sufferers, conceded the reality of mixed motives for those deciding on behalf of those unable to give consent, including saving "the problem of having to deal with the torment or distress". Perhaps John should worry less about my praying and more about what he wishes for.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
WHEN someone is offered full time employment and then turns it down there should be a way for the employer to report to Centrelink and them be cut off from benefits.
Brian Markson, Charlestown
THERE are a number of factors as to why someone cannot work full time. And they should not be punished for declining that said work.
Emily Shaw, Swansea
MATT Ophir completely misrepresents Taylah Gray by accusing her of "wanting to lock all white people up" (Short Takes, 5/5). She said that 80 per cent of Aboriginal people on minor cannabis charges were pursued by police through the courts whereas others were usually bailed. She urged equal treatment, not reversing the discrimination.
Michael Gormly, Islington
BILL = sore, Slicer = loser.