Otama fate a disgrace after years of inaction
Having read the article (“Scrapyard may be Otama’s next berth” The News 14/9/2022) it beggars belief that Parks Victoria would choose as the only option available to spend $5 million hiring a submersible vessel and remove the Otama to be scrapped in Western Australia when for the estimated amount of $500.000 it could have been brought ashore and put on display in Crib Point.
Without doubt this project has, over its 20 year history, been the victim of bureaucratic ineptness and a serious lack of “political will” on the part of both sides of the Political spectrum.
Max Bryant and his loyal band of supporters are to be applauded for their commitment and dedication over those 20 years, despite the hurdles they have faced, to have doggedly taken every step possible to provide a major tourist attraction for our region.
The sincerity of their commitment is fully on show in the Maritime Museum they have established in the Heritage Listed headquarters of the former BP Refinery on the Esplanade in Crib Point putting it to a valuable use.
To those who have opposed this project over the years I trust you will allow yourselves the time, at least, to spare a thought for the disappointment the members of the Western Port Oberon Association are feeling as they see their hopes and dreams brought to an abrupt end.
Brian Stahl OAM JP, Hastings
Submarine sorrow
Very sad to see that the Otama is going to be scrapped. Perhaps Max Bryant should consult the Holbrook council in NSW to get information how they moved a submarine hundreds of kilometres from the sea to install it in their park. It is certainly very successful as a tourist attraction.
Glenn Murphy, Mornington
Flag protocol
It is indeed uplifting to see that local organizations and private citizens are flying the Australian Flag in honour of her late Majesty.
Sadly none that I have observed are being flown correctly in accordance with the protocols laid down at the website of The Australian Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
In part it states that “A flag should not be flown at half-mast at night, whether or not it is illuminated.” Local organizations ignoring this protocol include the Shire Offices, The Mornington Police Station and The CFA Mornington Station.
I urge these organizations to review the protocols and follow them at this important time.
David Wirth RFD JP, Mornington
Landlords are victims
The latest fashion among the chardonnay set and the ever-grasping bureaucracy is the supposed “crisis” (read shortage), in rental accommodation. A range of solutions have been proposed by the insensitive and incompetent servants of the people ranging from economic impossibility to shaming elderly people to give up the comfort of their family homes to impecunious “families”. They are being shamed into giving up their gardens for four blank walls and a roof in what is commonly known as a “dog box”. To compensate they might have some money left over which will undermine their pensions.
The shortage of rental accommodation is entirely due to government regulations directed against landlords in favour of tenants. Anybody considering investing money in residential rental housing must be out of their mind. Landlords, in the eyes of the law are on a flogging to nothing. They are assumed to be rich so they must pay.
A person invests, say, $1,000,000 in a house and rents it out to a “family”. There is a marriage break-up, the husband deserts the wife and kids. She has no income so can’t pay the rent and receives succor from the court or tribunal. The landlord spends money on the on-going outgoings plus legal costs to get his property back. That is the way the Landlord & Tenant laws are framed.
Same scenario if dad loses his job. Tough luck. It’s a cruel world but if you are a councillor, you can make somebody else pay. OPM it’s called.
Now the shire is getting on the bandwagon with a display of “concern”. If Council is so concerned with the wellbeing of its ratepayers why don’t we see a budget item “Rate Reduction Program”? Tenants do not pay rates. Owners do in never increasing number just because their property values rise.
Barry Rumpf, McCrae
Allow refugees to work
The need for more skilled workers has been documented and much discussed. The Australian Government has recently announced an increase to immigration to boost the work force. There is quite a time lag getting those urgently needed here and working.
There are many thousands of refugees in this country, many with tertiary education and necessary skills required, who are without work rights or working in unskilled positions, in limbo waiting for visa applications to be approved. They live in the community, some have been here for years.
Many of these people could be employed right now in appropriate jobs.
Figures arrived at by Refugee organisations show that the costs of keeping refugees in the community are eye watering. For those in alternative accommodation eg. hotels, the annual cost is $450,000. For those in on shore detention centres it costs $360,000 a year. In community detention where refugees are provided with housing, a small stipend and utilities paid but are not allowed to work it costs $47,000 a year.
Many of these people want to work and contribute.
It seems to me on a number of fronts logical that the Government permit these people to have work rights.
Ann Renkin, Shoreham
Protect marine life
With warmer weather imminent (no, really, I have checked the calendar) now may be an opportune time for the Department of Fisheries to address the lack of signage at boat ramps, jetties and piers advising the public of protected marine species. It would be nice to see the large rays around Safety Beach survive another summer, and perhaps the dolphins enjoy the coming months unharnessed by clueless jet-ski riders.
David Martin, Mt Martha
Election coming
What a pleasure it is to see one of the candidates standing for election in the Mornington electorate actually doing meet and greets with the residents. I refer, of course, to Chris Crewther. Chris is an experienced politician and will make an excellent addition to the Liberal team who should win the coming election. He has more real life experience in his short years since school than half the current (Labor) state cabinet put together.
As it stands, Labor has not found a candidate willing to stand up to try to defend Teflon Dan Andrews’ appalling record of shirking responsibility for any disasters on his watch. So many examples: the hotel quarantine disaster – 800 deaths resulted (“Can’t remember”); hospital chaos (“Blame COVID”); ESTA failures – at least 33 deaths resulted (“We’re putting money into that”). All under Andrews’ watch as Health Minister and/or Premier. Then there’s the “Big Build”! You shoulda stuck to little builds Dan, you know Labor can only operate over time and over budget, but look at how many CFMMEU mates it keeps employed on huge incomes.
We have a doctor standing so she can help people. Better stick to your day job to help people. But one question for Dr Lardner: If the election is tied, who will you support? That is vital information for anyone thinking of voting for you.
And finally the Greens. Seem to be a mishmash of misfits with no respect for anyone or anything, just tagging along supporting Labor when needed.
Happy voting everyone!
Jack Wheeler, Mornington
Speaking of the Greens
The Liberals and Nationals are always going on with their inimical, stultifying, prestidigitation, flapdoodle, gormless, miscreant, shibboleth, disinformation campaign that a vote for Greens or Independents is a vote for Labor.
It just goes to show how ignorant they are about how voting in Australia works. Actually, they are depending on people to not know how the voting system works and, unfortunately, they are right there.
What they fail to recognize, well the truth of the matter is they do, is that it is not a vote for Labor, it is a vote against them!
Opprobrious and perfidious Libs are the only party using those tactics and now even putting forth Lib trained “pseudo independents”.
Never hear Labor or Greens say that a vote for Mammon, Asmodeus, Leviathan, Beelzebub, or Belphegor is a vote for COALition!
Would suggest a moral compass pointing in the wrong direction but they have no moral compass. Good example is being ashamed of their true colours and using the “teal” banner to trick people because they cannot highlight their policies and actions. Noticed TV ad by Matthew Guy and he has dropped the hard blue Liberal background and logos for a more friendly teal colour, and now new “liberal Independent” or is it “pseudo independent”, “hard core” Elizabeth Woolcook, a cohort and strong supporter of Greg Hunt.
OK then she has changed her colours and I have a bridge for sale!
Liberal Party of Australia: the party of smoke and mirrors.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Support needed
The number of Australians living with dementia is close to half a million – a number that is set to double in the next 25 years. There are also an estimated 1.6 million people involved in their care.
Many people living with dementia can continue to live well after their diagnosis, but often feel isolated because of the stigma and discrimination associated with dementia. That’s why the theme for Dementia Action Week (19 – 25 September) is A little support makes a big difference.
This year, we encourage communities to come together and learn more about how they can support people living with dementia. By everyone having a better understanding of dementia and seeing that a purposeful life can continue after diagnosis, we will eliminate discrimination and its impacts.
There are seven small but practical ways you can make a difference in your community. To find out more please visit discrimination.dementia.org.au
A little support can make a big difference.
Maree McCabe AM, CEO Dementia Australia and Bobby Redman, chair Dementia Australia Advisory Committee
Home care missing
King Charles III, in his first regal address, pledged to love and serve the people of Britain, no mention of Australia.
We could say the same for our Mornington Peninsula Council, as in serving Liberal Party supporters and no mention of home care for the aged; now into months since sighting a cleaning person.
We have had the funeral, give it a couple more days till after the grand final and who knows, they may develop a conscience?
Let’s be fair, the royalists have had much more than their day in the sun, years in fact.
Time enough to take our turn, in that mythical sun, wherein I spot – a cleaning person?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Letters – 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number – can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
First published in the Mornington News – 20 September 2022
