Cat o’ nine tails?
Victoria’s current crime epidemic is out of control. Premier Allan and the Victorian government must urgently stop it. Our police and judiciary need much stronger powers than they currently have to help them deal with this epidemic.
Our current bail laws are quite inadequate. So bring back something really strong. Bring back corporal punishment. Bring back flogging. “What a really cruel thought” some might say. But are such punishments as cruel as having family members killed or maimed for life by unlicenced teenaged thugs causing major car accidents in stolen cars? The answer is a very clear no.
Or having peoples’ homes or vehicles trashed and burgled? Or buildings and trains being graffitied? Or women being abused and raped? Or unprovoked stabbings and attacks occurring. Or people becoming too scared to leave their homes at night and/or needing to sleep with a weapon of defence beside their bed? The answer is no.
At present our current bail laws are not supporting our police who are trying to protect us. Police are repeatedly catching the same violent criminals and then seeing them released immediately on bail. A corporal punishment program such as this would give those administering the law so much more real backup and power. Such punishments would be quick to administer and very hurtful to criminals.
The punishments could be carried out almost immediately after a court’s decision and at almost no cost. No extra money for prisons, prison staff, or extra enforcement costs for the government.
And the program would also be quick for the government to implement vis legislation or regulation.
With such a program in place anybody wishing to avoid such punishments could very easily do so. Just do not commit crimes in the first place. Implement this plan Premier Allan and stop this crime wave.
Arthur Ranken, Mt Eliza
Housing crisis
Ever wonder what “affordable” and “Social” housing is? I have, and after asking many government agencies, I have come to the conclusion that they don’t have a clue. The variety of ambiguous non answers is astounding. So let me put it in perspective.
Affordable Housing: half of Australian workers earn less than $67,600 per year. In Australia, a common rule of thumb is that mortgage repayments should not exceed 30% of your gross pre-tax income ($20,280). With an annual repayment budget of $21,000, you could afford a mortgage of around $288,000, assuming a 30-year loan term at 6.11% interest. As of September 2024, the average mortgage size in Australia was approximately $642,121.
Social Housing: with the highest “social income” level of $836.60 per fortnight, rent should be $125.49 weekly and it goes downhill from there.” Say what?
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Prevention v cure
Although it’s hard to argue that any effort to reduce climate pollution is wasteful, some actions are more beneficial to our collective well-being than others (“Call for end to ‘wasteful’ climate change projects”, The News 25/2/25).
Paying for offsets, for example, offers minimal local benefits. As Cr Max Patton rightly highlights, investing in strategies that prevent or build resilience to climate impacts is more “economically efficient” than spending on disaster recovery.
Yet, in Australia, 98% of the $24.5 billion in federal funding spent on disasters between 2005 and 2022 went towards recovery and relief rather than building resilience.
The peninsula needs forward thinking leadership that plans to both cut climate pollution and minimise the impact of future events like bushfires. Prevention is always better than the cure.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Letter response
I must confess to being somewhat flummoxed by the offence I have apparently caused to M G Free (Vote splitting, Letters 25/2/25). I neither referred to, nor quoted anything from Mr Free’s letter so I fail to see how I showed him any disrespect.
As to the quote of the figures provided by Mr Lenzo, I only referred to the independents voting pattern with Labor and the Coalition, I made no mention of the Greens.
Furthermore with reference to the use of the word “shared” in my original letter, and quoted by Mr Free, I believed that 41% to 53% is a reasonable example of sharing the vote. It isn’t 50:50 but it certainly is not lop-sided as is seemingly been implied by Mr Free.
Ross Hudson, Mt Martha
Maintaining the shade
Headline in a daily paper on Saturday read ‘Councils want trees against deadly heat waves’. Good point. Have been trying to arrange replacement of trees on our nearby reserve for two years. A manna gum nursed through dry times was accidentally smashed by builders.
Council Parks team advised they would have a tree available ‘next year’. That was September, 2023. Reminded them a year later, then again last week also requesting replacement of a street Casuarina wilfully cut down to create parking by new residents.
Notice nearby trees failing where they have been ‘ring barked’ by whipper snippers. So please protect the trees we have with rubber rings, not piling lawn cuttings around the trunks however, which ‘cooks’ and rots them.
Hastings’ trees are home to wonderful range of birds and critters, as well as cooling our homes, paths and roads, hug one today.
Fran Henke, Hastings
Power failure
Brian A (I assume a stands for atomic) Mitchelson is a little liberal with his truth ,when he says in his letter that renewable energy is the most unaffordable power for industry, when in fact it is one of the cheapest energy forms around (Power to the people, Letters 25/2/25).
But hey, why let the truth get in the way when we’re in an election year! None of the major parties will be blushing when telling porkies, so this time around I’ll be giving the independent Ben Smith my vote and hopefully we end up with a hung parliament so a more proactive agenda on climate change and social equity will find its way into government.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
Choice
Budget surplus, more jobs, inflation/unemployment down, medicines, bulk billing promise. Cost of living up, particularly food, more greed than politics, Woolworths, advertised bargains and severe increases in other items; not our pensions, thus my $572 losing in value.
Albo for now, a sincere approach to we battlers (up to a shaky point?) ignoring his nonsense coming in on the Matildas, more particularly the choice (Peter Dutton) a case of being unable to trust “as far as I can throw him” and so on.
Sense of (my) truth from watching two TV news hours, once a week, same supposed news, same night. Channel 9, 6pm, ABC, 7pm. Spot the difference?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Show proof
Your letter last week from Kerrie McCoy stated that the three main free to air channels have “been to pro Liberal for years while find anything to make Labor look bad”(sic).
I’d like to know what she is referring to? Channel 7, owned by WA based Seven West Media (probably a right-wing slant) does no criticism of Labor except in a show like Sunrise where both parties get called to account from time to time.
Channel 10 is owned by US based Paramount Global and soon to be owned by Larry Ellison, a Republican supporter in the US. Will this affect The Project, which has a strong left-wing bias? I doubt it. Channel 9 (owned by Nine network) actually owns The Age and other papers nationally. The Age has a strong left-wing identity and uses left leaning journalists and has done so for a number of years.
What was not mentioned was the ABC, a paragon of left-wing ideologies – shows like 7:30 Report and Q&A where Liberal and National politicians are regularly rubbished. Also, other media in Melbourne include The Guardian (founded by Communists in Manchester UK and still run with a strong left-wing bias) and Crikey – any right wing, pro-LNP articles in either of these on-line publications?
Yes, Rubert Murdoch is still the biggest Newscorp shareholder but his publications/channels have way more balance than the publications mentioned above.
With an election coming up, it is important that we get facts right and not engage in bashing of either party, just mentioning the so called “trillion dollar debt” left by the LNP is fanciful. Rudd/Gillard/Rudd ran up a huge debt after Peter Costello balanced the budget. Covid issues added to that debt and if Labor was in power at the time of Covid it would have added much more.
Kevin Cahalane, Mornington
Media bias selective?
Having read Kerrie McCoy’s letter (Biased media, Letters 26/2/25) complaining about mainstream media’s political bias, I had to agree. However, Kerrie made no mention of the political bias of The Age and, especially, “our” ABC. Maybe their political biases align with Kerrie’s?
Denis Mason, Sorrento
Time for change?
It’s pretty clear from the recent Letters to the Editor that there is a growing interest in the community for a change from a Liberal/NP certainty.
I’ve been closely following the progress being made by Ben Smith, a local independent and I actually think that he can win this. There’s clear momentum growing in his campaign and as we have seen other safe seats, like this one, you can’t rule anything out. At the very least, we need intelligent, community centric, energetic competition to the tired major party career politicians in Canberra.
So if you want anyone else other than the Liberals to win in this electorate, then vote for Ben.
It will probably be close, this may be our last chance, so let’s not stuff it up.
Luke O’Brien, Rye
Transparency needed
The ad in last week’s paper calling for Premier Jacinta Allan to involve Peninsula residents in the $25 million Arthurs Seat Eagle redevelopment is timely and necessary. Major infrastructure projects of this scale have long-lasting impacts on local communities, and I agree with Ben Smith that it’s crucial for residents to have a voice in the decision-making process.
Historically, both Liberal and Labor parties have been criticised for inadequate community consultation in such developments. Our federal representatives must champion policies that mandate community involvement in significant projects, ensuring that developments enhance rather than disrupt local livelihoods.
Kiran Hayes, Sorrento
State issues
Federal independent candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, continues to focus largely on issues of state government responsibility, despite running for federal parliament. One of these, redeveloping Rosebud Hospital, is a key issue for our community. At the last state election in 2022, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals committed $340 million to redevelop Rosebud Hospital, long neglected under the state Labor government, which owns and runs the hospital and is its primary funder. This is an issue I have advocated for regularly, including a petition which currently has over 3,500 signatures, and have raised it with the state Labor government on no fewer than 18 occasions.
Ben has also called on the state Labor government to give Mornington Peninsula residents a say in the $25 million Arthurs Seat Eagle redevelopment, and for stronger regulations around jetski usage.
I was recently appointed as Shadow Minister for Outdoor Recreation after advocating for reform to jetski usage since first elected and last year I sponsored a petition to increase police patrols around coastal communities.
Similarly, as the local Member for Nepean, I have called on the state Labor government to include our community in decision-making around Arthurs Seat and on a range of other matters.
If Ben is serious about being a federal MP, he should be talking more about federal issues where he can have a direct impact, rather than grandstanding on state issues where he would have no jurisdiction.
Thankfully, Flinders already has an effective federal member in Zoe McKenzie, who strongly advocates for issues where the federal government has responsibility and has forged strong relationships with her state colleagues and community members.
Sam Groth MP, Member for Nepean
Déjà vu
I saw the token visit by Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, to the Flinders electorate, with MP Zoe McKenzie in tow (Sussan Ley visits Flinders electorate, The News 25/2/25) and almost choked on my coffee. At least it confirms the election is coming, but we knew that anyway.
Every election it’s the same thing. Politicians roll into town, promise the world, and pretend to be “in touch” with local issues. But where are the solutions, and desire to work across the community to make it happen? We don’t need more visits from lying politicians or political mudslinging; we need genuine solutions and long-term commitment.
It’s high time the people in Canberra stopped using the public like pawns in their vote-buying games and started creating real change for the better. Stop treating us like fools! If they really cared about the problems of our business and local communities they would suggest practical policies to fix problems like the housing crisis and cost of living pressures that affect us so much on the peninsula. We need real, effective, change to address our local needs, not more empty words.
Alec Clews, Mornington
A cut above
It always fascinates me how many people devote themselves to being Keyboard Warriors, and they never hold back in attempting to convert us to their way of thinking with all sorts of facts and figures.
I find it refreshing to read letters written with a hint of wry humor and informative as well.
Lance Rickard (Best Sandwich, Letters 18/2/25) your comments are most welcome and can I encourage you to keep writing and updating us about your observations around Mornington!
Life can be simple if we want it to be, and we are meant to create some fun along the way.
Ila Howard, Mornington
Sandwich heaven
I had previously decided that I would not make any more submissions to the Letters page, but on reading Mr Nemaric’s letter (Best sandwich applauded, Letters 25/2/25) it made me change my mind.
Mr Nemaric suggested that I will be widely condemned for stating that the toasted pastrami,cheese and pickle sandwich I ordered at the Barrett Lane Sandwich Bar was the best that I had ever eaten.
I would like to explain why I stated that sandwich was the best that I have ever eaten.
During my six years at primary school my daily lunch was made by my mother, it was always sandwiches, but they were just “sandwiches”. Every day for six years, just boring sandwiches.
Then when I started at secondary school I was delighted to find that they had a tuck shop with many varied types of lunches available, so there and then I made a promise to myself that I would never, ever, have a sandwich again.
Now, 70 years later, I happened to notice a shop that had a front courtyard with tables and chairs, and as I needed to sit down and clarify a dilema that I was trying to solve, I sat on one of the chairs. I felt guilty by using the shop’s chair, so I thought that I better order something to eat. I was surprised to see that it was a sandwich shop, but as I was already on one of their chairs, I reluctantly ordered a sandwich.
I must admit that I was not looking forward to it as I had years ago vowed never to have a sandwich again. However, I reluctantly admit it was fantastic, easily the best that I have ever eaten, so I quickly ignored that 70 year old promise to myself and ordered a second one. Amazing. I have since been back to that shop many times.
I trust that everyone who reads this letter can see the field of sunflowers that Mr Nemaric gazed upon, and not have sandwich crumbs in their vision.
Lance Rickard, Mt Martha
