Could it be that some immunisation is redundant? Should we be testing our babies for antibodies before the jab? Jim Nutter Main Arm
Hunter DAs
Without wishing to get drawn into ‘tit-for-tat’ correspondence with Cr Hunter, his letter in the recent edition of The Echo does raise some interesting issues: 1. I refer to the report presented by Mr Ray Darney to the recent Council meeting at which the councillors overwhelmingly decided not to extend the trading hours for his mini-storage business to allow access by his tenants on weekends and public holidays. This report included data on vehicle movements over a two-week period in November last year in an effort to demonstrate the small number of vehicles accessing the facility on a day-to-day, week-day-only basis. The numbers noted by the local residents living in the two homes overlooking the access road (aka the narrow winding country lane) suggested otherwise. It is clear from their observations that there were significant movements of vehicles during this period which were not reported in the ‘survey’ – for the simple reason that they were vehicles visiting not the approved operation but the additional container storage facility that the Hunters have been operating without a DA and for which the application has now gone on display in the Council Chambers this week. 2. There also seems to be a fundamental inconsistency in the remarks made by Cr Hunter about the concerns of the ‘long-suffering neighbours’ about his activities. On the one hand he seeks to dismiss me as some sort of ‘weekend visitor’ whereas I have, in fact, well-established credentials, having lived and worked in Byron Shire since the 1970s, having owned and operated numerous businesses and having paid rates on a number of properties over the years. He further seeks to diminish the concerns of several of the owners of adjacent properties as ‘persistent hostility from three to four neighbours’, whereas the meetings these residents have held in recent years to discuss these issues have been well attended – on occasions by all the homeowners in the street and sometimes by residents of Tyagarah Road as well. There seems to be in this
attitude a reflection of a concerning national agenda by large corporations engaged in environmentally sensitive activities to limit the right of objection to their operations to only those whose properties are most immediately affected and then seek to disparage those people by characterising them as some sort of whingeing minority group. Graham Mathews Myocum
Begone, Dutton
Much has been said about minister for immigration Peter Dutton’s misogynist comments about a senior journalist who had the temerity to report on his colleague’s bad behaviour. Most miss the point. It’s the attitude of a person who thinks it’s okay to call a woman a ‘mad f...ing witch’ just for doing her job that’s very disturbing. Malcolm Turnbull knows this better than anyone. Turnbull also understands the potency of language. If Turnbull’s rhetoric about the need to respect women in order to stamp out violence against women is sincere, then he must set an example in his own government. People with attitudes such as Dutton’s should not be in parliament, let alone a senior ministry. Dutton should be gone. Yesterday. Louise Doran Ocean Shores Q Peter Dutton’s attitude to women reflects a political culture that is pathologically chauvinistic. This man represents Australia in the international arena and recently he mocked Pacific Islanders experiencing the demise of their island state owing to climate change. One would hope that there was cultural/social/gender sensitivity in such a democratically elected representative. Alas! What can females who represent mothers, daughters, great-grandmothers, aunties, etc now expect? And what is to be the fate of women who are fleeing war torn countries, women have experienced/ witnessed rape and oppression? What can these women expect from the current Australian culture should they seek refuge? Rosie Batty has lost her son because of domestic violence. She campaigns tirelessly as the murder of women escalates. Refuges in NSW during the Christmas period were unable to cope with the influx of calls from terrified women.
14 January 13, 2016 The Byron Shire Echo
And what is to be the fate of young males when a life is lost owing to a Coward Punch? Are we all responsible for these tragedies? Are such attitudes applicable in the 21st century? It is no doubt time for Peter Dutton to resign and for the Australian population to rise up and say ‘no more’. Funding for education/ refuges is essential but before such time we must get rid of those representatives who view women through the prism of ‘the deviant’. Jo Faith Newtown, Sydney
The new Lucifer
The media recently focused on the Jamie Briggs and Chris Gayle ‘incidents’ where a politician and a sportsman respectively were accused of making quite polite propositions to females – heaven forbid! In the Briggs case there was outrage that the staffer he put the hard word on was, as an employee, at a power disadvantage. Yet when Mr Gayle made a friendly on-camera suggestion to a reporter (ie, no formal power advantage) there was the identical righteous squawking about ‘respect for women’. Increasingly we’re also being warned about ‘inappropriate’ behaviour. As this word does not mean either ‘illegal’ or ‘immoral’, it must be code for ‘much righteous and tiresome squawking will result if found out’. At least I hope that’s what it means; otherwise there’s a danger it could become one of those catch-all accusations beloved of totalitarian regimes such as ‘undermining the state’. Dare I say it? Yes, I dare: the great majority of males are ‘womanisers’ in fantasy if not in fact. It’s all about that great fact of life called testosterone, otherwise known as the life force. Having now well and truly crossed the Rubicon I might as well enjoyably raise the squawking to fever pitch: some women actually enjoy a casual uncomplicated encounter with a famous, confident and experienced male. Look, if we don’t register a strong protest at politically correct bullshit we’ll end up where Sweden is. In Sweden prostitution is now illegal again on the basis that it’s demeaning to women. So the women are hanging on the street clearly soliciting but it’s only the male who gets arrested! PC gone mad, language under torture and libido the new Lucifer. Fast Buck$ Coorabell
ARTS & WHAT’S NEW AT LEISURESCAPES FLO GARDENS
es t
continued from page 11
ARTS & INDUSTRY at e
Letters
Leisurescapes is showcasing an exciting new range of products from Flo Gardens. So what is a Flo Garden? It’s an ecosystem (aquaponics) where organic veges, herbs and seafood can easily be grown together in your backyard. It is designed and handmade here in Byron Bay. The team at Flo Gardens are passionate about empowering people to grow their own food. ‘Not everyone has a green thumb, but our systems make growing veges, plants and seafood so easy that anyone can do it.’ There is no weeding, cleaning, chemicals or time wasted. So you can eat sumptuous fresh produce straight from your backyard. Flo Gardens require minimal space and look fantastic. Come and see our range at Leisurescapes today. Lot 2 Grevillea St, Byron Bay. 6685 7093
ELEMENTS CAFE The unique Elements menu gives your entire being just what it needs to help live life fully and heal many of the diseases created by poor food choices. Chef and co-owner Rafael Camargo has a passion for creating food that is vibrant, wholesome and nourishing. He adds his artistic flair and the flavours of his home country of Brazil to bring food to the table that not only tastes great but looks amazing! At Elements Cafe the food comes from the heart, so please don’t be shy to enter this humble superfood hub and indulge in the organic goodness on offer… you are certainly in for a treat! 12/74 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay. 0404 346 972
HEART SPACE BYRON BAY Heart Space is your place of ceremony and conscious creation. Allow your heart’s passion and creative colours to flow through art, yoga, song and dance at Heart Space Byron Bay’s new studio workshop in the Arts & Industry Estate. If you have the need to express and share your creative passions, feel free to melt onto our blank canvas and untie your creative flow. Unit 3/46 Acacia Street. Facebook: heartspacebyronbay 0426 899 490
20
% Plants & Pots
OFF
Ends Sunday 24th Jan
2 GREVILLEA ST, ARTS & INDUSTRY ESTATE, BYRON BAY
OPEN 7 DAYS PH: 6685 6990 www.leisurescapes.com.au @leisurescapesbyronbay
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo