LETTERS It’s time for Coalition
No sport in gambling
One of the benefits and beauties of our Australian election systems is the ability of the electorate to change its governments from time to time. There are several advantages in this. An important one being that we keep them aware that if the do not perform, we will give them time on the opposition benches to regroup, rethink their policies and to reflect on their wayward ways. The current [federal] Coalition government is in need of such a time. Its extreme reluctance into allowing a royal commission into the banks; the shame it and the banks should be feeling over the practices seen as normal business in the last several years. The additional shame over the banks’ insurance policies towards Aboriginal children. The Coalition-planned tax cuts to these banks is further evidence that they are out of touch with local and world economics. Their plans to cut the taxes to big business - many of which are paying little or no tax now on the basis of “trickle down economics”. This will be done at the expense of our health and education systems. The Coalition’s inquiry into the trade unions, on the face of it, seems to be have been an attempt to discredit those organisations and then to move to relocate superannuation funds into the hands of these banks. Now there is evidence emerging of some unusual practices in the private medical health funds, giving lucrative bonuses to their staff while seeking and obtaining Coalition approval of above cost of living rises in their premiums. No hint of an inquiry by the Coalition.
Across the state this weekend, elite and community AFL clubs are putting aside traditional rivalries to unite in our love of everything that makes footy great. Things like skill, talent, loyalty and fun, competition, team spirit, MVPs and extraordinary or memorable moments. Seventy-five per cent of teenagers today believe that gambling is a normal part of sport, which is not surprising, given the huge volume of sports betting advertising. But the promotional hype doesn’t acknowledge there are risks and harms associated with gambling. We as a community need to do that, which is why all 10 Victorian AFL clubs and more than 300 community clubs have signed up to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s sporting club program. This weekend is an ideal time for families to attend a local match and for adults to remind the kids in their care that sport and betting don’t have to go together. Whether a player or a fan, it’s about loving the game, not the odds. For more information, visit lovethegame.vic. gov.au or share your thoughts on social media, #LoveTheGame. Craig Swift, acting CEO Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
Fly guy A MAN floating above the water off Frankston beach was spotted by photographer Gary Sissons last month. Need more be said? Their management of our money, our money, is in need of a serious rethink. Time on the opposition and back benches is a great place for doing that. Ken Norris, McCrae
Reopen the line I also support re-opening the Baxter to Mornington train line. I cannot understand why they even stopped it. I have taken up a petition for the state government to re-establish the rail connection between Baxter and Mornington.
I have seen so many peoples’ comments wanting the train and the petition can be signed in Baxter at the newsagency and post office and in Mornington at The Boyz 4 Breakie, newsagency and cinema. Christine Matthews, Baxter Editor: The state Opposition and federal Liberal government last week announced financial backing to electrify the rail line from Frankston to Baxter, but made no mention of reopening the line to Mornington.
Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The Times, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@baysidenews. com.au
NEWS DESK
Guards march off job at naval base GUARDS employed by Wilson Security walked off the job at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point last week to protest changes to workplace rules. The action resulted in bans on visitor checks, on-site patrols, bag and vehicle checks and training. Industrial action elsewhere affected Defence sites across the state as well as at hospitals, offices, stations, and factories. The guards, members of United Voice, are angry at what they claim are “broken bargaining rules in the security industry and across the workforce”. They say they have been negotiating with Wilson on pay and job security for a year and a half. United Voice Victorian secretary Jess Walsh said Wilson had imposed a two-year pay freeze on the guards and sought to introduce a two-tier pay structure as a way of pushing new guards on to the award minimum. He said it was the third time guards had taken industrial action in recent months, and was “the most widespread action to date”.
“These guards are highly-trained, professional staff who do incredibly important work protecting our men and women in uniform, as well as patients and health professionals, and yet their pay has been squeezed for the last two years,” Mr Walsh said. “They do not deserve this kind of disrespect. “They will do whatever it takes to win jobs they can count on.” Mr Walsh said the action caused significant disruption at HMAS Cerberus as well as at other Defence sites, including the Australian Geospatial Intelligence site at Bendigo, Simpson Barracks, Defence Fisherman’s Bend and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Maribyrnong. “There is a risk that if the action escalates, operations on some bases would be shut down,” he said. Wilson Security was invited to comment on the action. HMAS Cerberus would not comment. Stephen Taylor
This year the Halo Coterie Mid-Season Lunch and Season Review will be held at RSEA Park on Friday 3rd August 2018. Hear from Assistant Coach Adam Kingsley as he provides you with the coaches analysis of our season to date. You’ll also be entertained by a panel of some of your favourite former Saints, including Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne, who will provide their own insights on the 2018 AFL season so far.
2018 Halo Mid-Season Lunch and Season Review Venue: RSEA Park, 32-60 Linton Street, Moorabbin 3189 Date: Friday 3rd August 2018 Time: 12pm – 3pm Dress Code: Smart Casual Tickets: $110pp (inc GST) PAGE 10
Frankston Times
23 July 2018
This event is open to all Saints supporters, so if you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact the sales team at corporate@saints.com.au
Go Saints!