CONGRATULATIONS to all those involved in the Rio Olympics, and in the upcoming Paralympics.
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It is no mean feat even to be selected to appear in these events, let alone to actually get gold or silver or bronze. As Australians we can be justly proud.
But, as often, there is a bit of a shadow in the background about what it costs to run these events, and how wisely the money is being spent. There is even talk of reducing the funding for the Paralympics.
It has been said that money is the root of all evil. I don’t agree. It’s not the money itself, but the degree of greed and selfishness and ambition that underlies the need for more and more of it.
Everyone needs money even to survive. Charities raise money all the time to support their causes. Governments need money to provide services and facilities, roads and transport and lots more. So long as they examine carefully where and how they spend it, then that is good.
However facts that are emerging about the incredible expenditure by the Australian Government to maintain the detention centres on Manus and Nauru in such appalling conditions beggars belief.
It is claimed that a million dollars has been spent per person for each detainee on Manus. The same article claims that two billion dollars has been spent keeping the facility open. But why?
A large number of these people have been processed and declared genuine refugees, but remain unable to be resettled because of political and ideological excuses. ‘Stop the Boats’ is an empty slogan that seems to take no notice of the suffering people it affects.
If even a fraction of the cost had been allocated to resettling these people with due regard to race, religion and personal dignity it would have been a success story.
Please God, justice and compassion, and that rare virtue called commonsense will prevail before more lives are destroyed.
Sister Mary Trainor
WHAT PRICE FOR PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS IN HEALTH SYSTEM?
THE saying goes if you can't be born, have a heart attack and die in a town it has a limited future. So while it may be legally acceptable not to treat our trusted health professionals with procedural fairness/ professional courtesy, is it in the best interests of a community where it is both hard to attract suitably qualified professionals and that also has an aging demographic?
Ruth Thomason
COALITION’S ASYLUM SEEKERS POLICIES DON’T ADD UP
THE international community must be looking on aghast at Australia's morally reprehensible treatment of asylum seekers and they must now be doubting the truth of the Coalition's boast of its track record on economic management.
Imagine the derision that would greet a CEO at an AGM claiming good financial management but announcing he'd wasted $2 billion on some hair-brained scheme.
Phyllis Vespucci
TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE AUSTRALIA’S OTHER HEROES
It is glaringly obvious that not only have the Olympic Games failed in their mission but the obsession of elevating sporting individuals to hero status is counter-productive.
Can we now change our focus and give some attention to Australians' achievements in areas other than sports, for example the arts, science and charity?