Questions unanswered
I’d like respond to the large feature article in the Bendigo Advertiser (“New Zealand push on inhumane policies”, November 16) by Peter Dunne, New Zealand’s Minister for Internal Affairs, scathingly criticising Australia for its treatment of its indigenous people and its current immigration and refugee policies, particularly the detainment, in the Christmas Island detention camp, of New Zealanders convicted of serious crimes in Australia while awaiting deportation.
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I’m not necessarily disagreeing with some of the criticism, particularly in relation to genuine refugees, but this article, disappointingly, was very unbalanced, and a couple of questions need to be answered.
Why do these people, who are to be deported back to New Zealand, need to be detained in Australia? If Australia has the right to deport these people why do they not return to New Zealand immediately following release from prison? Where is the delay in the processing happening? What is New Zealand’s policy on refugees? Do they not have any limits to the number of refugees they welcome immediately into their country?
Perhaps these questions could be put to Mr Dunne to respond to in this newspaper and all the other media outlets where he has been welcomed to vent his particular opinions.
Geraldine Stills, Bendigo
Lack of understanding leads to judgement
It is obvious that the individual who accumulated the demerit points in six months had a purpose in life, and was not trying to avoid the law.
They make it so hard to get your licence back now, and for some young people with children who stealing to make ends meet see no way out. Whilst all the honest John’s out there are using police scanners, the media and other sophisticated devices to warm themselves and others that there is a red light camera or speed camera ahead, or even a booze bus.
It is also very debilitating to be crippled by circumstance. It is even more mind boggling how some of us are free to judge people, but will never have the ability to understand our own judgement.
Anthony Guy, Bendigo
Contributors ‘in league’ with the Advertiser
Is Ken Price of Eaglehawk, the Labor Party mouthpiece for Bendigo, in league with Fairfax and the Bendigo Advertiser? Along with Michelle Goldsmith, the Greens mouthpiece for Bendigo, he seems to have unlimited access to your editorial page on a regular basis.
Every letter is the same, espousing the the supposed attributes of Labor, and the pitfalls of Liberal policies. I wouldn't mind so much if there was a fair and equitable mix of mail from both sides, but there seems to be only one view printed. I find it hard to believe your paper doesn't receive letters from both sides. I know the ones I have sent in don't get printed in our local media, or if they do, they are censored enough to alter their stated view.
The one shining light in all this is watching the slow demise of Fairfax, and hopefully along with it the disgraceful bias of the ABC as well.
Why would your paper write up the visit of ex-prime minister Julia Gillard to Bendigo with what amounted to intense adulation? Out of all the prime ministers Australia has had, she was our worst by far and that includes Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating in the line-up. Whatever happened to without fear or favour? It doesn't seem to grace the top of the editorial column any more.
Peter L Reid, Bendigo
Correction
A headline affixed to Brenton Morrissey’s letter in Tuesday’s paper, “Islamic extremists not the enemy”, was a mistake and did not reflect the letter-writer’s intent.
The Advertiser apologises for the error.
