Congratulations Susie Hawke
As one of the unsuccessful candidates in the 2016 Bendigo council Eppalock Ward election, and in the recount to fill the recent vacancy, I congratulate Susie Hawke on her election.
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I wish Ms Hawke well in fulfilling the important role of a councillor for the remaining year of the current council term.
Colin Carrington, Heathcote
Train service
Last Monday I travelled from Southern Cross Station to Malmsbury on the 9.02pm train. Having arrived in the platform at Kyneton, it became apparent that the driver could not continue.
We were informed that we would wait for the following train to arrive, the trains would couple, and we could continue on. So far, fair enough.
But after another phone call from V/Line management, we were then informed that we would have to get out of the train during the coupling process, as it was too dangerous to remain aboard.
Reluctantly, we all got out and stood in the rain watching the second train arrive behind us. It pulled up about a metre short, and of course all the passengers in the second train then had to get out and stand in the rain as well.
The second train then inched forward and coupled up with the tiniest of tiny bumps. Back in the train, shaking our heads in bewilderment, we were off again.
Railways everywhere else in the world allow passengers to remain in trains during coupling, from double-deck TGVs in France down to single railcars in rural England. So why do Bendigo line passengers have to suffer this stupidity?
It's high time to end this farce, and allow passengers in all Victorian trains to remain on board during coupling, just like everybody else.
Andrew McLean, Taradale
Waste of time and money
Another review, this time of the superannuation, pension and franking credits; another excuse to do nothing.
Never have an enquiry unless you know the end result, and always make sure you allegedly have the right people on the said committee to make sure of the right decision, the same one as before it started. Independent and transparent, what absolute nonsense. Just look at the latest drought allocation disaster.
Given the current state of federal politics, it is like watching The Muppet Show on a daily basis. Who is running the joint? Is it the powerful big business lobby, combined with the increasing religious influence - the latter which does nothing for the confidence of ordinary Australians going forward - or is it the alleged 10,000 lobbyists that reportedly bombard Canberra, or both?
Dick Smith said after $500,000 lobbed in his bank account courtesy of franking credits, that he considered this "franking ridiculous" and promptly gave every cent to charity. Quite ironic really, because this is the description that most have of this gift of other taxpayers' money.
Malcolm Fraser once told us that life wasn't meant to be easy, and to put our money under the bed. Now most have hardly anything to hide, exactly what this government wants.
People with influence are a hindrance to power. And we have less every day.