Re: Sole parents decry welfare cuts (Weekly, May 22):
Julia Gillard has lost my vote now. I don’t support her, nor will I support Labor any more. I truly believe that single parents do struggle and although I am luckier than some, there is a definitive Peter to Paul mentality with Labor at the moment. Taking the tax offset for schooling didn’t help. The new school benefits don’t cover anywhere near what is required, and this adds an extra burden to single parents.
Jennifer Simmonds (via web)
And what if they can’t find work within school hours? Has anyone tried to see how difficult that is? And what if any of their children have a medical condition or disability? We don’t live in an ideal world — everyone’s situation is so different and these politicians are so out of touch with how difficult everyday life is for some. Keep up the fight, girls; you deserve better for you and your children.
Alison (via web)
I’m a single mum, with no help from family or friends, and I don’t get this. I work part-time during school hours. How come others can’t re-join the workforce? I’m all for single mothers being put on Newstart and being told to get a job or study for a higher qualification. When your child is young I understand staying home and being there for them, but once they’re at school, single parents need to get back out there.
Common (via web)
Re: Ex-councillor Julian Menegazzo hits out (Weekly, May 22):
What is it about Werribee? The word ‘waste’ starts with the letter ‘w’ and so does the name Werribee. A hundred years ago whenever someone used toilet paper over the other side of Melbourne, the Victorian authorities thought the ideal place to dump it was Werribee. A few years later Jeff Kennett planned to give us a toxic dump, and lost. In 2013 our very own council gets the same idea and invites other Melbourne councils to dump their rubbish here. When you think about it, Wyndham also starts with ‘w’.
Paul Curwood (via web)
So you need a permit from the council to erect a small sign on your own private property? And they will threaten you with fines of up to $169,000 if you don’t obey? What is wrong with this council? It’s meant to serve the public, not rule it with an iron fist. This council has been on the nose for some time and this just proves that it doesn’t deserve to be in any position of authority.
Tony A (via web)
Re: Alarm over rise in Wyndham ‘ice’ call-outs (Weekly, May 22):
I find it hilarious that people choose to live in the west and then we read about these comments in the press. Some of our friends boasted about cheap land prices when they moved out from the east. Yet all we hear about now are stories of crime, poor transport infrastructure, hoons, shootings and drug abuse. What a price to pay for cheap land eh?
Frank and Anne from Kew (via web)
