Not for the first time I had to reach for my salt shaker as a reaction to another uttering by our Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley.

In her response to Kevin Mack's concern about the future funding for the Border headspace, Ms Ley is quoted as saying that planned changes “should not” have an impact. This meaningless statement by the Minister is on par with the “outrage” she expressed a couple of months ago when the private health insurance companies announced their annual rate hikes. 

The Minister was so “outraged” by the steep hikes proposed that she made a song and dance about telling the health insurance companies to go back to the drawing board. What happened Minister? Were you successful or did the health insurers understand that your outrage was nothing more than a charade designed for voting public consumption.

THE “Stop The Mosques” banner was a disgrace but sadly part of the mindset of far too many who are part of the crowd and daily life. The rednecks fail to understand that they are part of the problem and the ones who marginalize other cultures and ways and beliefs.

Sadly those who are part of such horrid ways have little substance or depth of richness or understanding in their lives apart from AFL, beer and The Footy Show and falling for the fear card and being racist. Have the culprits who launched the banner ever travelled or appreciated the situation in other lands and the wonders?

When I was a lot younger, I admit I was a keen shooter and belonged to two rifle clubs and I shot wild animals.

Over time, of course, I realised that 1) the animals couldn't shoot back and, 2) I could get much more tastier and tender pieces of meat from the local supermarket.

Nowadays, as far as I'm concerned, sport hunting is a perversion, an escape to the past when we had to forage for food.

People that still pursue that type of lifestyle are people who get their amusement from hunting and killing defenceless animals.

In a world with boundless opportunities for amusement, it's inconceivable that anyone would choose to get their thrill from killing others who ask nothing from life but the chance to remain alive. An animal of whatever size or shape has zero chance of surviving against a human with a gun.

THIS Mother’s Day, the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia is encouraging all Albury-Wodonga residents to give the gift of health by supporting breast cancer research.

A donation to breast cancer research in lieu of a Mother’s Day gift could help researchers find the next breakthrough in breast cancer treatment and prevention – which would be the best gift for all women/

Supporters of BCIA’s Mother’s Day Research Appeal receive a beautiful card to give to their loved one which acknowledges their thoughtful gift. 

All profits raised from the appeal fund clinical trials research conducted by the Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group.

Clinical trials are the critical step that proves new treatments and prevention strategies are safe and effective before they are made widely available. Support for clinical trials research will help to get new and promising breast cancer treatments to those who need them.

Approximately 1 in 8 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by age 85, and about 44 women are diagnosed in Australia each day.