How could it happen
I have no allegiance to any particular political party and could be classed as a classic swinging voter, determining who I vote for on the policies that are relevant come election time.
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But the resignations of two Greens politicians in the past week due to them having dual citizenship would seem a bit of a blow for democracy. Yes, rules are meant to be followed and I am not about to criticise our Constitution in regards to the matter. But yes, when you consider that Australia is a country whose head of state is a Brit who lives in a castle (in Britain), it would seem to be a little ridiculous wouldn’t it?
What has really surprised me is how these dual citizenship issues were not discovered before the candidates stood for election. I would have thought that there would be checks in place at that point for such issues to be discovered, and rectified.
Emily Shaw, Wangaratta
Poor form from Greens
While it is understandable that Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters thought they were sole nationals of Australia, their oversight in regard to their dual citizenships when they first stood is rather poor form on their part and that of the Greens.
In my view, qualifications like Section 44 of the Australian Constitution are necessary to ensure MPs serve only queen and country with least amount of divided loyalty of dual nationality and should apply to all elected members of government – local, state, federal. With that said, Mr Ludlam and Ms Waters owning up to the fact they were dual nationals and falling on their proverbial swords shows more honesty and integrity than most of their former colleagues, with a few exceptions regardless of persuasion, could show collectively.
Geoffrey Butt, Wodonga
Well done to Federation
I write to congratulate the Federation Shire on their decision to recognise the original tribe of their area, the Bpangerang. This is a very positive move for reconciliation and should be applauded and emulated by other Shires throughout Bpangerang Country.
Linda Simpson, Oxley
Don’t dictate to us
Just received the Albury Council newsletter today, and the general manager’s statement about our water rates, etc, are a bit misleading.
I recently sent them a letter of complaint because of increasing charges such as the sewerage access charge, water access charge and high water rate of not $1.39 Kl as the GM's statement said, but $2.34 per Kl, which was most of our latest bill.
I don't expect any change of attitude or billing, because the Directors are on about $250,000 to $300,000 per annum compared to ordinary ratepayers and pensioners incomes. As far as the greenhouse emissions number, which Albury Council says is high, Albury Council has itself to blame for that because of taking every man and his dog's waste, ie, from other Shires around Albury.
Also, the general manager's simplistic answer to cutting water use, ie, water saving shower heads, grow cactus instead of whatever plants you wish to grow, has little merit except for Council dictating to ratepayers of how they should live.
Australia might be a dry country overall, but we have the Murray River running through our city, compared to a lot of other towns and cities.
All the towns/cities along the whole Murray River only take out about 5 per cent, so we should not be having high water rates, and no matter how much water you use, the sewerage and water access charges usually compose the majority of the bill. Disgusting.
Ray Williams, Albury
Letter of the week
The winner of the letter of the week is Ken Dyer, of West Albury. You can collect your prize from the offices of The Border Mail at 1 McKoy Street, Wodonga.