It is a remarkable achievement that from this inauspicious beginning the nation of Australia evolved. However, not a single Indigenous person invited these interlopers to their land. It was, by any measure, an invasion, and the Indigenous population paid a huge cost. Now we have the Prime Minister saying that January 26 is a day we should celebrate because it unites us and celebrates our multiculturalism. 

Perhaps a better date would be May 27. On this day in 1967 over 90 per cent of Australian people voted yes in a referendum to confer citizenship on Aboriginal people. Amongst those who voted that day would have been those born in Australia, including descendants of the First Fleet as well as many 'new Australians', those who were part of the huge migrant intake after the Second World War. Surely that date would be a better day to celebrate coming together and acknowledging our diverse heritage. 

Indigo Shire councillors have given tacit approval to a proposal for a cycle underpass to be constructed at the new roundabout on the Beechworth Road. To free themselves of responsibility or criticism they have decided that the new CEO who has not yet commenced work must approve the cost initially estimated at $250,000, but now increased to $300,000, to be paid out of our rates. Decisions of this nature are the responsibility of our elected councillors, not the CEO.

Indigo Shire Council has repeatedly complained that state and federal governments are cost shifting expenses into local councils. Now our council is taking the unprecedented step of donating our rates to a state government project. This is not only double taxation but Council’s intrusion into road management may set a precedent for VicRoads to use to transfer charges to other councils carrying out road works.  

Each of our councillors should state their position on this expenditure; whether it should be used for issues such as the provision of more footpaths and sealed roads for our older citizens with many now using walking aids, or for young mothers with prams and pushers, who are forced to walk on roadways for a safer, sealed surface, or for the elimination of Health and Safety issues that exist in some of our community facilities, or to provide firewood for elderly citizens who may find it difficult to source wood and must pay for heating.

Or should $300,000+ be spent to provide an underpass for cyclists, many of whom do not live in the shire, so that they do not have to get off their bikes to cross the road. 

I would invite representatives from Coles, Big W and the NSW government to explain the new maths to me please. How does a 10-cent per item deposit translate into 14.58 cents at Coles and 15.83 cents at Big W?

Both prices quoted are for 24 pack of 375ml Coca Cola in the current catalogues, and compared to the Victorian catalogue in the case of Coles, where a random price comparison of non-deposit items showed exactly the same prices. 

My reading of NSW legislation said that retailers were offered subsidies and incentives to ensure no costs to them.