Letters to the editor

I am sure if the exact number of travel and expense claims that are within the rules but would be considered highly dubious by taxpayers was known, it would likely cause a storm of outrage large enough to bring down Parliament. 

I put it to fellow readers that there would not be a single party that could claim they have no members who don't rort the system, even if they can argue that they technically fall within the rules.

Government spending should be very transparent, because last time I checked, the government did not have any of its own money to spend.

Politician's travel and expenses are taxpayers' expenses and since taxpayers are footing the bill, it makes sense that we feel outraged by perceived unnecessary spending.

As a taxpayer, I already pay politicians a wage that is well above anything I am likely to earn myself and frankly, I am not keen on the idea of paying for their children to travel, for business and first-class travel for spouses, for politicians to travel in luxury helicopters, or for them take their families on holidays. Even if that travel falls “within the rules”.

Let airlines and hotels make that call – if they see fit to upgrade important people at their own expense, I'm not going to complain. Or perhaps use some of the frequent traveler points they no doubt have lying around to upgrade. Or here's a novel idea, how about they pay for it with money earned from their generous wages.

Of course we are angry. Of course we are outraged. Of course we are disappointed. The rules as they stand are unfair and morally corrupt. Changes need to be made and politicians need to stop wasting our money.

I REFER to the article about the deputation to Canberra by the mayor and CEO of Towong Shire (The Border Mail, August 14).

As a former CEO of the Myrtleford Shire, l was totally astonished and aghast at the actions of the Towong mayor and CEO in using an electoral candidate to introduce their deputation to Parliament.

Protocol dictates the sitting member of Parliament is the only person with the right to introduce deputations to the government.

As a former sitting member, Sophie Mirabella would be well-versed in protocols. Her actions suggested a show of contempt for the role of parliament.

If her actions are repeated by every electoral candidate, then the operating system of government will be reduced to a state of shambles.

The Border Mail is also at fault. Coverage of the deputation should have been done with the sitting member, Cathy McGowan.

The Border Mail also needs take a course in parliamentary protocol before reporting any other stories around electoral candidates.

MY wife attended Albury hospital last night and while there I saw again how badly the governments treat the health sector. Overworked nurses and doctors and underfunded hospitals have been around for decades and have not improved.

Albury hospital's emergency ward was too small 20 years ago and they have done nothing to fix it except overspend on the cancer ward.

This is typical of government waste, zinc roof sheets and all the other expensive fancy trimmings that cost a fortune instead of a bigger, basic building that has more room and less waste.

So what has the Health Minister done about this situation. Nothing, and she is also our local member.  Well done Sussan, you get my vote for being hopeless.