Letters to the editor

So, I’m going to lock him up in my shed.

Some people might say that if I have proof, I should report him.

But our Prime Minister has shown that I don’t need proof to detain and imprison someone.

Just as is the case for the detainees in Nauru and on Manus Island, my neighbour doesn’t even have to do anything wrong for me to keep him under lock and key indefinitely.

While I’m thinking about it, I should actually throw my neighbour’s wife and child in with him.

We can’t have six-year-old kids going around being national security risks now, can we? And perhaps, if I move my garden shed onto the vacant block next door, I can pretend that the child’s welfare isn’t even my responsibility.

Just like Tony Abbott, I want to send a strong message that if I can’t turn your car around at the Victorian/NSW border, then the other option for me is to simply show anyone not like me in my neighbourhood that you’re not welcome, by locking them up and showing they will no longer be citizens of any country.

And yes, there may be neighbours who come from war-torn countries that even Australia might want to bomb one day, but just like the Iraqis, I’m sure they’ll thank Australia for being complicit in flattening their towns.

That’s their problem anyway, isn’t it? We didn’t start the fight.

Unlike Mr Abbott, though, I might only be responsible for destroying the perception and goodwill of one neighbourhood, and not an entire nation, and show these people the compassion of Australia by engaging in air strikes upon their homes.

IN AN environment where the actions of politicians from all sides of politics are met cynicism it was very refreshing to see who Sussan Ley had invited to a morning tea with the Prime Minister on Friday morning. 

Ms Ley did not use this rare opportunity to bolster her own political stocks but instead the room was full of community volunteers, our local school captains and grass roots workers whose work mostly goes unrecognised, even though it plays a vital role in our community.

For Ms Ley to arrange to have them meet the Prime Minister was a fitting tribute to them and their work.

It also says much about Ms Ley's own character and integrity.

Well done Sussan.

I SEE Peter MacLeod-Miller is in Sophie Mirabella-bagging mode again after using her image to promote his own cause recently.

I was fortunate to be able to attend the launch of the Spirit of Anzac ceremony last week and saw Peter MacLeod-Miller in the crowd.

Sophie Mirabella was standing nearby during the ceremony, not on the podium, not stealing the limelight.

She was talking quietly with people present, chatting with local students representing their schools and milling around after the event to speak with members of the defence force and remaining guests.

The way ‘team Cathy’ is trying to beat up the launch of this event into some kind of anti-Sophie crusade is childish to say the least, and very offensive to everyone privileged to have attended and enjoyed the launch and able to view this wonderful exhibition.

These actions and comments are denegrating the launching ceremony and the Sprit of Anzac.