Keeping Australians safe
AS Australians, we are privileged to enjoy citizenship to a country that is one of the most prosperous, successful and peaceful nations on earth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
However, citizenship also requires the fundamental responsibility of allegiance and loyalty to Australia.
I for one, therefore have no issue with the Australian Citizenship Amendment Bill, the core premise of which is that a person who is a national or citizen of another country other than Australia renounces their Australian citizenship if they act inconsistently with their allegiance to Australia.
The federal government has acted prudently and justifiably in introducing this legislation.
It’s another example from a government that understands the first duty of the Commonwealth is to protect Australia from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
It’s pleasing that the Labor Party has afforded bi-partisan support for this important initiative, an indication of just how sensible this legislation is.
Disappointingly, Cathy McGowan rose in the Federal Parliament yesterday to oppose the proposed law.
It would be charitable to say that it does not really matter how Cathy McGowan votes on the matter; the legislation will pass irrespective of the views of a voiceless independent.
It’s little more than a fig leaf to oppose the legislation on the grounds of argued constitutional uncertainty, given that the legislation has been drawn pursuant to the best legal advice available to the Government.
Cathy McGowan certainly has form when it comes to opposing government policy to maintain the integrity of our borders and keeping Australians safe, but what has she realistically achieved to make Australia a safer place?
ADAM KOSTER,
Wodonga
Fossil-fuel free family
THE Fossil-fuel free family article (Border Mail, November 14, 2015) about the Ulman-Jones family is one of those subjects that confronts the attention and conscience of all of us if we want to make that difference to make this world a better place now and for the future.
The permaculturalists’ way of living ideas are wonderful and perfectly correct and workable, but are they practical in this society?
How many will want to make the decision to change their habits in order to keep up with the Ulman-Jones family?
We have become conditioned to living with pollution, altered food, chemically doctored water, jet dusting, deadly medicines and a hundred and one other improvments to our so called enlightened society.
How many of us want to give up all this good stuff in order to live healthy and better lives and help the environment?
Patrick Jones said how governments need to change, only then will people change.
The conscience and responsibilities of those in power must evolve for the better, then the thinking and living of greater sweepings of humanity will materialise the dream of the paradise garden.
However this is a seemingly impossible dream for a lot of us to contemplate. We live in a world where 1 per cent of its population owns 40 per cent of the wealth. The rich get richer and the poor don’t matter.
Can the human element fix the ailments of the earth that humans created? No, it would take a god to do that.
JOHN M STEVENS,
Albury
Letter of the week
The Border Mail is pleased to announce it will run a weekly Letter of the Week competition - the lucky winner receives a double pass from Regent Cinemas Albury to watch a movie of their choice. Email submissions to letters@bordermail.com.au. Winners will be announced on Saturdays. Winners should visit 1 McKoy St, Wodonga, to pick up prizes.
