If we neglect our environment, we will see the results. Worse storms, floods, rising sea levels, more severe droughts, prolonged bushfire season with all the related health impacts (e.g. earlier start of hayfever season) and the costs falling to the taxpayers – all has been forecast.

If we keep voting for the same old two-party political systems, serving the vested industry interest, who pay millions to lobby them, we will end up with the same old politics. Perhaps we can create change by giving our politicians a wake-up call to achieve change.

We ourselves can curb our consumerism, going back to quality rather than quantity and even enjoy more vegetarian food to reduce our carbon footprint, saving money and have the added health benefits.

The election for Bega Shire councillors is in September. There are many community members who think  a councillor should be accountable to those who elected them.   

This means making regular reports,  through the media for example, about their actions as our  community representatives.

Elected representatives must also be available for regular  community consultations,  participate enthusiastically in community activities and approach all issues intelligently and with due consideration.     

Therefore, we we need honest, focused, community-minded people to stand up in this election as our representatives.

We need to know our councillors and believe they are working for us.    With careful appraisal of candidates  prior to the election, we  can make sure the Bega Shire councillors  are truly representative of us all.

In the Woolworths underground car park in Merimbula our parked car was damaged by a "hit and run" driver.

A witness said the "oldish silver car" backed out of a space and rammed into the back of our car before speeding off to avoid responsibility.  

The police could do nothing without a registration number to follow up. Fixing the damage will be costly as it includes the excess we will now have to pay our own insurance company.  

The icing on the cake was being told by the Woolies store manager there is no CCTV surveillance of its underground car park.  Other drivers beware, it's not a safe place to park.  

As a one-time admirer, I find it sad to see Malcolm Turnbull chanting slogans of “jobs and growth” and “Labor’s war on business”, especially when I look at his policies.  

Let me ask readers a question – would you invest your money in a scheme which promises to increase your income by one per cent over 10 years?

That’s the growth in gross national income the experts say can be expected from the $50billion decrease in company tax. 

As to jobs, a gentleman stood up on Q&A the other night and explained the tax cuts would mean $8000 to his business and he could then keep one employee working over the weekend. Do the tax cuts give a big enough bang for the buck to make an investment of $50billion worthwhile. I would think obviously not.

How can Turnbull and Morrison accuse Labor of declaring war on business when the cuts are so obviously ill judged.

There are more efficient ways of building the economy. Doctors, nurses, teachers and those on welfare all spend money in businesses large and small and as a result of spending on them we get a healthier and more highly skilled population.