Wicked thoughts
We are told that it is very wicked for us to hold the court, or in particular a judge, in contempt. But what else can we think about a judge that describes the sexual assault of a 12 year old girl by her grandfather as a "low to mid-range" offence (BDN, 18/9)?
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It often seems when judges hand down a lenient sentence they are if fact sentencing themselves.
Paul Scherek, Bega
Response lacking
Your article on the selective grant to Australian Oyster Coast quotes Andrew Constance as saying “Luke Foley hasn’t even spoken to our local oyster farmers. His lack of experience in government is clearly shining through.” Mr Constance seems to have forgotten that he, not Luke Foley, is the local member.
Now Mr Constance says he will be meeting with industry representatives "to get the answers they need”. But he would not be searching for answers if he consulted with oyster growers in the first place. He would have known that the government's investment in one single company would disadvantage many in the industry.
It is because I spent the time talking to a number of local oyster growers that I was alerted to the issues and then took the matter up with Luke Foley who has acted quickly in response. Meanwhile, Andrew Constance is still considering his response.
Leanne Atkinson, Labor candidate for Bega
Giving trees away
Forestry Corporation has been giving away trees to the woodchipping industry, with royalty costs for pulp logs a fraction of their real price at the start of current Wood Supply Agreements.
At the start of Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) almost 20 years ago, pulp log royalties in the Southern Region were more than three times what they are now, in inflation adjusted terms.
For the Eden Region the inflation adjusted royalty price for pulp logs was almost double the current price.
Royalties are the prices paid by the Eden Chipmill to the Forestry Corporation for native forest pulp logs.
The information was revealed in an answer to a Question on Notice by Greens MP Dawn Walker, who is Greens spokesperson on forestry.
NSW taxpayers have every right to be very annoyed by this. It is further evidence of just how much the taxpayers of NSW are subsidising this destructive industry.
Year after year, the Forestry Corporation has used profits from its plantations to prop up marginal or loss making native forest woodchipping.
Other subsidies such as local government rates exemptions and direct grants to the industry add to the burden on the taxpayer.
The sooner the industry makes a full transition to plantation sourced wood the better.
Harriett Swift, Chipstop convener
Prizes for top students
As the Year 12 exams are almost us, I would like to remind students about this prize available for the top three students in Bega Valley Shire. You have to have an ATAR above 95 to apply. First prize is $350, second prize is $250 and third prize is $150.
Wishing all Year 12 students the best of luck in the exam. Make Bega Valley proud.
Dr KR Rajesh, orthopaedic surgeon
Thoughts on road kill
Due to the current drought, many more native animals are grazing on roadside grasses. Consequently, many are killed by passing traffic. This is a sad situation.
I have a suggestion to to try and salvage something out of the situation. Could it be made possible for fresh carcasses, especially of larger kangaroos, be taken to Mogo Zoo to be fed to the many carnivores kept there?
Currently, only crows and blowflies benefit from the slaughter.