Qantas' Woes Familiar

Illawarra Mercury

Monday August 11, 2008

Qantas' woes familiar

This is not a fairytale, more likely a horror story.

Once upon a time, Qantas belonged to the Australian people and we had a government that supposedly was for the working class.

This government sold 49 per cent of Qantas to overseas interests. The next government, which believed in the free enterprise system, sold the rest of Qantas, which became entirely owned by foreign interests.

One immediate consequence was the loss of jobs for Australian workers, with all maintenance of planes done overseas with cheap labour.

We are now seeing the result of that shoddy work - from the world's safest airway to our recent near-fatal accidents.

"Pig Iron Bob" sold the Commonwealth Oil Refineries, leading to the demise of the Glen Davis shale-oil mine, in the early 50s. How is the petrol industry today?

Our national shipping line ANL was torpedoed and sold.

Now in NSW we look like having our electricity privatised. Who is betting that service won't go down the gurgler.

Mick Pilton, MWU Veterans (Southern Branch).

Salvos say thanks

The Salvation Army greatly appreciates the support given by the Australian community to the 2008 Red Shield Appeal.

The appeal concluded on June 30, resulting in $71 million being raised nationally. This includes donations from individual Australians and families and contributions from governments, businesses and corporations.

We are humbled by the Australian community's support and, moreover, your trust in The Salvation Army.

These funds will be used in a way that will generate the most assistance to the less fortunate.

These are challenging times and the Salvation Army will continue to meet needs wherever they present themselves.

We believe strongly that we are not in this alone; rather, that with the love of God we are in partnership with the Australian community to make our nation a better place for everyone.

So we thank this newspaper and its staff for the support given to the appeal.

Community awareness is a vital component in ensuring people are aware of their opportunity to contribute.

Commissioner Linda Bond, Territorial Commander, the Salvation Army Australian Eastern Territory.

Sad train of thought

I read with some amusement the comments made by Senator Paul McLeay in your article written by Mario Christodoulou on the feasibility of a Maglev train linking Sydney and Wollongong.

Does he really think that a completely silent 30-minute trip between both cities would not result in it being more viable than ever to live in the Illawarra area?

If so, he has very little foresight.

Dudly Roberts, Surry Hills.

No mercy for bombers

The Mercury's report on the Bali bombers (August 7) made me laugh in disgust when they said Indonesia's death sentence on them by a firing squad amounted to torture because they "might not die straight away".

Did they worry about the hundreds of victims of their bombs?

Their lawyer, Wirawan Adnan, says the execution by firing squad is unconstitutional and inhumane.

Is this lawyer saying the hundreds of victims of the bomb blast died a humane death and the survivors got off lightly?

The smiling terrorists who wanted to die as martyrs are certainly fighting hard to live.

If it was up to me all terrorists would be executed and, as an example to others, be buried in unmarked graves.

These scum, described as militants by Karen Michelmore, are nothing but terrorists.

To me, militants wear uniforms.

Karl Munn, Dapto.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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