DEAR News Of The Area,

PERHAPS there has never been a better time for all Australians to re-evaluate what benefits three tiers of government give to the country.

The odious spectacle of various Premiers throwing stones from their own glasshouses, as if the only game in town is to disparage those leaders whose Covid numbers appear to be less than those of their own, illustrates a callous disregard for the welfare of the people entrusted to their care.

The country is hurting deeply and the lip service paid by those who, by virtue of their office, should be serving their communities with grace and compassion is sadly missing.

Unelected medical practitioners are having too much influence and one gets the impression that this unfolding tragedy has somehow been reduced to a game of numbers.

Increasingly we hear of the growing numbers of people, particularly the young, attempting to end their lives, in some cases ending in the tragedy of death.

No one can put an accurate figure on the destruction of lives and livelihoods, such is the devastating effect of this virus.

The loss of hope is a pernicious evil.

If we are not careful we will descend into a form of tribalism that will encourage anarchy and make the ‘Lucky Country’ a distant memory.

Perhaps, when the immediate crisis is over, it will be time to conduct a national referendum on the desirability of a simpler form of government, i.e. local councils under the umbrella of a federal government.

Naturally, those with self interests will be opposed but this is in the interests of all Australians and not the privileged few.

Today, however, it is time for the elected Federal Government to take control; to use whatever powers are at its disposal to put an end to unilateral decisions to close borders, and to unite a country which is being fragmented because of the self-serving actions of the various state premiers.

What we need now is strong authoritarian leadership, not the vaguely consensual agreements emerging from the National Cabinet that some Premiers feel they can renege on at any time when it suits their personal agenda.

Regards,
Norman SHANNON,
Coffs Harbour.