I’m not a smoker and never have been but suggestions the Federal Government wants to add yet another tax on the price of buying a packet of cigarettes is another impost on an already over–taxed society.

Like them or not it’s up to the individual to decide whether he or she wants to be a smoker, and anyway, hasn’t our State Government already got their share out of these people by forcing the licensed clubs and pubs to erect or organise special smoking areas?

It’s bad enough to have that tax on alcopops, or whatever they call that drink, and then there’s the tax levied on the alcohol we consume.

In the meantime our pollies, particularly the retired or defeated ones, travel the length and breadth of our country, and some even overseas, on taxpayers’ monies, and now our State Government MPs want a boost in their super
pay–outs, as well as being able to take advantage of other perks such as salary packaging of car leases.

You can’t tell me that we elect or try to get elected people to various parliaments with the aim of giving them a right to tax us unduly, and certainly not where our pleasures in life exist.

It’s none of any of their business whether I enjoy a glass of red or not and I and others shouldn’t have to pay more for what is a natural right.

Next they’ll be looking at a way to tax sex!!!

Strong rumour

There’s a strong rumour going around our city that a well-known drinking and entertainment establishment has been sold.

It’s been on the market for some time now and verification of the sale shouldn’t be any bolt from the blue!

Let’s just face it   

Much has been written and said in the national and local media recently about the flights taken in their retirement by former Federal politicians but let’s face it and, like it or not, the system is there for them to do it.

That doesn’t mean I’m in favour of the system - far from it - but if you are given such an opportunity why wouldn’t you take it?

Six former local MPs have allegedly knocked up more than $200,000 in flights with Labor’s Robert Tickner and Stephen Martin amassing more than $100,000 between them over the years.

Nationwide the figures are more frightening, with an estimated $8.3 million being spent.

Where I definitely draw the line, however, is that politicians who lose their seats at an election are eligible.

There’s that saying about winners being grinners, but it seems wrong when losers fit into the same category.

But do you think Kevin and his merry band will seek to stop this rorting? I reckon we’ve got “Buckley’s” of seeing any changes, for after all they cannot even get petrol prices under control.

It’s scary 

It’s pretty scary when you enter our major shopping complex, Crown Central, particularly from Keira Street, and you see all those former shops boarded up.

There must be six or seven no longer in business and what makes it worse is that there’s no signage on the closed shop fronts suggesting that this or that firm will open here shortly.

One ray of sunshine   

While we hear with dismay that One Steel is in trouble out Kembla Grange way and workers will be put off and some doors closed, and that the steelworks continues to struggle, it is with some relief that I’m hearing our grain silo is busy following what has evidently been a great harvest of wheat in the western districts.

A bloke I know who works there says he and his workmates are flat chat, so to speak, and thoroughly enjoying it.