Immigration and accepting refugees will not solve poverty
I write again to express my opinion in regard to action by Murray Emerson, mayor of the shire, in an apparent ongoing agenda to misrepresent myself and others in the community.
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As Cr Emerson did not reply to my letter or comments made in it, Bonnie Carter instead made reply in the Stawell Times-News (“No dilemma for mayor”, Friday, March 4).
Ms Carter agreed that Mr Emerson attended the rally as mayor, she said while attending as mayor that he had personally endorsed views in support of bringing into the country illegal immigrants currently under assessment by the federal government.
That in my opinion is Cr Emerson, as mayor, misrepresenting the views of the broader community.
Mr Emerson was at the meeting as mayor and expressed support for the agenda of that meeting.
If he had wished to comment at all, it should have been at a distance whether those comments were personal or official.
However, since the events previously discussed occurred, a new situation is emerging. My concerns are:
- That a very small minority of agenda driven people are garnering far more recognition and authority in our community than they deserve.
- That our elected officers are not undertaking due diligence in consulting with the broader community prior to voting on any matter and by doing so are in danger of misrepresenting the views of the majority of the community. An example of this would be the underestimation of the number of supporters for mining Big Hill as against the very vocal and organised small group against that action. It wasn’t until the majority had decided that they had to be counted and stood on Big Hill that the true feelings of the community showed.
- That there is no benefit or gain to the shire from being acclaimed as refugee friendly, can anyone actually explain how that title can improve our community?
- Council in the past took some time and discussion to allow the town to become RV friendly, yet rush into this vastly more complex issue without sufficient public debate.
- That the issue of refugees be held up to scrutiny and open discussion without the name-calling and abuse that can arise from having a different opinion over the issue.
I encourage anyone with an open mind and compassionate feelings to view an online seminar that can be accessed by searching for “immigration and gumballs”.
This lecture will give an insight to the enormity of the world’s true problems with poverty and the inescapable conclusion that immigration and the acceptance of refugees will never alleviate it.
WAYNE PARKIN
Stawell
Busting myths about youth homelessness
Youth Homelessness Matters Day is coming up on Wednesday, April 13. In order to get people in the community to support the cause, it is important to make them understand the issue.
The most common cause of youth homelessness (and homelessness in general) is domestic and family violence.
Only a quarter of homeless people are mentally ill, and about 40 per cent are alcohol or substance abusers, with around 15 per cent suffering both disabilities.
Most young homeless people are not criminals, and – according to the National Law Centre On Homelessness and Poverty – homeless people actually commit less violent crimes than housed people.
This is a troubling misconception because it creates an unreasonable fear of young homeless people, making it harder to provide them with the help they need.
FATHER CHRIS RILEY
Youth Off The Streets