Readers’ views on Cory Bernardi, small business closures and the state Liberals’ population growth plan.
JUDY MELBOURNE: I probably don’t agree on everything Cory Bernardi says, but re choosing the option of abortion as a method of birth control, I would definitely be with him. Abortion I always thought was done on medical advice if the life of the potential mother was at risk or some other severe medical recommendation.
If people don’t want to create children, there are so many ways of avoiding this – birth control pills have been around since the 1960s for instance. And wouldn’t it be good if the guys could take some responsibility and make sure the girls are protected before running the risk of unwanted babies?
STACEY QUINN: After reading the article At least Cory is up-front about his views (8 January 2014), I think InDaily should think about what you publish in future. Does David Washington not realise that an elected member is there to represent his constituents and not his own personal views? Most data indicates the majority disagree with these extreme views, including his own party who continually distance themselves from him.
He wasn’t elected based on his own personal views; he was elected on the views of the Liberal Party (despite how silly I think they are, but that’s democracy). If Cory Bernardi’s personal opinions are so extremely different to those of the party to which he got elected he should shut up and get out and run as an independent. Let’s see how you go then Cory.
ROB SILVA: Well said, David Washington (At least Cory is up-front about his views, InDaily, 8 January 2014). It is unfortunate that the first response of Cory’s most vocal opponents is to attempt to howl him down and stick all kinds of labels on him – essentially to be what they accuse him of being. Perhaps they they are afraid that if people had a chance to listen Cory, they’d find his position more persuasive than their own.
Like David, I’d rather Cory’s views were out in the open where I can see them. His detractors do themselves no favours by disqualifying themselves from rational consideration.
ANNE BROWN: Senior Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is certainly up-front about his ultra-conservative views and immoderate aspirations, where all Australian families become practising Christians and families with a single parent, step-children or children born through IVF are frowned upon.
It is regrettable that Senator Bernardi’s views also serve to perpetuate the active stigmatisation of those families and children he deems as non-ideal, especially when children don’t actually have a say if they are born through IVF or if they lose a parent to disease, accident, war or other violence. And what’s the point of denouncing the happy joining of two single parent families and stigmatising their step-children? Personally I would much prefer an Australia that embraces diversity and doesn’t condemn anyone on the basis of circumstance or misfortune.
GREG OATES, SA Coordinator, Sustainable Population Party: The Liberals’ ongoing pitch to rapidly increase the state’s population continues to sound remarkably like reheated current Labor State Government plans (SA population growth “really rapid”, InDaily, 8 January 2014).
Tongue in cheek, one might suggest they are putting the pitch out early to raise campaign funds. However, there is no doubt the public would rather hear plans for creating sustainable employment opportunities for the existing population.
RICHARD ABBOTT: It always saddens me to read when a business is placed in the hands of a receiver, especially after a lengthy period of trading; the years of owner toil tragically rewarded with an unmanageable debt (Adelaide fashion retailer goes under, InDaily, 8 January 2014).
It would appear that too many business operators believe their product will evade the high small business mortality rate or are blinded by a passionate desire to operate a lifelong dream. The reality is that starting and operating a business and then becoming a profitable success is extremely difficult.
Since first hanging out my shingle, now almost 36 years ago, I have witnessed the burgeoning growth of government regulations and taxation requirements. Today a business requires an inordinate amount of time and expense devoted to regulatory and taxation compliance, which for the smaller businesses means less available time to forward plan or react to a volatile market situation. For many businesses the once accepted customer loyalty is now a rarity, as since the “6 free steak knives” days minimum price dictates a sale (sadly to the detriment of product quality, good pre or after sales customer service and value added professional input).
Yes, it is certainly a misconception amongst many that what goes into the till goes into the business owner’s pocket.
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