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Letters to the editor

Feb 21, 2014
An artist's impression of what a bicycle boulevard on Beulah Road might look like.

An artist's impression of what a bicycle boulevard on Beulah Road might look like.

Readers’ views on the reporting of politics, bicycle infrastructure and election campaign promises.

MICHAEL SCHILLING: Reports and commentary in the InDaily (and other media outlets) of late have made much of the shortcomings of government and individual ministers. Similar comments have been made about the dearth of expertise and experience among some members of the opposition. There is no doubt that the talent bank of state politicians is less impressive than it was in the past, as we still seem to have too many politicians and ministers with L-plates.

Whilst that is democracy in action, it does little for the management of this state which, right now, is in desperate need of creative thought and finely tuned expertise in the areas of economics, finance, and public sector management. And there may also be other specialist areas that require a solid injection of high level expertise.

One way to overcome this skills shortage would be to enable seasoned experts to be appointed into Cabinet as ministers, but without the shackles of the normal election process. Obviously, this would have to be for a specified period, and such people need to be vetted by a joint parliamentary committee of the upper house, or a joint house committee. Appointees would be required to attend question time in parliament, but they would not participate in debates.

The time has come to start to think outside the square and it would be refreshing if all parties could support such a move as part of their 2014 election platform. SA needs all the help it can get and this proposed move is worthy of consideration.

ELSPETH REID: If a street has become a so-called “rat-run” it might be because there’s a real reason for it (Bike-friendly “boulevards” pledged for suburbs, InDaily, 19 February 2014). It might be that the hapless Aussie worker is frantically trying to find the most efficient way to earn a living, and/or live a life (rather than just exist) in a city that is designed for cars.

The Adelaide worker needs to keep the dollars being made so they can continue to pay the salaries of all the Europeans who have recently joined this city and who have a fairly large proportion of the high paid jobs in town. These cushy jobs allow for cute cycling into the CBD and somehow they now have to find a way to bring a system that works so well in Europe into Adelaide by hook or by crook.

If they’re not cycling into town they’re otherwise in 4WD’s to cope with our roads which frighten them. At the same time they’re now decreeing what will be happening on our roads either through working in our road department, or running it; and all traffic WILL be siphoned onto the main roads, because after all the residents are just a bunch of Colonials. A pity more thought can’t go into the design of roads rather than just having main roads with cycle boulevards.

J. MELBOURNE: Could Jay Wetherill please explain how his promises will be funded when the South Australian kitty has a ZERO bank balance?

Is this new ‘facility’ available to all of us?

Send us letters via email to [email protected], including your full name. The editor reserves the right to edit letters. Or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Since comments were enabled on InDaily stories, we now receive fewer letters. Letters will now published on a Friday instead of daily.

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