Reform well overdue

Commenting on the story: SA’s “outdated” abortion laws under review

Successive governments of all political persuasions have left SA’s archaic abortion laws in the too-hard basket for 50 years too long.

Why have another enquiry? Ask women what they want; they’ll tell you.

Stop fence-sitting and amend the laws by removing any reference to criminality and the Criminal Law Consolidation Act. 

Abortion is fundamentally an issue of choice, and then a medical issue.

It would also be fantastic to see some quality leadership on another issue, the decriminalisation of prostitution in this state. 

SA was once a leader in law reform; let’s stop procrastinating on these critical social issues for once. – Gilbert Aitken

Legal fight gamble

Commenting on the story: Council court battle looms over North Adelaide college expansion

In my own experience, the council is highly unlikely to be successful lodging an appeal against the decision of the ERD Court.

I’ve been told by solicitors that the Supreme Court will normally be most reluctant to overturn an ERD Court decision, because it regards the ERD Court as having the greatest expertise to determine planning and development issues.

That said, I’ve also been told that one can’t make submissions to the ERD Court on issues not planning and development related –  which in our case resulted in an ERD ruling in favour of an application, but which resulted, I believe, in obligating a community corporation to breach the Community Titles Act. – Jerome van der Linden

Easy target

Commenting on the story: Lucas targets speeding motorists as GST loss clawed back

It seems that beyond just trying to claw back revenue, the huge increases in liquor licensing costs to venues closing after 4am and 5am is aimed at closing these venues down.

Both sides of parliament have for decades been trying to close down late night venues.

It seems to be driven by a fear of what they don’t understand, driven by sensationalist reporting over the years of drugs and alcohol-fuelled violence.

It’s another example of punishing the many for the actions of the few, and of course it’s aimed at the young. – Tully Haines

Inquiring about inquiries

Commenting on the story: New probe into council spending to push reforms

Here we go again. Another expensive inquiry  which, just like all the others, including the numerous Royal Commissions, will achieve nothing.

It will make politicians feel good and pretend they are actually doing something.

What have any of the Royal Commissions over the past few years actually achieved? Have the banks improved their behavior and stamped out the blatant dishonesty, the corruption?

No, all they have done is chop off a head or two and then continue on their merry way. Have any of the Royal Commissions into child sex abuse actually achieved anything? Have they been responsible for any reforms? Have they seen any of the perpetrators and the organisations they work for imprisoned or closed down? No, of course they haven’t.

Royal Commissions, and other inquiries, are a complete waste of time and untold millions of dollars.

We get multi-hundred paged, fancily-bound reports and that is where it all ends.

The politicians feel good, those conducting these inquiries feel good and for them that is all that matters. – Robert McCormick

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