Commenting on Your views: on Central Market redevelopment and more

To all the people whinging about the Central Market redevelopment, you do realise it’s the Coles and 1960s annex that’s being demolished, not the actual Central Market itself which is state heritage listed.

The food stalls are here to stay and the vibe is here to stay. Bring on the new development and shopping opportunities that will enhance the overall Central Market precinct experience. – Andrew Schulz

Commenting on the story: Individuals biggest SA Lib donors as unions back Labor

The problem is not with political donations. The problem is when so few people are members of political parties in Australia that a few motivated people can unduly sway them.

The less than one per cent of people who join the parties (or even only the executive committee) have full control of the policies and candidates we get to vote for in our ‘representative democracy’. No wonder we get a choice between Tweedledum and Tweedledee!

The solution is for everyone to join a political party of their choice, then be active in it and demand a say in policy making. And then we could put a cap of (say) $1000 p.a. on political donations and not have our parties controlled by either rich individuals, unions, businesses or corrupting government subsidies.

Democracy doesn’t work unless the majority care about it. – David Leske

Commenting on the opinion piece: An unemployment rate below 4 per cent is possible. But for how long?

Pretty good analysis of the labor market but not included in the dialogue is what sort of jobs were being filled. Were they permanent, well paid jobs? Or were they casual, contract or part of the gig economy? The sort that makes planning for the future almost impossible?

Around 51% of all work is in the latter group so not exactly the best news. Plus most of us know that the ABS definition of “unemployment’ excludes those not currently looking for work, or working for one hour or more a week. – Helen Chadwick