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The Border Watch : November 5th 2013
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6 OPINION EDITORIAL NOBODY in the South East would disagree with claims our State Government should be doing a lot more to promote our region as one of the most diverse tourism destinations in the state and nation. Where else can you stay for one-hour trips to world heritage listed caves, internationally renowned wineries, top fi shing spots, stunning national parks, beautiful coastlines and dunes accessible to four wheel drives? The South East also has a rich heritage with the story of the nation’s fi rst saint, Mary MacKillop, beginning here, along links to famed Australians such as Adam Lindsay Gordon. We have it all, but the government does not seem to realise what is on the edge of the state and is not prepared to put up the money to tell the rest of the country to come see what we have. Instead, like on so many other issues, we are left to fi ght for ourselves, such as over the future of the Riddoch Art Gallery, with the government giving millions to the state gallery in Adelaide but only around $150,000 for South Australia’s leading regional gallery - another tourism drawcard - which is struggling to survive. Meanwhile, people from across the globe head to the remarkable Great Ocean Road scenic drive, but end their journeys at Warrnambool, Port Fairy or sometimes Portland, with little promotion of the fact they could drive another hour to see more of our great nation while in the Green Triangle. Promotion needs to cross state borders and it is up to our government to get signs on the Great Ocean Road and brochures in the hands of tourists to bring their dollars over the border to fuel our region and state coffers. Surely a pittance from the forest sell-off could be used for this purpose to keep our region thriving. Tourism is a major growth industry and one that could boost the South East. We know what we have here and need the money and support from government to tell everybody else. VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Current marriage act defended Vehicle sticky situation I WOULD like to oppose the claim being presently made by same sex couples that they have a right to be married and want to see the Marriage Act changed so that they may gain entry into this long-established institution. SCOTT GROUP OF COMPANIES 538600 6 - The Border Watch, Tuesday, November 5, 2013 JANINE JOHNSTON Casterton I’ll probably just watch it at home. ANNA BOSCO Millicent I’ll be working, so I won’t get to watch it. ROBERT BURGESS Coonawarra I might go to Naracoorte and watch it with my father-in-law. My reason for opposing this claim is that the existing Marriage Act was designed to allow a man and a woman to enter this institution for the purpose of the procreation of offspring. This condition should remain as it is for two major reasons. The fi rst reason is that there are two types of sexual activity known to humans, one is for the procreation of offspring and the other is for the satisfaction of lust. As a same sex couple cannot procreate offspring, why are they so determined to enter the institution of marriage when they cannot fulfi l the most important reason for becoming married, the creation of offspring. The second reason is that while same sex couples may consider that by declaring their love for each other in an offi cial ceremony is suffi cient to qualify them to be admitted to the institution of marriage, because STREET SWEEPER How will you celebrate the Melbourne Cup? there are so many different meanings for that word today, none of these meanings can provide a justifi able reason for becoming married. After more than 50 years of having experienced marriage myself, I have found the meaning of love within the context of marriage is that it is a feeling that develops between a man and a woman who have shared the experience of the trials and tribulations that accompany the procreation, the pregnancy, the birth and fi nally the raising of that child, a feeling that cannot be experienced by a same sex couple that do not have the ability to create offspring. Finally, because I accept that same sex couples have the right to live their lives in the way they choose, this could be accomplished by them entering into a civil union that would give them the same protections and acceptance in our society as a married couple have, while not a denying a married couple their right to be married for the purpose of creating offspring. Surely this would create a win-win situation advantageous to all. Bronte Whelan, Mount Gambier I REFER to Troy Bell’s comments (The Border Watch, Friday October 25) concerning car registration renewals and totally agree with his comments. The current system which does not require a sticker to be displayed evolved as a means to save administration costs, but has ended up causing considerable cost and inconvenience to vehicle owners who inadvertently overlook the renewal date, resulting in considerable penalties of up to $2500. The most serious consequence of driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle may occur in the case of an accident and injury to others, because the Motor Accident Commission has the power to recover costs incurred by an injured party which means drivers’ assets could be sold to settle a compensation claim, even though the driver may not be the vehicle owner. The eNotice system and direct debit options do not suit everyone and the jump in overdue renewal notices sent out by the Transport Department confi rm this. I do wonder if, in the long run, the claimed savings do in fact represent an actual saving because of the additional compliance cost, but are in fact placing an additional fi nancial burden on individuals by way of fi nes and legal costs. In September 2012, Minister O’Brien said he is not “aware of any issues” with the abolition of registration stickers. Talk about sticking your head in the sand, because if this is the Weatherill government’s defi nition of cost-saving effi ciency, heaven help us all. Peter Roberts, Mount Gambier
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