MERNDA NEEDS RAIL
■ I think the state government’s announcement of standardised fares across the entire city’s public transport network from next year is going to make a lot of people happy because it’s going to bring down the cost of living.
But while it’s going to encourage a lot of people to use public transport in some areas, Mernda and Doreen residents aren’t going to be able to take advantage of that because of the poor state of facilities and lack of parking at stations. If they want to take advantage of these changes, the state government needs to extend the railway line to Mernda so people can access the network.
People have contacted the South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance via Facebook and they’re concerned that the political parties will use this [the standardised fares] as an excuse to say they don’t have enough money to extend the rail line.
DARREN PETERS, SOUTH MORANG AND MERNDA RAIL ALLIANCE SPOKESMAN
THANKS TO POLICE BANDS
■ I wish to place on record my deep appreciation for the members of the recently disbanded Victoria Police bands following the Napthine government’s $100 million budget cuts and slashing of 500 jobs from the force.
The state opposition publicly acknowledges the outstanding contribution of the Victoria Police bands to the community since 1891.
The decision to axe the Code One and Show Band is purely the result of the callous Napthine government budget cuts and sacking of hundreds of Victoria Police staff.
WADE NOONAN, SHADOW MINISTER FOR POLICE, EMERGENCY SERVICES AND BUSHFIRE RESPONSE
FIRST-HOME BUYER HELP
■ It is time governments review the support and incentives they provide to first-home buyers because they clearly aren’t working.
The latest ABS statistics show only 13.2 per cent of loan approvals in January were to first-home buyers. Governments need to look at what is in place to encourage first-home buyers into the market and what more they can be doing.
We need a genuine review of and discussion around what does and doesn’t work for first-home buyers. It may be around incentives such as a grant, abolishing stamp duty or assistance around deposits such as enabling first-home buyers to access their super.
LEE BAILIE, SLATER & GORDON’S CONVEYANCING WORKS GENERAL MANAGER
