It said the government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1890 and each can get an additional $580 in social assistance for a total of $2470.  

The article went on to say that a single pensioner only receives a monthly maximum of $1012 in old age pension.

It also said that maybe our pensioners should re-apply as refugees.

At first, when I read the article, I did not give it much credence until I read another article in The Daily Telegraph.  

The article supported the above payments made to refugees.

In an interview with the-then immigration minister Phillip Ruddock, Mr Ruddock said illegal immigrants were receiving superior benefits to Australian residents.

If this is indeed the case, then everyone, including all taxpayers and pensioners, have a right to know about these “superior benefits”. Riverina MP Michael McCormack is the right man in the right place to find out whether the extra benefits are indeed being paid to these people. And if he decides that he will investigate the matter, could he inform the electorate, through this newspaper, of his findings.  

IT APPEARS to me the section of our community who cannot abide the current national anthem because of some perception it does not include them, should look to the origin of this anthem being prescribed upon our nation.

I have no personal truck with anthems or flags, given the historical situations where hundreds, probably millions of men and women have died believing they were honouring these symbols.

Left behind were thousands of families whose lives were destroyed as a result of this. 

The current proponents who are clamouring about the perceived insults that the anthem represents should perhaps call upon Bob Hawke.

After all, it was his ministerial cabinet in government that directed the governor-general to proclaim the national anthem would be Advance Australia Fair.

This was after a number of years when the choices of a new anthem were from Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda, Song of Australia, or God save the Queen.

I understand Song of Australia is still well received and promoted in South Australia. But the overall reception and approval across Australia from school children at the time was for Advance Australia Fair.

So we are stuck with it.

You want to pluck the odd word out, and dispute it? Fine.

Just remember, you live in a country where such a commentary is allowed.

I think it is called "a free country".

I AM A wheelchair-bound double amputee who was involved in an accident where I was hit by a car in Wagga last month in Forsyth Street.

I thought this letter may be a good way to say thank you to all the people who stopped and offered assistance and comfort to me after the accident.

There was a young man and a young woman who were walking with me when I was struck by the car.

They tried to pull myself and the wheelchair out of the way of the car; thank you so much for trying so hard to help me. The other people who stopped traffic, held my hand and offered me comfort, thank you so much.

It is comforting to know that people in my community are so caring and helpful with someone they do not even know.