Mr Temple hit the nail on the head and I offer my long-held opinions relating to the many problems with Australia’s overall economy, particularly the loss of jobs due to the closing down of car manufacturing and clothing manufacturing.

The most irresponsible comment to car manufacturing was Tony Abbott”s extraordinary remark: “I won’t be walking down the road to Holden with an open cheque-book in my hand”. 

You could have done so, Mr Abbott, as you could have saved thousands of jobs there.

Mr Abbott, I really don’t think you understand the devastating economic damage done to our economy by the free trade agreement.

For instance, it was reported last week that foreign car manufacturing workers are paid $6 per hour.

How the heck can Australian car-makers compete?

They can’t, of course, so there goes thousands of jobs!

Other important manufacturers that were lost to Australia and Australian workers were involved in the clothing industry.

This was once a thriving industry, producing quality products for Australians.

Then came a period when backyard workshops were set up in suburban backyards employing low paid workers.

These were called “sweat shops” and were closed down because they were considered to be unfair competition.

The ironic aspect of this is we now buy much of our clothing from virtual “sweat shops” in Bangladesh.

Their workers’ wages are low and our purchases come in tariff-free.

As one letter writer wrote not long ago, “Australia will become a country of drink waiters!”.

YET AGAIN another federal minister has been caught out by hiring a chartered flight to make a private purchase of an investment property while doing other business on the Gold Coast, and yet while this is happening they are cutting back welfare. Then they wonder why citizens vote for minor parties. Rorting must now be brought to an end.

WHAT hell this week will be for the sheep and cattle compelled to endure the full brunt of the suns rays in barren, shade-less paddocks.

This is all part of the suffering we inflict on animals if we eat meat.

It doesn't have to be this way and it shouldn't because we can live healthily and happily without consuming any meat, eggs or dairy. As a vegan of 37 years, I can vouch for this.

IN EARLY 2016, a Victorian man with advanced tongue cancer was offered nembutal (illegal lethal tablets) by euthanasia-promoting doctor, Dr Rodney Syme.

The patient’s GP complained and the Medical Board of Victoria put a ban on Dr Syme from practising end-of-life patient care.

Dr Syme appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which has reversed the ban. Why?

Assisting a patient to commit suicide is against the law in Victoria and carries a five-year prison sentence. That is an excellent law, designed to protect vulnerable people from falling into the hands of the euthanasia types, while accessing care from proper palliative care doctors.