They are now so overloaded with extra work, such as Medicare and family support services.

We have a minister with his head stuck in the sand. He and top level administrators within the department should get out and see what is happening, instead of providing glib sound bytes.

There is also a deafening silence from our esteemed local member.

ON THE subject of euthanasia, I refer to Arnold Jago’s letter in the DA on January 13.

It made me think how important a vote is.

We do not want this or any major issue turned into a political football.

We need a referendum to give the people a voice.​

I am a federal minister, I’ve got a top shelf job,

My every need is paid in full, I never spend a bob.

Taxpayer-funded junkets, it’s business class for me,

My salary is safely tucked away; my life it’s run for free.

Some weekends on the Gold Coast, yes that sounds very nice,

I think we’ll buy a unit, a steal at half the price.

Perhaps we’ll fly there New Years Eve, and see the new year in,

I’ve got a friend in corporate land, for me it’s all win win.

My colleague he’s a traveller too, though he prefers the west,

Cable Beach up there in Broome, is where he likes it best.

Finance there is critical to the health of our great nation,

Karratha or Port Hedland? No, not on this vacation.

I am a federal minister, I’m on the public purse,

If I ever have to spend my own, it’s quickly reimbursed.

Before I got this top shelf job, I was having trouble saving,

But though I now have loads of cash, a pay rise I am craving.

Life here in the cabinet, a privilege there’s no doubt,

Access to allowances, it’s always someone’s shout.

It’s not that I’m entitled, I never feel that waym

It’s just that her in “pollie-land”, someone else should pay.

WAGGA used to be known as the state’s biggest inland city.  

It is now known as the biggest inland crime city.  

It’s hard to even imagine that there were a staggering 54 break-and-enters in just 11 days!  

Maybe the local police force are still celebrating the yuletide season?

It would seem that everyone in Wagga, according to the taxi driver/barber hotline, have a fair idea who the culprits are.  

Yet the police just seem to be fumbling around in the dark unable to put the cuffs on any of these crims, even though they also have a fair idea who some of the culprits are.  

Apparently their hands are tied.  

They have been told by their masters to leave certain people alone.  

Maybe we should just build a wall around these crime-ridden suburbs.

It will cost a lot of money but desperate times calls for desperate measures.