This has most certainly occurred over many years and is something that was addressed by our police during the 1980s and into the early 1990s. There is most certainly a need for the community of Wagga to assist police to control both these issues. I am aware of certain actions put into place to address both these crime problems.

In relation to domestic violence issues, I was the original chair of the Domestic Violence Committee, which had representatives from Women’s Health & Support, Women’s Refuge and Community Health. We most certainly adopted a positive action plan to assist the victims of domestic violence, where women were the main victims. However, the committee also saw a need to address the actions of the crime, where the offender’s were arrested and taken to court. We were indeed fortunate to have a member on the committee from the Community Health, who agreed to spend time communicating with the offenders and the victims involved. This was not successful in all cases. However, I can recall that several offenders most certainly made every effort to refrain from further criminal behaviour. Unfortunately this person left Wagga. Personally, I feel that we should most certainly assist the victims. However, I believe that the offenders also need some attention. If something can be done then, who knows the number of domestic offences may; well decline. Perhaps DOCS can work closely with the police, which was the case in my time.

The other issue in relation to truants from school committing crimes, was also relevant. The Department of Education became involved with Fred Loneragan and made Phil Gooley available to assist. Fred Loneragan made arrangements with the authorities at the department, who allowed for Phil. Gooley, who was at the time working from the District Office to work with school truants at the PCYC. This program was successful in the most cases, with Fred and Phil working together to achieve what I believe was mostly successful.

Both these issues were not really appreciated by the then police hierarchy. I feel confident that the current top officials may well give these objectives a chance to succeed. The history is that children who live through domestic violence in most cases will be a victim or perpetrator in later life. We can’t let this continue.

With a population of 80 million and massive heavy industry, Germany still has considerable coal reserves. Yet they recently hit 85 per cent energy from renewables. Why? Because they are well-educated, well-organised and financially astute. They also understand the importance of clean water and clean air to food production, health and the environment. And they understand the importance of fairness and equitable living costs for the entire population. Meanwhile, our leaders are campaigning for fracking and coal mining, exporting our gas to other nations yet our gas and energy prices continue to soar. 

Australian politicians are backing a dead horse. Their ignorance and conformity are an embarrassment. Major institutions and governments the world over are divesting from coal and fossil fuels. Stock prices are falling. Insurance companies are factoring in climate disasters. It took 8 billion years for the surface of the earth to become habitable for mammals, 8 billion years for all those gases and plant materials to be locked into the earth’s surface. Within 200 years we are releasing them back into the atmosphere. 

Neither we, nor our leaders, can continue to plead ignorance. We have a responsibility to those who live after us.