A stronger democracy
It is great to see reporting of our successes such as the arts, health, community safety and Transform Mandurah to make Mandurah the wonderful city that it is. Under the Westminster system of Government, we not only celebrate the achievements of our state parliamentary representatives but we scrutinise their performance as it creates a robust democracy.
Last week, media outlets exposed political interference at a local government level by Mandurah MP David Templeman to suspend the City of Perth and the City of Melville councils. At the City of Cambridge our local state member responded to Trade Union complaints and Supreme Court Judge Justice Paul Tottle's judgement was "The material before the Minister is not sufficient to ground a suspicion that there has been a failure by the council to conduct itself in a way that ensures the workplace is free from intimidation and undue pressure on employees". Are councils being targeted for political reasons alone or is it more to do with perceptions of the political stripes of some councils?
Surely this warrants scrutiny... to hold our government elected officials to account for a stronger democracy.
Brendon Falzon, Greenfields
Proud of my town that day
With the approach of Remembrance Day, I think it is important that the people of Mandurah know what happened here on Anzac Day. Putting in the great effort to get up a bit early and walk all the way to the end of the driveway for a short time (which we did) scarcely made up for the cancellation of all the usual commemorations. Therefore, my sister and I drove to the war memorial. We expected a few people to be there, but we were quite surprised to see around 50.
I was proud of my town that day. Despite all the urging to cower in our houses, these citizens were choosing to remember those who lived and died defending the freedoms that we were being told were no longer important. People had come strictly because they wanted to. And because of all that was involved, the day felt like a triumph.
I know that not everyone who would have liked to be there was able to be. Remembrance Day provides us a chance to do just a little to make up for the cancellation of Anzac Day. I realise that many people have to work but I urge all those able to attend to show your support for veterans, for freedom, for Australia. These special days do not belong to the government or even the RSL; they belong to all of us.
Rebekah Meredith, Falcon
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