In response

Bruce Scott (SFT 13/10/11) praises our forefathers who developed this great land. They accomplished tremendous things in the nineteenth century. Great things could still be done!
Scott dwells on the mining industry and the fly-in, fly-out work force that has little empathy with the communities in which they work. This remote work force is not doing much to encourage local growth and the stable communities he desires. If this itinerant workforce did settle in the locations where they work, what would happen to those towns when the last mineral is mined?
Scott thinks that a fiddle with the income tax system would solve the problem of the fly-in workers. Prime Minister Julia is under a similar delusion with the controversial carbon tax that she thinks will lead Australia to the depths of a ‘wonderful’ clean energy horizon.
True, taxation can be used to manipulate human behaviour but it is not the answer to establish viable communities in regional Australia.
The pioneers were given grants of land or purchased runs and then they were free to develop their properties the best they could with little or no government interference. They took their chances and, fail or succeed, they were on their own. Settlers helped each other when the going got tough and they didn’t look to government to solve their problems or for handouts as is the case today. They were tough and resilient; not a mob of sooks. They had a good dose of economic and individual freedom; we admire their achievements.
Today, everywhere one turns you are burdened with government interference which is killing enterprise and initiative. If Scott was really serious about doing something for all Australians he would advocate the reduction of big government in a swag of areas. Unless he, and other politicians take up this challenge, they will forever remain a tinkling cymbal and sounding brass.
Jay Nauss,
Glen Aplin