Letters to the editor

My interest is my Uncle (John George) turns 99 this year and grew up in Murrumburrah and attended this church. He is blind, but I’d love to let him hear this organ again.

His Dad was Reg George, who was once chargeman of the railway yard.

If anyone could help I’d be very grateful. Please email hardennews@fairfaxmedia.com.au if you have any knowledge in this area.

Lindsay George

Phillip Island

I am hopeful that the Member for Wagga Mr Daryl Maguire, MP may be able to help out with a couple of queries that people have concerning his government’s proposed ban on greyhound racing in NSW from July 1, 2017.

In 1998 I wrote to the Federal Minister for Justice inquiring about being found guilty and punished for a non-existent offence. Part of the advice I received from the minister’s office stated that, “It is not possible for a person to be found guilty of a non-existent offence”.  

If Premier Baird’s decision to ban greyhound racing is allowed to stand then that advice is wrong. Media reports say that less than 20 per cent of all greyhound trainers in NSW were involved in live baiting, the prime reason for the ban.  Although the other 80 per cent of trainers who have committed no offences and are completely innocent of any wrongdoing, they will still have to pay the same heavy penalty as the guilty parties. They will have their sport and livelihood taken away from them because of the actions a few. Apparently, Premier Baird believes that they are guilty by association – the attribution of guilt (without proof) to individuals because of the people they associate with are guilty.  

The questions I would like to raise with Mr Maguire are:

Is the advice I received from the Federal Minister for Justice wrong because, apparently, your government has found that 80 per cent of all greyhound trainers are guilty of non-existent offences. How is this possible ?

Could you cite the specific legislation that justifies your government’s authority to punish innocent greyhound trainers when they are completely innocent of any wrongdoing ?

The High Court of Australia (HCA) has ruled that a person can only be punished for a breach of the law. He can be punished for nothing else.  A ruling by the HCA is binding on all courts and judges in the Australian Judicature (Phillips v The Queen [2006] HCA 4). How can your government ignore a ruling by HCA ?

I can assure Mr Maguire that all his loyal constituents will be eagerly awaiting his response.

Geoff Field

Gundagai

The dictator has spoken. The banning of greyhound racing in NSW from July 2007 by a weak premier plus the forced council amalgamations will ultimately prove to be Baird’s downfall. And to prove that he is weak I am prepared to bet that he will back-down well before the deadline because of the widespread anger against this ridiculous ban. Long live democracy.

Colin Field

Gundagai

Monday morning watching television, a story came on about snail racing. I was wondering what they do with the slow ones.

Russell Breed

Wagga