You say: Things are heating up in the election race

In the federal sphere, the gravy boat has well and truly sailed. I use the word boat in lieu of the usual ‘train’ as it seems a lot of the rats are fleeing the sinking ship HMAS Liberal Party.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already promised hundreds of millions of dollars to Tasmania. Morrison is also promising lower taxes and record health spending. The Liberals have promised a $3.5 billion spend on a ‘climate solutions package’. 

The Liberal/Nationals coalition is not the only one making expensive promises. The ALP is joining the federal spend with promises for billions to be spent on health and education. However, when the ALP wins the federal election, that party will undoubtedly assail us with the usual new government adage “there is not as much money available as we were told”. Meanwhile, the NSW election has developed into a struggle between Gladys Berejiklian and Michael Daley.

Both the NSW LNP and ALP have promised billions of dollars of infrastructure spending. Meanwhile, the NSW ALP is promising big spending on education and health. Free TAFE, cool schools and more nurses are pledged by the ALP, along with a reintroduction of the M4 cashback scheme.

All this money to be spent on election pork barrelling while the Cootamundra Hospital crumbles before our eyes.

It would be nice for the Cootamundra Herald not to be compliant in an attempt by Minister Gabrielle Upton to rewrite history in regards to council appointments.

In the Herald's article on March 1, the minister is quoted as saying "… Councils are responsible for the appointment and oversight of their general manager, and any dispute is a matter between the council and the GM." Minister Upton seems unaware that Alan Dwyer was a political appointment with "special powers" and not appointed by elected councillors. If this is the case, you must query the Premier's decision to have her as the Minister for Local Government.

One wonders if the local member has had the "get up and go" to inform the Minister of her error. If she has not, then questions must arise about her commitment to her constituents and to champion a demerger if this was the wish of voting ratepayers.

The February 22 report on Hardie Pastoral Company winning the southern region dryland wheat competition incorrectly stated the competition had eight entries and was judged by Geoff Minchin of Temora.

The correct information is that the southern region competition was judged by State judge Paul Parker, and was not connected with the local competition judged by Mr Minchin. The report also omitted that the Ross Thorburn Shield for “Trueness to Type” award, sponsored by “Wallendoon East”, was presented to Andrew Crawford.

Competition organiser Ken Thorburn thanked the judge Geoff Minchin, Adama, for their sponsorship and all who attended and contributed to another very successful evening.