Best applied through TAFE
It's a good start that people looking for work can reskill and upskill for jobs and provide school leavers with a pathway. While its only returning two-thirds of the funding cut from training programs during the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison LNP governments, this program will be better applied through TAFE rather than through private providers.
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P. David, Greenwell Point
No time for a rate rise
We in the Shoalhaven are having a hard enough time with the bushfires and coping with COVID restrictions without a Labor councillor backing the call of the Greens to give the people a rate rise. I believe Cr Alldrick is calling for a 32 per cent rate rise which is quite absurd. Work for the betterment of people instead of trying to gouge more money. These councillors would be better off fighting for the people who are having their properties near flooded every time it rains due to lack of kerb and guttering in their areas.
B. Manskie, Sanctuary Point
Tough deal for public servants
I have seen many small businesses on the South Coast, particularly in Milton and Huskisson, showing their support for the state's public sector workers by displaying signs opposing the NSW Government's wage freeze. Whilst workers at the likes of Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings and even JB Hi-Fi receive bonuses of up to $1000, in addition to their annual wage rises, for working through the COVID-19 pandemic, NSW Government public sector workers receive none of the above, only a wage freeze. Research from the Australia Institute shows this move will rip at least $45 million out of the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands region alone. Not good news for small businesses in our regions who are still recovering from bushfires and battling through COVID. Not a good look for the Berejiklian Liberal government, who pretend to support small business. Shame on our local state MPs, Gareth Ward and Shelley Hancock, for supporting this wage freeze. Don't our police, nurses, those working in our public hospitals, Service NSW centres etc deserve better?
Name supplied but withheld
Lives made better
I am writing to express my appreciation to everyone who supported The Smith Family's 2020 Winter Appeal.
At a time when Australians have been challenged like never before, we have been humbled and inspired by tremendous generosity. Our charity supports the educational achievement of children in need as a practical pathway out of poverty. The donations we received for our Winter Appeal will mean our vital out-of-school learning and mentoring programs can now be delivered to thousands more students living in disadvantage.
The public's help could not have come at a better time. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, there was strong evidence that disadvantaged students were falling behind at school through not having the same learning opportunities as their more advantaged classmates. At age 15, the gap is equivalent to around three years of schooling.
In recent weeks, the Grattan Institute has confirmed that disadvantaged children who were already falling behind before the crisis, will have slipped further back. It's hard to stay on top of your learning when you don't have essential resources for home schooling such as a computer, internet access, textbooks and stationery. These children will need extra support to catch up.
With the donations received, The Smith Family will provide additional educational support for over 16,000 children and young people during terms 3 and 4. These include our home-based programs boosting the reading skills of children, mentoring support, and our after-school Learning Clubs, helping children to increase their literacy and numeracy skills.
