Beloved Editor
I offer out the following challenge to all of us nestled in our little piece of absolute paradise here in the Eurobodalla:- On the subject of the "yet to be built" hospital, how about we remove the politicisation of all comments by all stakeholders in this issue?
Of course, Beloved Editor, your balanced reporting and guidance to how we should view certain utterances by said politicians is naturally exempt. For to be bereft of such earthly guidance would render us, your avid readership, without a rudder in this sea of vicious self-interests.
It's bloody obvious that the Liberals are going to bang on about how great they are because they truly believe they are great. Labor are going to bleat about the Liberals banging on how great they are because Labor are not. The Greens are going to hiss and spit at everyone, as the Greens do. The Boating , Camping and Fishing, Shooters and Flagellators just want it built quickly so they can get medical help.
None of what is being said, sprayed, or spat is of any use or benefit to the likes of you and I. It's just noise, and it detracts from the positives that abound in all things.
After all, we are all going to need the services of this "yet to be built" hospital, whether we hail from the left, right or undecided.
Providing that we can survive the entry requirements of Q coding, temperature testing, hand wringing and then patiently waiting to be attended to by the gentle souls at the emergency entrance, the level 4 services will be the envy of the state!
So please, let's all get behind the positive element of what the Liberal bloke that used to represent us here (I've forgotten his name) put together for us, and show our appreciation and maturity by supporting the Government's position, rather than deriding it.
If I may be so bold as to offer an opinion on the point of law? The onus is most certainly not on the owner of the land to be acquired to "respect the taxpayer's dollar" whatsoever.
Just because this is a government purchase does not dilute the value of the land whatsoever. "The site in question is the land that is being purchased. It will either be purchased by negotiation or, if the owner can't agree on a price that is respectful of both their entitlements and the taxpayers' dollar, then it will be compulsorily acquired."
The Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 ( the JTC Act) affords a reasonably fair playing field to both parties in acquisition scenarios, always remembering that Government (must) have the absolute right, for the greater good of all, to acquire land.
The JTC Act makes sure that the landowner receives "just compensation" for the acquisition, which is fair.
I wouldn’t be too concerned for the farmer or landowner in this instance. No doubt they are receiving very good, albeit over-priced, advice from their lawyers on how to proceed, or not.
As always, we are indebted to you for you boldly going where no man has gone before in your excellent coverage on contentious topics.
Sincerely
Mervyn Sher
Broulee by the Sea.
Image: Pixabay
