Re: VCAT fee rise to 'silence objectors'
Equal access to a functional legal system is an essential part of a democratic, market-led economy. Yes, that cost falls to taxpayers (particularly when there is a diffuse group appealing; you know, like, the 'little people') and that's OK. That's the kind of thing tax is for. I am happy to pay tax for services like this, even if I never end up in the unfortunate situation of needing them.
Mary Mac (via web)
Interesting to see the fee hike with the recent large smart meter introduction. Kwulz (via web)
Re: Tecoma Maccas: every door knocked in bunfight
Amazing results! Now it is time for McDonald's to come clean with their survey results, so that they can compare them with this survey. Maybe they need to publish the support they have received. Not sure how 88.2 per cent of residents can be disregarded by McDonald's. Carl (via web)
What astounding figures! It's interesting to see the McDonald's spokesman referring to the support they've received — 4.8 per cent of the community — as their argument for the construction. The supposed community-mindedness of this corporation has been somewhat debunked in the above article. Dominic McKay (via web)
Noise, vandalism, hoons, crime? And you're basing that on on what exactly? I'm not pro-Maccas by any means, but it's that kind of irrational, knee-jerk whining that makes the protesters look like a complete joke. Provide one example or piece of actual evidence to support your assertion and I will gladly retract my statement. Citizen0 (via web)
I find this survey hard to believe as it was very easy to manipulate — it was not conducted by an independent body. I also know people who told the survey they were for the Tecoma McDonald's, but as they then copped abuse, they just said OK, and the survey team said they would put them down as "not sure"! Doesn't seem like a legitimate survey to me! Guest (via web)
The talk on the street suggested a junk food outlet in Tecoma was a very unpopular idea, but even I am shocked at the numbers. Why do McDonald's want to build there again? Ferntree Gully Girl (via web)
Funny how I live in Tecoma and was home during the doorknock, but my door was never approached? Also, do you possibly think people were too scared to say they support it after some of the attacks from "no Maccas" on McDonalds' supporters? Resident (via web)
It's not the local customers they want, it's the thousands of tourists who come here, that's what they want. They don't care about the locals. Terence Hot (via web)