Weekly wrap: Decisions that impact on us all

Last week I spoke of a big story in our back yard. This week we have a few more that are in our readership and a few outside of it, however, they all impact on us in the St George and Sutherland Shire and broader Sydney area.

It seems a decision by the Andrews Labor government to employ private contractors as security to guard returned quarantined travellers in Melbourne hotels has caused a spike in coronavirus cases.

The security guards allegedly did not do the job they were hired to do, which has led to calls from New South Wales residents to close the border to Victoria.

Murray Trembath tells us five people from Melbourne coronavirus hotspots wanting to enter NSW have been detected during a new screening initiative at Sydney Airport.

The current COVID-19 pandemic highlights the fact decisions made by our political leader's impact on us all. The NSW government's decision to let passengers disembark from the Ruby Princess led to deaths in our community. The federal government's determination to take away the human element in assessing Centrelink debts led to robodebt and unfortunately suicides, and now this decision by the Victorian premier which has caused heightened fears of a second wave of infections prove that point all too clearly.

The move by NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian to put tolls on the old M5 and new M8 will hurt many motorists, especially those who drive to work using these roads and who may be doing it tough financially due to the current pandemic.

Murray tells us that the premier coined the term "toll mania" while defending tolls on the new M8 and existing M5 East motorways.

'Tone deaf' might be a better term to describe the toll policy.

Not all government proposals are bad and some can have a positive impact on constituents.

Murray reports detailed plans for new wharves at Kurnell and La Perouse to support the return of a ferry service and other maritime operations have been released. This is good news and should be embraced by all.

Jim Gainsford tells us a new group of residents fed up at politicians not listening to community concerns has decided to form a lobby group and and make some noise at the next council election. We will keep an eye on this. People choosing to stand up for themselves and their community should be the only reason people get into politics, but sadly it happens all too infrequently.

On a happier note, Jim also tells us more than 60 teachers from two Kingsgrove schools have prepared 400 home-cooked meals for struggling families during the COVID-19 pandemic. A fantastic effort from all involved that we applaud.

I love my dog. Many people love their pooch in the St George and Sutherland Shire area too. Murray tells us how much dog numbers have increased over the last two and a half years in our area. You might be surprised.

As usual John Veage has taken some wonderful pics to illustrate the point.

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Now, I am going to refill my coffee, have some bacon and eggs and then let my dog walk me.

Have a great day.