Access, parking needed

Good on ya Alice Scott (Mercury, December 30) I am one of you, "the whingers".

I am in your group of 300 or so, referred to by Michael Corban (Whingers not needed, December 26). Did I miss a survey to determine the numbers of the "silent majority"?

I agree that a fair bit of improving can be done in the city centre - parking being the number one priority.

The existing batch of parking rangers are better than what we had previously.

Years ago Larry had to do it all on foot, although he used to get into a kind of a trot to get to hot spots to nail another motorist or two before knock-off time.

So why have all of these development plans, when the people of Wollongong are being driven out to shop and be entertained elsewhere?

I know we can build super buildings here as well, as they did in Sydney. The "Toaster" and the "Finger Wharf" at Sydney Harbour are good examples of what we could have right here.

The likes of Alan Jones and John Laws live in these buildings. But what Wollongong needs is affordable housing and proper access and parking for all.

Then, and only then, will you see Wollongong as it used to be - a great city to visit, and Wollongong Harbour should remain just as it always has been, a place for fishing boats. Definitely not super cruisers and yachts.

John Pronk, BM, Wollongong.

Protect babies too

I recently read a newspaper report that a magpie had attacked a young girl causing loss of sight to one of her eyes.

A spokesperson for National Parks and Wildlife advised that magpies were a protected species, and there were fines even for interfering with their eggs.

I also read a news report that a baby aborted at a Canberra clinic had breathed and cried at 22 weeks. I read about a young woman from America, who was saved by a nurse at an abortion clinic. The nurse raised the baby, who now travels the world running marathons to promote compassion for unborn children.

I read a report that the Victorian Government had recently passed legislation extending legal abortions beyond 20 weeks.

I am not a member of any group or organisation in relation to abortions. But I am concerned and sad to witness the decline in protection for unborn children compared to increased protection for animals and wildlife.

I know there are some tragic situations, where the health and well being of a mother and an unborn baby must be the priority. Women with unwanted pregnancies need much more love, support, and counselling.

However amendments approved by the Victorian Government appear to ignore any rights of an unborn baby to a life like us.

My concern is that some government members may be pampering to organised minority groups for their votes, contrary to the ideals of the silent majority of Australians.

I am sure most Australians regard an unborn human baby more important than a bird egg.

Terry Murphy, Burrill Lake.