Dallas Bridgman, Warrnambool

In reply to Rob Johnson’s letter (The Standard, June 24), I am entitled to my opinion that businesses shouldn’t charge surcharges on public holidays, there was no vitriol in what I stated, it was what it was. For someone that has no association with any business you certainly were very defensive. Reading an accountant’s submission on the effects of penalty rates, seems to me something one would do if one had a business or interest in that business. Penalty rates are not just singularly aligned to catering. Staff get the benefits of public holiday work, not the owners, oh come on, staff get what they are entitled to, nothing more. If the owners wish to open and why would they, if it wasn’t viable, then yes the staff should also receive their just dues. Why should I have to pay towards penalty rates for staff that work in someone else’s business. If you are in business you have to meet certain requirements, one is paying your staff correctly. You cannot lump that responsibility on the customer by increasing surcharges because you choose to open on public holidays. It’s as simple as that. Why should I be grateful and so happy to be slugged with extra surcharges, that is unfair, the business owner chose to open, he should be grateful the customer chose to utilise the service offered, paying for what they get and nothing more. By not saying anything makes it seem right. Like I stated before if you cannot afford to pay your staff the right pay, then just don’t open. Don’t use the day as an excuse for a cash grab.

Vicki Walter, Warrnambool

Regular users of the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail will have noted how the large number of trees planted along the trail from Regent Street Port Fairy to Kelly's Swamp at Illowa are now beginning to add to the experience of this ride. Given that this 27km section of the trail is maintained and improved by a small band of volunteers who give their time each week, it was particularly disappointing to discover last week, that several recently planted bird-attracting plants have been stolen from an area being developed along the trail. These donated and now missing plants, have almost certainly found their way to someone's front garden.  Theft is theft and the taking of these plants cannot be described in any other way. It is hard to understand the motivation behind this theft when this person only saved a few dollars and spent time and effort to hide the removal of these plants. Obviously, the person responsible is a keen gardener, so I would like to invite them to join the Tuesday morning working bees and use their demonstrated skills to assist the Friends of the Trail in the further development of this great community asset.

Brian Trotter, Koroit

After reading about the latest IT ransomware attack I feel that people need reminding about how important it is to protect your IT data and to never pay these criminals. Data is the most valuable item that most businesses own. Many are unaware just how difficult it is to replace if it is lost. Time and time again I hear about horror stories of people losing years of data to these ransomware attacks. While the media presents these attacks with a mix of misconceptions and sensationalism, they are simple to minimise and recover from.  IT security and backup technologies that were only available to the largest enterprise IT departments just a few years ago are now affordable by small business. Invest in data security and a good backup system. Educate your employees on how to spot a malicious email and what to do if they see an attack. You  should always work on the assumption that you will get hit and have a plan to recover all important data.  You should aim to recover data to within four hours of the attack for small business and for larger business this should be 30 minutes to an hour.  Having to redo half a days work is annoying. Having to redo 3+ years of work can send your business broke. Keep your systems patched and practise good password security.  Online resources such as the Australian Cyber Security Centre have some simple advice to help you to secure your data.  Test your backups and IT security regularly. Don't become another horror story that IT guys tell each other at the pub.  Don't be afraid to ask your IT guy how prepared they are for a breach or for some advice about how to minimise your risk. There are solutions for every budget. If we follow good advice and have a plan to recover data we cut off the income of the criminals that profit from this.

David Cottrill, Warrnambool

I would like to express my thanks to everyone who attended our volunteer CFA community engagement sessions in mid June. I greatly valued the contributions and appreciated everyone coming out to speak with us about the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2017.

It was through these consultation sessions that I was able to form an opinion about the legislation, which led to my vote in support of the Bill being reviewed by a select committee. Your feedback has shown me there has been great concern about the Bill and the impact it will have on volunteers.

In all good conscience I cannot vote for a change that is not supported by the volunteers and I hope this committee review will give you and the wider community the opportunity to be involved.

The committee is seeking submissions up until Friday 7 July 2017. You'll find more information on the website at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fireservicesbill/inquiries/article/2571

There will also be a round of public hearings which will be announced soon and I encourage you to attend and take this opportunity to be involved in the process. 

At this point the committee review seems to be only viable option to hear and address the issues raised by volunteers and make positive steps forward.

If the committee is not able to find a solution that meets the needs of volunteers and protects their rights then I am prepared to introduce the Presumptive Rights Compensation element of the Bill as a Private Members Bill later in the year.

Our CFA is the backbone of communities and volunteers like you are critical to the Australian ethos. I thank you for the hard work you do in keeping our community safe.

James Purcell, Western Victoria MP, Port Fairy

My interest was tinged with frustration when I saw the message of last weekend's workshop, the Right Track run by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, was 'changing the minds of voters'. I've been trying to do exactly that for years and bloomin' years. Sometimes I wonder if voters actually know the policies of the parties they vote into government.  If everyone who professes to believe in a fair go for refugees, a decent and accessible health system, a healthy and sustainable environment, a fair and effective education system,  workable public transport,  better roads and equal marriage rights, actually voted for those things and not for the parties that are against them, then I believe a party the colour of forests would be in government and all those issues would be solved. Being free to vote for our government is a great privilege hard won by many brave people. With such privilege comes responsibility. Voters have an obligation to educate themselves about the issues, to read the policies of all the parties and then, for the sake of everyone especially our young ones, to do the right thing.

Lisa Owen, Warrnambool