Using language to persuade student Study Guide Unit 1-4 English Simonds Catholic College 2012-2013 Name: Contents

Carbon tax hits ratepayers

Ratepayers could be slugged up to 3 per cent extra because of the carbon tax.

And councils claim the planned new fire services levy could lift some rates up to 30 per cent in coming years.

Frankston Council is considering a rate increase of up to 9.4 per cent in 2012-13, with the carbon tax and state landfill levy adding 3.5 per cent to the municipality's costs.

Frankston Mayor Brian Cunial said yesterday he was confident the rate rise would be smaller, but warned the impact of higher energy prices would be felt.

"It would mean a rate increase," he said.

Glen Eira Mayor Jamie Hyams said the council aimed to cap its next rate increase at 6.5 per cent but this could change "if there are factors beyond our control".

CARBON tax fear is about to become reality as several Victorian councils move to increase household rates to cover their own costs.

The City of Whittlesea expected the tax to add 1.5 per cent to rates, while Manningham Council chief executive Lydia Wilson said it could mean an extra $1.8 million on the budget.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman confirmed the carbon tax and fire levy would be factors in setting new rates, but the final decision would be made by councillors.

The Municipal Association of Victoria said a state government plan to replace the insurance-based fire levy with a property-based tax collected by councils could lead to rate rises of 19-30 per cent, or an average $294 a year.

"Councils must be informed before finalising their budgets if the Government still intends to begin a transition period to the new levy this year," MAV president Cr Bill McArthur said.

But a spokeswoman for Treasurer Kim Wells said the MAV claims were wrong and the Government was considering the outcome of a consultation process before introducing legislation recommended by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

"It is disappointing that the MAV would seek to misinform the community by putting out figures that are not based on any Government announcement," the spokeswoman said.

It's time to say goodbye to the Grid Girls.

Surely we are past the time when skimpily dressed women are there solely for the visual entertainment of men?

In recent years the Grid Girls have become more sophisticated than sleazy, but let's face it, their role hasn't really changed.

They're just there to show lots of flesh and titillate the male racegoers -- ignoring the fact that these days lots of women watch motor racing.

It would be also nice to see Grand Prix Ambassadors who have actually contributed something to society. When males are chosen as brand ambassadors, they are usually sportsmen or entertainers rather than just fashion models. So it would be great to have some real role models -- rather than just models -- considered for the job this year.

This is what the latest four-year contract negotiated with Serco will cost the Australian taxpayers as asylum seekers continue to arrive.

The Gillard Government is then forced to issue bridging visas to release them into the community rather than send them to already overcrowded detention centres.

The Government's policy is in shreds after its failure to send asylum seekers to Malaysia after a High Court decision and the refusal of the Opposition to support a change in the law.

The obvious answer would be to forget the failed Malaysia option and send asylum seekers to Nauru, but the Government's refusal means boat arrivals must be processed onshore, which is drawing more to attempt the hazardous voyage from Indonesia


Letter to the Editor
Letters to the Editor provide a voice for the general public. All newspapers have them, often including emails or SMS which can be published online or in print.

Purpose	Features	Language
To give a clear point of view on a current issue To provide a forum for people to express their views on recent issues or events To enable discussion between members of the public To generate discussion for and against an issue over several editions of the newspaper	Deliberately persuasive Usually give one viewpoint on an issue Usually short and to the point	Generally use more formal language but may use informal language Use personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘we’, etc. May use very emotional language