It appears the president of Wagga Business Chamber, Tim Rose, has a good understanding of the difficulties faced by many businesses - especially those in the hospitality industry.

The same cannot be said for Labor's Tim Kurylowicz.

I googled him to see what his experience and background is. I couldn't find anything of substance.

I can only assume, because it seems obvious by his narrow-minded viewpoint, that he has never been involved in running a business.

He says "opening more cafes doesn't mean people will buy more coffee so let’s leave penalty rates in place so those who make a killing pay their staff appropriately".

For the record, I believe penalty rates are killing our ability to operate successfully in the service industry.

Progressively more businesses are choosing not to open during long weekends. They cant afford to do this anymore.

I am part of operating a popular tourism site.

Can I give the four-day Easter weekend as an example?

We were very busy over this period, primarily because so many other businesses do not open.

In fact, we were inundated, to the point we had difficulty coping.

Our staff stoically continued to serve our customers – even the ones who were unhappy with the wait times.

Many families travelled from neighbouring towns. 

Why?

Because there was only one other Easter egg hunt being conducted in the whole Riverina.

It turns out nobody wants to be subjected to this behaviour anymore.

So, the point is, people love to go out on a public holiday but since it is so hard to do business because of increased costs on these days, more businesses are unable to open which then puts an unrealistic strain on those who do.

I agree with Tim Rose. Staff would rather earn 1.5 times their regular pay than earn nothing at all.

Let's agree to a system that works for everyone, the worker and business.

It is good to know that the National Party mayor of Lithgow  is against the privatisation of water.

The Australian Democrats have been saying this for years.

As I said in the 2011 and 2015 state elections I do not believe NSW local councils should lose other functions like water and power as happened under Jeff Kennett.

He sold off the state’s assets and the Liberals blame others for high power, water and gas prices.

In my view the NSW and the Victorian De Salination plants should pump water into the rural Victoria and NSW.

Let us hope that if in the very unlikely event that Labor wins the Federal Elections, it will not do as Labor did in Victoria and deprive rural people of water.

Victorian Labour built a water pipe to Melbourne and took the rural water away.

The pipes should be retrofitted to allow the Delsaltination water to go to areas of need.

Also water trading in my view should be stopped.