Let’s bring in today’s talkers, Liberal Senator Paul Scarr and CEO of Western Sydney Women, Amanda Rose. Good Morning to you both. Paul, I want to start with you. They’re accused of a pretty horrific crime, yet they were granted bail. This does not send the right message to the community, surely?
PAUL SCARR:
Well, this is an absolute tragedy.
This gentleman, Van Viet Trung, was a shopkeeper who had a shop in the local suburb for over 30 years. He came to the aid of others who were engaged in a scuffle with this group of youngsters, and he’s tragically lost his life.
So this is a Good Samaritan who ran a business in the local community for 30 years. He’s a grandfather. He’s a father. He was looking to sell his shop and retire, and now he’s been denied that opportunity.
So it’s an absolute tragedy.
The other issue that’s been raised is the lack of police resources dedicated to the area, and the fact that local mayors in the community had been raising the need for more police on the beat and more police resources in the area.
There are a number of serious questions in relation to this matter, but none of it is going to bring back Mr Van Viet Trung.
My heart goes out to him, his family and the community.
HOST:
Yeah, a brave, selfless soul sadly lost in this tragedy.
Amanda, police say three other children, aged 12, 13 and 15, were also involved in the attack.
It feels like youth crime is an epidemic that is continuing to grow and is plaguing many Australian states.
AMANDA ROSE:
It is, and there are a couple of factors here.
Firstly, be careful who you hang out with. That’s something my parents used to say to me because you could be hanging around with a group of people who do something like this and think, “Hang on a minute, I didn’t expect this to happen. This is not something I would do.”
So be careful who your friends are.
Secondly, we need to talk about accountability.
If children as young as 12 are going out stealing and doing these horrific things, what does that say about what’s becoming acceptable in society?
I say bring in boot camps. If you’re going to let them out on bail, I know they’re still going to face court, but don’t let them out on bail to be comfortable at home.
I think they should be released into some kind of boot camp. Show them around prisons. Show them what happens to people’s lives when they continue down a life of crime.
Scare them a little.
At the moment, we have a society where people are constantly being let out on bail, and unfortunately we’ve seen history repeat itself, where people continue offending once they’re released. That’s a concern.
HOST:
Yeah, it doesn’t feel like they’re back on the streets with any real understanding of what they’ve done.
AMANDA ROSE:
That’s the thing.
Just imagine if your friends got pulled up for something. You’d think, “I better not do it.”
That accountability has a ripple effect in the community.
If you’re letting people out constantly, people start to think, “Well, they can get away with it, so I can get away with it.”
We can’t have that.
HOST:
This is a shocking case. Hopefully it instigates some change.
Moving on, the Geelong player at the centre of the secret concussion deal has been revealed as defender Jake Kolodjashnij.
In identifying himself, Amanda, he said he was healthy, feeling good and focused on playing footy.
Does that put this matter to bed?
AMANDA ROSE:
Was it his choice?
That’s what I’m curious about. If he has made this choice himself willingly, then yes.
Is it not anyone else’s business?
HOST:
Well, it might be other people’s business, like the club and so forth. But I believe his club supports him in this decision.
AMANDA ROSE:
The thing is, it is still his decision.
I think we need to let people make their own decisions when it comes to their health.
Their choices are up to them, and if other people don’t like it, that’s understandable. But it’s still his call.
HOST:
But we also don’t fully understand all the impacts and effects of concussion. Maybe he’s making this decision without knowing the full extent of it.
AMANDA ROSE:
Look, if we’re worried about concussion, let’s just get rid of all sport in Australia.
Let’s get rid of the NRL. Let’s get rid of the AFL.
If concussion is an issue, then we pretty much have to get rid of all of it.
HOST:
I don’t sit on board with that, but I think there has to be a safer way to do these things.
Paul, the club didn’t alert the AFL, which may be arguably the biggest issue in this whole thing, keeping it hush-hush.
Does that suggest they knew they were doing something wrong?
PAUL SCARR:
I’m not sure whether it does.
They should have advised the AFL, and I think the AFL is right to raise that.
I would just emphasise that we really do need to look after our players. They give us so much joy when we’re watching sport.
The evidence is clear that multiple concussions over a sporting career can have devastating consequences for the health and wellbeing of former players.
We need to make sure players have the best advice available and that their welfare is paramount.
They’re the ones giving us the joy and entertainment on the weekend, so they have to be at the centre of decision-making.
I think it’s best if these decisions are made as a matter of policy across the whole AFL, which is one of the reasons I think they should have notified the AFL.
HOST:
Finally this morning, it seems the days of baby names with creative spelling are over.
That’s right, parents are going back to basics.
Paul, is this welcome news or what? I mean, there still aren’t many Pauls getting around.
PAUL SCARR:
Maybe too many Pauls. I don’t know.
But if I was called Moonbeam, would you be able to take me seriously when I came on the show?
HOST:
I wish you were called Moonbeam. I might call you that from now on.
Amanda, we’ve seen some very liberal ways of spelling traditional names. Is common sense prevailing now?
AMANDA ROSE:
I think the meaning of the name is the most important thing.
HOST:
What does Amanda mean?
AMANDA ROSE:
“Worthy to be loved.”
HOST:
Does it?
AMANDA ROSE:
Yes.
HOST:
Do you feel worthy to be loved?
AMANDA ROSE:
Absolutely.
HOST:
Okay, I’m sure you are.
Paul, you are too.
PAUL SCARR:
I am.
HOST:
Thank you for joining us.
Michael’s a beautiful name too.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, it means “Who is like God?” and yes, I do know that.
HOST:
Pressure’s on, buddy.
What does Ali mean, Ali?
ALI:
It means “little truthful one”.
And I like that.
Thanks so much.
