CALL FOR CUSTOMS FUNDING

WHEN will the Government return the funding to Customs?

Remember that ``big black hole'' that had to be filled three years
ago? Well, money to our Customs was drastically cut then.

I know at Port Kembla there were 16 Customs officers. For three years
now we have had five officers working day shift/office hours, leaving
this region wide open to heroin importation and goodness knows what
else.

Heroin is an evil drug and the people who finance the importation are
evil people and should be dealt with as murderers.

All their property should be confiscated and the money should go
programs to help drug-addicted people.

Coastal surveillance obviously needs an injection of funds. It's a
worry when a boat carrying nearly 30 illegal immigrants can beach near
Cairns.

Perhaps it's time to do something about the over-generous
parliamentary pensions and the perks we continue to pay each year to
ex-prime ministers.

I think this money could be better spent.

J McCOY,
North Wollongong.