A. TROUNSON (The Examiner, September 14) hits the nail on the head. It’s all very well for the Greens to shout and demand that Australia increases its intake of people from war-torn poor countries but I believe they should look at some of the emotionally war-torn Australian people wandering in their own streets first, simply because they are homeless and have nowhere else to go. As a work for the dole participant at City Mission, I see for myself, Monday to Friday, the tragic plight and circumstances some of our fellow Australians find themselves in, which is usually no fault of their own, because they are the result of weak adult role models during their childhoods, with insufficient guidance and leadership within the family unit when growing up. I’d like to know when any of the Greens members, and in particular Nick McKim, are going to visit terrific organisations like City Mission, speak to the clients and see what they are going to do for them. It may give the Greens a nice warm glow in their stomachs to open their arms to people from overseas but why aren’t they opening their arms to their own people first? Charity begins at home.

GIVEN that “um” is Australia's favourite word, though the quirky “yes/no” is gaining popularity as the answer to almost any query, what has happened to dear old “awesome”? Sadly, it is being overtaken by “amazing”.