The arsonists should have to have a face to face meeting with everyone affected. They should have to see first-hand what it's like on the front line in a fire storm. Terrifying - the hot wind and blackening smoke blocking out the sun. Also, what is the motivation for these arsonists? I don't understand.

Drop the scum in the middle of a fire and let them find their own way out. Magistrates are too soft, keep falling for the sob stories. There's no excuse for arson.

We would like to thank the firefighters and police for the wonderful job they did on Wednesday saving our homes in Kurri Kurri. We can't thank them enough.

Well done to the firies. You all deserve a medal for the work you do.

To my understanding, a type two diabetic not on insulin therapy will test twice a day, sometimes less. A pack of strips contains 200. So that's a pack every 100 or so days. This is unlike type ones. I'm on my 16th test today and am still struggling to get it under control.

Honestly, type ones have so many more costs. More insulin, more needles, more strips. If you decide on pump therapy it's a $10,000 shell-out or at least $70 a fortnight in health insurance, without adding the prices of consultations with endocrinologists and diabetes educators every four or so months. 

Type twos just don't have it that bad. Sorry, guys, it's the truth. 

It amazes me that so many people are up in arms.

 I am a type one diabetic and have been for more than 32 years. I would be dead if I were not able to test my blood sugar level every hour or so because I do not have hypo awareness. 

However I do feel that by not subsidising type two there are going to be many health problems as a result: leg amputations, skin ulcers and many unnecessary hospital admissions. 

I am type two and on a care plan with my GP, as I have been for more than seven years.

My GP has always insisted that I test before and after each meal.

This adds up to a minimum of six times each day. So, my test strips are needed.

This will result in more people ending up in hospital, clogging up emergency departments because they cannot afford to manage their diabetes.

While type two can be heavily influenced by lifestyle, there are lots of people with chronic illness and disability who have diabetes on top of other conditions.

A lot of these people are on pensions so this effectively is making them pay more is reducing their ability to live.

Taxing the poor even more. 

Just means we'll have to make yet another appointment with our GP when we need test strips. 

Let's save a few dollars at the chemist by having Medicare billed for an extra consultation.