Crops, jobs at stake
It’s heartening to read recent articles about the rural prosperity of our nation and the way agriculture is driving growth in many regional towns and communities.
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However, it should be recognised that there is a two-speed economy developing in our agricultural regions, as many once prosperous areas are struggling under the burden of ill-conceived and poorly implemented water policy.
This has been highlighted by various reports, including the 2016 Murray Darling Basin Authority northern review and the Goulburn-Murray region (Vic.) report, released in October, which predicted job losses of up to 2000 in that region alone under the basin plan.
We presently have a unique opportunity to transition Australia from the mining boom to the dining boom, but we will only reach our economic potential if Prime Minister Turnbull and his colleagues show the necessary political courage to support adjustments to the basin plan that will ensure it cares for the environment, as well as basin communities.
So far Mr Turnbull has lacked understanding of the plan’s impacts on jobs and the economy, as well as compassion for Australians who are unnecessary collateral damage from a plan that is not delivering the triple bottom line goals of achieving environmental, social and economic outcomes.
I appreciate this is a complex area, and there are generally many issues considered more important that the PM and others have to focus on.
But if Mr Turnbull and others would take the time to visit the Murray region of NSW they would see that delivering proposed flows under the basin plan is simply not possible without flooding private land and therefore destroying crops, jobs and prosperity, as well as killing native fish and animals.
If we are to be a smart and innovative nation, we must get a few of the basics right, including water policy. With a smarter and more innovative approach we will be able to achieve environmental outcomes without sacrificing rural jobs and livelihoods.
The question is: do we have the political courage and willpower?
Shelley Scoullar, Deniliquin
Stop the sniping
So this is what we can expect from Albury’s new deputy mayor, Ms Cohn; partisan and ill-informed criticism of the local federal MP with whom the council has to work cooperatively on a regular basis.
Ms Cohn’s confected outrage over Mr Ley’s air travel betrays either a complete misunderstanding of the responsibilities and duties of federal Cabinet ministers or a desire to continue waging the July 2016 election campaign in Farrer where she was comprehensively trounced by Ms Ley. Sour grapes come to mind.
Federal ministers have horrendous daily schedules. It is frequently not possible to meet all commitments by relying on regular air flight schedules. It was right and proper for Ms Ley, as Health Minister, to attend the Pharmacy Guild Conference in Brisbane. Had she not, no doubt Ms Cohn would condemn her for ignoring one of the major components of her portfolio.
As an Albury ratepayer, I expect my council representatives to manage the city’s affairs efficiently and effectively. That does not include engaging in petty sniping.
Bill Baxter, Rutherglen
No Trump here, thanks
I would like to make comment on Mr Turnbull's wish for Australia to become a republic.
Does he really want this to happen? Has he thought this through?
The Queen is only what is known as a “titular head”, which means she has no influence over our policies or laws. Do we want to be so much like America and end up with a Trump as our leader?
Please God this will not happen.