It was a calm and reasonably mild day.

About four kilometres from Rutherglen I ran into great plumes of smoke emanating from a grass fire on my right-hand side.

I don't know whether this was an approved or illegal burn off, however it was frightening to say the very least.

There were no fire trucks or the like around at the time. The smoke was intense and the flames were licking across the road. My wife and I were coughing as the car filled with smoke.

This could have resulted in serious negative consequences, as no driver could see other vehicles or the road, or any inch of the road for that matter.

This matter needs serious investigation immediately.

If the Coalition is smart they will do a ‘reset’ on the proposed Queensland Adani coal mine project.

I feel it will be a disastrous decision for the ailing Great Barrier Reef and so threaten over 60,000 tourism jobs in Queensland. And the economic indicators do not add up. It seems the Westpac Bank has recently come to this conclusion also. Neither does the outlook for jobs add up.

Instead of the thousands of jobs trumpeted by the project’s supporters, latest figures show it’s only around 1500 full-time Australian jobs.

The future in jobs is not in coal but in the renewable energy sector like solar and battery storage.

But what is of grave concern is the health of the underground aquifers.

Unbelievably, the Queensland Labor government has granted Adani unlimited access to groundwater for the next 60 years. This threatens The Great Artesian Basin itself. The use of such water will comprise farmers livelihoods and Australian food security. Pollution of water aquifers is, as all farmers in this region know, a nightmare scenario.

Then there is a total overriding of the rights of the local Aboriginal people and threats posed to endangered species of wildlife including koalas.

If the federal government gives the green light to this project, including the $1 billion handout of taxpayers’ money, it is surely going to unite environmental, farming, scientific, and indigenous groups in opposition all around the country.

This is not good news to any government with a one-seat majority.

Recently I arrived at the Albury base hospital emergency department and I was very sick. The doctors and nursing staff sprung into action and started the medical procedures required to stabilise my condition.

I had influenza as well as severe lung, chest and throat infections. Having lung disease did not make it any easier, and I was in a critical condition. But thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at the intensive care unit over eight nights, they had me out of danger and on the way to recovery.

I was then transferred to the general ward where the doctors and nurses continued to give me the care and attention that I required to get me back home.

I have been at the Albury base hospital on several occasions for major health problems. I have found each time team work, dedication and quick reaction to be able to set up drips and give me the drugs required to overcome my health problems.

I must also mention the x-ray department and the porters as they are all part of this team. I have nothing but praise for the hospital and its professionalism. If it wasn’t for these highly skilled doctors and nurses, I would not be here today.

Thank you Albury base for saving my life.