Theft leaves towns dry
I was interested to read the report on the protest by the many small family-run irrigators on Tuesday.
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There was no mention of the newly constructed pipeline taking water off the Murray River to supply the City of Broken Hill.
The theft of water from the Darling River by corporate cotton farms in the northern Murray Darling Basin has left that city and many other towns dry, while the impact on the riverine environment has been the well-documented fish kills.
With the added concern of a rapidly changing climate causing increased temperatures and evaporation on the large and shallow Lake Hume, coupled with lower rainfall and changing rainfall patterns, all of us in the southern Basin have every reason to be concerned.
Christina Sobey, Albury
IN OTHER NEWS:
Speak up about credits
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics has released the report of its inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits as proposed by Labor.
After a detailed inquiry involving data provided by the Parliamentary Budget Office, 1777 submissions, 19 public hearings and seven months of deliberation, the report makes two clear recommendations.
It is against the removal of refundable franking credits and it recommends that "any policy that could reduce Australian retirees' income by up to a third should only be considered as part of an equitable package of wholesale tax reform".
Its view is that "abolishing refundable franking credits will unfairly hit people on modest incomes who have already retired and who are unlikely to be able to return to the workforce to make up the income they will lose".
We know that the Coalition is against Labor's proposal but it is also important that the independent candidates in Indi and Farrer announce their views on the subject.
Len Shefford, Thurgoona
Too many election signs
The vacant lot opposite the Wodonga water tower is an eyesore.
You know there's an election on when you can't walk, ride or drive no more than a few hundred metres without seeing a corflute sign.
I don't really mind or care, after all, a candidate needs to get their profile out in the public arena, but you would be forgiven for thinking that the circus is in town.
It's as if the election would be decided on who marked the most territory.
The worst offender? The Voices for Indi candidate, Helen Haines with no less than 24 large corflute signs fixed to the chainlink fence.
If that wasn't enough, someone has erected a temporary fence with no real purpose in order to place more signs for the independent candidate.
Is the candidate desperate?
What does this prove apart from how much she has to spend, because at approximately $25 per sign, it makes you wonder where an "independent" nurse gets the thousands of dollars required to mark her territory.
Damien Batty, Wodonga
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