The words: "We will decide who come to this country.." uttered by John Howrd then Liberal PM, in August 2901, launched Australia on a new trajectory that continues to this day.
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The influx of persecuted and desperate people from war torn countries had become a political doorbell that inspired fear, and worse, in many Australians.
We now have the quasi-military "Border Force" keeping us safe but, as with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, are Australians more or less safe now than in 2001?
Failure to act on the climate sends the message to our our neighbours in the Pacific and the likes of Bangladesh that we are unconcerned about the increasing risk to them posed by rising sea levels.
The above attitude drives our friends into the arms of China as well, creating the risk that some of the millions of those that will be displaced by the rising sea will seek to find safety here travelling on leaky boats.
You do not need to take my word for the above but a succession of people, including Rear Admiral Barry Ret'd.
Bob Philipson, Goulburn
Jerrara Waste Plant defeat
Heartfelt thanks to all the hard working residents of Bungonia and surrounding districts and the Goulburn-Mulwaree Council for preventing a polluting industry (incineration of Sydney's waste) from destroying a pristine environment.
You're the best!
John Egan, Goulburn
How this proposed facility could ever be construed mainly as an electricity generator as its main classification is beyond comprehension. Perhaps ICAC can be invited to assess the process of classification? This is a rock worth looking under. As for Jerrrara Polluting Company's comment it just "handed the report over", silence can be as misleading, if not more as a bald-faced deception.
Dave White, Windellama
Veolia Tarago concerns
As a local resident for over 20 years I see the current local road usage of as a real concern to road users due to the proposal. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed due to the ever increasing amount of trucks that deliver waste to this facility. I can only hope it's not one of my friends or family as we have already had some close calls involving trucks using the Veolia site. This was amplified as thousands of trucks delivered waste fill during the construction of Canberra Light Rail to the site. I highly doubt the roads leading to the facility have been designed to cope with the ever increasing amount of trucks delivering waste from Canberra, Goulburn and surrounding areas, as both the main roads leading to Canberra and Goulburn to Tarago are falling apart and still expected to carry the incoming waste each week. I feel all the waste should be delivered by the railway network as originally designed. If not the road infrastructure will require a major upgrade to as part of this proposal.
David Elward, Tarago
New animal welfare laws
I'm happy to see the new welfare laws come into being. Too often animals are neglected. The farmers who already do the right thing by their animals don't need to be concerned. It would be good to have a support line for those farmers struggling that can offer aid to those who are adversely affected through no fault of their own to support them when times get tough. The welfare reforms themselves are a good thing.
