Letters: Adani protest convoy faces hostile welcome

Today readers have their say on the Adani protest convoy, the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and whether Prince Harry should have been considered as a governor-general of Australia.

The Adani protest convoy arrives in Brisbane. AAP Image/Richard Waugh

YOUR Editorial “Let’s keep Adani protests peaceful” (C-M, Apr 22) was correct.

It will be interesting to see how the convoy of anti-Adani protesters are met in Clermont.

No doubt there will be locals who are desperate for work in the mining sector, so things could sadly get ugly between them and the protesters.

The hypocrisy that a majority of these protesters will be travelling in gas-guzzling, pollution-spewing vehicles seems lost in the irony to these seemingly professional protesters.

Yes, they have the right to protest, but that most of them will never be anywhere near the Adani project if it goes ahead, and that most of them come from inner-city suburbs in the southern states, strikes at the absurdity of their actions.

Residents in towns such as Clermont, Moranbah and others are desperate for the benefits that come from the mining sector.

Protesters can bang their drums and hold their slogans high, but their message is lost in the reality that central Queensland needs this Adani project to go ahead.

Paul Henderson, Wynnum

YOUR Editorial appears to be wishful thinking.

Current trends reveal more militant extremism in the far left’s protests.

Why? Because they believe a “climate change emergency” justifies bad manners, violence and other extremist activity.

Many of the anti-Adani activists are bussed in from the “People’s Socialist Republic of Victoria”.

These seasoned protesters have voiced their disdain of Queenslanders, who they view as backward-thinking rednecks in need of re-education.

Unfortunately, some Australian universities (particularly in the southern states) and some of their socialist lecturers appear to encourage their students with an alternate agenda aimed at up-ending Australia’s stable system of democracy in favour of a more radical world view.

While an anti-capitalist attitude on campus exists, more reasonable Australians should expect protests to become more disruptive, not less.

Garry Callaghan, Collingwood Park

WHILE the anti-Adani protesters are in Clermont, we should turn off the power to the showgrounds where they are camped.

After all, their conscience wouldn’t allow them to contribute to emissions created by coal-fired power, would it?

Let them enjoy their time in Clermont in the dark because, if they have their way, that’s what we will all be experiencing in years to come.

How dare they travel up here from down south at our expense to try to kill off jobs and then have the temerity to use power created from the power plants they want to close down. Hypocrites the lot of them.

Des Deighton, Blackall

I DON’T support the anti-Adani protests either, but I strongly defend the right of Australians to protest peacefully on any issue they see fit.

No one can dispute Bob Brown’s proud record of selecting issues that matter, and if anyone can keep this protest peaceful and on track it’s him.

Steve Ryan, Beaudesert

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A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard outside a church in Colombo. Photo by Jewel Samad / AFP

TERRORISTS MUST NOT BE SHOWN MERCY

WHILE I can accept your Editorial (C-M, Apr 23) as well-intentioned and balanced in its call for “peace, love, and understanding”, coupled with a “cool-headed” pursuit of justice, in the wake of the slaughter in Sri Lanka, I much prefer the response of the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

While calling for calm, he has called for the “merciless” punishment of the “animals” who have visited this outrage on innocent citizens.

This is an encouraging sign.

Perhaps Christian prelates may be at last engaging with the real world.

As the claim of modern terrorists to membership of the human race grows ever more tenuous, the policy of “turning the other cheek” becomes suicidal.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg

WHAT is the world coming to?

People are beginning to fear anyone wearing a backpack at a rally, church service or public event, while a parked truck is eyed suspiciously if left unoccupied in a crowded environment.

We can’t blame people for their fears and how they express them, especially when innocent men, women and children are slaughtered indiscriminately.

Terrorists have a reason for their hatred, and we have a reason for our hatred of them, but a peaceful resolution is always impossible.

Peter Corran, Wakerley

I HAVE made an educated decision to not believe in any religious philosophy, but cannot understand why we have so much conflict over it.

As I understand it, religion is supposed to help ease people’s suffering and be soothing.

For killings to occur because someone thinks their belief has been slighted by somebody else’s belief is ridiculous.

And to commit these atrocities in a place of worship is barbaric.

Perhaps we need the UN to outlaw religion?

Les Morisset, Labrador

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Prince Harry was being considered considered as a governor-general of Australia, Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

ROYAL BLUE

IT IS no surprise that former state attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie would welcome Prince Harry as Australia’s Governor General (C-M, Apr 22).

It is also not surprising that Buckingham Palace dismissed the idea as the royal family, from the Queen down, appears to have a better grasp on sentiment in Australia than many of our politicians.

Appointing any member of the royal family as governor-general – no matter how qualified they may be – would be a step backwards and would be a message that we lack confidence in having one of our own for that position.

It would send our nation back to the 1930s when the first Australian was appointed to the post.

Vestiges of our colonial past and aristocracy are alien to modern Australia and its future.

Bleijie named our new Supreme Court complex after Queen Elizabeth II.

He, no doubt, barracked when prime minister Tony Abbott announced a knighthood for the Duke of Edinburgh.

Bleijie should satisfy himself with a portrait of the Queen and his pledge of allegiance to her.

He should also acknowledge that under an Australian republic, he and all other Australians would still welcome members of the British royal family to our shores, as happens in the majority of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations that are republics.

David Muir, chairman, Real Republic Australia, Indooroopilly

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