Credit: Badiucao
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FISH FARMING
Emeritus Professor Peter Singer’s opinion piece highlighting the realities of the Tasmanian salmon industry and its cruelty towards salmon (“What’s for dinner? Read this before eating Atlantic salmon”, 23/3) was both disturbing and eye-opening. The power lying in the hands of consumers is central to stopping the cycle of inhumane practices both in the salmon industry and more broadly at animal farms and factories.
Stephanie Ashworth, Pascoe Vale South
A depressing picture
Peter Singer’s sobering article raises the question of how we can feed the world’s population while farming ethically and sustainably. Salmon farming was touted as a way to control indiscriminate
net fishing, however, Singer paints a depressing picture of the environmentally disastrous and inhumane practices of this industry.
Similar examples have been exposed in the chicken, pig and cattle industries. The conundrum is that pasture-fed, organically raised animals need huge tracts of cleared land. What is needed is a comprehensive study as to how we can best feed our population while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and ensuring our forests are not sacrificed.
Graeme Lechte, Pascoe Vale
Industry winning over conservation
Does our prime minister want “Extinction Albo” to be his moniker and legacy? In 2022, the ALP vowed no extinctions on his watch, but now the Labor and Liberal parties wish to protect the polluting salmon industry in western Tasmania instead of the endangered, dinosaur-era Maugean skate. Skate numbers are down to possibly only 40 mature individuals, and its extinction is probable in as little as 10 years – earlier, if a storm hits its home in Macquarie Harbour.
Frighteningly, Anthony Albanese is likely to introduce to parliament on Tuesday legislation to weaken environmental laws, limiting conservation groups’ powers to challenge past decisions that have allowed developments to go ahead. This firmly places industry over conservation throughout Australia. I urge every MP to vote against this shameful bill.
Jill Weatherhead, Selby
Jobs excuse beggars belief
You really have to wonder about the ethics and competence of both the Tasmanian and federal governments for the way they have supposedly assessed the likely and now-known environmental impact of salmon farming in Tasmania.
It beggars belief that in a world facing global warming, any government would use the excuse of jobs to justify continued salmon farming when there are billions of trees that need to be planted. Plenty of jobs there that would have added to our productivity.
Rising sea temperatures will soon make salmon farming in Tasmanian waters impossible anyway. Bernadette George, Mildura
Are political leaders so desperate for votes?
It’s little wonder people are losing faith with our political system when both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton appear to be outdoing themselves in providing their support for Tasmania’s farmed salmon industry. Are they so desperate for votes they’re prepared to ignore or dismiss the widely documented serious risks the industry poses for public and marine health? It appears the government is so determined to support this industry, it’s prepared to weaken our already inadequate environment laws. This may support a few jobs in the short term, but it will almost certainly hasten the extinction of the ancient Maugean skate, as well as further degrade our ocean environment.
Anne Layton-Bennett, Swan Bay, Tas.
Better choices to eat than Atlantic salmon
Peter Singer brings to life the ugly story behind the Tasmanian salmon industry (“What’s for dinner. Read this before eating Atlantic salmon”, 23/3). He rightly says the problem will only be solved when people stop eating Atlantic salmon. What to eat instead? There are plenty of better choices. Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale
THE FORUM
Largesse needs analysis
Parnell Palme McGuinness writes with scorn on the federal government’s dishing out of cost-of-living relief (“It’s the era of pocket money politics”, 23/3). She says this is just money “churning” to firstly tax people and then give relief. I would have thought that this concept is just the government doing its job. What seems to be missing from her analysis is the fact that governments of either persuasion will give white-collar welfare and big subsidies and assistance to large firms. To my mind, this latter largesse also needs analysis.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Pension isn’t to pamper
Your correspondent says “pensioners pay the same prices for food, clothing and services
as pampered politicians” (Letters, 23/3).
This seems unlikely. People who earn higher incomes can afford to buy more expensive, often better quality products than those on the age pension.
The age pension is designed to help retired people achieve a modest standard of living. There is no realistic expectation pensioners will live a pampered life.
Rod Wise, Surrey Hills
Green space plan lacking
How inspiring to read the story of lieutenant-governor Charles La Trobe’s 1839 vision which brought us the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens (“An enchanted garden reminds us how civilisations are built on taxes”, 22/3). La Trobe saw the need for a place of relaxation and wonder, when Melbourne had only 3000 European settlers.
The centre of Box Hill, by 2030, will have seven new towers from 19 to 51 storeys, thereby adding accommodation for another 6000 workers and 3800 residents.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could enjoy a newly designed park of seven hectares at the nearby Box Hill Brickworks site, the last of Box Hill’s greenfield sites.
Yet, the Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s latest draft plan is to put houses on the Brickworks site. For green space, the plan offers thin strips of grass and trees located alongside main roads, shops and other buildings. A sort of skeleton park. Where is the vision to provide the new people with a land of enchantment, solace, and relaxation, with wide, green spaces, and the possibility of seeing butterflies?
Elaine Hopper, Blackburn
Hostility to rail projects
Back in 2008, we were optimistic. It looked like Infrastructure Australia might break the long-standing hostility to rail projects on the part of state and federal bureaucracies, and their obsession with motorways, despite none ever fulfilling their congestion-busting promises. Unfortunately, it has reverted to form.
We can agree the Suburban Rail Link business case lacks detail in its cost estimates (“Alarm raised over SRL costings”, 22/3). At the same time, we already have a better idea how much the tunnels are to cost, since the contracts for these have been let and total $5.3 billion out of the $35 billion budget, for 27 kilometres of tunnelling. The balance of the $35 billion is for stations, rolling stock and operating costs, but for the tunnel component that carries the most technical risk, costs appear to be under control.
If only Infrastructure Australia had had less “confidence” in the North East Link in 2018 when it ticked off a $16 billion budget cost that has now ballooned to
$26 billion. Apparently, big risky budgets are only acceptable when they’re for road projects.
Tony Morton, president of Public Transport Users Association
Hop on the buses
Given the dubious financial justification for the Suburban Rail Loop when it was announced, it is unsurprising that Infrastructure Australia has low confidence in the $35 billion current price tag for SRL East. Infrastructure Australia should now ask the state government for comparative economics of other ways to get Melburnians out of their cars – a network of frequent and efficient bus services, for example.
With the SRL not due for completion until 2053, a comprehensive trunk route and local bus network covering the vast outer suburban growth areas as well as the established urban area could be delivered much sooner and would serve the whole of greater Melbourne, not just the population along the SRL route.
Jim Holdsworth, San Remo
Shipwreck treasures
The article, “Searching for Shipwrecks” (23/3), outlines the provisions covering wrecks around the Australian coastline. The Historic Shipwrecks Act of 1981 was a most welcome step but the fact that it could not be policed has meant that it only appeals to the responsible. Unscrupulous divers may still help themselves.
Pleasingly, there were divers who saw their heritage responsibilities, handing up their booty to authorities who have created public displays such as at the Port Campbell visitor centre.
Much material doubtless remains in the private hands of divers or their descendants. Why not offer a six-month amnesty so that any shipwreck artefacts in private hands may be surrendered to take their rightful public places in Australia’s maritime heritage?
Alan McLean, Queenscliff
Human rights tragedy
My heart bleeds when I read almost daily headlines such as “Gaza’s only cancer hospital blown up” (23/3). It seems now that fundamental human rights, justice, morality, truth, loyalty and even humanity itself is negotiable.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
Dutton’s support just
Your correspondent (Letters 23/3) suggests we should vote against the Coalition because of Peter Dutton’s stated support for Israel, especially in light of the current fighting.
Hamas was refusing to release any more hostages and was preparing further attacks on Israeli soldiers and Israel itself, while rebuilding its military. It is adamant it won’t relinquish its control of Gaza. Yet, it is almost unanimously agreed that Hamas can have no future role in Gaza.
Under the circumstances, Israel had no real choice but to resume its efforts to expel Hamas.
Dutton should be commended for standing by our democratic partner in its war against terrorists despite political disadvantages in doing so.
Danny Samuels, Malvern
Thanks for spelling it out
Tony Armstrong’s fictional app, Furore, (“Can you spell racism? If not, Tony can help”, 23/3) that will allow ignorant racist online posts to be at least grammatically correct is wonderful. But I’m not sure the target audience of knuckle-dragging racists will get the joke.
All I can say to Armstrong is: “Keep up tha grate werk at exxpozzing razism.” You are a wonderful Australian and a proud Gamilaroi man.
Geoff Wenham, Malvern East
Fears unjustified
The fears of your correspondent that increased numbers of independents will cripple through compromise (Letters, 23/3) are unjustified. Australia’s democracy is unlike that of Italy – or Japan or Israel – which have multiple, small, fragmented parties across extremes.
Compulsory voting and our preferential system has protected the two-party system we’ve endured – with very few exceptions – since Federation.
But growing discontent with politicians putting party allegiance ahead of the interests of their constituents has resulted in a welcome change.
Community independents in the 47th parliament have amply demonstrated their ability to work for the national interest – by persuading the government to improve climate objectives, finally introduce an integrity commission, enable women to increase their participation in the workforce, lower the cost of medications, make taxation fairer and reduce HECS.
Yes, a balanced 48th parliament will involve compromise – but it will be liberating, forward-thinking and evidence-based, rather than crippling. It is high time the broken, adversarial two-party system is replaced by common sense and negotiation for optimum outcomes.
Caroline Leslie, Hawthorn
We don’t take it back
Your correspondent (Letters, 23/3), albeit somewhat tongue-in-cheek, praises France for developing nuclear weapons using the South Pacific as a testing ground, and finishes with “we take it all back”.
Well, no “we” don’t take it back. Not all of us.
It was the invasion of New Zealand’s sovereignty and the killing in the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior that was beyond forgiveness.
The testing itself was moot because bomb design had moved on by then, largely obviating such damaging series testing. I remember the United States offering to allow France to use America’s secret weapon design software if France gave up testing.
Excluding possibly Israel, that then was a public first for the US. But France had to do it their way.
And (tongue-in-cheek), look what they said about our ScoMo.
Graeme Thornton, Yallambie
Congratulations, team
Congratulations to Nick McKenzie and other members of The Age team for their well-deserved success at the Quill Awards (“McKenzie leads The Age to a record haul of Quill awards for journalism”, 22/3).
Without the breathtaking courage, persistence and skill they draw on to shine a high beam in dark places, there’s much we wouldn’t know.
Long may their work continue in this increasingly fraught world.
Jane Ross, San Remo
Plenty of material
If Nick McKenzie wants to cover and deservedly win accolades reporting on extortion, corruption, bribery, fear and intimidation, robbing the public purse, compromising the justice system and government, The Age should appoint him the White House correspondent.
It’s all happening there, openly. Talk about government transparency.
Patrick Alilovic, Pascoe Vale South
AND ANOTHER THING ...
Clive Palmer in “A Trumpet Of Patriots”: Is that part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival or is it part of the coming April Fool’s Day?
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
Let Clive Palmer continue with his harmless hobby. It employs many people and causes minuscule national damage.
Ian Powell, Glen Waverley
Politics
If Anthony Albanese had called the election two years ago, it would have bought to light the Coalition’s policies rather than leaving everyone in the dark.
Francis Bainbridge, Fitzroy North
Why is it that the government seems more concerned with young people getting “on the property ladder” than they are with putting a secure roof over their heads?
Kristen Hurley, Seaholme
Commonwealth
Buckingham Palace is in his sights (“US joining the Commonwealth ‘sounds good’ to Trump”, 23/3): Donald Trump, the master of the shady deal, is after King Charles’ throne.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North
You have to wonder what benefit Donald Trump would envisage if the United States joined the Commonwealth. Ah yes, common wealth ... a deal! Perhaps a few remote islands to spare?
Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor
Surely, even the suggestion of Donald Trump and the United States joining King Charles’ Commonwealth of Nations is a good reason for Australia to become a republic?
Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy
Furthermore
Something is wrong if we can ship our gas overseas from Queensland but not to the southern states (“Imported gas may be only option to plug east-coast supply shortages”, 22/3). Look after local needs first. Fuel and food security is a no-brainer.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North
Finally
Jacinta Allan has definitely dug a big hole for herself (“Alarm raised over SRL costings”, 22/3).
Ivan Glynn, Vermont
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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.