Firefighters without early warning tech are no match for the bush firestorms we face

I write to express appreciation for the timely article (“Eyes in the sky help douse fires before they spread”, 28/12) by Tony Grey.

The various bushfire inquiries and royal commissions last year, following the disastrous fires of recent times, highlighted in submissions and findings that more technology had to be organised and deployed for future bushfire suppression. Grey reminds us that a key way to better combat bushfires is “to detect them in the early stages before they take hold”.

Logically this early detection approach would be greatly enhanced by the use of satellites in conjunction with GPS technology. A more sophisticated national bushfire response strategy also would be well served by the creation of our own sovereign, dedicated aerial firefighting fleet.

The bravery and dedication of our firefighters on the ground are well recognised. Yet it has become increasingly understood that once bushfires become large, fast-moving firestorms, this effort alone can no longer be the key firefighting response.

Brian Boyd, Carlton, Vic

Politicians complaining of the rise of so-called independent candidates have only themselves to blame. When the electorate is presented with Labor Party factional hacks, small-L liberals and cannabis-supporting Greens, an informal vote or leaving the ballot blank option is appealing. But the vast majority of Australians, being law-abiding and compelled to vote, will do anything rather than fail to cast a valid vote. Hence the temptation to vote for an independent.

If there were such as a thing as Political Democracy 101, it would surely explain why compulsory voting encourages the proliferation of independent candidates. Unfortunately, most politicians would fail the course. They think a gamble on coercion makes it easier to get core supporters’ votes. But, as every farmer knows, using a cattle prod will often produce a smelly result.

Michael Doyle, Ashburton, Vic

Never before have Australians found themselves trapped by laws made by their so-called representatives with no way to change or repeal them. Under lockdowns, protests were banned, social media censored and state parliaments stopped sitting. Australians were left powerless.

What we have learnt from the pandemic is the deeply dysfunctional state of our federation and the capacity to create fear. We should incorporate direct democracy into our system. This was first introduced in Switzerland in 1874, followed elsewhere in the world, including by 28 American states. It was part of the Labor platform until 1963.

Direct democracy would allow a prescribed number of voters to require a government to call on its citizens for a vote on whether a particular law should be introduced, retained or repealed. The vote would be in respect of a particular law and could be held at any time a party is in office. For example, a vote could be held on the opening of state borders.

Robin Speed, Sydney

The problem for me is that the whole thing (“Games benefit or waste?”, 23/12) is an infrastructure play, a cynical grab for federal money to fund upgraded roads, rail and sports facilities.

We can’t afford those things through general revenue and expenditure, so we are creating a new pot of money to draw it from, as has been done with Covid. Whether it can be paid back from the revenue generated from the Games remains to be seen.

The wonderful sports and sportspeople of the Olympics have barely been mentioned. Our Premier wouldn’t know her Glynis Nunn from her Wally Lewis. And that is the problem. It isn’t about sport. It’s about politics, like everything else in the world right now.

Andrew Pitcher, Brisbane

Judith Sloan (“After two years of lessons, swot up for post-Covid test”, 27/12) inexplicably singles out the “privileged WFH public servant” as the “prism” through which lockdowns and other restrictions were viewed, with far too little recognition given to other costs. This statement is not an accurate or complete picture.

As the Productivity Commission found in its 2021 research paper Working from Home, the number of private businesses reporting employees working remotely doubled to 42 per cent during the pandemic. One-third of large employers and more than a quarter of small businesses reported their employees were working remotely. Many large firms have made all roles flexible, including Telstra, West­pac and ANZ, and consult­ing firms such as Price­waterhouse­Coopers.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency estimated last year that about 76 per cent of private sector employers had a flexible working arrangements policy or strategy in place.

Brett Thomson, Hurlstone Park, NSW