Climate urgency
It was shocking to hear the death of hundreds of flying foxes at Casino recently, but to then hear the estimated number to be around 5000 was truly alarming, as well as sad due to the young and orphaned as a result of losing their mothers.
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Looking at the temperatures today, Sunday, Bega's highest reached 28 degrees at 10.12am, and as most Australians would be experiencing, these “unusual” readings are becoming the norm...hotter/colder over longer periods.
And I gather most of your readers would be aware, the most important issue in the world, climate change, was finally tabled at the G20 summit, due to the distinguished leaders of the participating nations wanting decisive action now.
Barack Obama commands a standing ovation, not because he is charismatic, intelligent or the president of a powerful nation, but because he saying what we the people of the world want to hear.
Whereas our small-minded Prime Minister is not only an embarrassment, but Tony Abbott is bringing this fair nation of ours into disrepute.
Even mining company Rio Tinto is tactfully suggesting that a mechanism to reduce C02 emissions is the “way forward” for business certainty and competitiveness, thereby boosting the economy.
It verges on criminality that our so-called leader is putting our lives, along with the flora and fauna that support our existence, in danger.
Who gave this man permission to endanger not only our lives, but everyone else on the planet and why the hell are we paying him?
It makes my blood boil more so when I hear party members defending this immoral man's behaviour.
For a start, Julie Bishop, you and he are not protecting the Great Barrier Reef - it is dying and needs urgent medical attention!
Dare I say more?
Dona Eaton
Lochiel
Eden submarine base
It’s taken the pathetic sabre-rattling of rootin’ tootin’ shootin’
Vladimir Putin to highlight the blindingly obvious location of Australia’s long-overdue east coast submarine base - our own fantastic natural harbour at Eden.
Australia was unable to send one of our subs to monitor Putin’s geriatric naval flotilla in the Coral Sea during the G20 meeting, because we have no east coast sub base.
At that time, it’s reported Australia had only three of its Collins class subs operational.
Two were on work-up trials off WA, one was in transit from Albany to Hobart – and the other three were in dock for repairs (situation normal).
While two of our frigates, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Stuart, did closely monitor the four Russian warships, as did the US Navy – we would have sent an Aussie sub from an Australia east coast sub base as well – if we had one.
That would have allowed us to know if “Admiral Putin’s” flotilla was accompanied by a suspected Russian nuclear sub, or not.
And given us more info about the capability and procedures of the four Russian surface ships in Vladimir Putin’s silly show of force against Australia.
While the Russian ships were old, dating back to 1986, and one of them was, reportedly, a type of ocean tug in case one of the other three broke down far from home, they were still a menace and constitute an east coast wake-up call for Australia.
Eden already has the Navy wharf and the Navy ammunition facility, maybe some of the most significant east coast naval infrastructures outside of Sydney.
That is a sound foundation on which to build Australia’s east coast submarine base as the new centre of engineering, training and naval recruitment.
Jon Gaul
Tura Beach
Coalition cringe
The Abbott government's performance is not just disappointing.
Its dishonesty, opportunism and incompetence is becoming embarrassing.
Why should the Coalition continue?
Surely, the National Party must see that the country would be served by ending its full support for the Abbott government?
Klaas Woldring
Pearl Beach
Driver safety
Over the next couple of months we will see school leavers participating in Schoolies Week and university students enjoying holidays, meaning there will be many young and inexperienced drivers on our roads.
It is crucial that at this busy time of year we all drive with extra caution, but parents and other family members can also help to make sure their teenager is fully aware of the dangers on our roads.
In fact, Slater and Gordon conducted independent research this year that showed 71 per cent of people in NSW had had a serious conversation about driving safety with a learner or probationary driver.
On top of the list of topics that respondents said they discussed were drink and drugged driving and using a mobile phone.
They also spoke about the dangers of speeding or hooning, getting in a car with a drunk or drugged driver and how they could plan alternative ways to get home.
This is pleasing to see and important discussions to have had.
Sadly, too many families are devastated by car accidents, so if there are families with new drivers, don’t be afraid to have the serious road safety conversation before they get behind the wheel.
Genevieve Henderson
Slater and Gordon Lawyers