Football in a suit
For Barnaby Joyce, "Politics is a lot like 'football in a suit'" (NDL, 27/10). The trouble is, Joyce makes up his own rules and is not a team player. He wants too much of the ball and expects too many free kicks. He complains about the cost of the registration fees yet threatens to blow the salary cap. In the forthcoming grand final, he may find the selectors don't pick him.
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Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic
Net zero all the way
It is amazing what a nearing climate change conference, and a coming Federal election, can bring about.
After years of ignoring climate change and related scientific opinion, our Federal Coalition Government, having been for some considerable time aware of both a coming climate conference to be held in Glasgow in November this year, and also a Federal election to be held next year, have rushed through a plan concerning reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.
The plan, announced by our Prime Minister only days before the start of the climate conference, shows obvious signs of being rushed in its preparation. The 2050 plan made it possible for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to have available some evidence of having taken action on climate change that he can then take to the climate conference, and , of course, to be ready for the Federal election next year.
The net zero greenhouse gases emissions plan contains minimal signs of new policy initiatives. It includes, in the main, a rehash of previous Federal Government climate related policies that have, to date, led to little action being taken to counter climate change.
Our Prime Minister has made it clear that the 2050 plan will not be subject to legislation. Many people will find this to be disappointing but after giving this matter some thought I have come to the conclusion that it is perhaps a blessing in disguise because it may make it easier for future governments, it is 29 years to 2050, to amend and improve the plan to give it a better chance of reaching its 2050 objectives.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank, SA
Tamworth Hcp
I don't know if the Tamworth Handicap is a local horse race or our local political status.
While Kevin Anderson laps up the media at the races, I was unable to go and have a beer and watch the races.
Kevin's Liberal masters desire to declare freedom day for their all important Sydney voters meant that I could not enjoy freedoms I had the week before.
Kevin, did you ever think to tell or argue our case with Dom that freedom for your Sydney electorate meant we became pariahs again in the bush, or did you just sit there and nod while working out your bets for the races.
Never have you asked locals to have their say on privatising the electricity sector, the amalgamation of councils, the destruction of the greyhound industry or giving nurses a pay rise, but here you are sending out a survey for V.A.D. Bill.
I smell a rat, a large Liberal/National rat. This piece of legislation is not a simple Yes or No vote, it requires a serious digestion of all parts, mainly because it has been drafted by politicians.
I think the question has already been answered and by doing a survey, any blame can be pushed onto the people.
Loyalty from National party politicians is on show at the moment with Gladys copping backhands from perceived friends. We see grandstanding state and federal Nationals lapping up attention.
Time for rural Australia to be in the hands of anyone bar this self serving bunch.
Bob Snell, Tamworth
Water Woes
In response to NDL Article(25/10/21) and Russell Webb
An $80 million bill and no dam is only the beginning of water rate issues for ratepayers and other users. If the dam goes ahead with projections on only 7GL water inflow per year(for a 22.5 GL dam)and possible doubling in costs it will be even more of an impost. Water NSW has a "user pays" policy which applies to the State Government contribution. We have already had an increase this year from $181 per ML to $242 per ML for raw water from the State Government owned Chaffey Dam.
Our current council owned Dungowan Dam of 6.36 GL just under the projected average annual inflow needs an upgrade. This would be far less a burden on water users than a new dam which may also be State Government owned. Water from Dungowan is currently $5-$7 per ML.
The current increase would be for Chaffey Dam enlargement finished in 2016 and the emergency pipeline built between Chaffey and Dungowan when it looked Tamworth would run out of water.
Lyn Allen, Tamworth
