Letters
Letters to
the editor
Call to the Commonwealth
Thank you, Marcia Langton, for another clear demonstration of how far we have to go to end racism (“Who will die next?”, August 23-29). Indigenous deaths in custody (22 this year to date) and at the hands of the police are all too common. I find the news here and abroad terribly depressing, but we must not look away. We can change what’s happening here, so why have we not? Langton’s article and the coronial findings, as well as numerous previous reports, provide clear indicators of the problem and the solution. If the Northern Territory is so corrupt, why hasn’t the federal government intervened? Langton said the Commonwealth is providing 70 per cent of the NT Police Force’s budget. So let’s start with restrictions and conditions tied to that funding. Where are you, Malarndirri McCarthy?
– Marilyn Lebeter, Smiths Creek, NSW
Fluid lines
Richard Denniss highlights the fact that government spending and productivity are both higher in Scandinavian countries than in Australia (“Round table manners”, August 23-29). While this is true, he may have put the cart before the horse. Having worked for a Swedish multinational for 20 years as a medical scientist, traditionally high levels of productivity have been driven by technologically advantaged and R&D intensive industries, workforces that have a more fluid integration across academia, private and public sectors. Investment in education has permitted the provision of high levels of government services. I was equally surprised during a recent visit to Norway at the number and range of industrial establishments, many technologically based, on the outskirts of even small towns. Perhaps Australia needs to foster industries beyond commodity-based activities, cafes and tourism to replicate the Scandinavian model?
– Greg Pearce, Oatley, NSW
Ridiculous rules
I was both grateful for and horrified by the story of the cruelty in the GMC abattoir in Eurobin, Victoria (Katherine Wilson, “Scrubbing the kill floor”, August 23-29). This just highlights the need to monitor what is happening in these hellholes. Hats off to those who can place a light on the evil that occurs. However, as usual, the whistleblower is charged and not the perpetrators. I was amused but disgusted that under the legislations of both Victoria and NSW you could only video acts of animal cruelty “with the abuser’s consent”. This is ridiculous. No wonder many young people and others have become vegetarian.
– Marlene De-Abel, Urraween, Qld
Too close for comfort
Mike Seccombe (“ ‘Moving sideways’: Emissions stuck in Morrison era”, August 23-29) explores the difficulties of Australia meeting its current emissions reduction targets, let alone more ambitious ones. Renewables delivery is well behind schedule. A further problem is the necessary social licence, particularly with wind farms. Senate inquiries reporting in 2011 and 2015 received many accounts of serious symptoms of ill health that witnesses said occurred after wind turbines began operating close to their homes. Sleep disruption from noise and vibration is often reported. Landowners and farmers have been victimised by telling them “it’s all in your head” or accused of being climate change deniers. New technology such as quiet vortex wind generators may well revolutionise wind energy and curb its negative impacts. Meanwhile, the current horizontal blade turbines need to be placed many kilometres away from people to avoid further social resistance.
– Murray May, Canberra, ACT
Forwards backwards
Australia has a target to reduce annual greenhouse emissions to net zero by 2050. Too many people omit the word “annual” when they describe our emissions targets. Since 2005 the average person has caused the equivalent of 140 net tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. If emissions continue at current levels, that will rise to 200 tonnes by 2035, and to almost 350 tonnes by 2050. Since 2005 the average Australian has caused the equivalent of almost 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. If Australia meets its emissions targets, that will rise to 570 tonnes by 2035, and to 630 tonnes by 2050. Australia is a world leader in climate action, but not in the way our polluters and politicians want us to believe.
– Leon Arundell, Climate Action Canberra, ACT
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This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on August 30, 2025.
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