Letters
Letters to
the editor
Minns off target
Why New South Wales Premier Chris Minns would consider loosening gun laws, with all the evidence of gun harm in the United States and our own gun massacre so painfully described here is a mystery (Martin McKenzie-Murray, “‘Don’t touch it’: Port Arthur veterans on gun law amendments”, September 6-12). But perhaps not such a mystery when you consider this is the premier donating $16 million in taxpayer money to bring the violently macho UFC to Sydney. This is also a premier seemingly unprepared to clamp down on toxic gambling. Minns should be careful about antagonising the majority who do not want guns normalised in Australia. The fact is recreational hunting to cull invasive species doesn’t work. Hunters with high-powered guns and “suppressors”, unlike hunters from “millennia” past, just really like killing things.
– Alison Stewart, Riverview, NSW
Cruel intentions
Martin McKenzie-Murray quotes the Invasive Species Council: “other hunters are primarily interested in expanding and sustaining hunting opportunities…” Working with State Forests around Tumut in the early ’90s, I was shown photos of a feral sow that had had its ears removed. This had been done by pig hunters to ensure the sow could keep breeding, as without ears their dogs would not be able to bring her down. These are the sort of people Robert Borsak’s bill would encourage.
– Dominic Staun, Campbell, ACT
Stakeholders valued
It is not difficult to read between the lines of Karen Barlow’s article (“Exclusive: Watt on his overhaul of environmental protections”, September 6-12). Phrases appearing in quotes from the minister such as “broadest possible coalition of stakeholders”, “establishing trust with a broad range of stakeholders”, “benefit of passing these reforms with the Coalition”, along with frequent visits to Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, a captive of fossil fuel interests, point to business as usual. When all the evidence documenting the environmental catastrophe unfolding is considered, leadership is required, not a weak, “stakeholder” outcome. Reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is long overdue. Will the result be a win for the environment on which our survival as a species depends, or an ignominious capitulation to vested interests?
– Graeme McLeay, Torrens Park, SA
The time is now
Thom Woodroofe and John Grimes are right (“The moment for climate leadership”, September 6-12). The possibility of hosting COP31 gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead real action to slow climate change. But Karen Barlow’s incisive analysis of Murray Watt’s approach to reforming environmental law in the same edition is a depressing reality check. All the signs indicate Watt will propose legislation so weak that even the Coalition will support it. It is surely time for the recently elected backbenchers to stand up and remind their leaders of the cold, hard truth: failing to deliver a serious response to climate change will make them the largest group of one-term members in Australian political history.
– Ian Lowe, Marcoola, Qld
Home truths
Michael Winkler correctly stated the protest marches over immigration were used by a minority, those aligned with Nazism, to suit their racist agenda (“‘I agree with the boys in black’ ”, September 6-12). The majority were ordinary people who have resorted to protesting as politicians are seemingly incapable of tackling a primary cause of unaffordable housing. There are many forces at play in determining housing prices; however, to deny the impact of demand exceeding supply through high immigration is nonsense.
– Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove, Vic
Labor’s lost love
Your editorial “Petty thieves” (September 6-12) points to the federal government’s failure to correct existing wrongs. I suspect the answer involves the Albanese government being yet another conservative government, unrecognisable as typically Labor. While Albanese is an ascendant presence in parliament, promoting reform is a lost art, and indeed a wasting of the faith the electorate has afforded Labor. I fear their expectations will suffer the ill will of neglect, lack of purpose and laziness; none of which are normal Labor traits.
– Rod Milliken, Greenwell Point, NSW
A fine finish
Martin McKenzie-Murray’s stunningly brilliant analysis of Norman Mailer (“Still packing a punch”, September 6-12) and Liam Runnalls’ The Cryptic (same issue) rescues an otherwise depressing litany of atrocities, hatred, corruption and failures.
– Simon Tatz, Newport, Vic
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This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on September 13, 2025.
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