It is disappointing that the role hard-working Australian food producers play in feeding our nation and others throughout the world continues to be hindered by those seeking political gain.
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In the past week we have had full-page newspaper advertisements from the union-funded GetUp organisation that denigrate food producers as it tries to score a political "head" in the form of Water Minister Barnaby Joyce.
It is unfortunate, and to the detriment of our nation, that these environmental lobby groups ignore the full facts in their quest for ideological goals.
They will not acknowledge our food producers are among the most efficient and environmentally responsible in the world, and have been forced to make significant financial and productive sacrifices to ensure water is available for environmental flows.
It is also a bitter pill to swallow when we read GetUp advertisements attacking our food producers that are authorised from an office in Pitt Street, Sydney — arguably the most environmentally damaged area in Australia.
Imagine the uproar if regional Australia demanded the city of Sydney be demolished and the land returned to its original "natural" state? That may sound ludicrous, but it is precisely what city-based environmentalists are demanding, despite having virtually no idea of the food-producing environments they claim need "protection".
What we need across the Murray-Darling Basin and other agricultural areas of Australia is common-sense policy that encourages food production (we all need food!) in collaboration with environmental protection.
Vicki Meyer, Deniliquin, NSW
Pearson an inspiration
In amongst the current civil and social turmoil regarding vexed issues such as same-sex marriage, MPs with dual citizenship and the threat of international nuclear war, good news stories are such a welcome and cathartic communal reprieve.
For that reason, we surely need to give a national acclamation and affirmation to Sally Pearson for her remarkable hurdles win at the recent IAAF World Athletics Championships in London.
Where, today, there is not lacking a multitude of citizens lining up to plead victimhood for every personal ill and setback they face, Pearson's astounding success demonstrates the natural consequence of sheer doggedness and determination.
Indeed, she both personifies and puts flesh on the wonderful insight made by former US president Calvin Coolidge: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic
Growing problem
The report on the search for replacement trees for Northbourne Avenue ('Northbourne trees a long time in germination', CT, August 15, p2) did not inspire confidence.
The original median strip trees were not Eucalyptus rossii as reported, but mostly Blakely's red gum E. blakelyi, which is locally prone to dieback.
These were replaced by river peppermints E. elata, also unsuitable for the location and recently removed. E. rossii is a local species, but not commonly used in landscaping in Canberra.
If the consultants really offered to send committee members to Barangaroo to view planted brittle gums E. mannifera (misspelled in the report), they must have had no local knowledge. E. mannifera is very commonly planted in Canberra, with some older specimens lining Mugga Way.
Ironically, the mature trees in the photograph accompanying the story were also E. mannifera, still in place on the verge of Northbourne Avenue.
Alison Rowell, Ainslie
Temperature rising
I am writing on behalf of my wife, whose blood is boiling. This is causing humidity problems in our household.
Her blood is boiling because she has read committee members at a meeting on trees for Northbourne Avenue were offered a trip to Barangaroo in Sydney to see E. mannifera in the flesh.
My wife advises that E. mannifera can be seen all over Canberra in the flesh, including in the Botanic Gardens and in Curtin.
I would be most grateful for a trip to Barangaroo to escape the temperature in here.
Michael Moran, Curtin
Rates rise horror
There is much concern these days about the high cost of electricity and gas but one hears nothing about our rates.
I live in a strata-titled retirement village and recently received my rates assessment for the year.
I had expected rates to go up a little but to my horror I found that they had gone up by $400 a year.
What is the government thinking of?
Everyone here is retired and has a finite income. We have all supported the ACT government for many years. Please dear ACT government support us for a change.
Jean Main, Page
Bitumen blast
The footpath on the corner of Giles and Jardine streets, Kingston (adjacent to "Winning") was recently dug up.
Upon completion of the work, the original paving stones were replaced with bitumen.
It looks awful.
I trust, therefore, that it is only a temporary measure and that the relevant territory government authority will ensure that the footpath is restored to its original condition.
D. N. Callaghan, Kingston
Australia Day debate in dire need of clever, constructive thinking
Of course we should celebrate an Australia Day. But how Sydney-centric is this crazy insistence on January 26?
That is the anniversary of the day on which 60,000 years of continuous exclusive occupation of this continent by its original human inhabitants came to an end. Why should we rub our Aboriginal fellow citizens' noses in it? I don't blame them for calling it "Invasion Day".
The obvious date for our celebrations is our national wedding anniversary, being January 1, the anniversary of the date on which our nation came into existence in 1901.
Each state and territory could have its own birthday celebrations, as chosen by them, whether it is the anniversary of their legal creation, self government or new settlement, whatever they want to choose, by plebiscite or otherwise.
We should also have a Mabo Day, to celebrate the day on which some of the legal rights of our original inhabitants were finally recognised by our legal system, for the great benefit of us all.
Perhaps we could also have an Immigrants' Day, although we non-Indigenous citizens are all really boat people, one way or another.
Let's have some constructive thinking for a change.
James Gralton, Garran
With more cries to alter the date of our national day, some would say to appease Indigenous elements, the Canberra Times editorial "Food for thought on Australia Day", dated January 26 this year, was a welcome component in what should be a civilised discussion.
John Passant didn't want a national day at all because all it does is remind us of genocide [same edition].
There isn't a geographical expression anywhere on this planet which escapes such opprobrium. So let's shunt him aside and maybe embrace, for example, Henry Parkes's riveting and inspirational "Tenterfield Oration", repeated in many locations with the first on October 24, 1889.
There isn't too much wrong with July 9, 1900 either, because it was that day which saw Queen Victoria giving Royal Assent to The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. But, Republicans won't like the royal connotation.
Yet, here we are in our Great South Land which has its own story. It incorporates January 26, 1788 – just one of scores of invasions over 50,000 years; or indeed small groups who just dribbled in. Hence, contemporary Australia: what a mixture.
All in all, January 26 therefore looks pretty sound. However, if there must be a change, "Tenterfield", or "My Country", or Flinders' "Australia" in that order would be worthy contenders.
Patrick Jones, Griffith
Breast approach
Let's aspire to a nuanced and constructive approach when discussing breastfeeding. ("The flaws in the breast-is-best dogma that made me feel like a failure", canberra times.com.au, August 14.)
I had a terrible time trying to establish breastfeeding with my baby, and my heart goes out to women who have had similar experiences.
However not once was I given bad advice and nor was I pressured into a decision to either breast- or bottle-feed – not by the wonderful nurses at Calvary Hospital, not by the well-informed women on the Australian Breastfeeding Association's 24 Hotline, and not by my sympathetic and experienced GP.
And I don't personally know any mother who has been given bad advice or pressured to make a decision either way.
Can we please rise above our own difficult experiences and be constructive in this space? Yes, call for more research into low supply and its treatment.
Yes, call for continued education of health care staff in providing appropriate support for all mothers and babies. Yes, call for the establishment of milk banks. But don't blithely question the very strong scientific evidence for the many benefits of breastfeeding and please acknowledge the amazing efforts of 99 per cent of health care staff who get it right.
Monica Pflaum, Curtin
Take pride in the grey
Americans are often ignorant of history but the destruction of a memorial ("Going, going, gone ... protesters topple Confederate statue", August 16, P12) show the perpetrators no better than the right-wing ratbags they oppose.
For the record the real point of the civil war was to preserve the Union. Freeing the slaves (anti-racism?) was a later ploy to encourage more volunteers to the colours.
The "wearing of the grey" is as honourable as the Yankee blue uniform and such statues should be respected.
Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla
Assistant ref, please
On Friday night I watched the National Rugby League game between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla/Sutherland Sharks.
On one occasion during the game a Foxtel commentator was heard to describe a particular play the ball as a "dog's breakfast".
I do not own a dog, however having viewed many efforts to play the ball in recent matches, I would doubt that any self respecting dog would want to have anything to do with them.
If we must have two officials on the field (I am not convinced that we do) then let's make the policing of the "play the ball" one of the assigned tasks of the assistant referee.
It should be insisted that the ball is played correctly with the foot and not with an air-swing.
Andrew Rowe, Florey
Rest in peace, Heather
The recent violent protests in Charlottesville in America that ended in the death of an innocent 32-year-old woman gave me a moment to reflect.
To ask myself what sort of a response this would have received had it been a guy by the name of Ahmed or Muhammad who was behind the wheel of the car that killed this poor soul.
The silence from the White House is deafening indeed.
I stand with you today Heather as you did not leave this world in vain.
You gave me hope that there are people out there who will stand shoulder to shoulder with me in my personal quest to achieve peace and justice in the world.
Right from the start I have been taught that the killing of an innocent is the same as if one has killed all of mankind.
I pray that may your soul forever rest in peace.
Monus Shaikh, Woodcroft, SA
TO THE POINT
ON ANOTHER PLANET
If Barnaby Joyce really did feel a loyalty towards New Zealand, wouldn't he be trying to get the government to imitate NZ by caring about refugees on Manus and Nauru? We could make a case for the conservatives of the Coalition being citizens of another planet, given how cavalier they are about destroying this one.
Rosemary Walters, Palmerston
A QUESTION OF FAITH
Imagine the furore if Frank Brennan ("I'd rather break the law") were an imam citing sharia law and the crime was terror-related.
Felix MacNeill, Dickson
REMEMBER THE CRASH
David W. Kalisch, Australian statistician, writes (Letters, August 17) that "ABS uses quality processes, commensurate with those expected of a world-class national statistical office". Does he seriously believe that we have all forgotten the joys of census night 2016?
(Dr) William Maley, Reid
MORE TO MARRIAGE
If we accept Christopher Budd's assertions (Children are the core issue, Letters, August 17) heterosexual couples suspected of being beyond child-rearing age would also be excluded from marriage. But the state and conscientious religious celebrants "bless" such unions.
Don Burns, Mawson
BARNABY'S A DAGG
After the revelations about his NZ citizenship I have a feeling that Barnaby Joyce is going to be called Fred Dagg henceforth.
Gordon Soames, Curtin
MALCOLM'S MELTDOWN
It has been both depressing and enlightening to watch Malcolm Turnbull degenerate from the hope of a nation into a lapdog sycophant of the conservative right.
Gerry Gillespie, Queanbeyan
LABOUR'S SHEAR CHEEK
Labour is really a Grinch party. They've taken the Baa out of Barnaby! And he has been looking sheepish in recent photos.
Peter Baskett, Murrumbateman, NSW
THE IRISH QUESTION
MPs and senators should own up if one of their parents was born in the island of Ireland. If so, they are automatically an Irish citizen, irrespective of their own place of birth. Several legislators need to clarify their status.
Dr John Doherty, Donegal, Ireland
BAN THE HANSON
Let's ban the Hanson, not the burqa. Thursday's stunt in the Senate was beyond the pale, even for her. I'm actually proud of Brandis for once.
M. Coe, Belconnen
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