Better spent on farmers

A NUMBER of people have voiced opinions as to how, we as nation could fund support for those courageous, hard-working people in rural areas struggling to provide feed and water for their livestock.

I grew up on a dairy farm and know something of the work and worry of drought. Some people suggest redirecting money we provide for overseas aid to those people affected by this prolonged dry.

I have not heard anyone suggesting that we as a nation reconsider spending on defence.

An article (TC, 30/05) has the heading $100 billion for submarines and I quote. “Australia’s new fleet of submarines is estimated to cost taxpayers $100 billion until 2080.” End of quote. This is about $1.5 billion a year for more than the next 60 years for submarines that may never be used in conflict.

That $1.5 billion each year, if redirected could do a lot to help farmers and graziers prepare for drought, if drought proofing is possible, with our current serious climate variations. BRIAN HENMAN, Toowoomba I HAVE recently withdrawn from USQ’s astronomical and space sciences major.

Right now I think it is wrong to be focused on the stars, when we have more pressing issues here on earth, particularly the Australian land mass.

Having listened intently for a while at the Queensland Country Hour on ABC Radio Southern Queensland, I have become aware of just how urgent the situation is.

I learnt that the supply of hay to farmers livestock has practically been reduced to zero as the drought lingers with no sign of abating.

There are some producers further south who are making a small amount of hay, but nowhere near enough to feed the growing Australian population.

If the Federal Government would halt all immigration to this country, particularly the sort of people who want to breed like rabbits on welfare, then we might just have a chance of feeding us all.

DAVE FREDERICKS, Toowoomba