Punching above our weight
PROFESSOR Peter Boyce identifies a thorny dilemma for Canberra (“Trump doctrine throws a spanner in Australia’s foreign policy”, Talking Point, January 5). The US administration is relinquishing its leadership role in the rules-based global order as China challenges the same order on multiple fronts. As US hawks call for Australia to join containment measures, from naval manoeuvres to trade and investment, Canberra may find its hopes of avoiding choices are unrealistic. As a liberal democratic middle power, Australia’s approach should be two-pronged.
It should act as a bridge by acknowledging that China and other emerging powers such as India and Brazil have legitimate claims to a greater role in global rule-making and institutions, from the UN Security Council to the standard setters for industrial products. Australia should not cede our own liberal values but assist Western powers to negotiate evolving standards with countries whose values differ from our own. In doing so, it should seek to bind countries more closely into the notion of a rules-based order itself.
Secondly, should the absence of American leadership stretch beyond a first-term Trump presidency, Australia should partner with like-minded middle powers who share our democratic values and commitment to a world governed by rules rather than force. Countries from Japan to Chile and Canada will find that co-ordinated positions are necessary, and that by acting together we punch above our weight. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement is an example. These middle powers should engage with critical third countries including Indonesia and much of Africa to demonstrate liberal democratic systems provide a surer path to prosperity than the authoritarian visions of competitor states. musically by her father, who incidentally was kept very busy supplying his daughter’s ever-diminishing CDs. Thank you to all involved in what now may be considered a Tasmanian institution, namely the Cygnet Folk Festival.
Owning the skies
SO who owns the skies? In Hobart there are multiple commercial operators making money from flying over Hobart. What’s the difference between aircraft flying overhead with paid passengers — be it a seaplane, a wilderness flight, a private helicopter or a stunt plane — and selling Crown land to the highest bidder. Where was the consultation with the local community concerning noise pollution? What permits are required? What fees are paid? Or can anyone have unrestricted access to the sky above?
Wastewater work
OWEN Whitton raises several relevant points about water quality in the River Derwent that TasWater is dealing with (“Growing pressure on sewage plants,” January 11). The combined daily output of the Selfs Point and Macquarie Point sewage treatment plants averages around 21 million litres of fully treated and disinfected effluent. It is discharged into areas of the River Derwent with rapid dispersion into the tidal flow. Monitoring data from the two plants regularly shows the effluent meets nutrient compliance levels set out by their respective environmental permits. Industry, stormwater runoff and agricultural activities also contribute to a proportion of nutrients. A large amount of effluent from TasWater treatment plants at Green Point, Rokeby, Rosny and Cameron Bay sewage is already reused for irrigation, nearly 3000 megalitres each year or about 20 per cent of wastewater, with ongoing work to establish more customers and capacity for our reuse schemes. TasWater is optimising the performance of all our sewage treatment plants in daily management as well as infrastructure investment.
The upgrade of the Blackmans Bay Sewage Treatment Plant due for completion this year will improve water quality and ensure nutrient concentration at discharge remain close to background levels. Our Hobart area plants have the capacity to meet the extra demand from tourism and growth. TasWater is now two years into a 10-year $1.55 billion capital expenditure program to address water and sewerage compliance challenges.
Great golf
GREAT article, Simon Weston, in promoting golf as one of the finest sports to be played at any age (Talking Point, January 12).
Young guns Mackenzie Wilson and Hallie Meaburn are classic examples of two highly talented golfers who have taken up the game and are now reaping the rewards of all their hard work on the journey thus far. Golf is a unique and very fair sport in terms of the handicapping system and a passport to friendship and camaraderie worldwide.