Ashamed at how low we’ve sunk

THE late Bob Hawke’s granddaughter, Sophie Taylor-Price, is wrong claiming Hawke’s successful effort to secure a mining ban in Antarctica is “a powerful parable of international leadership that resonates today” (Mercury, October 4). It no longer resonates. Sadly, Hawke will be rolling in his grave at the prospect of Australia building an airport in Antarctica. He, and others, saved it from mining so it might remain a wilderness preserve for nature not to become a paved-over-paradise playground for tourists and scientists.

I campaigned in the 1980s to prevent mining in Antarctica. In the years since, I have enjoyed and appreciated working with Australian governments and officials to keep Antarctica and its waters free of destructive developments, consistent with the letter and spirit of the Antarctic Treaty and its Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection.

Nowadays, I find it hard to recognise the Australia I used to know as an ardent champion of Antarctic protection as the Morrison Government wastes a billion or two building an airport and associated port and other infrastructure for no better reason than for fear of China wanting to build one. The Antarctic Treaty is supposed to prevent Antarctica becoming the “scene or object of international discord” and it is distressing Australia is using it for a pissing contest with China. Alistair Graham

West Hobart

TFGA LAUDED

I LOVED reading the insights of Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive John McKew (Talking Point, October 4). Mr McKew makes three important points. First, that those who farm should be included on the list of noble professions. I may be biased as part of a Tasmanian farming family, but I have long admired the versatility and sheer determination farmers demonstrate as they work together to produce goods in the face of considerable risk from uncontrollable environmental elements. Noble, indeed.

Second, McKew highlights the indisputable link between farmers and the natural environment. The ability of agricultural industry to adapt and innovate to sustainable practices to address climate change is clear. Finally, he states our politicians must catch up and act on climate. The Morrison government should commit to net-zero before 2050.

Amy Hiller Kew, Melbourne

CANCEL CULTURE

KUDOS to the ABC and Marc Fennell for a fascinating look at racism in “The School That Tried To End Racism”. It is heartbreaking to see the hurt and confusion these kids deal with on a daily basis. One aspect that struck me was that of cancel culture. These students visited the Captain Cook statue in Sydney and were stunned to understand why he was honoured. They were perplexed when told there were no statues honouring any indigenous people. Then I had a light bulb moment. Since white settlement in Australia we have cancelled the culture and history of our First Peoples. We have rubbed out their stories, their languages and customs. This is the worst example of cancel culture and for 200 years we have condoned it.

Max Fleming

Warrane

CORONAVIRUS QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS for Dr Veitch that haven’t been addressed yet. Is there a pamphlet that in simple language spells out what the rules for home quarantine/isolation? Was it given to the 15-year-old and his parents? Was he moved to the Medi-Vac hotel in Hobart because he broke the rules and is now under supervision/guard? Considering that you knew he was the only Covid positive case in Tasmania why were he and his parent not moved to Hobart immediately? Isn’t that what the facility is for? Have the protocols for handling this situation changed and if so in what way? That should be enough to go on with for the moment. Colin Corney

Beaumaris

ALARM BELLS

GERARD Castles (Talking Point, October 7) outlines serious issues with the government’s 10-year salmon plan that raise alarm bells. I wonder whether the government’s salmon plan is a smoke screen for massive expansion to facilitate a multinational to move into the industry? A smoke screen to draw attention and questions away from the JBS takeover of Huon Aquaculture? That takeover may happen in less than a month.

Where is the scrutiny by both federal and state government of a multinational moving into Tasmania? Did the Pandora papers not raise alarm bells when an ABC report indicating the Pandora Papers “reveal the sources of foreign funds behind four large scale farms totalling more than 1000ha” in Tasmania. JBS has a tarnished reputation in Tasmania as JBS Foods Australia, but is already gearing up for buying into our aquaculture industry with a name change to JBS Aquaculture.

Trish Baily

Koonya

WAR DRUMS BEATING

TENSIONS are clearly rising between Taiwan and China, with the Taiwanese president asking for support from Australia this week in the media. Our new AUKUS alliance with the US and Britain increases the likelihood Australia could choose to intervene if armed conflict arises in Taiwan.

Our defence budget is ever increasing while health funding is increasingly inadequate. The situation of ambulance ramping and hospital bed shortage is now normal in Hobart, where we do not have Covid at present, and the mental health crisis is a national issue.

Right now states are asking our federal government for more money to cover the costs related to Covid. Why is our federal government prepared to pay a vast amount for nuclear-powered submarines, joining us further into a costly arms race and possible war?

We actually do need a lot more of our money spent on health and hospitals right now, not on a costly and potentially extremely unhealthy arms race.

Sally Attrill Tasmanian convener Medical Association for Prevention of War