Noxious weeds brushed aside

Here we go again. Noxious weed season in Gippsland.

Another appalling year of government heads turning the other way.

We live in a dichotamous nanny state. On one hand there is an abundance of fussy regulations that impinge on people's rights yet on the other something so clearly and obviously important as a general policy on noxious weed control is brushed aside.

For example, try and get a farm permit to put up a large machinery shed and watch the red tape fly. Try and get a government rep who purports to have a concern for country people and the environment to explain why the noxious weeds issue is not addressed.

The festive season is approaching and so are the noxious weeds. Our Pollies might be anticipating the rustle of xmas paper as it falls away from a nice new shiny tie. I'm anticipating the hollow in my gut as I swat thistle and ragwort fluff away from my Xmas pie.

For how much longer is this insidious policy of non-enforcement of noxious weeds going to continue. Can farmers sue for lack of intervention in such a major environmental gaffe. What about the escalating costs, time and labour incurred, not to mention pain and suffering.

Why are recalcitrant farmers not forced to address their refusal to address noxious weeds on their properties, which, of course, immediately and drastically affects their neighbours? Do something.

Christine Webb, Mountain View System Reform (Separation of Banks) Bill 2018" into Parliament. It would impose a GlassSteagall-style separation of commercial banks which deal with deposits, from speculative investment banking and all other financial activities, including financial advice, wealth management, stock broking, insurance and superannuation.

We all need to urge Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent to support this bill.

Janet Cowden, Neerim South

Re: Striking students I want to speak in support of our youth after reading the cheap shot taken at them (Gaz 4/12).

While our students may not ‘know everything’ I’m confident they have a stronger understanding of the science of climate change than the people making fun of them (our political leaders included).

They realise how serious an issue this is to their future, and rather than being apathetic they are actively seeking change. They give me hope. Deb Gribben, Longwarry

There is no calculation offered about the impact that the destruction of our forests, climate and water supply has on Victorians who ultimately suffer from the negative consequences of Vic Forests’ activities as well as any "gains".

David Attenborough has put it better than I could "There has never been a time in history when the natural environment has been under greater threat than it is now and, therefore, the need for new ideas and innovation to combat the destruction of nature upon which we all depend for the future has never been greater.”

Note the bit 'on which we all depend' - "all" includes foresters and their families.

Humans have always needed to adapt and change and the equation that puts money and jobs on one side needs to be balanced by the future impact of a damaged natural environment. Joan McColl, Drouin