Time to ditch debate
TO ALL those who keep pushing for a republic: we have voted on it, and for our flag, resulting in a resounding “no”.
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Just take no for an answer.
The change to a republic is too expensive, too reactionary and we have nothing to gain from it.
It will do nothing for our economy, our standard of living, our healthcare or our reputation.
All it is and all you push for is an idea in your head, an extremely costly idea with a very risky outcome under a new, untried constitution.
Our present form of government is tried and proven. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It doesn’t matter in the least whether there is a king or queen in Britain and who it is, we have our governor general and the best possible form of government.
Please use your brain and energy for the greater good, which definitely does not include a republic.
Paul Bosman
Estella
Dairy companies’ betrayal
I WAS amazed when learning about the management decisions of Murray Goulburn Dairy Company and the Fonterra Group’s plan to reduce the price of dairy produce and make the price cut retrospective.
This amazement was compounded with disgust when it was further announced the “overpayment” will be converted into a loan to be repaid with interest.
How can they do that?
If this situation is allowed to continue, then in one foul blow confidence in any form of food production in Australia will be annihilated.
Factory managements have set a precedent to be willingly embraced by other buyers of rural production.
The decision has opened a Pandora’s box of fiendish proportions.
The grain buyers, the meat buyers etc can offer prices leading to increased commitment and production from farmers and then take money back when they have over committed themselves.
This policy and treatment of farmers is reminiscent of the old Soviet Union under the murderous Stalinist regime.
Over the past couple of decades the industry has experienced substantial consolidation and efficiency gains. The number of dairy farms is reported to have declined from over 30,000 in 1975 to 14,000 currently.
This consolidation of farms, together with advances in farming techniques and associated technology, has increased productivity substantially, with milk production per cow rising from 2750 to 4744 litres.
Farmers have done everything expected of them to feed Australians and the world, and this is their reward; shame on the factory management, shame on the farm leaders, and shame on their elected political representatives – all are self-indicted incompetents!
What can be done now? Firstly, the factory debt management scheme must not proceed from this moment.
Secondly, if the price for dairy production must drop, then it must not be allowed to go below the estimated cost of farm production now, and this includes debt management.
The flow-on from the factory management decision will impact on all sections of the Australian economy. As farmers decrease their spending, then other businesses will have to increase their prices or they too will face bankruptcy.
The economic destruction will escalate further to job lay-offs, with the only growth industry police and emergency services as they cope with the breakdown of a once stable society.
Australians are fortuitous that an election is in full swing so it is time to punish the elected representatives who have allowed the decimation of rural Australia to happen.
Candidates for all the major parties must be placed last on your voting paper!