At this moment in Australia’s history, our farmers stand at the front line of the nation and our living environment.
Saying ’no’ to gas, is saying ’no’ to lazy politics.
Scott Morrison says gas will lead our economic recovery. But who will gain from those profits? Not ordinary Australians, or those who care for the land.
Just look what’s happened to farms along the Murray.
Like Alberta, Canada, where my family lives, the fuel companies made big promises. Now what? Despite ongoing protests by First Peoples and scientists, they are left with: some towns having to have their water freighted in; rivers and lakes ruined for fishing; an expanse of tar sands visible from space…and the jobs have dropped off. Now the Canadian government has absolved itself of all responsibility.
If our leaders were actual leaders, they would deliver forward-thinking policy not play politics to the wedge, not just think only of their own short-term interests.
They would develop home-grown industry; they would look seriously at renewables.
Sadly, Donald Horne’s words from 1964—The Lucky Country—ring true today. So far, we’ve just been lucky. Australia is a nation run by second-rate people who will not learn from other countries.
No, the real leaders are our world-class farmers and scientists.
Maggie Morgan, Northcote, Victoria
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