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Full survey results are published in each Saturday's newspaper. Here are some of this week's reader responses.
Should there be a formal inquiry into the management of the Murray-Darling basin?
Yes 86% No 5% Unsure 9%
"The Murray-Darling basin is a major ecological disaster. Certain politicians should be held to account. Show them there are consequences for looking after their mates without due regard to the long term consequences."
"Water is quite rightly known as the lifeblood of the land. The state of the Murray Darling is a disgrace and could only have become so as a result of gross mismanagement over many years.'"
"The Murray-Darling issues are very complex and a formal inquiry will help with this, as distinct from the political point scoring we have seen for so long on this front. As a starting point, acquiring the water rights of the big cotton farms and distributing these equally between other agriculture and the environment will go a long way to protecting the local communities and the helping with many of the environmental problems."
"The Murray-Darling basin has been “inquired into” for far too long: common sense and long time experience has proved more practical in caring for our country than well-meaning politicians trying to be influential. Prosecute severe water thieves in both rivers, stop wasting water on unsuitable crops in unsuitable lands, put the water back into upper reaches of the Darling and its tributaries to restart the river restoration process.'"
"If there is to be a formal enquiry into the Murray-Darling basin, it should be independent. There will be no progress towards a better understanding as long as the Nationals and their clients call the shots."
"The extensive and embracing work of the late Professor Peter Cullen on the Murray-Darling basin was well received and understood by both the Government and Opposition of the time. The current Government and Opposition need to return not only Prof. Cullen’s work but to the ongoing work of his colleagues to address the devastating situation threatening OUR land and its waterways.''
"To quote other commentators "corruption, cotton and climate" are destroying the Murray-Darling basin river system. So much money spent over so many years to get to this disgusting tipping point.''
"The management of the Murray-Darling river system is devilishly difficult ... however, it's clear that the cotton growers in Queensland and NSW are taking far too much water, legally and to some extant illegally.''
Should Australia Day continue to be celebrated on January 26?
Yes 47% No 39% Unsure 14%
"Australia Day could move to date of first Federal Parliament to avoid controversy. May 9? "
"I'm a first fleeter. While I'm bloody grateful to be here my love for my country isn't dependent on a date. We are attached to a symbolic day created in another time with a different perspective. Change it, if it will help with reconciliation."
"Australia came into being long after the British first arrived here and arrogantly claimed the entire continent. NSW can celebrate Foundation Day on 26 January, if they wish, but for all the people of Australia I strongly believe that another, more appropriate day should be chosen."
"The problem is that no-one wants to celebrate Australia's birthday on 1 January. But there is no reason why the celebration of the birthday needs to be on the actual date. So why not celebrate Australia's birthday with a public holiday on the fourth Monday of January.''
"There is no need or general appetite to replace the present Australia Day commemoration. Only ratbag virtue-signalling green/extreme-left trendoids think otherwise.''
"Australia Day should celebrate the coming together of all the different people who form the nation as a welcome to country, showing equal respect to all. The declaration of ownership by the king of England on January 26, 1788 can never fulfil our need for reconciliation with the true owners with their some 60,000 years' history here.''
"Changing the date to appease minority moans will do nothing to mesh the white, black and in-between population of this rapidly changing country.''
"I think it is important to celebrate Australia Day but it can be on a different day to January 26. Other explorers, from other countries, mapped Australia on different days, prior to the English. Why not choose one of those days?''
"The agitation from some regarding changing Australia Day will not achieve the desired unity, it will only insult a different group. A better use of the Left's time is to promote an inclusive day on the 26th that acknowledges indigenous heritage, British heritage & history and the positive aspects of a culturally inclusive society.''
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