Letters, October 25, 2023

Disappointed

I AM one of the people who are bitterly disappointed in the results of the recent referendum ballot.

Along with many others, I struggle to come to terms with the inability of so many registered voters to realise just what the referendum meant to the overwhelming majority of First Nations people – 80% it is claimed.

We can blame the Murdoch press, we can blame the far-right politicians, we can blame whomever or whatever for lies, misinformation, misunderstanding, et cetera, et cetera and so forth as long as we desire, but the blame must lay squarely on the Australian voters who wrote ‘no’.

Just think of the moranic catch phrase ‘if you don’t know, vote no’. If you don’t know, find out.

The lame excuse of ‘I don’t know the detail’ or ‘I don’t know what it’s about’ leaves me dumbfounded. The details have been published again and again over the years, they are not secret.

The consultation with First Nations people from all over Australia has been carried out extensively and thoroughly, again, over many years.

Professor Marcia Langton, a highly respected member of the University of Melbourne in her capacity as Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies, wrote a telling and accurate piece for The Saturday Paper, October 14–20, 2023.

Please find it and read it.

Trefor Barnes, Mylor

EV problems

LORRAINE Rogers (The Courier, October 18) seems to think that EVs will save the world.

SMMT UK (which she quotes) said that the sales fell by 14% in September 2023 (17% of all new car registrations were EVs, with 45,323 new electric cars registered, a rise to 16.6% of new car registrations).

March and September are new registration plate months in the UK, hence the statistics jump. The UK Government wants only EVs by 2035.

For car drivers of EVs it offers substantial tax advantages over petrol and diesel models.

In Germany and the US, sales aren’t keeping up with Government demands.

Tesla (Y model) prices have dropped 30% this year. Ford and GM are losing big money on EVs. Dealers are refusing new shipments with high stocks.

In Germany, Volkswagen has reduced production of EVs and batteries due to poor sales and massive losses.

In the past two years, two huge ships carrying thousands of EVs have gone up in flames, apparently because of battery EVs.

Insurance companies are reassessing the risk, hence the rise in car insurance.

But if I am wrong and the effect of CO2 doubling isn’t a fraction of a degree but the made-up belief (among those scientifically deficient) that it will be 2C so what?

That would return the climate back to the Holocene when humans flourished.

G. Inkster, Mt Barker

Sad outcome

NOW that the dust has partially settled on the referendum result, I felt compelled to put down some thoughts.

I do feel sad that Australians voted no, but I knew from the start that this would be the outcome.

What were we so afraid of, to deny a small and mostly marginalised group of our fellow Australians a say in the decisions that affect their lives?

They used to need permission from the white man in order to travel, we murdered them, we took away their children, we institutionalised and incarcerated many of them.

How petty and small-minded are we that we could not give them their own Voice to Parliament? Although we have always considered we know what’s best for them, white fellas’ ways have not worked and things needed to change.

These are the people who, despite all that we have done to them, have said “we forgive you and we need your help”.

These people with such a spiritual connection to this country, who have survived for millenia in the harshest environment. What have we given them? TV soap operas, alcohol, diabetes and junk food, to name a few.

How we treat those much less fortunate than ourselves is a measure of our own humanity.

Andrew Fitzgerald, Nairne

Exclusion

THE Voice referendum asked Australians to take a blind leap of faith on a half-baked change to our constitution and naturally they rejected it.

It’s disturbing to see comments like Glen Chenoweth’s (National ignorance, The Courier, October 18) saying the ‘No’ voters have won because they are poorly educated.

He claims they are ignorant for not engaging in conversation and collaboration with the Indigenous people and yet he’s unable to do exactly that with any Indigenous person with an opposing view.

Isn’t it odd how diversity and inclusion advocates seem to exclude anyone who disagrees with their ideologies?

As for Pat Dodson’s quote, many Australians struggling with the cost of living would gladly “pick up the crumbs” to match Mr Dodson’s net worth.

K. Stachovic, Meadows

Social needs

THERE has been much publicity in the media recently about people suffering loneliness and isolation, to the extent that a State MLC wants a Minister appointed to look into the consequent dangers that affect mental health.

In Hahndorf, publicity has been given to tourists’ needs, car parking and truck diversion, but little relating to social activities for residents to help build friendships within the community – unless you want to dine out, drink, visit church or play bowls.

Social events are often reported after taking place, so missed.

A published ‘Upcoming Events’ list would be useful. Mt Barker Council publishes 22 pages on ‘What to do in Mt Barker for Seniors’.

The only Hahndorf activity mentioned is the Town Band, being great for brass players.

If such a flyer was issued for Hahndorf, there would not be much in it as far as free or low-cost events for socialising and meeting people goes, so as to help those also encountering financial struggles, addition to loneliness.

Hahndorf Senior Citizens’ club has closed; there is a gap for social gatherings for seniors and friendship seekers. Hopefully, Hahndorf will be on the proposed Minister’s agenda to put such events into action.

S. Tarrant, Hahndorf