Dominic Cansdale
US tariffs and supply issues are creating uncertainty for an already strained coffee market, and roasters say it's only a matter of time before Australians will pay more for their brew. 2h ago 2 hours ago Sun 8 Jun 2025 at 8:34pm
The unseasonal rain has washed out sporting games and put a dampener on major events, but the weather bureau says clear skies are around the corner. Thu 15 May Thu 15 May Thu 15 May 2025 at 9:55pm
The director of the popular business pleaded guilty to dozens of offences after health inspectors made numerous stomach-churning discoveries. Wed 14 May Wed 14 May Wed 14 May 2025 at 8:22am
Shock waves have been sent through the domestic film industry after US President Donald Trump announced his intention to slap a 100 per cent tariff on films "produced in foreign lands". Tue 6 May Tue 6 May Tue 6 May 2025 at 5:25am
Candidates for the historically safe conservative seat of McPherson say housing is a key issue for voters as a high-profile independent attempts a political upset. Fri 2 May Fri 2 May Fri 2 May 2025 at 12:37am
A track extension promises to bring millions of passengers through Mermaid Beach every year but some business owners wonder if their stores will survive long enough to see the benefits. Fri 18 Apr Fri 18 Apr Fri 18 Apr 2025 at 10:45pm
Tom Tate indicates he was only half serious about sending rough sleepers into northern NSW as experts note that the underlying causes of homelessness need to be addressed. Tue 15 Apr Tue 15 Apr Tue 15 Apr 2025 at 7:42am
More than 92 million people have used the Gold Coast's light rail service, but the multi-billion-dollar project's final stage is causing division between the Gold Coast mayor and the Crisafulli government. Fri 4 Apr Fri 4 Apr Fri 4 Apr 2025 at 2:51am
A lifeguard tower at Surfers Paradise has toppled over, and others have been damaged, as king tides and powerful surf batter the Gold Coast. Wed 2 Apr Wed 2 Apr Wed 2 Apr 2025 at 1:24am
The Department of the Environment says it is likely that a small freshwater crocodile found on a suburban Gold Coast street is an escaped pet or has been taken illegally from the wild. Tue 1 Apr Tue 1 Apr Tue 1 Apr 2025 at 2:17am
Police are searching for a man who allegedly stabbed a father and shot his son at a Surfers Paradise unit complex. Mon 31 Mar Mon 31 Mar Mon 31 Mar 2025 at 3:24am
A plan to convert a defunct motocross site into an e-motorbike track is a step closer thanks to a new Gold Coast council lease, but opponents say it will "reward" poor behaviour. Fri 21 Mar Fri 21 Mar Fri 21 Mar 2025 at 9:57pm
A peak waste management group has warned that "policy paralysis" is intensifying the Gold Coast's rubbish problem. Thu 20 Feb Thu 20 Feb Thu 20 Feb 2025 at 12:37am
As momentum grows to expand Youth Foyer programs across Queensland, there are some limits to what it can achieve. Tue 18 Feb Tue 18 Feb Tue 18 Feb 2025 at 7:04pm
Brooke Patterson will be required to publicly apologise for her behaviour after an independent investigation found she was "aggressive" towards senior council staff on multiple occasions. Tue 18 Feb Tue 18 Feb Tue 18 Feb 2025 at 9:44am
As north Queensland waits to assess the damage of intensive flooding, people are finding solace in their communities — whether it's helping a mate fix a generator, sharing supplies or offering a place to stay. Tue 4 Feb Tue 4 Feb Tue 4 Feb 2025 at 5:19am
The weather bureau is predicting a reprieve from heatwave conditions in parts of Queensland, but temperatures will still be brutal in some areas. Fri 24 Jan Fri 24 Jan Fri 24 Jan 2025 at 11:49pm
A man has faced court following an alleged assault near the entrance of Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. Tue 14 Jan Tue 14 Jan Tue 14 Jan 2025 at 5:24am
A 33-year-old woman is fighting for her life after being shot in the back while sitting in the passenger seat of a car on the Gold Coast. Wed 8 Jan Wed 8 Jan Wed 8 Jan 2025 at 6:02am
With just weeks until Christmas, Reuben O'Carroll was put on life support after being bitten by a paralysis tick in the Gold Coast hinterland. Sun 22 Dec Sun 22 Dec Sun 22 Dec 2024 at 3:23am
The City of Gold Coast has purchased the luxurious Eaglemont Estate for more than $10 million, as part of plan to develop nature-based tourism in the hinterland. But mayor Tom Tate says it could also feed into another major yet controversial tourism project. Tue 17 Dec Tue 17 Dec Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 6:05am
Men have consistently made up the majority of drownings in Australia but as summer holidays get underway, there's a growing focus on reducing these avoidable deaths. Thu 12 Dec Thu 12 Dec Thu 12 Dec 2024 at 10:29pm
A Gold Coast man who accepted thousands of dollars for wedding videos he never provided is fined, leaving couples wondering how the years-long saga could have been avoided. Wed 11 Dec Wed 11 Dec Wed 11 Dec 2024 at 1:40am
A longstanding proposal to go ahead with a major tourism project in the World Heritage-listed Gold Coast hinterland has edged forward despite a renewed push for an alternative. Tue 3 Dec Tue 3 Dec Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 11:40pm
In 1966 a salt-of-the-earth banana farmer saw something he couldn't explain that left behind a circular mark in some reeds which he called a "saucer nest". That moment became the inspiration for an international alien hoax and exposed him to the chaotic debate about UFOs.
Sun 24 Nov Sun 24 Nov Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 12:37am
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Why all signs are pointing to ‘World War III' amid US riots
Culture war? Race war? Civil War? World War III? It all depends on where one stands within the political spectrum tearing the United States apart. US President Donald Trump's unprecedented response to hundreds of violent protesters on the streets of Los Angeles has certainly triggered an emotive war of words. 'They're foreigners that are doing this. You see the Mexican flags. You see the Palestinian flags. This is a war,' former Presidential adviser and convicted fraudster Steve Bannon,71, proclaimed today. Protests flared Friday in response to a major Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) push to detain undocumented residents across Los Angeles. LA has defied Federal law by declaring itself a 'sanctuary city' - where government agencies refuse to assist in enforcing Washington DC's immigration enforcement policies. California's Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused the Trump administration of wanting to create 'civil war' by arbitrarily deploying National Guard troops and active service Marines. Trump rejected the accusation. 'No, it's the opposite. I don't want a civil war. Civil war would happen if you left it to people like him,' Trump retorted. Governor Newsom has appealed to the US Federal Court, accusing the White House of an 'illegal, unconstitutional act in federalising the National Guard', which has resulted in putting lives at risk. 'He's not for peacemaking, he's here for civil war on the streets,' Newsom said. But this time, Trump, 78, appears to have the law on his side. The President has invoked Section 12406 of armed forces law (Title 10), which authorises the Commander-in-Chief to commandeer National Guard forces whenever 'there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority' of the Federal government. And when unrest prevents the execution of federal law by regular law enforcement agencies. Trump gets to decide when these criteria have been met. Bannon, however, insists there can be no disputing the President's authority. The Make America Great Again (MAGA) mouthpiece doesn't think the protest is criminal. He doesn't think it is insurrection. Or rebellion. He insists it is a war of 'invasion'. And war is the business of the President. 'This is not a civil war. This is part of the Third World War.' 'If they spit, we will hit' This is a statement from the President of the United States. Trump posted to his personal social media platform today. 'The Insurrectionists have a tendency to spit in the face of the National Guardsmen/women, and others. These Patriots are told to accept this, it's just the way life runs. But not in the Trump Administration. IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before.' The 47th President has backed his fighting words by ordering 700 active service Marine troops to stand alongside 2000 National Guard infantry troops already ordered into downtown Los Angeles. The Commander-in-Chief can intervene when federal agents are being prevented from enforcing federal law. And ICE officers have the authority to locate and detain illegal immigrants, argues Brookings Institution Lawfare analyst Benjamin Wittes. 'Thus, to say that ICE has the legal authority to detain large numbers of people in Los Angeles is not to say doing so in the face of community opposition is wise, prudent or smart,' he adds. It's a similar scenario for sending in troops. NEW: We are suing Donald Trump. This is a manufactured crisis. He is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia and violate the U.S. constitution. The illegal order he signed could allow him to send the military into ANY STATE HE WISHES. Every governor -- red or… — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025 'Not all crimes require a federal response,' Wittes explains. 'Normally, people throwing rocks or burning cars in Los Angeles are handled by local authorities.' 'Scattered acts of violence in the course of protests against ICE activities is something less than a rebellion. It is something less than a threatened rebellion. 'It is also something notably less than a 'violent insurrectionist mob,' as the President – who knows a little something about violent, insurrectionist mobs – is very well aware.' Former federal prosecutor and National Review fellow Andrew McCarthy agrees - to a point. 'Having mass-pardoned rioters who stormed the Capitol and injured scores of police officers, this president is morally ill-suited to invoke extraordinary powers to put down political violence that obstructs federal functions,' McCarthy states. 'Implicit in that contention, though, is that these extraordinary powers are, in fact, embedded in our law.' Repelling 'invasion' 'The situation became escalated when THEY deployed troops,' Newsom posted to X Monday morning Australian time. 'Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions. He clearly can't solve this, so California will.' This just fed the flames of the partisan-political tit-for-tat rhetoric cycle. 'LA is on FIRE right now, but instead of tackling the issue, Gavin Newsom is spending his time attacking Secretary Hegseth,' chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell tweeted. 'Unlike Newsom, [Defence Secretary Hegseth] isn't afraid to lead.' But the fires have so far been limited to a few cars and flags. And protesters pushed a blazing dumpster into the middle of a street, away from a nearby building and parked vehicles. Newsom retorted against Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, labelling him 'a joke', adding that deploying Marines against civilians was 'deranged behaviour.' Anti-ICE rioters in LA started a dumpster fire and pushed it into the street. Some in the crowd are adding stuff to keep the fire going. — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) June 9, 2025 'There is currently no need for the National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles, and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such a lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation,' a formal letter from the office of the Governor of California to the White House reads. 'Accordingly, we ask that you immediately rescind your order and return the National Guard to its rightful control by the State of California, to be deployed as appropriate when necessary.' Trump, however, had doubled down on his decision. 'We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated,' he wrote on Truth Social. Bannon, while no longer a Trump administration insider, insists there's more to come. 'Trump ain't going to get over it,' he states. 'He's President of the United States. He's the commander in chief, and he's stopping an invasion, and he's going to repel the invaders. You're going home. 'This is a war. This is why President Trump up-armoured by deputising, federalising the National Guard.' State of the Union 'It is difficult not to see this as the latest move by the Trump administration to subjugate California,' argues Open University historian Sinead McEneaney. The President threatened to withhold federal emergency aid after devastating wildfires swept the Democrat stronghold state. He's threatened to withdraw federal funding for universities after protests there were deemed legal expressions of First Amendment rights. He's warned of punitive action over allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports. 'Unlike his predecessors, Trump has not mobilised the national guard to protect civil rights against a hostile police force,' McEneaney argues. 'Instead, he appears to be using this as leverage to undermine a political opponent he views as blocking his agenda.' But California is itself sailing close to Constitution-breaching winds. 'You can't prattle on about the 'rule of law' while endorsing 'sanctuary cities' — designed as sanctuaries from the rule of law. Pick a side,' argues McCarthy. Let’s be clear: Los Angeles is burning, and local leaders are refusing to respond. Don't worry, the National Guard is responding. There is a ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job. — DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 9, 2025 It's a double standard Trump is himself guilty of, he adds: 'Because, like Democrats, Trump officials have selective outrage when it comes to political violence, they are vulnerable to the criticism that they are politicising law enforcement — even when, as here, they are doing what must be done.' But former federal prosecutor and former elected state attorney Michael McAuliffe says extreme actions should be reserved for extreme events. 'The mobilisation of troops for domestic crowd control should remain the rarest of events and only in the most utterly extreme circumstances,' McAuliffe argues. 'The current protest in California against the ICE/federal immigration arrest spree is not one of those instances. The President's action likely will be counter-productive and actually raise tensions, instead of gaining better control of the situation.' Trump has the legal power to forcibly oppose any action to 'prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States.' The partisan-political fight is over whether or not the circumstances demand it. 'It takes discipline—extreme discipline—among protesters to deny the president of the United States violence when he's so clearly itching for it,' Wittes states. 'We should all hope the protesters show more discipline than the president has shown.' Fanning the flames 'Think of the logic,' argues Stanford University Hoover Institution historian Victor Hanson. 'I am waving the flag of the country under no circumstances I want to return, but I am attacking the officers and the infrastructure of the country that under every circumstance I want to stay in.' Writing for the Heritage Foundation think-tank's The Daily Signal publication, the classicist added: 'I'll just give a word of advice. You're going to lose the optics—Democrats, the Left, and immigration protesters—if you have a lot of people here illegally and they're waving, not the American flag, but the Mexican flag, as they're committing acts of violence.' Bannon insists the violent protest was instigated by 'the illegitimate Biden regime, who stole, with the deep state, stole the 2020 election and then put in an illegitimate regime in this country and immediately had a very organised invasion of the country'. Now Bannon has added his voice to that of Trump's border force tzar, Tom Homan, who at the weekend called for the arrest of Governor Newsom for impeding lawful ICE activities. It's time to ignore accusations of 'authoritarianism', Bannon insists: 'We need to start arresting government officials, including the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, who's stirring this pot up.' He added that suspending habeas corpus (due legal process) was justifiable in these circumstances. And those circumstances are World War III. 'The Third World War is not just in the drone attack in Kyiv over the weekend, is not just a situation in Israel and Gaza, it's not the situation of a couple of carrier battle groups in the Red Sea, it's not that you have a Chinese battle group for the first time in history that is now steaming past the second island chain... 'It's a political, cyber, psychological, economic warfare that has now gotten into its kinetic phase. What's happening in Los Angeles and San Francisco last night is the beginning of the kinetic phase here in the United States.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
ACT Greens announce bill that would make institutions vicariously liable for sexual abuse by employees
The ACT Greens have unveiled a bill aimed at making institutions such as the Catholic Church, Scouts and sporting groups vicariously liable for the actions of those associated with them who have sexually abused children. This includes priests, Scouts leaders, and sports coaches who may have a relationship with the organisation akin to employment, even though it is not strictly an employment relationship. The move was prompted by a High Court ruling last year that found a priest, accused of child sex offences, was not an employee of the church, so the institution could not be held vicariously liable for his actions because that only applies in employment relationships. "I am deeply concerned that we are now seeing a situation where institutions that have had people abused in their care are now able to avoid responsibility because of this apparent lack of connection where people who were priests, coaches other roles, as part of these institutions, are now not seen to be covered by that organisation," Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said. The High Court case involved a man who was allegedly sexually abused by the family priest in 1971, during pastoral visits to his family home. The man was only five at the time. The priest was Father Bryan Coffey, who was convicted of offences against other children in the 1990s and has since died. The High Court ruling was a bitter blow for the alleged victim, who had won two Victorian court cases, which found the church was vicariously liable for the damage caused to him. In both rulings it was found Father Coffey was not an employee of the church but had a special place within the hierarchy of the church, which gave rise to vicarious liability. The High Court found that simply wasn't the case, and only an employment relationship matters. "My observation of having read the material from the High Court is that they were looking at the broader picture of vicarious liability, and its broad status in the law, as opposed to the specific matters of child sexual abuse," Mr Rattenbury said. "So the High Court was thinking much more about a range of corporate matters and the like rather than the specifics." Mr Rattenbury said his proposed law would target child sex abuse. Lawyer Alessandra Pettit, who was involved in the launch of today's draft law, says the real problem is for the victims. "We spent $370 million on a royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and whilst a lot of the recommendations have been helpful, it seems to be a bit of a pendulum in this area that it keeps swinging each way," Ms Pettit said. "I am really really concerned about the effect of this on my clients. "You are dealing with a cohort of people who have already been abused as children by someone in a position of power. "To stand up in court is not an easy thing for anyone and then to have technical legal arguments take that away is really really difficult." Mr Rattenbury said the Council of Attorneys General was looking at the issue, but it was something that had to be addressed more locally. "This will not be a national response, it is one that will sit with states and territories," Mr Rattenbury said. "So my view is to move forward. "And the ACT can act as a template and a guide for other jurisdictions." Mr Rattenbury said he was hoping his private members bill would get some traction in the Assembly. "This bill is about ensuring victims have access to justice for the crimes committed against them as children and it's about ensuring institutions make amends for the harm caused by their institutions and the people participated and took significant roles in those institutions," Mr Rattenbury said. The bill will be presented later in the month.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump's street war could be the beginning of the end for America
Peter Hartcher questions whether Donald Trump has a mandate to start a war on American soil (' Trump was spoiling for another street war. Now he's got one', June 10). When it was first suggested that Trump would run for the presidency, I saw an interview with his niece, an academic of intellectual and moral discipline. She said that 'everything Donald has turned his hands to he has destroyed'. She paused and then said, 'and he will do the same thing to America.' The interviewer laughed, the suggestion being this was an overstatement of potential harm. Stony-faced, she said it was no laughing matter. Given what this dumb Mussolini is doing through his chilling ICE activity and the growing unrest in some of America's cities, it would seem this is a prophecy about to be fulfilled. Chris McKimm, Karangi In political communication, a 'dead cat' is a tactic used to distract the public and media from a damaging issue by introducing a dramatic new topic. This is exactly what Donald Trump has done by inciting the protests in LA by sending in the Marines and National Guard (' Marines deployed to LA ', June 10). He is taking the attention away from the multiple failures and chaos of his administration, and putting the focus of the public and media on the riots in LA, which his administration effectively started. Malcolm Freak, Armidale Suicide mission Greta Thunberg's ill-fated voyage to Gaza wasn't brave, it was dangerously naive. She called it a 'kidnapping' after the Israeli Navy stopped her boat, yet smiled as she was handed a sandwich. Real hostages don't get photo opportunities. She claimed to bring aid to Gazans, but seemed unaware, or indifferent, to whom she was really helping. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz responded by having her crew watch raw footage of the October 7 atrocities. 'Let them see who they're supporting,' he said (' Israel orders Greta Thunberg be shown October 7 video while in detention ', June 10). But if Greta wants a lesson in Gaza's realities, she should look up Vittorio Arrigoni – an Italian activist murdered by Palestinian militants in 2011. He sailed in support of Gaza, too. They tortured and killed him for his trouble, calling Italy an 'infidel state'. If Greta had made it to Gaza she wouldn't have been hailed as a saviour. As a Western woman, she might not have made it out at all. Activism without awareness isn't courage – it's suicide dressed as solidarity. Shane Shmuel, Elsternwick (Vic) The Israeli military's seizure of an unarmed aid vessel carrying humanitarian activists marks another chilling moment in a war that has long abandoned any pretence of morality (' Israel boards Gaza charity boat with Greta Thunberg on board ', June 10). This was not a warship nor a military convoy – it was a boat carrying baby formula and medical supplies, intercepted in international waters. Israel's justification? That the boat threatened its naval blockade – blockade that has turned Gaza into both a graveyard and a prison, cutting off not just food and medicine, but any remaining hope. This isn't about security, it's the systematic punishment of an entire population and a clear violation of international law. Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy (Vic) Israel's military took control of the Madleen while it was trying to deliver food to Palestinians in Gaza, and brought its crew of activists including Greta Thunberg to an Israeli port. While this was a futile exercise by the activists, why is it that no country's leaders have even made the gesture of condemning Israel's actions? Michael Bright, Moss Vale Solar future Amazon's warehouse at Kemps Creek has 3400 solar panels on the roof, but this pales when compared with Moorebank Logistics Park, which will have 120,000 panels when completed (' The city's unused spaces that are prime real estate for solar ', June 10). If you want to see what a renewable energy hub really looks like, the place to go is Adelaide. It seems that every square inch of available space there has been plastered with solar panels – homes, businesses, churches, car parks. Even the animal cages at the zoo have panels on them. And the result: SA's grid is now 74 per cent renewable and will hit 100 per cent by the end of 2027. Now that's seriously impressive. Ken Enderby, Concord Whenever I am waiting for a train and look up at the long platform roof, I wonder why the Department of Transport cannot install solar panels on all those really exposed spaces. The government preaches solar but doesn't appear to do the obvious in its own facilities. It's a no-brainer. At the same time, perhaps similarly equipped platform roofing should be installed at all suburban stations as well. Rod Lander, Stanwell Park I see Nick O'Malley is advocating governments mandate all new residential and commercial buildings must have solar panels installed. This is not a new idea, but one that in my opinion should have been implemented by all states at least 20 years ago. Come on Albo, in this day and age, time is of the essence. Nicholas Beauman, Neutral Bay Honours system Perhaps some of the criticisms of the Australian honours system in Jenna Price's polemic are justified, but with more than 800 recipients it is inevitable that some will be contentious (' Honouring Scott Morrison makes a mockery of awards system ', June 9). This shouldn't overshadow the positives of a system that recognises not only politicians, but a vastly larger number of individuals whose selfless, lifelong endeavours have benefited our community, and whose joy at their award is shared warmly by family and friends. Malcolm France, Haberfield The angry responses from your letter writers shows that something is very wrong with the Australian awards system. My suggestion is that they be reserved exclusively for people who are volunteers. Everyone else should just line up for an employee of the month award. Michael Georgeson, Balmain After the flood of letters criticising the undeserved honour awarded to Scott Morrison, I'm looking forward to correspondence that justifies it. Rosemary? Riley? We're waiting. Daniel Flesch, Bellingen When it was revealed Scott Morrison had received a King's Birthday gong I said to my partner 'the lefties will go ballistic'. Mimicking the words of noted leftie Peter Fitzsimons, 'I TOLD yers!' Unsurprisingly, calls for a review of the honours system only emerge from hibernation after a conservative receives an award. When a progressive gets a gong or, for that matter is appointed as the King's representative in Australia, lefties are either missing in action or praising the anointed one as a worthy recipient. The hypocrisy astounds but doesn't surprise. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Building rules The Herald investigation of the Building Information Certification is yet another example of the cynical and corrupt few destroying the reputation of a legitimate tool that architects and builders use to enable the continuity of construction works on site (' Build First, ask for permission later ', June 10). In situations where technical difficulties and/or a dysfunctional planning system cannot reasonably resolve the issues within the timeframes necessary, the BIC is the only legitimate pathway forward and without it building complex high-quality projects of any kind would be almost impossible. The current approval and construction compliance processes are fast becoming untenable and must be simplified and rethought if we ever hope to deliver affordable high-quality housing. Jon King, Randwick Food first Further to correspondent Bruce Clydsdale's letter, food is the first medicine and health is wealth. Australia is fortunate to have abundant, fresh, high-quality food supplied by the country to the cities, with the true value of this going well beyond money (Letters, June 7). Associated benefits include the prevention of malnutrition, sickness and disease. This food supply also translates into social stability. The pandemic revealed a rapid breakdown of community, with fights in supermarkets over goods, and anger towards supermarket workers trying to impose limits. In terms of tourism and travel, revenue is raised beyond the cities, well into regional and remote Australia. While ostensibly highly profitable, the education export 'industry' has a particularly chequered history, as documented in the Herald and other media, with ICAC listing numerous areas of concern. Interestingly, in 2014, the University of Sydney reported that adults from rural and remote Australia are disproportionately represented among our prime ministers and top 100 CEOs. Only 10 per cent of the population come from country Australia, but 38 per cent of the top CEOs, and 24 per cent of our prime ministers, have had that background. In all, it would be a great error to underestimate the immense and multi-faceted contribution of the country to Australia's well-being, stability and prosperity. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic) Housing targets Poor Clare O'Neil is the latest to be frustrated by a ridiculously over-governed Australia (' O'Neil focus on planning in bid to hit home target ', June 10). She wants to build houses as quickly as possible but state and local government constraints stand in her way. Of course, I'm not suggesting we fix the constitution and then fix housing, but really, three tiers of government for a population smaller than the state of California? How will the federal government succeed without upsetting any apple carts? My advice? Shower them with platitudes and homilies, Anthony. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove Clare O'Neil was handed the federal housing portfolio with the express mission of getting the government's housing target back on track. Three years were wasted while the Greens held up legislation for their own purposes. The provision of 1.2 million homes by 2030 is a major policy of the Albanese government, and they can't afford to fail. If she has to break a few eggs to get the job done, so be it. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill Raw prawn Several years ago, despite a concerted campaign by the local fishing industry, savant Canberra bureaucrats allowed the import of raw prawn meat into Australia from south-east Asia. Despite the fact that white spot disease was endemic in these countries, the assurance by the big supermarkets that no one would ever consider using these prawns for fishing in local waterways won the day. Predictably, it was only a matter of weeks after imports began that white spot escaped, devastating the local prawn farming industry. Are we now going to allow the importation of poorly documented raw beef from regions known for screw worm and mad cow disease. Will the same savants be reassuring Australian beef producers that they know best (' Albanese to put beef on the table in trade talks ', June 7)? Paul Soares, Bardwell Valley Class act I am not surprised to read that international students love attending our public schools (' Why International students love Sydney's in-demand public schools ' June 9). I had the pleasure of teaching many international students. They were almost without exception attentive, scholarly, respectful, and enhanced the overall atmosphere of the classroom. I remember two Swedish girls who told me during winter they had 'never been so cold' as they struggled with our school's poor heating. One girl from Finland topped both my English and modern history class, achieved admirably at the athletics and swimming carnivals, won the school's talent quest after a commendable ballet performance, and even made her own school formal dress. A girl from Japan was amazed that, unlike her own school, we taught drama. A Swiss student insisted that my wife and I meet up with her family when on a European vacation, which we were delighted to do. All this at a standard comprehensive school on the Central Coast. International students appreciate the quality and value of an Australian education, which so often is denigrated by others. Robert Hickey, Green Point Climate action can't wait Labor is maintaining a double standard on emissions reduction (' Labor vows to tackle its unfulfilled environmental goals ', June 10). During a recent visit to drought-affected farmers in South Australia, Albanese himself acknowledged that 'climate change is real and we need to respond to it'. Yet environment minister Murray Watt has recently given provisional approval to extend the WA North West Shelf project, run by gas giant Woodside. This project would result in billions of tonnes of pollution being released into the atmosphere and fuelling the problem of global warming. Climate change has a very real human as well as an environmental cost, as the impact of severe drought in southern Australia and the recent floods in northern NSW clearly show. I implore the Labor government to take a long, hard look at their core values and have the courage to take real action to reduce global pollution. The best renewables program in the world won't reverse the problem of climate change as long as new fossil fuel projects are being approved. Anne O'Hara, Wanniassa (ACT) Women rise up Alison Page's planned sculpture is an excellent concept (' New 'superhero' will rise above Circular Quay ', June 10). It is right that we honour pioneering governors, explorers and leaders to whom we owe so much. It is right too that we honour Indigenous Australians, who bless all of us with an ancient and storied culture. As community leader Noel Pearson has eloquently put it, Australia is made up of three broad, great cultural traditions: Indigenous, British and migrant. The installation of works like this honouring Indigenous Australians alongside others helps us to realise this awesome affordance of ours. As for installations honouring women, Alison Page's creation will join Queen Victoria's statue next to Town Hall, and the monument near Circular Quay to women settlers. More monuments honouring women are always welcome. Will Thorpe, Haberfield NDIS rorts Your correspondent highlights the odious profiteering at large within the NDIS (Letters, June 10). No wonder the expenditure has blown out beyond belief. Albeit ostensibly to ensure greater transparency and equitability, these loopy loopholes have enabled this potentially great system to go the way of all good government initiatives – attracted easy profiteering and encouraged pigs at the trough. The recipients in need run a poor second with soft corporate greed calling the shots. Judy Finch, Taree Coeliac pitfalls Diagnosing coeliac disease is only half the battle (' Think gluten makes you sick? A new test could tell you for sure ', June 10). The gluten-free diet has many pitfalls, as I have discovered over the past 20 years. The cost of gluten-free products is roughly double the price of gluten-filled equivalents. Then the three Bs (beer, bread and biscuits – in that order) are either hard to find, inedible or tasteless. Thank goodness for red wine. To cap it off, many restaurants are reluctant to give the gluten-free stamp to their meals. Michael Blissenden, Dural Hospitals on life support How long will it be before emergency mental health care in NSW collapses (' Fury at minister over pay rise 'cost',' June 10)? How long can the remaining public psychiatrists and mental health nurses keep the system struggling on before they, too, give up and go private? Regional areas like the Shoalhaven have no public psychiatrists at all, relying on mental health nurses and video conference assessments. Is this really the best the NSW minister for mental health can do? The premier, whose main skill it seems is apologising for his government's shortcomings, needs to have a serious look at the priorities of his government (' The early warning that put a price on fixing the state's psychiatrists crisis ', June 10). At the moment, they give every indication of being a failure. Colin Hesse, Nowra Vale Shakespeare, one of a kind Such sad news (' Beloved Herald cartoonist John Shakespeare dies after cancer battle ', June 10). For those who, like myself, gravitate towards the cartoons prior to reading anything else, Shakespeare's absence has been felt. Cartoonists are, after all, the penetrating eye of any paper worthy of print (real or virtual). The many and varied tributes to him paint a potent portrait. Readers of this masthead have lost a little of the inner warmth and gentle sparkle needed to withstand the wintery gusts of our turbulent times. Vale John Shakespeare. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Vale John Shakespeare, Herald hero, wonderful human and cartoonist in a league of his own. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills John Shakespeare had a wonderful gift. He showed us that a message with humour catches the eye and is remembered with a smile. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland Truly, truly sad, but as they say – a life worth living. David Neilson, Araluen (NT)
