Like your readers, I am deeply concerned about the number of quad bike deaths and injuries and I have been saddened by the recent deaths.

Since 2011, 112 people have lost their lives in quad bike accidents nationally, with 30 of these tragedies occurring in NSW. Those figures are totally unacceptable.

The NSW Government’s Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, introduced last July, gave farmers access to a one-off rebate to buy helmets, undertake training, retrofit safety equipment to existing quad bikes, and/or buy a safer side-by-side farm vehicle.

Earlier this month, we doubled the rebate to $1,000 for the purchase of a side-by-side vehicle, $500 for the retrofitting of safety equipment to an existing quad bike, and $90 for the purchase of an approved helmet.

As many farmers have more than one quad bike, they can now also apply for two rebates, meaning they can be eligible for up to $2,000, rather than the original $500 if they are buying side-by-sides.

Further information is available from www.safework.nsw.gov.au and I really encourage your readers to visit the website and find out what they can do to reduce their risk of death or injury.

Matt Kean, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation

If ever the Australian people needed an example of just what One Nation stands for, they need look no further than Pauline Hanson’s recent comments lauding Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Through a campaign of assassinations of political opponents, the installation of brutal subordinates in regions like Chechnya and draconian restrictions on the rights of free speech and free expression, Putin has constructed an authoritarian regime that is in many ways just as bad, and in some senses worse, than the Soviet Union.  

Given One Nation’s seeming concern that our freedom is under assault from the doctrine of political correctness, and it’s constant invectives against those who oppose “the people,” you could be forgiven for thinking that Pauline Hanson would have nothing but scorn for Putin’s regime.

 Unfortunately, you would be wrong.  

Hanson has nothing but admiration for the man, stating, “[h]e is very patriotic towards his country, the people love him, he is doing so well for the country. So many Australians here want that leadership here in Australia.”  

Herein lies the truth of what Hanson truly stands for.  Like all right-wing demagogues, she appeals to a sense of patriotic freedom whilst at the same time fawning over strength. Might is right as far as Hanson is concerned, and Putin is to be admired on that basis.  

If Hanson and One Nation want that kind of leadership and that kind of regime here in Australia, they are welcome to it, but they should come clean and tell the people that is their political goal.

Brett Heino, Koonawarra

As an important infrastructure project for both the region and state, the Maldon-Dombarton rail line has for three decades been used as a political football by all sides of politics.

I do appreciate the support of both State and Federal politicians from Labor and Liberal regarding the Maldon-Dombarton project, however through politics and bureaucracy it has been stagnate.

The only thing anyone hears about the project is how this government or that government used millions of dollars to fund a study or geotechnical survey.

The people of the Illawarra are not waiting for more talks or studies, just get on and build the bloody thing and if that is too much - then shut up!

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow