Letters tothe editor June 28 2017

Firstly,let's dispose of the notion that marriage equality is about "redefining and destroying God's view of marriage".

If you accept the statistic that says since the beginning of this century almost 75 percent of all Australian marriage ceremonies were performed by marriage celebrants, God's view is looking pretty distant and outdated.

Can we talk about Adrian's opinion that gay activists reject the notion of a plebiscite because they know they will lose. Really?

Are they ignoring every opinion poll that says over 70 percent of the Australian population is in favour of same-sex marriage or are they fearful of a plebiscite because of the vitriol and misinformation the opposers of marriage equality are gathering  in their arsenal?

Are they war weary from hearing their genuine desire to find happiness with a soulmate of the same sex described as "unnatural sexual disordered behaviour"?

The only point I can agree with Adrian is when he says "these activists are only interested in redefining marriage for their own purpose".

And why not? Especially when that purpose is a wish for an inclusive society

I have to wonder if Adrian Devlin has ever knowingly had a conversation with a gay person.

It's on the cards that he has unknowingly shared a laugh, a meal, a journey with someone whose sexual inclinations would cause him alarm but has come away with only good thoughts  about the interaction.

I'm ever hopeful that one day Adrian Devlin and his co-conspirators will wake up, remove the blinkers and see  the world as it is,as it always was and as it always will be,as varied and colourful as a rainbow.

Max Fischer, Scarborough

There is obviously a long chain of responsibility in the Grenfell Tower disaster - the builders, the council and whoever approved the cladding work.

But part of the blame rests with the manufacturer - some factory in communist China.

All companies in China are simply subsets of the Chinese Communist Party, who have been foisting unsafe products on the gullible West for years.

The cladding on the Grenfell Tower was unsafe in any application but no doubt it is cladding buildings all over the world.

Bob Vinnicombe, Sefton

Minimising and ultimately preventing risks from animal and plant pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants is crucial to the health and wellbeing of our economy, environment and communities.

To help us more effectively manage biosecurity risks in NSW, we have a new NSW Biosecurity Act commencing on 1 July 2017. 

Whether you live in a regional area or a large city, have a small farm or backyard garden, participate in bushwalking, or enjoy recreational fishing, everyone can play a part in managing our biosecurity.

The new framework provides greater flexibility in managing risks, including new powers to allow faster response times in an emergency, such as during a disease outbreak.

The Department of Primary Industries is hosting a series of information meetings with key stakeholders across the State to explain the impact of the changes. You can find an online training program and advisory material at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.  The NSW Government is committed to safeguarding our $14 billion primary industries sector.

Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Primary Industries