Complex relationship
The latest cringe-worthy performance of our esteemed Prime Minister sucking up to Donald Trump is eye-watering. Scomo did a great job of belittling himself and our country by choosing to criticise China's status as a "developing economy" whilst obviously trying to impress his host whose trade war with China threatens the stability of world economy.
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Australia's relationship with China as our major trading partner and close neighbour is complex and fragile, requiring tact and diplomacy both of which appear to be missing under the leadership of Morrison if this faux pas of grand proportions is any indication.
Morrison's non appearance at the UN Climate Summit makes hollow of his words that Australia is doing its bit to help reduce Co2. It is true that the emissions of countries such as China outweigh those of Australia but per capita, we are well out in front and much more needs to be done. No such assurance was forthcoming. Morrison's request to have his religious mentor, Pastor Brian Houston of the Hillsong Church, attend a state dinner at the Whitehouse was declined and only added to the dismal performance of our Prime Minister.
Denise Meredith, Kanahooka.
Unmistakably disastrous
This year there will be a failed harvest. For many dryland farmers, this will be the second year in a row. This crop failure means a farmer will not receive any income from the sale of a crop throughout 2019 or 2020. The soonest a farmer will have any prospect of receiving an income is March 2021.
While receiving no income, next year a farmer must continue to plant their crops. They do this without any idea if the season will be drought, flood or just an average year. Farmers must continue to spend a significant sum in Autumn 2020 on; fertilizer, seed, herbicide and diesel for a return in 2021.
Right now the situation in regional areas is unmistakably disastrous. Even if it rains tomorrow, things in regional Australia won't start improving until mid-2021 at the earliest.
Greg Adamson, Griffith
Load of cod's wallop
The contribution 'Feeling ripped-off' Mercury, Thursday September 26th from Joan Zealy of Balgownie complemented the article on the opposite page by Penelope Arthur on "false advertising."
On any day of any week fuel price per litre can vary among service stations throughout Australia. Locally, one need only to drive from Corrimal to Unanderra to see service stations, some only 50mts apart, with price variations of up to 10 cents per litre.
Why is this so? Our politician's would have us believe it is simply market forces in action. To this I say, what a load of cod's wallop! It is a manipulation of fuel price by Big Oil because they can! Why is this so?
Because no Australian government has ever had the gumption to step in and regulate the price of fuel. On the question of "false and misleading advertising" I believe two classic example of this exist ; politicians who claim to be representing our best interests and, Macdonald's Big Macs!
While the first example can be variable, this cannot be said about the second. Hands-up anyone who has received a Big Mac which even vaguely represents that which is advertised on the restaurant's menu board.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
