Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Hard choices on the future of the land

By Andrew Bartlett - posted Monday, 6 November 2006


We should be helping these farmers to move on while the drought is focusing the country’s attention on the bush. Otherwise as the costs of water, fuel and transport rise, and the climate grows increasingly hostile, these same farmers will have to abandon their lands in an environment where there is less public and political will to do right by them.

By making these choices now, we can concentrate drought assistance on those farms and areas where it will actually have positive, long-term results, rather than squandering a good portion on it for the sake of salving a selective interpretation of our nation’s psyche, at the cost of our own wellbeing and that of the farmers concerned.

And if something is unsustainable then, by definition, it must come to an end, not just relocate it to another area which has yet to be exploited. It is up to us as a nation, to ensure that the transition from the current situation, to one that can continue, is as smooth, painless and fair as possible for the farmers as well as for the country.

Advertisement

All Australians have to look at their lifestyles critically and replace the unviable practices with sustainable ones - not just in the bush, but in our cities, too. As easy as it would be to point the finger at industry or agriculture and demand that they, as the largest users of water must change, we all contribute to the problem as individuals and consumers and we must all help each other move forward, beyond the damaging practices of the past.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

19 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Andrew Bartlett has been active in politics for over 20 years, including as a Queensland Senator from 1997-2008. He graduated from University of Queensland with a degree in social work and has been involved in a wide range of community organisations and issues, including human rights, housing, immigration, Indigneous affairs, environment, animal rights and multiculturalism. He is a member of National Forum. He blogs at Bartlett's Blog.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Andrew Bartlett

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Andrew Bartlett
Article Tools
Comment 19 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy