I realise the Murray Darling Basin Plan is a very complex issue, however that is no excuse for the bias in reporting by the ABC and many other media outlets.
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Last week every ABC news report I saw in relation to the MDBP disallowance motion included the phrase “the amendment which will return 70 gigalitres back to irrigators”, or similar.
This is a blatant misrepresentation of what the amendment was about, which was reducing the volume to be removed from irrigation in the Northern Basin.
In addition, throughout the Basin Plan debate and subsequent ABC coverage, there has been barely a mention of the loss of agricultural production, jobs, economic input to the nation, the environmental damage (ie river bank erosion and slumping)...
This ideological environmental bias flows through to other left-wing media who ignore the Basin Plan’s many failings.
Why haven’t they highlighted issues around the desperate need for infrastructure works at the ‘end of system’, and the simple fact that we are trying to turn a traditional estuarine system into a freshwater system?
In my view, the lack of balance in much of our journalism is irresponsible.
It is about time media outlets such as the ABC took the time to better educate their audience about all aspects of the Basin Plan, including the risk to their food security from reducing by half the volume of water available for food and fibre production.
Neil Eagle, Barham.
Mundine’s hard-yakka example
Just read Warren Mundine's (Member of Parliament) recent book release.
Might I recommend it to the public as a worthwhile honest and genuine recollection of his personal struggle to get where he is today.
This is a life influenced by his parents who taught him (by their example) the hard work ethic that if you want to get somewhere in life you get out there and put your hand to any job that is available no matter how menial it may be.
Warren earned money (as a young lad) by shovelling manure into bags and selling it to help his parents make ends meet. He was never too proud to do the hard yakka and look where his is today.
Then we have our other indigenous champions - Lionel Rose, Yvonne Goolgagong, Cathie Freeman and others like our up and coming Ash Barty.
These fine examples shine with their attitude and composure that gets out there, has a go and gives it their best.
On the other hand the ones with the proverbial chip on their shoulders (excused as being a mental problem) like Tomic and Nick Kyrgios with their lack of control of their improper behaviour set a bad example.
Warren also made mention (in his book) that making the grade in this day and age requires unity (not division). He's right, didn't Cathy Freeman point this out by doing a victory lap around the arena waving both flags she had sewn together, a statement of unity in itself.
The crowd rose up in their thousands cheering her on, the skin colour was not a problem.
The Greens need to wake up to their ongoing devisive strategy it ain't working, too many real intelligent people out there aware of their mischief making and see through them for what they are, would be's if they could be's at the expense of others, calling it concern for them.
Warren, like the majority aren't buying it.
Yvonne Rance, Griffith.