Your Views: Letters to the Editor
This week, InDaily readers respond to Mike Smithson’s column on the political whisper campaign ahead of the 2026 state elections and the push to protect the Adelaide park lands.
Responding to Smithson: Whisper warning as election looms
This article got me thinking – there’s one rumour I wish would come true. Term limits for our MPs. The rumours about Tom Koutsantonis retiring may not be true but he will clock over 30 years in the next term. That begs the question whether anyone should be there that long? Is he really there for himself or for us? It’s impossible to stay fresh and easy to become accustomed to all the privileges of public office. I’ll start the conversation by suggesting a limit of 20 years, or perhaps six lower house terms and three upper house terms to keep both houses even. It’s not meant to be a job for life but a genuine privilege for a period of time. I’d love to see an experienced journalist push this further. Less about careers and more about the people. Something to think about. – Dan, Salisbury
Responding to Park lands promises: Inside the protection plans
How can we possibly expect UNESCO heritage protection and recognition when state governments have refused since 2008 to act on the South Australian Heritage Council’s recommendation to provide heritage protection and recognition for the Adelaide park lands? – Tim Jackson, Adelaide
There is a disingenuous game lawfully being played by the Malinauskas government over the matter of the cultural sensitivity of the Adelaide park lands to the Kaurna community.
The game stems from the 1988 Aboriginal Heritage Act legislation, updated ahead of the New Women’s and Children’s Hospital Act 2022 (for the same reason as is revealed below). Parliament committed any future Aboriginal Affairs minister to a “consultation” procedure about Aboriginal heritage matters involving development projects.
The current matter regards the North Adelaide Public Golf Course Act 2025, rushed through parliament in June 2025 by Labor. It’s all about Labor’s plan to dig up an Adelaide park lands site that is a highly culturally sensitive area that ought not to be dug up. That’s because it contains pre-1836 Kaurna and Aboriginal graveyards. It should be left undisturbed. But Labor’s ministers think otherwise. Millions of development dollars are at stake.
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Parliament required the Aboriginal Affairs minister, under sections 21 and 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, to first consult with Kaurna communities ahead of authorising the digging up of sensitive sites. The consult period was ludicrously brief, “tokenistic” as councillor Janet Giles admirably noted. But the extension to August 21 is farcical, because as soon as that deadline passes, parliament has allowed the minister to approve the digging – regardless of any resistance. This will be to ensure that major development preparations commence in the golf course. Premier Malinauskas insists there is a big hurry to start.
Is there a precedent for this cynicism? Yes. In 2024, a $330m desalination plant proposal near Port Lincoln emerged. Consultation followed. The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation objected. They even got an extension of the consultation period. There had been no surveying of the land, a serious flaw. But to no avail. Objection overruled. Planning Minister Nick Champion joined in, claiming that the project must not be delayed. There was a big hurry. Sound familiar? Premier Malinauskas and his planning minister Champion are now claiming the same thing for their $50m golf course project.
On 22 August, the minister will give the go-ahead. The law allows it. In whose domain was this farcical procedure enabled? The Parliament of SA.
Councillor Giles is to be commended for her vigilance. But the law favours the party and the minister, and the minister is in the grip of his party. Woe betide any Labor Party minister who challenges the party’s ordained wisdom. Never mind the views of the Kaurna community. Remember – there is not a moment to be wasted. Another tribe is on the way. LIV Golf’s people are coming. – John Bridgland, North Adelaide
Responding to Mali pledges millions as Port Pirie smelter rescue plan announced
Today’s announcement that Premier Malinauskas will pour millions more in public money into Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter is a tired re-run of failed industrial policy.
A $135 million bailout package shared with another failing smelter in Tasmania is not a solution. It’s a lifeline to multinational companies that have consistently underdelivered on environmental performance, job security, and regional prosperity.
How many times will this government write cheques to cover for Nyrstar’s failure to meet its commitments? Workers and Port Pirie locals deserve long-term certainty not another politically convenient cash splash that avoids the hard decisions about industrial transformation and regional diversification.
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If this is “industry policy,” it’s short-sighted and unsustainable. The public deserves to know:
- What are the specific conditions attached to this funding?
- Will emissions targets, environmental safety, and community health be enforced—or ignored again?
- Where is the plan for the future of Port Pirie once this subsidy runs out?
This isn’t bold leadership. It’s corporate welfare dressed up as regional support. – Sandra Harrison
Obviously, having the most expensive green energy in the world has paid off again as we de-industrialise Australia under Labor. – Harvey Grantham
Responding to BlueScope rallies the troops for Whyalla Steelworks bid
Maybe I’m too cynical, but I wonder how much of the interest is driven by an expectation of substantial taxpayer support to carry out the necessary redevelopment work to make Whyalla commercially viable. I fear the taxpayer will be paying a high price to keep it operating. -Paul Venables
Responding to Meet the candidates running for Adelaide’s Central Ward
Why do we need an election? Council seems to be operating satisfactorily at the moment. We could wait till the next election, so why waste the money on a by-election? – Bill Hecker
Responding to Domestic violence programs get funding boost
Had to do a double-take of this very old photo – I’m in it and left the parliament (retired hurt) in 2022.
I might be looking unhappy because while this is a good initiative, I believe child protection is even more important at the moment – and hopefully deserves the same sort of investment. – Frances Bedford, Emerita State MP for Florey 1997-2022
