Letters to the Editor on an alternative Writers’ Week
This week, InDaily readers have their say on an election pledge to upgrade the Regal Theatre and an alternative Writers’ Week.
Responding to ‘Heart of the arts’: Libs promise millions for heritage facelift
Many thanks for your article regarding this election promise, and for highlighting the iconic Regal Theatre.
The Regal has “cat-like” survival, recently celebrating its first century. The tenacity of the Regal is documented in the recently published history book: With Love to the Princess – a celebration of a century of entertainment.
The proposed upgrading of the Regal will ensure its continuation as a viable, relevant and sustainable entertainment and community service venue.
We, Friends of the Regal Theatre – an apolitical group – urge the Government to support the funding of the proposed upgrading, which will pay handsome dividends to the community for many years to come. – John Fitzpatrick
It will be great if Labor agrees to match or even better surpass the Libs commitment to this iconic building. – Aidan Leahy
Not sure why the Liberals think that the cultural centre for the arts is in the eastern suburbs. Is it because their offices are in those suburbs? It is because their friends and family live in the eastern suburbs? I would think that the Art Gallery might beg to differ on location; meanwhile, we have the Fringe in the city, a walking art collection at the Brighton Jetty Sculptures, which has been around for a few years. We have the historic Thebarton Theatre and the State Festival Theatre in the city. How about spending money on the visual arts instead? As an artist, I really don’t have anywhere to show off my art, simply because the galleries are expensive and limited in size, resorting to online only. Arts should be accessible to everyone, not just those in the eastern suburbs. – Ersu
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Responding to Smithson: Ley’s sneak SA visit a ‘move over chaps’ moment for Libs
It was Mike Rann who defeated Isabel Redmond in the 2010 state election – not Jay Weatherill. I would be grateful if you would acknowledge this fact. It was Mike’s third election win, as I’m sure you will now recall. – Michele Virgo
Smitho, Sussan Ley’s visit was hardly quiet. Her photo ops were all over social media with Anne Ruston, including a trip to Port Lincoln for the Tunarama. She would have been better served by reading and understanding the new hate law legislation and not complaining about not having enough time to read it. After all, she was the one who demanded parliament return early!
Ashton Hurn appears to be a breath of fresh air for the Liberal Party and is very articulate; however, I don’t think that’s enough to save them. Someone will have to be the “fall guy”, and as much as it shouldn’t be her, it will be. That appears to be the Liberal Party’s modus operandi. Unfortunately, it seems the One Nation bandwagon is in hot pursuit of, it would appear, Liberal seats, particularly as it appears SA Best are not at its best with Connie Bonaros’s term expiring this year. Ashton Hurn’s seat is not immune, but I hope voters listen to her, not the policy-free zone called One Nation. You are right, however, federal Liberals need to stay away from the SA election for Ashton Hurn’s sake, although even that won’t be enough, I suspect. – Di Martin
Responding to Top authors signing up for alt Adelaide Writers’ Week
Good news! – Ann Gorey
Do the authors signing up for the alt Adelaide Writers’ Week include people from all walks of life and faiths? That would be meaningful, bringing everyone together for constructive talks and eliminate narrow mindedness to portray only one side of a story. – Judith McKinnon
Would be interesting to see if they invite any pro-Israel Jewish or conservative writers to provide balance and opportunities for the public to hear alternative views. – Peter Jackson
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Steven Streeter argues that Writers’ Week (and Guerilla Writers’ Week) is “elitist,” then says he was “greatly disappointed” that “politics had entered Writers’ Week,” adding: “I believe our personal opinions have no place in open public events.” That position collapses on contact with itself.
First, calling a festival “elitist” is already a political judgement about power, access, culture and status. You don’t get to throw that grenade and then declare the room must be politics-free. “No politics” is not neutrality; it’s a demand for silence – usually from everyone except those already comfortable with how things are run.
Second, “open public events” are not those where opinions are suppressed. They’re those where disagreement can be aired without intimidation, with basic standards of respect, moderation and right of reply. A Writers’ Week that bans “personal opinions” becomes a lifestyle product: panels as polite entertainment, literature reduced to branding.
Third—and this is the irony—Streeter writes horror. Horror is one of the most political genres in the modern canon: it is where societies stage their fears, denials and consequences. Outback horror, in particular, is soaked in public questions about land, belonging, ecological disruption, violence, myth and the return of what has been ignored. If you write stories of what’s underground, what’s invasive, what erupts from the margins, you understand better than most that the repressed doesn’t disappear—it comes back louder. – Stewart Sweeney
Responding to Fresh Eyre Peninsula plan to tackle worrying feral deer and fox numbers
I would like to see fleabane registered as a noxious weed, please. It is very hard to control, and I have been told it is starting impact grain-growing areas on Eyre Peninsula. It is very hard to kill and comes back every summer, twice as much as the previous year! – Alison Goddard
Responding to ‘Extremely concerning’: Australia Day terror plot claim
It will be interesting to follow the role of the new Ambassador to the USA, career diplomat Greg Moriarty, who has served as Defence secretary for nearly a decade and was previously chief of staff to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Australians who are concerned over the origins of the AUKUS alliance, the expansion of US bases in Australia and the belligerent statements of Donald Trump, will hope the Ambassador still hears the warnings of AUKUS danger from Malcolm Turnbull and former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans.
On the home front, the same concerned Australians will be watching the newly formed command in our Australian Federal Police, which focuses on security for AUKUS and includes ‘Public Order Management.’
Let’s hope our new ambassador will not abandon our capacity for independent sovereign judgment under the pressure of Washington. – Julanne Sweeney
Responding to Team reveals TDU champ’s injuries after kangaroo collision
While it’s distressing to read about the rider’s injuries, why no mention of the fate of the kangaroos? – Dr David Ness
