Responding to Thousands of Adelaide Uni students in limbo amid comms chaos

I wish I were surprised by this article, but as a (soon-to-be ex) staff member, the chaos for both academic and professional staff is just as bad, particularly since January.

Forms, processes and policies are either not in place, hard to find, or badged as either of the previous universities. Processes for setting up contracts are a mess, as is the exit process for dozens of staff, like myself, who have not had their contracts renewed.

The touted ‘success’ of this merger with “no job losses” is just a sham. Political smoke and mirrors are hiding a discontented workforce and a confused, bemused student cohort. – Helen Barrie

I am a recent retiree looking to study some subjects of interest at Adelaide University. I applied in December 2025 and received an automated response acknowledging my application. In mid-January, I received an email saying they were very busy but would get to my application eventually.  Since then, I have heard nothing. I have emailed multiple times and received an automated reply saying they were very busy and would respond eventually. I have called and been placed on hold for so long that I hung up.

I have also tried to speak to Student Assist in person, as advised in one of the emails, but was told they could do nothing. Anecdotally, people I have spoken to who are involved or connected to the merged university say it is a disaster, totally under resourced and is bleeding staff and students to other universities in SA and interstate.  It is not a surprise that they would be busy, so it is inexcusable that they have not resourced this from the start. I have given up on studying this semester, given that lectures started weeks ago, and can only hope they are organised enough to enrol next semester. What a huge disappointment. – Richard Pierce

Responding to Too little, too late: alarm as state pollies ‘ignore’ SA’s environment

Kirsty Bevan from the Conservation Council SA has exposed a dangerous lack of understanding, care and foresight by our governments. Elected politicians overwhelmingly think in a short-term electoral cycle, and how to keep voters happy so that they are re-elected. Yet, humanity and the nature that supports us are a long-term arrangement.

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Allocate at least one per cent of GDP (and ideally much more) to try to maintain the status quo. If the environment collapses, the consequences will be much worse. To exist, the economy needs a healthy environment. Economics does not, and cannot, survive as a stand-alone entity despite what economists might think. – Stephen Morris

Kirsty Bevan’s opinion piece is well overdue regarding SA political parties’ indifference to transparency and accountability regarding environmental impacts. The commercial monetisation of the use of the Adelaide park lands for political bread and circuses events is a good example.

By now, Peter Malinauskas’s draft victory speech is ready for him to read out on Saturday night. But you can bet your boots that there will be no mention of transparency and accountability regarding the environmental impacts arising from any of them. It is one of Adelaide’s ‘great silences’. – John Bridgland

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Responding to Algal bloom disaster sinks millions of dollars, new report reveals

It’s very sobering to read that South Australia’s fishing and tourism industries have suffered a $250 million loss from the ongoing algal bloom. And that doesn’t include the costs to ocean animals and human health. As a surfer, I’ve watched the water turn foamy, marine life disappear, and people get sick. Prime Minister Albanese has himself acknowledged that warmer oceans driven by climate change are fuelling these algal blooms. Yet coastal communities are the ones paying the price while major climate polluters like gas company Santos avoid responsibility. When will governments make big polluters pay for the damage being done to our coastline and the industries that rely on it? – Anna Markey

We all know the year‑long algal bloom is harming our oceans and marine life. It has also cost our state $250 million. The fishing and tourism industries have been particularly badly hit. Experts agree that warmer ocean waters driven by climate change are a key factor behind this disaster. So, would it be fair for the state’s biggest climate polluters to help pay for cleaning up the state’s biggest climate impact? – Lloyd Adams

Responding to Safe hands versus fresh face: Leader debate’s slim margin

When fuelled moto-games for adults require the demolition of a nurturing playground for children and yet another chainsaw massacre of park land trees, one must surely question contemporary political values and what is “safe” or “fresh” for the future.

Intergenerational vandalism is neither a value nor to be valued above all else, whatever the margin from momentary ‘spin’. – Elbert Brooks

What a dumb statement that the Liberals are now in good hands. Whilst Ashton has impressed in the relatively few weeks, it’s a giant step to apply that to the party. They are so together, they didn’t even bother to check out one of their candidates when it wasn’t even a throwaway line, but a known characteristic. – David Anderson

The ‘slim margin’ judgement on the Leaders debate was incomprehensible and could only be explained by partiality and political taint. The Premier’s performance was polished and impeccably informed, with clear responses and well-defined policies. The Opposition Leader’s performance was mired in platitudes, trivial assertions and motherhood statements. – Warren Jones

Responding to Former One Nation leader backs Speirs in Black – despite running against him

So, she doesn’t like One Nation being run from Brisbane, but wants local government abolished? Those operational and planning decisions are made from where? Adelaide, Canberra, the UN?

I live in SA’s regions, and the thought of no local representation is genuinely disturbing, but then again, I don’t have the inner suburban shield of indifference fluctuating with indignation to protect my sensibilities. – Peter Slattery

Responding to ‘They spat in my face’: ex-Lib leader seeks redemption

Sorry David. You were a community leader who let down his community, displayed the worst possible human traits, in fact, a criminal, became the shining example of a very bad role model, and you now want to be let back into a community leadership role. You didn’t make mistakes; you made decisions knowing full well what you were doing. You should never be allowed back into a community leadership role. – Graeme Adcock

Responding to Premier reveals SA push for Middle East F1 events

This Premier is chasing any event that deflects from his government’s poor performance in key service areas, never mind the burgeoning government debt. I am all for making South Australia a vibrant state, but picking up an F1 race is an unnecessary load on the taxpayers who are doing it tough at present. – Keith Gillard

Responding to SA Nats call for Labor to release gun policy and reject buyback

I can’t believe the SA Nationals’ policy on gun control. Every gun in the community presents a risk to life for one or more people. If someone can justify ownership of a gun, then it should only be one. There is no need for more than one unless there are exceptional circumstances.

As for licensing under-18s, they simply aren’t mature enough for that responsibility. Additionally, owners should be required to undergo a competency test periodically, which would ensure they still have the gun they licensed and that it’s maintained appropriately. – Bob Sibson

Responding to Regional SA town left without a polling place on election day

This is very poor. It is showing the concern towards regional areas is almost non-existent. – Sue Pleass

Responding to State emblem seadragon disappears from diving hotspot

I think one important difference between leafies and weedies is indicated by the eye position. Middle of head for weedies, top of head for leafies.

Why? Leafies are probably more dependent on healthy dense brown macroalgae canopies for survival on the reefs they’re adapted to. Weedies are more mobile, a bit faster, and their slimmer profile means they can camouflage in a greater variety of habitats. Eye position tells us a lot!

It’s also consistent with the fact that weedies have a much wider distribution around southern Australia, including Tasmania. They tolerate higher wave energy, i.e. more exposed coastal waters. – David Muirhead