Responding to Bernardi bites back at Premier in fracking bill biff

If Koutsantonis is serious about letting “scientists decide” if fracking risks damaging aquifers, perhaps he should also ask the scientists what the impact will be of burning the gas that fracking extracts. Scientists have been telling us for years that we’re cooking the planet and cannot expand the fossil fuel industry any further. This government should stop cherry-picking the science for the benefit of its friends in the gas industry. – Ben Taylor

It’s great to see someone can provide real opposition to SA Labor at last. Bernardi is going to give Malinauskas and Koutsantonis hell over the next four years, despite the plethora of Premier’s minders and spin doctors. Together with Hurn, the alternative voters have a voice at last! – John Lewis

Responding to Game’s high hopes as abortion debate returns to parliament

How ridiculous. Removing “serious foetal abnormalities” as a reason to abort? This is a medical issue and not for politicians to decide. – Ann Casey

How curious and distressing to find that there is another medically dangerous and misguided attempt to politicise and distort the current well-accepted and regulated pregnancy termination legislation. The amended legislation, once again proposed by Sarah Game and her high-profile supporter, Joanna Howe, removes the right of a woman in late pregnancy to be treated for serious mental or physical illness

Under the proposed change, the only way a woman can be proved to be eligible for termination on the basis of the pregnancy constituting “a threat to life” is if she dies from her disease.

Equally, the proposed amendment removes the right of a pregnant woman to seek the termination of a late-term foetus with a major deformity, which would otherwise be born as a terminally disabled baby with no prospect of a continuing life.

So the anti-abortion lobby effectively promotes the prospect of avoidable maternal deaths and the birth of babies with no prospect of salvage or survival. How curious that the adherents to these cruel views designate themselves under a “right to life” mantra. – Warren Jones

Responding to ‘Moral rot’: One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas makes first speech in SA parliament

I just wish someone would sit and explain to new members like Thomas what actual ability they have to effect change in things like immigration (i.e. the differences between local, state and federal governments).

Perhaps instead of dummy spitting walkouts, the Greens could spend some time working with new members. – Eldert Hoebee

You might like

Opinion

The politics of gas have changed. Can Malinauskas catch up?

Opinion

Remand isn’t supposed to be punishment. So why does it increasingly feel like it is?

Brilliant speeches, Cory Bernardi and Chantelle Thomas. We at last have “commonsense”, knowledgeable, intellectual people coming into the SA Parliament, where their respect is for the wishes of the state’s people, instead of being ideologically dictated to by a particular government. – Colleen Roberts

Responding to Meet the granny labelled an ‘extremist’ by Premier Malinauskas

As a horticulturist and former lecturer in related subjects, including arboriculture, I am disgusted by the current and previous governments’ attitude to the park lands.

Regarding the North Adelaide Golf Course removal of trees, I heard the Premier on the radio saying how open he has been regarding this issue. In the interest of openness, I would like to see a list of species of trees and the numbers of each removed. I heard the comment that they are just Red Gums and Blue Gums, but I am sure there are many other species, possibly including some less common or rare species.

Regardless, all trees are valuable, providing well-known environmental benefits. Planting three seedlings for each tree removed is a gimmick. Unless well-maintained for the first few years, not all are likely to survive.

In the interests of transparency, where and when will these replacement trees be planted (if at all)?

You might like

Opinion

The politics of gas have changed. Can Malinauskas catch up?

Opinion

Remand isn’t supposed to be punishment. So why does it increasingly feel like it is?

When the Adelaide Oval redevelopment occurred, about 20 huge, mature, 150-year-old Moreton Bay Fig trees were removed, and we were told they would be replaced. Where are these replacements?

The taking of park lands for schools, hospitals, commercial office buildings and another racetrack is a disgrace, and developments such as these should never be allowed again.

The secret commercial arrangements associated with some of these developments are unacceptable. So much for transparency and openness.

It is time those in authority realised and understood the original intent of Adelaide’s unique and precious park lands and surrounds and stopped regarding it as free real estate. – John Zwar

Peter Malinauskas should reflect on the demise of John Howard and Jeff Kennett, both of whom became arrogant and out of touch with those who elected them to these roles. Even with a weak Opposition today, the situation can change quickly if he doesn’t start representing the community ahead of his personal aspirations. – Keith Gillard

I applaud Mij Tanith and her protest against the continued decimation of the Adelaide Park Lands.

Difficult decisions have to be made when strong principles are attacked.

We have recently moved from Adelaide to Canberra to live, but support the preservation and restoration of park lands as one of the greatest assets of this beautiful city.

I encourage Premier Malinauskas to listen to the voices of people (such as those who took to the streets to protest against the so-called improvements to the South Australian Museum) and to consider how to protect the park lands from further vandalism. – Shirley Schubert 

I went to North Adelaide for an event on the weekend. Whilst at what should have been a joyful occasion, I was overcome with incredible sadness. It’s impossible to be in that area and not think of the terrible destruction that has happened there, of living beings other than us, who seem to have no value whatsoever in the eyes of the state.

But they do have value. Trees gift us every day with shade and cooler, cleaner air, simply by being trees. Possums, birds and other creatures that are not human, what is their value? Who hasn’t smiled when they hear or see a bird, or come face-to-face with a possum? They bring us in-the-moment joy. For doing simply that, their habitat (and no doubt many of them as well) has been destroyed. Those who survived are now homeless. But they don’t count. It’s only six per cent.

I hope to never go to North Adelaide again. The pain that has been inflicted by our species – this government – can be felt by anyone with a heart and mind. In the not-very-distant future, when it’s too hot to play golf and young substitute trees struggle to survive, those who have forgotten will be reminded of this thoughtless act. And those who are too young right now or yet to be born will say: “Why did you do something so stupid?” Life is precious and priceless. – Andrea Rankin

Responding to Vigil for 585 trees facing the chop as $45m golf course work starts

It is incredibly sad to see such widespread tree loss across the North Adelaide Golf Course.

I’m not anti-golf; I’m all for a stroll in our beautiful park lands, but the absolute lack of transparency is sickening. Malinauskas has repeatedly emphasised that misinformation is being spread, yet has not released any details for the golf course in order to clear up these vague assertions of misinformation.

If it is misinformation, set the record straight, provide details, maybe we’ll love what is being done when we can see the vision.

What trees are being lost? When, where and what are the placement trees? What buildings are being built in the park lands? Are the existing clubrooms staying? What car parking will users of the golf course use? Once all the trees are cut down, is it still necessary to keep the whole site fenced off for years? Is there going to be additional permanent fencing erected in the park lands?

Provide a timeline for economic viability. Is there any modelling available on how long it will take (if ever) for the lost tree canopy to be replaced? What is being done to reduce the impacts on wildlife living in the golf course while the redevelopment is underway? Have the trees lost from the Aquatic Centre been replaced? Why not? How many trees (significant and otherwise) are being lost for MotoGP? Has anything been done to plant trees in anticipation of this loss?

We live in the driest state on the driest continent on Earth. Is Peter no longer convinced about climate change? Does he want it to get hotter and drier before he feels any action needs to be taken? – Sarah Lennon

Dear Premier, after being a long-time supporter, you have now disappointed me, and I suspect a large number of your Labor voters.

Firstly, allowing two massive buildings to overshadow and diminish Parliament House, a place renowned for the world-first laws it passed.

Secondly, for the wilful cutting down of nearly 600 trees in our beloved park lands, a civic asset for all South Australians.

Yes, you say more will be planted in their stead, (have we yet seen a map of their placement?) but how long before they are large enough to again provide a shady canopy for walkers, runners and cyclists as well as shelter for our native animals?

And all this for a golf tournament and a car race? – Pat Venning

Responding to Eight arrests as park lands golf course protest continues to tee off

Just under three per cent of the SA population are strongly opposed to the North Adelaide Golf Course upgrade.

The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy, but please keep it peaceful and respectful, people.

Our state will reap the benefits of this much-needed upgrade in terms of increased visitor spending, increased tree canopy, and a more active lifestyle opportunity for our residents for decades to come. – Andrew Hudson

An election promise is an action for the future.

By the time the 2026 election campaign was underway, the redevelopment of North Adelaide Golf course had already become a live project, not a promise.

Greg Norman was contracted, and plans were committed.

Same thing for MotoGP. The deal was signed on 19 February, and writs were issued two days later, on 21 February. Not a promise; a done deal.

Labor won 37.6 per cent of the primary vote in the lower house, and that is far from a majority. – Dr Christel Mex

Responding to Taller towers slated for inner city site as PM lands in Adelaide

I am all for building tall residential apartment buildings in Adelaide, and in fact, I live in one myself.

Building a tall building on the West End site concerns me a little, as to the incoming flight path to Adelaide airport.

Has this been considered seriously?

In order to address the housing shortage, I would add that apartment complexes need to be resident-only in focus, with realistic family floor plans and not converted to short-term stays. – Anthony Eldridge

Responding to Leading SA independent brewer sees its ale win best in Australia

Congratulations, Mismatch Brewing, another good South Australian success story. – Trevor Holst