Dear Editor,
Whilst it is highly commendable that Gina Rinehart is urging all Australians to stand up for our country by celebrating Australia Day this year, “Gina is taking a stand for Australia”, The Advertiser, 12/26, it is also deeply concerning.
If we have to be encouraged to observe and celebrate our national day of significance, does it suggest a lack of pride in being an Australian, or are we being shamed by a minority of opponents in today’s society who make judgments, apportion blame, and impose guilt on the current generation for previous legally and socially accepted actions?
Nothing will ever change what occurred in our past, but we have acknowledged that we have learnt from it and have rectified many past mistakes and inappropriate practices and moved forward.
Sadaf Zulfiqar, respected Education Specialist from UNICEF said: “Decisions and events from the past make us what we are today. Moving on doesn’t mean getting rid of the past – but instead, accepting it”.
Acceptance does not equate to approval of everything that happened; it is about letting go of the mental and emotional tension that impedes our progress, change, and future.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Read the room
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to the Adelaide Writers Week Board for having the courage to ‘read the room’ by upholding their strong convictions.
The decision to cancel Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from the upcoming Adelaide Writers’ Week, citing that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue programming her at this unprecedented time, so soon after Bondi, is a rational and logical one.
Premier Malinauskus made it clear that the state government did not support the inclusion of Dr Abdel-Fattah in the Adelaide Writers’ Week program, noting that a decision was also made to remove a Jewish writer from the Adelaide Writers’ Week program in 2024 under very similar circumstances.
With some claiming that this decision is an attack on the “freedom of speech,” ignores the full meaning and scope of this inalienable right.
Freedom of speech does not grant anyone the right to say what they like or believe, and must meet some long-established and socially accepted caveats.
Freedom of speech is the fundamental right to express ideas and opinions without censorship, restraint, or fear of punishment from the government, encompassing spoken words, writing, art, and protest, but it’s not absolute and has legal limits, especially concerning incitement, defamation, or threats.
We cannot ignore any inappropriate views or opinions under the guise of mere literature and have the questioning of them labelled as censorship.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Lessons to be learnt
Dear Editor,
Teaching is a rewarding, valued, and extremely satisfying vocation that is heavily reliant on many innate personal qualities; however, today, the “heart of teaching” is slowly being drained away, resulting in much disenchantment.
“Teachers plan to quit in droves” (The Advertiser, 15/1) should alert all Australian Education Departments to the serious issues which are impacting negatively on those involved in our students’ learning.
Once viewed as an extremely worthwhile, enjoyable, rewarding, and respected vocation, it is now being severely tarnished by the constantly changing working conditions and ever-increasing demands faced by classroom practitioners.
Each year, an increasing number of outside classroom influences of expectations, procedures, and requirements are being placed on teachers at the chalk face, who want to get on with the job of developing the skills, abilities, and understandings of their students, whilst also providing them with an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Teachers are being burnt out because the amount of time focused on the essential learning of their students is being diluted because they are required to undertake a plethora of duties that have little or no direct bearing on student learning and development.
Adding to this are the impact and challenges of increased student disruption, their growing behavioural needs and having an increased number of students in classes who struggle with focusing on their learning.
Without urgent action being taken to address these important issues, our students will be denied their right to participate in what many regard as the “best years of their life.”
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Dear Editor,
Prime Minister Albanese, after great public pressure, explained that his reason for taking time to set up a Royal Commission into the senseless slaughter of innocent Australians on December 14 was that he was “taking the time to get the shape and scope of the inquiry right, while “listening” to the families of the Bondi victims and consulting the broader Australian Jewish community.”
With prominent religious leaders now urging our Prime Minister to delay Labor’s proposed Hate Speech Laws, “Don’t go rushing on hate speech,” The Advertiser, 17/1, warning him of the unintended consequences and questioning the lack of consultation and review, one ponders why the same level of consideration and consultation is not being observed.
In this situation, we need well-considered and widely consulted legislation to ensure that the proposed new laws are fair, effective, and balanced, clearly protecting the rights and well-being of all citizens, rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
No time for a major party
As your correspondent, Ian Macgowan, has reminded us (Have Your Say, 15.1.26), the Labor Party won government in 2025 with only 34% of first preference votes. So what? On a Two Party Preferred basis, this gave them 94 seats, the highest number ever won by any party.
This 34% figure is frequently cited by some sections of the media and other vested interests in order to undermine confidence in the Australian government. What they all neglect to tell you is that every post war Federal Election except for one has been decided on preferences. The only exception was the Fraser government elected in 1975 with 53% of first preference votes.
In our preferential system, the successful party or coalition must achieve over 50% of the formal vote. In the last election, Labor won 55.2% of the Two Party Preferred vote. That seems like a pretty democratic result to me.
As a sad indictment on our Civics education programs, some people think we’d be better off with a First Past the Post voting system. Let’s do the maths. Imagine that there were five candidates standing for election in the Flinders electorate next year. In a fairly even contest, a candidate may win with 21% of the formal vote. How on earth would that be more democratic?
To conclude, I do agree with Ian that ‘the Liberal Party is failing miserably’ but I think he was actually referring to the Coalition which is probably the most confused, conflicted and inconsistent opposition most of us will ever see.
Joe Morrison, North Shields
Liberals MIA
Dear Editor,
With the Liberal Party’s primary support in regular decline, 29% in July 25, 27% in September 25, 24% in October 25, and now 21% in January 26, “Hanson poll vault hits Ley,” The Australian, 19/1, it would seem urgent to arrest this with an honest assessment of the root causes.
Considering that the Labor Government is presiding over our country at a time of an extensive cost-of-living crisis, a $1.3 trillion national debt, questionable Minister expenses, and widespread condemnation of their response to the Bondi massacre, and voter support is still drifting away from them, should raise alarm bells for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
Australia desperately needs a strong, unified, and focused opposition that holds the current government accountable and presents itself as a credible alternative.
Currently, the Liberal Party is failing miserably on both fronts.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Climate change profits
Dear Editor,
Several of your articles made reference to the coming fight against sea level rise and climate change. I will probably be lambasted for it; but I think there are a lot of people who stand to make big dollars from the “process”. I won’t call it a scam, rather a distraction. There is big money involved behind the scenes, and we’re not in control.
Bill Nosworthy, Sheringa
To the Editor
Australia Day is a time to celebrate all the great things about our nation, as well as to reflect on our past.
It’s also an opportunity to think about the unique spirit of South Australia, especially of our regions. Community spirit, strength, perseverance, care for each other – these are the things that make living in regional South Australia so special. I feel very fortunate to live in regional SA, and to work side-by-side with some amazing regional residents to advocate for country areas.
Some of these fantastic people are being celebrated at community events for Australia Day and being recognised for their hard work. It’s an opportunity to show our appreciation, as well as showcase local talent, food, and traditions across our State.
From the Eyre Peninsula to the Riverland, from the pastoral lands to the Spencer Gulf, from the Upper and Mid North to the Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the Limestone Coast – every region of our State has incredible businesses, individuals and communities.
To all who call regional SA home, your contributions are the heartbeat of our state, and well worth celebrating.
I wish everyone a happy Australia Day!
Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development and Forest Industries
