This week’s letter writers talk about the Calvary Hospital situation, giving thanks, sustainability, the environment and nuclear power.

Calvary sacrifice

Many will understand the theology and symbolism of Calvary – the ultimate sacrifice of the cross and all that has meant for humanity. Sacrifice can mean being personally or communally sacrificed for a ‘greater good’ or individually or collectively making a sacrifice for a cause or principle. Both meanings have come to the fore in the current Calvary Hospital acquisition imbroglio. Calvary Hospital’s very existence, the community and many individuals (nurses and staff in particular) have been sacrificed by the government – in its belief of its political and legal entitlement and that its acquisition will deliver a more effective and efficient territory health care service. On the other hand, the hospital, the community and many individuals are sacrificing their health care experience because of the government’s actions.

We have heard all the arguments for and against the acquisition – secular and religious and we will all have our opinions. But as with many issues of public importance, we must not let emotion get the better of the argument, rather respect and maturity must inform them which are far more persuasive. By all means, have your say, but there is no room for politicisation, religious aspersion and in particular, personal attacks in doing so; unfortunately it has been demonstrated on both sides. Let’s continue to stand up, but respectfully, in the spirit of Calvary’s ethos and strive for a sensible solution, not sacrificed on the political altar.

• Angela Kueter-Luks, Bruce

Thank you

I think that perhaps you do not get thanked enough from the people you have just helped through your newspaper so hence this email from me.

Thank you for publishing the Kangara Waters Winter Charity Sale in your paper recently. I am sure this helped greatly in guiding people to attend our sale last Saturday (27 May). We had an overwhelming success selling the handknitted items such as scarves, hats, gloves, etc., at all prices. This has meant that we have just been able to send $4,000 to the Red Cross to forward to the people in Ukraine who are suffering so much. We have also given bags of warm items to several charities within Canberra who assist the homeless in our city.

Thank you once again for your support.

• Margaret Erickson, Kangara Waters

Sustainability journey

Congratulations to St Clare’s College for being awarded a grant to support their excellent gardening sustainability initiatives (CW 26 May 2023 p14). Locally grown food has so many health and environmental benefits, from the delicious fresh taste to eliminating transport and storage emissions. Composting food waste also limits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and improves soil quality. No doubt those fortunate to be involved will also find joy in learning about native indigenous plants, getting their hands dirty and harvesting their own produce to eat. Education and sustainability absolutely go hand in hand. I wish St Clare’s College well on their sustainability journey. 

• Amy Hiller, Kew VIC

Environment neglected

Minister Vassarotti is failing to protect wildlife and the environment in the ACT. The Bush Capital is being covered in housing. Habitat and natural spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Wombats are dying slow and painful deaths from mange which can easily be treated. Other states such as NSW provide treatment programs.

The Grasslands Earless Dragon has had its status upgraded to “Critically endangered”. Over 29,000 kangaroos and 7,000-9,000 joeys have been killed in inhumane circumstances over 15 years. Ironically, the rationale given for “conservation cull” is the protection of endangered species such as the Grasslands Earless Dragon. Clearly, the kangaroos are not to blame. Rather it is the destruction of their habitat.

230 species of birds are in decline in the ACT.

The nature reserves are badly neglected, overgrown and full of weeds.

Only three per cent of the ACT budget is allocated to the environment, the lowest allocation of the portfolios.

Minister Vassarotti is a disgrace to the Greens movement. She should resign and join the National Party. With her love of killing wildlife and passion for agriculture, they would welcome her with open arms.

Nuclear energy a no-brainer

Re Noel Baxendell’s letter about Bill Stefaniak’s column mentioning nuclear power (CW 1 June 2023 p20), I would remind him that: 

1. Nuclear power is very safe. For every death due to a nuclear accident globally, there have been five deaths from use/making/installation of solar panels and 400 from coal (mining accidents). I don’t have figures for wind turbines, but they have killed many endangered birds.

2. Nuclear is cheaper than solar and wind turbines. Apart from the billions spent on subsidising renewables and the need to buy and install (mainly from China) 22,000 new panels a day, build and install over 10,000km of power lines over much good quality farming land, solar panels need replacing every 20 years (the old ones going to landfill) and some wind turbine parts need replacing every three years. Even a new traditional nuclear plant lasts 60 years without the need for replacement, is far cheaper to run over the course of its life than solar, and can use existing infrastructure. Moreover, smaller modular reactors, similar to those used on nuclear powered submarines, can go into disused coal-fired power stations and use existing infrastructure. Nuclear power will save trillions of dollars, provide 24/7 baseload power, not utilise hundreds of hectares of landfill, and be more ethical.

3. Many wind turbine and solar panel components are extracted by child labour (children as young as 5 or 6 in the Congo) and solar panels are made by slave Muslim Uyghur labour in CCP concentration camps. Australia must not condone this.

In these circumstances, nuclear energy is a no-brainer.

• Bill Stefaniak, Narrabundah

Want to share your opinion?

Email [email protected] with ‘To the editor’ in the subject field; include your full name, phone number, street address (NFP) and suburb. Keep letters to 250 words maximum. Note, letters may be shortened if space restrictions dictate.