Don’t waste chance to rein in rubbish

Australia has a massive waste problem. We generate the second most single use plastic per capita in the world, and our 7.6 tonnes of annual food waste costs our country $36.6 billion every year. Something is needed to rein in the problem. Cutting general waste collection to fortnightly is certainly worth a try (“Inner west residents dump on cut to rubbish collection”, October 15). As the ABC’s War on Waste program has shown, education is key to encouraging households to take responsibility for their waste. Viewing rubbish as a valuable resource that can be recycled or reused is ideal. For a more sustainable future, councils and individuals must work together toward a circular management system of all waste streams. One thing’s for sure: threatening to dump waste is not the answer. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

The decision of the Inner West Council to reduce the collection of general waste from weekly to fortnightly has aroused the ire of many residents. Cost saving is essential, but it must be justified. It may well be that some residents don’t need weekly red-lid garbage bin collections, but convenient alternative arrangements must be readily available for those who do. Council members need to tread cautiously or they may find themselves dumped. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Voices silenced

More than 60 per cent of Australians have condemned our Indigenous people to more “torment of powerlessness”, as so eloquently expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart (“Australia says No”, October 15). Shame on the No campaign of disinformation and the opportunistic position of No campaign leaders. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)

In all the commentary about the Voice referendum, one fallacy, repeated often enough to need refutation, is that a majority of voters can’t be wrong. What nonsense. What the majority of voters decide is the will of the majority of the people, not the truth. History is full of examples of appalling decisions made by the majority. It’s democracy, and it’s the best way we’ve found to make decisions as a nation. We must value and nurture it, but accept it for what it is, and isn’t. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point

The intentions of the referendum were sound, but the amendment proposed was misguided because the Constitution should not be used to instruct governments on policy formation. It is about determining the extent of government’s powers to run the country, and the government already has the power to establish advisory bodies.

So now the government needs to decide how best to exercise its powers in order to advance the health and welfare of the Indigenous people – no different to the responsibility it has always had. In the light of failed policies of past governments, this government needs to come up with better solutions. If it thought it had the answer when it put the referendum question, it should proceed with the establishment of a grassroots committee or committees of Indigenous people to advise on what needs to be done.

The referendum was poisoned by inclusion of the Voice, and I would like to see the people given another chance at reconciliation and unification. It will take time for the wounds from the 2023 referendum to heal, so let’s take time to examine the best way forward. We need our political leaders to come up with a proposition which will gain bipartisan support, hopefully encompassing not only Indigenous recognition but also adoption of a republic. The two amendments could be put as separate questions in the one referendum. John Duff, Lavender Bay

A few things relating to the referendum are due inarguable acceptance. Yes voters are no more caring, ethical, or intelligent than No voters. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Pyrrhic victory

The rules of war: surely a contradiction in terms (“Emergency flights cancelled due to safety concerns”, October 18). Kill whoever and whatever gets in your way is the one rule that seems to prevail in all wars. That is what war is about, while defending one’s right not to be killed should be the overriding principle in any rules of war. The current wars being waged in both Israel and Ukraine will continue to unfold in untold misery for both the aggressor and the defender. Innocent lives will continue to be lost by the thousands. Mutilated bodies, broken spirits and families torn asunder are the outcomes of war. So it ever continues. Stephanie Summers, North Turramurra

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