The perfect and the good

Matt Canavan says, The Weekly Advertiser March 18 edition, Australia’s Free Trade Agreement, FTA, with the European Union, EU, was the ‘worst deal ever’.

This is because of very limited beef and sheep meat access for Australian farmers. 

But it is very hard to crack the EU agricultural markets.

New Zealand got a better deal in 2023, but it has a much smaller quota than Australia and EU farmers have pushed back since then.

Canada has a better FTA deal on agriculture than Australia. 

Some studies have suggested it is up about 130 per cent over time. 

However, beef has only increased by two per cent as EU compliance rules are strict and costly. 

So, even if a country has a deal, its farmers aren’t selling into the EU market.

Apart from this, the FTA deal with the EU is very good for us. 

It is supported by lots of different business groups and organisations such as the Business Council of Australia, the Minerals Council of Australia, the Property Council, Super Funds and consumers.

This is because we get cheaper EU cars, cheaper luxury goods, more EU investment in Australia, our super funds can invest easier over there, and we can sell our professional services like law and accounting as well.

Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.

Robert Blakeley,

Horsham

Who will be accountable?

I don’t know whether this particular aspect of mineral sands/rare earth mineral mining has been raised as yet, or even officially considered.

Some of the minerals/rare earth minerals that are mined are naturally radioactive. What is going to stop locals living in these areas being affected by radioactive dust blown by wind, and clusters of rare cancers forming in populations in this area? Exactly who will be accountable? Both corporately and governmentally?  

I would suggest we get medical oncology research teams in early so legal liability will be easier to point to ‘cause and affect’. 

The last thing we need is another long ongoing ‘smoking causes cancer’ denial debate. 

The poor health and early death of people of this area doesn’t need to be the end result of yet more corporate unaccountability and greed. 

Scott Neill,

Murtoa

Who will be accountable?

The plan that has been put forward for Cameron Road is well over due – to connect the Western Highway and Henty Highway making another entry into town, taking pressure off the Green Park and Williams Road intersection.

It will help the town extend to the east, not only to the west.

It will also open up scenic river drive and help beautify the east of Horsham.

How we have got away with the number of trucks for so long is a miracle without a mishap.

The river could be crossed by the same method as used for crossing freeway over head.

No matter where the truck route goes it will upset someone.

The Dooen swamp doesn’t help the situation, that is why I feel in time as Horsham develops, the truck route will be east of Green Lake over Gross bridge and come out of Dooen to the east of Pimpinio.

By this time hopefully the railway will be realigned from Dooen to east of Pimpinio without any crossing of freeway, and be a saving on time and fuel in years ahead.

Name supplied

The entire April 1, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!