It was full and it was hot, so it was a serious mistake.

But it really got me thinking about how grateful I am for the people who take away our rubbish and I wanted to say a big thank you to them – we appreciate you.

The work you do makes a big difference to our lives.

Craig Bosman

Griffith 

IT’S heartening to read recent articles about the rural prosperity of our nation and the way agriculture is driving growth in many regional towns and communities.

However, it should be recognised that there is a “two-speed” economy developing in our agricultural regions, as many once prosperous areas are struggling under the burden of ill-conceived and poorly implemented water policy.

This has been highlighted by various reports, including the 2016 Murray-Darling Basin Authority Northern Review and the Goulburn-Murray region (Vic) report, released in October, which predicted job losses of up to 2000 in that region alone under the Basin Plan.

We presently have a unique opportunity to transition Australia from the “mining boom” to the “dining boom”, but we will only reach our economic potential if Prime Minister Turnbull and his colleagues show the necessary political courage to support adjustments to the Basin Plan that will ensure it cares for the environment, as well as Basin communities.

So far Mr Turnbull has lacked understanding of the plan’s impacts on jobs and the economy, as well as compassion for Australians who are unnecessary collateral damage from a plan that is not delivering the “triple bottom line” goals of achieving environmental, social and economic outcomes.

I appreciate this is a complex area, and there are generally many issues considered more important that the PM and others have to focus on.

But if Mr Turnbull and others would take the time to visit the Murray region of NSW they would see that delivering proposed flows under the Basin Plan is simply not possible without flooding private land and therefore destroying crops, jobs and prosperity, as well as killing native fish and animals.

If we are to be a smart and innovative nation, we must get a few of the basics right, including water policy.

With a smarter and more innovative approach we will be able to achieve environmental outcomes without sacrificing rural jobs and livelihoods.

The question is do we have the political courage and willpower?

Shelley Scoullar

Deniliquin 

DROWNINGS in NSW recently are a tragic reminder of the need to be aware of the dangers when swimming at the beach, in rivers or at lakes and dams this summer.

While taking a dip in cool water is refreshing during the summer heat, it’s also a timely reminder to take responsibility for ourselves and our children when in and around the water. Any drowning death is one too many. I express my sympathies to the families of those who have drowned over the Christmas period.

Ongoing water safety efforts over the past decade have resulted in significant reductions in drowning deaths in children aged under five-years-old.

But, despite all our best efforts, 280 people drowned at our beaches, and in our pools and waterways which is slightly higher than the previous year. These tragic figures highlight the need for us all to remain vigilant around water.

Sussan Ley

Member for Farrer