This is environmental news of colossal, or should I say koalossal, proportions (“Loggers axed for Great Koala park”, September 7). Thanks to the wonderful, persistent work of organisations such as the Wilderness Society and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, koalas, greater gliders and myriad other fauna and flora species now have a much better chance of long-term survival. Thank you to the premier and the ministers who finally decided this park is indeed a necessity for nature, and have provided a place that hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of visitors will enjoy for decades to come. Margot Vaccari, Berowra
The Great Koala National Park: at last, a win for the koalas and their fellow residentsCredit: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images
The announcement by the Minns government of a koala sanctuary is welcome news, as long as the restrictions on tree felling are strictly enforced. Tree felling of natural forests was something undertaken during Neanderthal times. Why is it still around? If tree felling of old-growth forests anywhere in Australia is still around, it’s way overdue to be finished up. Stewart Copper, Maroubra
Who wouldn’t be in favour of a dedicated safe place for our iconic koalas? Only those who think it interferes with making a buck. The Minns government shouldn’t wait until it can gain an advantage from federal legislation, otherwise there’s a risk it’ll never get done. I wonder whether the Shooters Fishers and Farmers think koalas would be suitable candidates for “hunting”? Ian Adair, Hunters Hill
Neo-Nazis miss point
Jacqueline Maley is right (“Immigration a test of faiths, good and bad”, September 7). Neo-Nazism is always about skin colour; we all share the same genome. I suggest that arguments about family values and the “we” and “us” in the immigration debate need honest clarification. Maley has taken us so far in her recognition of Indigenous people in her analysis of the anti-immigration protest. The irony is lost on the neo-Nazi: we are all migrants, except the Indigenous people. But politicians can no longer hide there. A failed Voice referendum and neo-Nazi violence are symptoms of our amnesia. Anne Eagar, Epping
Free expression
While I hate Nazism intensely (“Police monitor Nazis as they strive to form political party”, September 7), I’m worried about apparent efforts to ban Nazi rallies and moves to prevent far-right groups entering mainstream politics. Isn’t that exactly what the Nazis themselves did? Are we afraid of allowing all ideas – even those we detest – from being contested freely in the marketplace of public opinion? Do we believe concepts of the racial equality and dignity of every single human being, and that ideas of compassion will wilt if confronted by various voices claiming racial superiority and entitlement and vile denigration of others? Are goodness and right such fragile flowers that they will be blown away by the occasional salute, flag-waving and name-calling? We used to emulate the attitude, attributed to Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Is there a fear that the majority of us easygoing Australians are so gullible and stupid that we will be so easily taken in by bigoted racial slurs that we must be protected by our better-informed and tolerant compatriots by their preventing us hearing those nasty voices? Remember the Australian people in 1951 voted to allow the Communist Party to contest openly for support when asked if they should be banned. Are we now scared of allowing a Nazi party to do likewise? Don’t get me wrong; I hate Nazism. But I hate, and fear, banning free political expression more. Barry Lamb, Eastwood
It’s extremely disappointing that we have people claiming to be Nazis living among us, but it is a sign of the times, I suppose. The upheaval in the world, difficult economic conditions and political instability overseas, provide some conditions in which hate groups thrive. Nazism places white or Aryan people above other races, based solely on colour. “White” people have been on this land since 1788, how does that give these misguided fools the right to claim supremacy? If confronted by these thugs we cannot ignore them or fail to report their activities. Their trite racist arguments are easily refuted. People ignored Hitler in his early days in Germany. It is encouraging to hear that authorities are monitoring this scourge of hatred among us, but the police need our help. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Somebody needs to inform these people that being a Nazi, neo or otherwise, generally doesn’t end well. I’d draw their attention to the fates of Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Oswald Mosley and William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw), to name a few – two of these were executed, one committed suicide, and one faced imprisonment, national disgrace and exile. Still, if the neo-Nazis want to risk it, I’d urge them to go for it. Barrington Salter, Elanora (Qld)
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