Letters to the Editor

Sugar tax needed to tackle obesity

AUSTRALIA must introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to curb the nation’s escalating obesity crisis. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has published the ”Sickly Sweet” chapter of its pre-budget submission, which warns obesity has...

Staff Contributors

1 hour ago

Editorial

More funding for rural health and aged care

CATHOLIC Health Australia (CHA) is calling for reforms to sustain and improve vital hospital and aged care services and patient care for the millions of people living in rural and remote Australia. Due to smaller patient volumes and higher costs...

Staff Contributors

2 hours ago

Editorial

Political pub test conversation

1. OTHER states are seeking to ban floodplain developments, so why in SA do these continue to be approved? 2. On paper, councils see significant regional investment opportunity (a short-term lens) but does the long-term risk outweigh the short-term...

Staff Contributors

2 hours ago

Editorial

Real access to the arts

I READ with interest the article regarding the State Government’s 10-year cultural policy release (Pioneer, page 28, 16/4/25) The word “access” to arts, culture and creative experiences in particular caught my eye. While I understand the...

Staff Contributors

2 hours ago

Editorial

Election pipe-dream proposals?

UNBELIEVABLE. Government decision-making on major expenditures often involves extensive analysis and feasibility studies, yet recent weeks have seen a flood of financial promises and initiatives lacking funding or viability. These pipe-dream...

Staff Contributors

2 hours ago

Editorial

Lest We Forget – now more than ever

EACH year, Anzac Day serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served our nation in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping. In a world that often feels fast paced and uncertain, taking the time to acknowledge Anzac Day...

Staff Contributors

2 hours ago

Editorial

Text Line 23/4/25

On a beautiful, peaceful, sunny autumn morning, I called into the supermarket before work on Tuesday – and was met with the twin symphony of a leaf blower and line-trimmer, both blaring out at me. CS Loxton So after all the conclusive evidence...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Wrong energy aspiration?

RECENTLY Peter Dutton has promised to dramatically expand gas production in Australia if successful at the coming Federal Election. This is extremely difficult to understand, because for many years now greatly concerned scientists around the world...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Flood ‘experts’ are dreaming

A LOT of the shortfall in Renmark Paringa Council’s budget (‘Mayor just wants to have funds’, Murray Pioneer, 16/4/23) is attributed to the 2022 flood and damage to council infrastructure. This should be a wake-up call to stop any more...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Bold action needed for cost of living

AUSTRALIANS are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, with soaring rents, rising utility bills and financial pressures leaving many households unable to meet basic needs. UnitingCare Australia is calling on political leaders from all...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

A poem on Anzac Day’s essence

TURN back the years. Pick through the bones We left behind. Examine our few remains In vain. The search is useless. For the raw, rich stuff of life Has long since fled us. Resurrect our rusty rifles From the ever-hungry earth Carefully place the...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Waikerie site should never be sold

IT seems the free RV site in Waikerie is causing financial losses to the owners of the Echo Park/Caravan Park. The people who park at the free RV site have their own showers and toilets in their vans. This really is a no-brainer. They save a bit of...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Time to make Barker not-so-safe

THE Barker electorate encompasses a diverse region, where I have resided for the majority of my life. With 67 years of experience in various professional fields, including business development and community engagement, I possess a comprehensive...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

More needed for regional councils

AS Mayor of Renmark Paringa, I welcome the Coalition’s recent election pledge to invest $1 billion into a revitalised Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. This program has been a lifeline for councils like ours – allowing us...

Staff Contributors

23 Apr 2025

Editorial

Text Line 16/4/25

A huge thank you to the kind lady who found and returned my purse to Renmark Foodland on Sunday. Your honesty is appreciated. JULIE Renmark Who’s the nitwit that put up 60km/h speed restrictions on the Sturt Highway after Blanchetown heading to...

Hugh Schuitemaker

16 Apr 2025