What is being dubbed a forcible acquisition is nothing more than totalitarian militaristic larceny conducted under the guise of a deplorable bastardised interpretation of democracy. It is now known the 10,000km expansion of Military land at High Range will directly affect 23 different properties on prime grazing land along the Burdekin River. 

In the words of former MP Ewen Jones “It’s a match made in heaven.” (Townsville Bulletin May 12). The High Range expansion is a sweetener thrown in by the Turnbull Government in a deal with Singapore which will see visa applications for Australians made easier.

As far as local economic benefit goes will the Singaporean Soldiers be taking their meals at Mooreys and buying Lotto tickets at the Quinton Paper Shop? And why should we relinquish prime grazing lands for the military gain of a foreign nation.

From 1999 to 2011 agricultural land use in Australia has fallen by around 50m hectares leaving around 19,000 fewer farmers today than in 2006, a worrying trend for an industry which accounts for around 12 per cent ($53Billion) of GDP. Yet clearly the money of a foreign nation is valued above all else, so why would our government reconsider their actions even though they are contributing to the crippling of a crucial industry already reeling from drought. 

Perhaps what makes this pill all the harder to swallow is the identification of suitable land a couple of hours further west around Pentland. Even more the quandary when considering around 20pc of Australia’s land mass is officially classed as desert and around 15pc defined as unused or minimally used, why not use it?

These properties aren’t just fences and cattle yards they’re memories and stories of men and women who spent their lives and spilt their sweat providing for not only their own families but for us as well as those overseas. These properties are not empty grazing lands but homes and no matter which way the story is spun taking away someone’s home, their livelihood, isn’t right or fair and it’s just not Australian.

Clayton Warren

Townsville 

Labor’s $405m Advance Queensland initiative is the latest ill-conceived government policy. The government’s management of Advance Queensland is a scatter-gun approach – handing out cash to backpackers, overseas start-ups and anyone with a social media account.

A backpacker sitting on a beach could come up with an idea and go cap in hand to the government which will happily pay them thousands of dollars.

There is nothing stopping them from heading home or spending the money to fund their Australian sojourn.

Millions of taxpayers’ dollars have already been handed out. The LNP believes you have to invest in tried and true Queensland businesses to ensure they are profitable.

Labor’s own consultants warned them to limit direct funding of companies and individuals as part of Advance Queensland.

But they decided to pour an additional $225m into the initiative and ramped up the cash handouts to companies and individuals. Labor are experts at spending other people’s money but this time they have gone too far – Queensland taxpayer dollars should remain in this state.

Tarnya Smith

Shadow Innovation Minister