The collars are activated by GPS if the cattle try to get to pastures across unfenced areas - a recognition that graziers have so many animals spread over such vast stations that they are unable to keep them safe.

The collars deliver a shock that has been compared to being stabbed in the neck.

Bizarrely, the cattle exploiters have claimed that this form of torture is safer than electric fencing, (which unsurprisingly is more expensive to install) as if these were the only two options.

This logic reminds me of a teacher I had several decades ago who would claim he was being generous for hitting us with a cane, because as a child, he used to be hit with a strap.

Use of either on children today would be grounds for assault charges, and use of electricity against gentle animals trying to find food in inhospitable areas is animal abuse.

If these devices are so benign, let’s see the graziers wearing them as a demonstration.

And if they can’t look after animals without brutalising them, then they should not be allowed to have them.

Of course we don’t need graziers to do the right thing if we do – we have the power to stop the abuse of animals by refusing to eat them.

Desmond Bellamy

Special Projects Coordinator

PETA Australia

The North West Star had an interesting story about the railway line from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek (Economists talk up NT rail link, Nov 29, 2017) while the ABC spoke about a railway line between Katherine and Kununurra.

Instead of having piecemeal proposals of building infrastructure, do it all at once. Build those mentioned above, but extend railway line all the way to Broome. Also build 80 km north to Wyndham and renovate the old port which could serve as alternative to Darwin, Broome and Townsville.

There was strong opposition against railway line to Darwin. But former SA premier John Olsen didn't give up. There are no more towns between Port Augusta to Darwin then on the proposed railway link from Townsville to Broome. Sealing of Stuart Hwy and the railway helped the population grow in Darwin. If there was no railway to Darwin no-one could propose railway connection from Mount Isa to Tenant Creek.  This railway line from Townsville to Broome will lay down physical foundation for Northern Australia. Perhaps after that WA government will build the railway line connecting Perth with Broome.

There are similar patterns in railway history of Australia. NSW government was reluctant build railway line to Broken Hill, because it was to much for the 1200 km distance. When SA government build railway line from Broken Hill to Port Pirie and connecting Broken Hill to Adelaide, NSW government quickly build the railway worried Broken Hill would join SA.

Perth and WA weren't connected with eastern seaboard. That connecting rail was build only in 1970. But also they used existing railway lines via Broken Hill, build in 19th century by SA and NSW governments. Former PM Paul Keating didn't want to build a railway line to Darwin, instead he built standard gauge from Adelaide to Melbourne.

As the result now is Perth connected with all eastern seaboard state capital cities: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Those who watch on Foxtel TV, about Australian Railways, could see how long cargo trains leave very often Melbourne for Perth. That wouldn't be possible before Paul Keating’s decision.

Jan Vrtielka

via e-mail.