General News
11 February, 2026
Your letters to the editor
Fire conditions and ducks among subject of this week's letter writers
Where will electricity come from?
Sir, As Victorians endure another severe heatwave, our energy grid is under strain and households and businesses are left wondering whether the power will stay on when they need it most.
Energy experts have repeatedly warned that rising demand during extreme weather increases the risk of blackouts, yet the Allan Labor Government continues to pursue its anti-gas agenda - a policy that will drive up energy costs and undermine reliability across the state.
At the same time, Victorians are being hit in the hip pocket. Power bills are set to rise sharply again this year as Labor’s energy policy continues to hit home, with forecasts suggesting prices could increase by as much as 24 per cent.
For the average Victorian household already paying around $1700 a year for electricity, that could mean an extra $400 or more - money families simply don’t have when they’re struggling to keep food on the table and pay rent or the mortgage.
Gas is not a fringe energy source. It is a critical pillar of Victoria’s energy mix, particularly during periods of peak demand and extreme weather.
Gas plays a vital role in stabilising the grid and preventing outages when demand surges, and it is essential to have a sensible, affordable transition to cleaner energy. Ignoring that reality doesn’t make the system greener - it makes it weaker and more expensive.
Victoria needs a common-sense energy policy that prioritises reliability and affordability over ideology.
If elected to government in November, The Nationals will end Labor’s anti-gas policies and ensure gas continues to play an important role in managing the transition to cleaner energy - helping keep the lights on and energy bills down.
Danny O’Brien
Leader of the Nationals
Reputation for
‘fouling wetlands’
Sir I wholeheartedly support uncle Gary Murray and the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation taking action to bar recreational duck shooters from Lake Boort.
Duck shooters have a well-earned reputation for trashing and fouling fragile wetland ecosystems.
I have personally witnessed this on wetlands across the state over several seasons.
It is common (and well documented) to find wetlands littered extensively with shotgun shells and wads, unburied offal, camp trash, beer bottles and unburied human waste.
No wetland should be subject to such desecration, and especially not those with added cultural and historical significance.
Alyssa Wormald
Kilsyth
Public, tourists stay
away for their safety
Sir, Councillor David Weaver & MP Peter Walsh (Loddon Herald, January 29) - it is precisely because “Lake Boort is for everyone” that this move by Gary Murray for heritage listing with a call for a ban on duck shooting will then open Lake Boort up to everyone all year round.
Duck shooters have exclusive use of Lake Boort for the whole of duck shooting season where Residents, the public and tourists must stay away for their own safety. And may I ask whether duck shooters on Loddon Council (eg Mayor Straub ex President of Victorian Duck Hunting Association) stood aside from the vote to oppose the heritage listing /ban on duck shooting at Lake Boort due to their conflict of interest?
Elizabeth Attard
Melbourne
Shooters are in
the BYO camp
Sir, I visited Boort a couple of years ago at the opening of duck shooting season. It was lunchtime but there were no shooters in the newsagent or café where I was a customer. They camp out by the water and it’s BYO.
In the current debate over Lake Boort, people should come clean with their interests before pontificating over duck hunting. I oppose duck shooting because the inevitable wounding is just plain cruel. And no, I’m not a vegetarian.
Politicians are supposed to disclose potential conflicts of interest. Peter Walsh MP belatedly admitted he is a duck-hunting member of Field & Game Australia. Premier Jacinta Allan keeps mum about any duck hunting interests in her family. Journalists and local councillors should also disclose their connections with duck hunting.
Until that transparency happens, I take with a large grain of salt, anything that these people say or write.
Em Wilkinson
Blackburn South
NOTE: Never been duck hunting, only reporting news and activities in our communities. Editor LH