Every day, we publish a selection of your emails in our newsletter. We’d love to hear from you, you can email us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au.
Monday March 30
Faceless One Nation
Polls that suggest One Nation could secure dozens of seats in the House of Representatives are particularly puzzling when you consider that none of their lower house candidates are known by the public. Nationals defector Barnaby Joyce would be the one exception in one NSW regional seat. Can we really imagine Australians electing an opposition or government whose members are virtually anonymous?
Richard Goodwin, Doubleview, WA
Shortening the food chain
“If a suburban house block was left vacant every few streets or so, that could become a shared garden producing vegetables, eggs and fruit. When people have a shared project within walking distance it gives agency, connection and community as well as useful products. We have become too dependent on others doing things for us.”
Alison Lambert
Time’s up
“Social media’s losses in US courts are certainly important. Could social media algorithms using outrage to keep people stuck on their screens make them liable for the effects it has on society?”
Gary Barnes, Mosman 
Tuesday March 31
Whose problem is fuel theft?
“The image of the petrol industry suffering because of theft as they gouge Australians’ hip pockets is hard to digest. I suggest it’s a problem of their own making. In many other countries, I have to use a credit card at the pump to pay for fuel before delivery. If I have no credit card, I can entrust a few dollars with the attendant and adjust after the fill. Sadly, the Australian retail fuel industry wants customers to weave their way through a mini mart in the hope of increased sales. The solution is not wasting police time chasing thieves, but being self responsible with pay-as-you pump.”
Dr Bruce Moon, West Tweed NSW
Should we refine our own fuel again?
“Australian fuel shortage. Surely it would be a win/win situation for the Albanese government to reopen or rebuild the Kurnell refinery in NSW? And any others that have been laid to rest by previous governments? A lot of Australians are really appalled by the transfer of Australian industries to overseas countries with cheaper labour forces.”
Julie-Anne Brett
Opening the strait
“Most commentators seem to see the opening of the Strait of Hormuz as a military issue only and forget that the tankers carrying oil and cargo in the strait are owned and operated by private companies. These ships are contracted by cargo owners and there are a number of liabilities and responsibilities involved if there is an accident, caused by military action or otherwise. Unless there are guarantees from involved states to cover these liabilities, most owners would be very hesitant to move their ships through risky waters unless the reward is very high.”
Bo Samuelsson
Wednesday April 1
A politician worth listening to?
“Michelle Grattan is right about Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie. You don’t have to agree with him to enjoy listening to him in an interview. Hastie seems to be that rare politician who actually thinks while speaking rather than reciting stock answers or glib slogans. You sense his mind ticking over as he gives articulate, well-argued and contextualised responses to questions. I am not a supporter of his side of politics but listening to him is a refreshing experience.”
Richard Goodwin, Doubleview, WA
Where to conserve
“If we are really serious about improving environmental outcomes we need to enhance the protection of endangered ecosystems. Under the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program we can’t protect or improve native grasslands in Victoria unless others are destroyed for development. Around 60% of the original vegetation has been cleared in this state, around 70% of vegetation on private land – the highest in the country. If our goal is to protect 30% of our land, we need to start making net gains rather than offsets.”
Jennie Epstein, Little River, VIC
Changing how we pay for petrol
“I didn’t realise that in other countries fuel has to basically be pre-paid. This is such an easy fix to resolve petrol theft, as far as I am aware petrol stations have this option, so why not implement it so at least the petrol is being paid for?”
Denise Watson
