Opinion & Perspectives
19 January, 2026
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: thoughts on Australia Day and scrap the tax
Here's some thoughts from people in our regions.
Familiar debate coming again
AUSTRALIA Day is fast approaching, and with it comes a familiar debate.
Some will call for changing thedate or the name, but I urge you not to be distracted.
This day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Australian and to celebrate the privilege of living in this remarkable country.
I am proud to stand with my family as an Australian. Australia is a country unique among nations, its modern form built on the egalitarian spirit that sought equality and opportunity for convicts and freesettlers alike. While our history since European settlement is not perfect and contains dark chapters that must be acknowledged and remembered , there is no other nation I would rather call home.
Australia offers freedoms, opportunities, and a quality of life that many around the world can only dream of.
These are things worth cherishing.
From its earliest days, Australia has been shaped by migration. Indigenous Australians crossed from Asia tens of thousands of years ago, and since Federation, we have welcomed people from every corner of the globe.
This diversity is part of our strength. Migrants have joined the heartbeat of this nation, embracing the values of fairness and reward for hard work. They have settled vast lands, contributed to our economy, strengthened our social fabric, and enriched our culture.
All are equal before the law, our education and health systems are open to all, and our democratic institutions provide opportunities for anyone willing to strive.
Immigration is once again in the spotlight, and rightly so. The threat of Antisemitism and Islamic terrorism must be stopped in its tracks.
We must have honest conversations about who we welcome and how we manage growth.
But these discussions should unite us, not divide us.
This Australia Day, let us rise above division and celebrate what makes our country great.
There is so much to celebrate and be proud of.
People around the world long to come here because of what Australians have built and defended.
Lets stand together, not in protest, but in gratitude, and talk about how we can make this nation even stronger for future generations.
Dr Anne Webster
Federal Member for Mallee
Calls to scrap the tax as temperatures heat up
WE ARE CONSTANTLY reminded of the inherent risk we face here in south-east Australia.
Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world, and we are fortunate to be home to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) — an organisation built on community spirit and volunteer commitment.
These brave men and women give their time freely to serve, protect and assist fellow Victorians, particularly in regional areas. Their dedication is nothing short of extraordinary.
Sadly, the Victorian Labor Government does not show the same respect.
The introduction of the emergency services tax has decimated morale within the CFA. The good name of volunteers is being used by Labor to justify a tax grab on all Victorians - all while those volunteers are battling fires with trucks up to 35 years old, fire stations that are no longer suitable for modern firefighting, and equipment that regularly fails them.
Over the past decade, Victoria has lost around 9,000 operational CFA volunteers — a worrying trend that reflects declining confidence in government support.
The Nationals respect and value the CFA and our volunteers.
We will scrap the heartless emergency services tax and deliver the long-term funding needed to equip our volunteers properly so they can continue to keep us all safe.
Danny O’Brien MP
Leader of The Nationals -Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
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