Opinion Archives - Page 2 of 16 - New England Times Engage

Denise’s Desk: City Racing Gets the Glory While the Bush Gets the Bill

22 November 202522 November 2025

Denise McHugh says the Act review is a long overdue chance to fix a system that’s favoured the city while country clubs struggle. Racing NSW’s power has gone unchecked for too long, and regional racing deserves transparency and a fair go.

Featured, Political

The Breaking News that Wasn’t

20 November 202518 November 2025

Jan Kleeman writes that all the huffing and puffing in the Coalition over the last six months has changed nothing.

Featured, Opinion, Regular columns

Between Nation Building and Commercial Project

19 November 202518 November 2025

Siri Gamage says the debate over restoring the Armidale–Queensland rail line is trapped between nation-building ideals and commercial realities, urging governments to see it as vital regional infrastructure rather than a costly local project.

Featured, Political, Regular columns

Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s Tamworth Fantasy: A Masterclass in Blame, Hypocrisy and Delusion”

18 November 202518 November 2025

Denise McHugh says Barnaby Joyce’s performance at the Tamworth Business Chamber’s State of the Nation forum was less a “vision” for regional Australia and more a foghorn blast of hypocrisy, denial, and political opportunism.

Environmental, Featured, Opinion

Rail cheaper than trucks

15 November 202518 November 2025

Mal Peters says freight once arrived in Armidale by train, but government cuts shifted it to trucks and crumbling roads. He argues reopening the Armidale north rail corridor is vital for Australia’s freight competitiveness and environmental future.

Featured, Political, Something to Think About

When did ‘net zero’ become just another term for renewables?

13 November 202513 November 2025

RK Crosby says the term ‘net zero’ does not mean ‘renewable energy’ and we’ll continue to be stuck on these issues until we’re talking about the same thing.

Environmental

COP 30 Shaping Up as a COP-OUT

4 November 20252 November 2025

Jan Kleeman says after 30 years of talk, denial and failure to act, the planet is still heating fast. With COP30 ahead, she calls on world leaders to stop the net zero talk and start cutting fossil fuels now through real renewable energy action.