ROAD TOLL 
Dear editor,

Queensland’s roads have claimed 21 lives already in 2026, to January 26, surpassing most states and representing 19-22% of the national toll, despite our 20% population share.

This follows 2025’s shameful 308 deaths, the worst in 16 years, fuelled by a 46% drop in police enforcement hours.

WA’s Road Safety Commission delivers real-time data and tech-driven enforcement, holding six early deaths versus Queensland’s 21, proving independent oversight works.

E-bikes and e-scooters are now 4.5% of our toll, with under-16s at high risk amid unexplained data blackouts.

National targets of 50% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 now appear unachievable without reform.

It’s time for a legislated Queensland Road Safety Commission for transparency and results. Lives depend on it.

Colin Caudell,
Coolum Beach.
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HEART HEALTH IN FEB  
Dear editor,

In every community, there are families who have lost someone too soon to heart disease, and others quietly living with its long-term effects. For many of us, it’s not an abstract issue – it’s personal.

Chronic stress has become part of daily life for many of us. When the body doesn’t get a chance to reset, prolonged stress can quietly damage heart health – often without obvious warning signs until something goes wrong.

This February, Heart Research Australia is inviting Australians to take part in the free REDFEB Bingo Challenge, built around the 4Ms of heart health – Meals, Movement, Measurement and Mental Wellness. The Bingo card encourages small, everyday actions, like sharing a healthy meal, going for a walk, checking your blood pressure or slowing down to take a breath, to help reduce stress and support heart health.

The Bingo Challenge is part of REDFEB, Heart Research Australia’s heart awareness month, which this year is raising awareness of the link between chronic stress and heart health, while bringing communities together to honour loved ones affected by heart disease. Funds raised support life-saving research that helps turn promising ideas into breakthroughs and keeps families together for longer.

Small actions, taken together, can make a real difference. This REDFEB, I hope our community will join in and help support the research that gives families hope.

To learn more and support Heart Research Australia’s critical research, please visit www.heartresearch.com.au.

Nicci Dent,
CEO, Heart Research Australia.
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DINGO CULL 
Dear editor,

The dingoes on K’gari have been moved on or “fixed”. The example of outright savagery displayed by the Queensland Government doesn’t shock me at all, after all they are a conservative government.

“The dingo pack was aggressive”. Shame on those who enforced the cull. A native animal on a World Heritage Island has been killed for displaying healthy behaviour. This is because humans are silly. Capitalism and its friend, overtourism, will soon be responsible for the extinction of the K’gari Dingos.

Dylan White,
Coolum Beach.
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MONEY SMART WITH THE SALVOS 
Dear editor,

The new year gives us all an opportunity to set ourselves up for the year ahead. That is why our financial counselling service, Moneycare, is encouraging all Australians to take a fresh look at their finances this year.

Our recent research found that 44% of Australians are starting this New Year in debt, 45% say they feel pressure to spend more than they can afford and 24% find it difficult to even create a budget. We know that people are struggling financially right now, but there is hope.

The Salvos Moneycare service offers free and confidential financial counselling to thousands of Aussies each year, helping them to get on top of their finances. They can help you create a budget, support you to get out of debt, sit with you to create realistic money plans, and everything in between.

Regardless of your financial situation, there is no better time than the start of a new year to take a fresh look at your finances and get on top of your financial situation.

So don’t start the new year on the wrong foot. Do a financial check-up this new year to avoid stress later in the year. And if you are struggling to cope financially, please reach out to The Salvation Army’s Moneycare service. We are here for you, and there is no shame in reaching out for support.

If you or someone you know needs support from The Salvation Army’s Moneycare, please visit salvationarmy.org.au/moneycare or call 1800 722 363.

Kristen Hartnett,
Head of Moneycare for The Salvation Army.
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POLITICS 
Dear editor,

Here in Wonderland, following the USA’s Mad King down a rabbit hole, is there one notion that soon there’ll be a trio of new leaders – the Red Queen, Sir Barnyard of Choice and the Mad Hatter? Just wondering who’s who in Wonderland?

Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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ADHD AT SCHOOL 
Dear editor,

As a former teacher, back-to-school ads bring to mind the challenges facing students, their parents and teachers. These challenges are real, but far from insurmountable.
Being diagnosed with ADHD once meant being written off as a second‑class student. But Michael Thow’s story shows how wrong that thinking is. The boy who couldn’t sit still is now heading to university to study medicine.

Michael’s early behaviour was challenging, but once his parents and teachers understood how his brain worked and supported him with targeted strategies and school‑only medication, everything changed. His mother says his intentions were always good; he just needed people who could see past the surface.

With teachers who focused on his strengths, ADHD became a point of difference rather than a barrier. Michael went from struggling, to becoming an A‑grade student throughout his schooling.

His dream of becoming a doctor began at age seven after visiting his grandmother in the hospital, and he’s worked hard ever since. His advice to others with ADHD is simple: don’t fight your brain – work with it.
Michael’s journey should remind us that ADHD is not a life sentence but a pathway to potential.

What makes the difference is understanding, early support, and educators who are trained to recognise strengths rather than punishing symptoms.

As the school year begins, every child deserves that same chance to thrive, and that starts with schools and communities recognising that neurodiverse students aren’t problems to be managed, but potential waiting to be unlocked.

Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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BOARD OF PEACE
Dear editor,

Trump has retaliated against NATO, with a desire to create a ‘Board of Peace’, competing with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2025. It endorses Trump’s arrogant plans for lasting and constructive peace in Gaza, with the structuring of a ‘Board of Peace”, without including the Palestinians themselves.

Not surprisingly, our own Prime Minister Albanese has been nominated as one of the select membership, demanding that all those on the Board contribute $1Billion for full membership. He is even inviting President Putin, his assumed ally, to join the Board. Mr Albanese is contemplating the invitation, without a referendum condoning his involvement.

After retaliating against Norway for failing to present him the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump is now using coercive control to bring the world to their knees, by imposing tariffs on those who disagree with his intentions to own Greenland! If they do not comply by June, he threatens 25% tariffs if his intentions aren’t materialised.

This is typical Trump – the self- glorified authoritarian and businessman, indicative of his modus operandi, to pressure nations and individuals to give in to his demands. He is disrupting world peace and  world order, after 80 years of relative peace and promotion of goodwill among the NATO membership nations.

It is hypocritical of this man, who has avoided accountability for his disruptions and anti-U.S. Constitutional behaviours, targeting his political opponents with his retribution tactics, using the Department of Justice to bring them to satisfy his contempt, without as much as a whimper from his Republican allies.

E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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