What a complete and utter cock-up (“Albanese is selling out Australia to AI colonists as artists face ruin”, September 18). The Albanese government wants Australian artists and creators to opt out of allowing AI shysters to use their work for AI “training”, or “theft” as Richard Flanagan prefers to call it. Every idiot knows that opting out is one of the greatest scams of all time. In countless cases, consumers don’t even know they have the right, or even how, to do it. It does not work.Are we going to stand back and watch these greed-fuelled American plunderers steal our national identity? Come on, Australia, think of our beloved Australian films, novels, writers, performers, artists and speak up on their behalf. It’s time to let Albanese know this is a step too far and remind him that his tenure in The Lodge rests on your next vote. Donna Wiemann, Balmain
As Richard Flanagan laments the wholesale theft of authors’ work by AI, something bigger looms. Infinitely bigger: authors fading into irrelevance. And even that is nothing alongside the cataclysm now unfolding: the looming utter irrelevance of humankind. We’ve suffered three revolutions: agricultural, industrial and, now, the tidal wave of machine intelligence, each with downsides. This one is massive. Multitudes of the best minds in the world are combining to tell us that stopping the AI arms race is close to impossible, that even agreeing to make AI safer may be impossible. We have two choices: submit to the “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” trope or stage a global peasants’ revolt. It’s time for ordinary folks to grasp the nettle and rise. Brian Haisman, Winmalee
Richard Flanagan’s angry anti-AI rhetoric on behalf of the creative community is impressive; his logic less so. The reuse of cultural material without payment to its originators has been with us for decades. Photocopiers let us plunder books, cassette tapes made duplicating LP records cheap and easy, Google provides us with free access to download just about anything. Artists have benefited from those “thefts” as much as anyone. They have no more right to payment or protection from AI than any other content provider. It might be easier to support Flanagan’s position had he shown some sympathy for the thousands of Australians who have already lost their entire livelihoods as greedy companies replaced them with cheap AI tools. But not a word from the novelist about that. David Salter, Hunters Hill
It wasn’t that long ago that the full weight of international laws would come crashing down on people if they dared to illegally download a few songs in breach of copyright. Why is AI being allowed free-range? Graeme Finn, Campsie
If AI misbehaves, can’t we just unplug it then plug it back in again? Barry Riley, Woy Woy
Economy v stupidity
Waleed Aly’s column (“It’s not the economy, stupid. Just ask Barnaby”, September 18) is a good explanation of the rise of populism and the rejection of conventional thinking. The enormous economic, social and moral problems the world faces may be beyond the capabilities of humans to solve. It is concerning that people could become so disillusioned that, in a few years’ time, we could see three of the world’s great democracies under the leadership of JD Vance, Nigel Farage and Pauline Hanson. If that’s not a scary prospect, I don’t know what is. Phil Peak, Dubbo
Waleed Aly points out the true ethos of One Nation and shows how Barnaby really is a good fit within it. Barnaby sees himself as a true man of the people but shows himself to be hubristic, solipsistic and arrogant. Our lovely world needs its heart and soul protected from the ravages of tech and avarice like never before, but it’s not a simplistic solution. I don’t want to be seen as deserting the ship, but if this what “progress” looks like I need to get off. Judy Finch, Taree
What would we do without Barnaby? He adds that glorious tone of levity to whatever peculiar/offensive thought bubble issues from Pauline Hanson whenever she opens her mouth. Keep up the good work, Barnaby. I am waiting to hear more of your wisdom re: the economy. Some days we just need a good laugh. Nola Tucker, Kiama
May I suggest a way that the government can improve productivity? Support for the government-recommended “myID” application for the Android 10 operating system or older ended on September 4. Trying to log into a myGov account using your “myID” is no longer allowed for devices without Android 11. Nor can you log into myGov using your old user ID and password. The myID help desk (20 minutes on hold) gives the number of the myGov helpline (30 minutes on hold), which can reset access with username and a new password (a further 15 minutes). ATO access requires a phone call to its helpdesk (45 minutes on hold) who, after verification checks, will reset the login to a lower security level than they recommend. My suggestion is: have the three agencies talk and co-ordinate with each other. Martin Harrison, Albion Park
It’s a mystery why our population remains sceptical about the scientists who give them pretty much everything we rely on for our way of life. Less of a puzzle is scepticism towards economists. For four decades, our economists have drunk from the Kool-Aid of neoliberalism and have become incapable of thinking in another way. Until we break from that philosophy, it will remain true, as Aly says, that “altogether too much for too long has been laid at the economic altar”. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
It’s the people who will need the real Jesus Christ if Barnaby is elected. Ted Bush, North Epping
Cap licences too
The current cap on the number of guns one owner is permitted to have is too high (“Minns boosted by poll on guns”, September 18). Since John Howard’s buyback, the number of firearms in our state has continued to increase. It is clear that our government and police need to do more to reduce firearm ownership, with, say, a continuous buyback. NSW Police found there were between 215,000 and 253,670 firearms licences in NSW that list sports shooting and/or recreational hunting as the reason for owning a gun. But just 35,761 people in NSW actively participated in such activities between June 2024 and July 2025. To renew a gun licence, each applicant should provide a statutory declaration, giving the frequency, names of witnesses or sufficient evidence of doing so. Where there is no clear evidence, the guns need to be surrendered to police, as the licence was improperly gained. This may not stop organised criminals from obtaining firearms, but it will make it harder and surely reduce use of guns in domestic violence and community shootings. Brian McDonald, Willoughby
Thriving off the backpackers’ back
I have recently travelled by road across much of outback Queensland (“Migration purge targets backpackers, overstayers”, September 18) and can only be impressed by the role young backpackers play in filling so much employment across the industries vital to providing the services required by vast numbers of older people travelling around northern Australia either by caravan, bus or in cars, plus those working in agriculture and other rural industries. Almost every hotel and restaurant was staffed by the most wonderful young backpackers from all over the world. They provide a fabulous service while learning English and the wonders of Australian culture. The vast majority stay in their own vehicles, tent accommodation provided by employers, or in shared housing. These young travellers give so much to Australia by filling in jobs most Australians won’t do, earning money and then spending most of it back in Australia, plus paying our GST, income tax, fuel taxes, etc. These people do not take up long-term rental accommodation in cities and don’t affect housing. They are such a massive boost to Australia that it goes to show how out of touch with the reality of regional, rural and outback Australia many politicians are. We need these young travellers, and we need to ensure they are paid correctly and not exploited by unscrupulous employers and labour hire companies as they give so much to Australia. They should not be counted in the immigration numbers as they are here as short-term tourists who return home or continue their travels when their visas expire. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona
How is it possible to have a sensible discussion on immigration when the Coalition, purporting to be the alternative government, behaves so irresponsibly? A major trigger for Australians’ discontent is housing shortage. Contributing factors include that post-COVID, according to the ABS, about 140,000 dwellings effectively “disappeared” due to shrinking households driven by people wanting more space following lockdowns and WFH. Also, weak policy responses to short-stay accommodation displacing residents for tourists. Another major contributor is visa overstayers. And the Coalition’s untrue and puerile statements about migration negatively affect social cohesion and the ability to have a rational debate on immigration. This might explain why they are languishing on 18 per cent in the polls. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)
For the many thousands of us travelling around this vast land, the need for backpackers is obvious in every outback town, pub and roadhouse. Our recent trip to the Gulf country revealed, in Normanton, desperation waiting on the bus to arrive for the new pub cook. Hardworking and enthusiastic young staff at the Undara Lava Tubes keeping tourism prospects alive and in the geographical centre of Queensland, at Muttaburra, a small shop for locals. These young people maintain venues, serve at bars and allow their international perspective to filter through. Most are doing to it tough in hard outback areas yet enjoying themselves together in remote country regions. They are keeping the outback alive, young and interesting for local people and travellers alike. Many of these venues could not operate without their input. By all means seek to even allow longer stays, ensure employer fairness and worker equity, but the remote regions need backpacker workers to remain in large numbers. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
During COVID, immigration was zero, understandably. Blind Freddie could see there would be a bounce-back. Everyone predicted it. Would not then have been the time to pick a number to aim for and increase the controls so that the unsustainable bounce did not happen? To release the valve slowly and climb to a sustainable target, rather than the situation we are in now, with right-wing agitators promoting over-migration as the source of all our ills? Chris Hennessy, East Ballina
To those who see no problem with our current immigration numbers, I pose two questions. Why do we need a population growth three times that of other OECD countries or double the rate of the USA or Britain? What is wrong with an extra Canberra or Newcastle each four years instead of every two? In racing parlance, Australia needs to win the population growth stakes by a short half head, not the length of the straight. Tony Nicod, Collaroy
The history of civilisation has been a history of migration. There has always been, within segments of society, the need or urge to seek a better way of life. This drive cannot be negated, but with commitment and compassionate policy it can be controlled. In Australia, with our national birthrate barely able to replace deaths, a migration intake is becoming a necessity if we are to maintain our accustomed standard of living. Opponents of migration should consider who is to provide the services and pay the taxes required to provide them with a comfortable life in their senior years. Barry Wooldridge, Harden
I have recently spent a little more time in hospital than I would like. In that time, I was looked after by a wide range of caring professionals, from the nurses’ aides to the surgeon who replaced my hip. The majority of these beautiful people, including the surgeon, were either born overseas or their parents were. Adherents of One Nation must enjoy robust health, because they never acknowledge that our hospitals are very dependent on an active migration program. John Crowe, Cherrybrook
Visa cuts unfair
It is such a shortcut to target international students and the rights of family to support their student children (“International students mull options after migration crackdown proposal”, September 18). Cuts in migration at times of economic hardship, and then the call for numbers when the economy heats, hurts actual humans who have given hearts and minds to Australia. All lives matter. Melanie Lazarow, Brunswick (Vic)
The new policy by the ALP to prevent overseas students from arriving with their families is to be commended. This will ease the strain on rentals, real estate and services in general. The students should be encouraged as they pay huge fees to be here, which supports the budgets in our universities. In the 1960s, we had overseas students at boarding school at the age of 12 who came with no family. They all survived and returned to their families upon graduating from school or tertiary studies. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
Destination in sight
I wouldn’t know if the continuous running of the Metro has been going on with or without a supervisor on board, or if the bin chickens have learnt to get off the tracks or not, but there certainly has been a hive of activity packing up the nearby makeshift offices and storage area (“Driverless metro trials step up a gear as target opening date looms”, September 18). What has been even more noticeable is the lack of workers buying coffee from the adjacent cafe. It all points to completion being not too far off. Hallelujah. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
The driverless, supervisorless Metro sounds a lot like an idea that in a few months hence we will be rethinking, like vaping, using AI, giving kids uncensored devices to play with, and a city overrun by abandoned hired bikes. Take a bit of Anita Perrottet’s “mum’s advice”, without the $660k price tag, and kick this one out before we get the old “in retrospect” guff. Brian Thornton, Stanmore
Mother’s love
The account of a humpback whale remaining with her stillborn calf off the Gold Coast is both heartbreaking and important (Letters, September 18). Scientists, as always, are cautious about describing such behaviour as grief, although the researchers documented strong maternal attachment. What struck me most, however, was how differently we respond when the mother is a farmed animal. On the very day I read of the whale, an elderly sheep at our sanctuary, North, gave birth to a stillborn lamb. Despite her fear of people, she refused to leave him. She cleaned him, guarded him and later lay beside his body. When I eventually carried him away, she called after him. I named him Compass. We are moved when whales, elephants or other wild animals appear to mourn their young. Yet sheep, cows, pigs and goats also form maternal bonds, and separation and loss are realities experienced by farmed animals too. We may never know whether another animal experiences grief exactly as we do. Perhaps that is not the most important question. When a mother, regardless of species, calls, guards or refuses to leave her baby, her experience deserves our curiosity. And our compassion. Pam Ahern, Lancefield (Vic)
Rounding a corner, we had to avoid a melancholy scene – a crowd of sulphur-crested cockatoos gathered around a fallen comrade. You could feel the grief. It was almost human. We continued on, quite subdued. Robyn Cashman, Fernhill
Take a look, not a photo
What a sad sight (“Spring splendour sealed with a wisteria”, September 18): a stunning display of blossoms and three people absorbed in their phones. Such a disconnect from the real world. Kris Mckeon, Goonellabah
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