lastere

"In rural Victoria, one rancher or farmer a week takes his own life. Public health officials say hanging is the preferred method." nice.

what better place to plunk one's retirement savings on overpriced property?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,0,65585.story

wanttobedownunder

Invest in a rope factory instead then

quoll

I'm surprised, I thought that guns were the preferred method in the country but, yes, suicide is a huge issue in Australia it is just not talked about much because of the copycatting effect. Depression in rural communities is rife - the isolation doesnt help. This isnt the first time that Australia has suffered a serious drought it's just that more people have more invested in those areas which are likely to be affected by it. To imply that "Climate Change" (whatever that may be) is responsible is a real furphy - it's just another example of a bad time on the land - families have been walking off properties on and off for a couple of hundred years.

livinginreality

Lets hope the winter brings some much needed rain hey?Spoke to my Mum a couple of weeks ago by phone and she told me they've had hardly any rain since November!!! Times have changed alot since I was living there for sure!

Petals

Not the first drought and will not be the last. This year we have had heat and fire but its happened before. We just have a lot more people now so more are affected. Every time we have a bad fire episode things are going to be done, but then the decades slip by and people forget to build the fire proof homes, cut the bush back from the house, its all so idyllic. We have to take some responsibility too not just the climate.

framac67

Is it me being naive but why dont they pipe water from the tropical north to the drought stricken areas of Vic, Sa etc. Is this too simple Plenty of work created and a resource which seems to be in abundance helping out where there is a shortage. Seems simple.

jad n rich

Possibly the 5000 odd klm distance

asprilla

Its a good plan, but a very costly one.

jad n rich

Teenage suicide in OZ is supposed to be among highest rates in world.

framac67

I realise that but is it not money well spent and stimulating jobs and economy.

framac67

They are talking of doing a rail link from east to west so anythings possible.

jad n rich

Given the on going shite fight over water travelling 100klm in Qld I doubt it

framac67

The small town thinking about the north not giving the south anything because they get everything astounds me. Everybodys Australian.

Wol

But it's all downhill: QLD's at the top, VIC at the bottom....

asprilla

I agree with you mate, I also reckon it might be money well spent. I mean, if they can spend $50bn on a new fibre cable network to help us browse british expats more quickly, then why not another $50bn to create a national water grid?