Rabbits& other Pests Indiscriminately Introduced.

Many animals and plants were indiscriminately introduced into Australia from many countries in Australia’s early history. These were introduced for many reasons. Some for economic reasons, some for agricultural reasons, some to eradicate other pests, and some for their Garden beauty. Many of these later became pests themselves and since then millions have been spent trying either to totally eradicate them or to control them.

Having learnt from our early mistakes, Australia now has some of, if not, the toughest import regulations of plants and animals into this country, in the World.

So much so, that some now want to lessen some of these rules and allow more imports of certain fruits, plants and animals. It seems that our rules have gone from one extreme to the other. From full blown open slather, to next to nothing at all. But these rules are there to try and protect us from future problems, even if we do chafe a little at them.

How often do we see this in daily life? How often do we older ones look at things now either illegal on unhealthy to do, that we all used to do openly and legally, even if somewhat stupidly, in our youth. Cigarettes, alcohol, even Junk food are all increasingly coming under the spotlight as a major cause of preventable health problems.

On the other hand things that we never had, like Seat belts, riding bikes with crash helmets etc, are now being recognized as literally lifesavers. But what do we do if we don’t like seat belts and safety helmets and we do like cigarettes and alcohol and other things that are not only dangerous to our own health but to the health and safety of others. “ Will a little of these things really harm us? After all, they won’t really become a problem because we will control them!” These and similar statements are often made but are they really true?

Remember just 24 rabbits were introduced into Australia in 1859; now the number is both uncountable and unstoppable and the damage to the economy, not to mention the environment is uncountable and getting worse.

Therefore we do need to be careful of the things (whether things or habits) that we introduce to others so that they (and even us) are not destroyed, either literally or metaphorically, by them. After all who would really like their name to go down in infamy like one Mr Thomas Austin, who was the unfortunate man who just wanted to have a bit of fun hunting rabbits, like he did in the “Old country”.

So what dangers or habits (smoking, binge drinking, drugs, you name it here,) are you introducing to others initially for a bit of fun? Fun that could ultimately destroy them and your good name, if not your actual physical self? I will let you ponder that for now. Walter