Even before the inevitable cost blowouts, it is estimated that a Brisbane to Melbourne train would cost about $114 billion, or $5000 per Australian. This is too much money for private companies to raise without setting ridiculous ticket prices, and it would be unconscionable for the government to borrow even more money to fund it.

If governments really are worried about travel times, they should reform speed limits on our roads. This would not cost us a cent.

As roads and cars have improved, other countries have reformed their speed limits.

In Europe, speed limits on many motorways have been raised to 130 km/h and beyond, with no adverse impact on road safety.

Setting speed limits according to what the community considers to be appropriate would have many benefits.

It would improve the experience of drivers, improve relations with law enforcement, and reduce the tedium of long distance travel.

The NSW Government’s lack of planning around the transition of early solar customers to new metering arrangements could trigger a crisis for 150,000 solar homes across the state.

Solar homeowners will be forced to pay for new meters that could cost up to $700 - which in some cases provide less information about their solar than they currently have.

There’s no detail on how the meter change will roll out across the state and it’s not clear whether all solar homes can be fitted with new devices before the 60c/kWh feed-in price expires at the end of the year.

It’s debatable whether there are even enough electricians and meters to deal with this whole-of-state transition.

Any solar home left without a new meter will lose access to their solar power and be left paying more for non-solar electricity from the grid.

The Baird Government said NSW can be “Australia’s answer to California” when it comes to clean energy, but NSW has gone from a solar leader to a solar laggard.

This needs to be fixed, fast.

Violence against women in any shape or form must be discouraged.

There may not be a direct link between toys and domestic violence, but the environment does play a great role in our physical, mental and psychological development.

Even the selection of food has a direct impact on our behaviors and actions.

The present day media has a big influence on our lives.

Our media is full of nudity, violence and sexism.

We can not even buy packaged food without looking at the pretty pictures.

Every child is born innocent and it is up to the parents and the society to teach him/her manners, patience and tolerance.

As an Ahmadiyya Muslim, I believe that if we want our future generations to be free of gender stereotype and violence, we have to lead by our own example.

We need to establish respect for women by recognising their greater role in the society.

Islam has taught us respect for women by declaring that the paradise lies under the feet of your mother.