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Byron Shire
June 7, 2026

A message for Malcolm Turnbull

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Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

Other News

Agency over AI

Albert Einstein said, ‘I don’t know what World War III will be fought with… but World War IV will...

Threatened species protection in NSW overhauled

A "new, holistic approach to threatened species conservation" has been introduced by the NSW Labor government, reforming the Saving our Species program.

Byron Shire mens Rebels suffer first defeat at the hands of Wollongbar

Hywel David It was a mixed day out at Pioneer Park in Wollongbar-Alstonville on a sunny Saturday, with the Rebels...

Northern Rivers philanthropic org reveals 2025 achievements

Not-for-profit philanthropic organisation,  Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), have released their annual report for 2025, revealing $2.4m was raised, and 121 projects funded across the region.

Lennox headland tree planting day this Friday

Ballina Shire Council, GeoLINK and Rous Council are inviting the community to roll up their sleeves and help restore the iconic Lennox Headland, at the 21st Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day on Friday 5 June.

Wandana Brewing Co turns six

Six years ago, Wandana Brewing Co set up on the outskirts of Mullumbimby with a simple ambition: to make great beer and build something the community could genuinely call their own. This Saturday the Wandana Brewing crew are marking the occasion with a free, all-day birthday celebration, and everyone is invited!

If you want the confidence of most Australians you need to explain honestly why it is good that your Liberal policies attack public services, wage rates, working conditions, welfare and free access to high quality education for all.

Since Australian politicians starting taking us down the privatisation path all I have seen is a deterioration in overall standard of living, lower wages, longer working hours, poor job security, more costly charges for energy, deteriorating regional roads, etc. Work places have become lean, mean and dominated by steely-eyed sociopaths dedicated to extracting more work out of fewer and fewer people for less and less pay.

If Malcolm’s policies are given full reign our welfare systems will disappear and quality medical treatment will be the exclusive right of the wealthy minority. Just like USA. Don’t get sick if you don’t have health insurance.

Malcolm represents the interests of the wealthy and faces an enormous task in explaining to the average Australian why concentrating wealth in the hands of the few is good for us.

We hear much about jobs, jobs, jobs. But we don’t hear anything about maintaining wage rates or working conditions or standard of living. That will be Bill Shorten’s challenge if he wants the average Australian behind him.

 Joe Monks, The Gap

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Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.