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HONESTY
It is always very disappointing and frustrating to be told porkies, very carefully worded spin, or simply not answering questions from leaders in society – politicians, business and “religious” leaders and sporting bodies.
The impact is all the greater on the true believers of these institutions. We put up with this rubbish daily from our own politicians and the ‘leader of the free world’. The spending of millions of dollars and organisation of thousands of church members apparently slipped under the radar of the omnipotent Bruce Hales (“Gaslighting on a biblical scale”, 19/10).
The meaningless remorse from Matt Comyn (“Workplace AI treats workers like barcodes with a pulse”, 12/10) addresses nothing.
The platitudes from Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club over yet another horse death – “equine well-being is paramount” – tell us no change is coming (“RV backs protocols amid Caulfield death fallout”, 19/10).
No wonder so many voters are “mad as hell and ... not going to take this anymore”.
Peter Thomson, Brunswick
Showers with strong chance of hot air
Monique Ryan commenting on the testimony of Bruce Hales at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged electioneering, said he had ″all the credibility of Melbourne weather forecast″ (″Brethren leader says he knew nothing″, 17/10).
But rather than casting aspersions on the Bureau of Meteorology, I think we should embrace the lingua franca of the BoM in our political discourse – stormy, unstable, unsettled, blustery, overcast or fair conditions ahead; perhaps turbulence, thawing out, tidal wave, tsunami or thunder might be relevant; clear skies, calm conditions, hot and cold fronts or pressure systems.
On rare occasions even slush, wind and smoke might be pertinent. Monique might have started something here. The heat is on.
Brendan O’Farrell, Brunswick
Lambie a rare straight-shooter
Jacqui Lambie is exactly the kind of representative we need in the Senate. Coming from the people, not up through the party apparatus: honest, and wearing her heart on her sleeve, she is diligent in getting across the issues that impact on us all, and forceful in promoting the agendas she sees as needing her support. Recently, she raised the issue of vaginal prolapse, which sadly, she reported, has been seen as an embarrassment rather than a medical issue like any other.
For this, she has been cruelly, and nastily mocked by Pauline Hanson’s cartoon mouthpiece. A woman belittling another woman’s good intentions.
I am very surprised to see the lack of outcry at this, compared to the shock and horror at the prime minister’s reference to melons.
Gillian Unicomb, Sandford, Tas
No one did press secretary better than CJ
C.J left the world of the West Wing and her role as White House press secretary in 2006. She set the standards, and illustrated what a press secretary should be.
It’s just a pity that she was fictional, unlike the last few in that role (“After just five days, Trump’s new press secretary was destined to go”, 18/10).
The ones that have followed her have ranged in ability, and it appears there has been a significant decline in the 47th presidency. Being able to read with a clear, strong voice should be a minimum, and yet? Being able to answer questions is vital, and more than three would be good.
Telling the truth is assumed, which includes the fact that Joe Biden did win and Trump didn’t win. It will be interesting watching the latest few for the few weeks they will probably have the job.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill
THE FORUM
Quizzed on Treaty
Re ″Treaty is on the ballot in the Victorian election″ (18/10): I am a constituent of Jess Wilson’s seat of Kew. Last week, two members of our household were cold-called by TWK research regarding our ″voting intentions and attitudes″.
Three questions focused on Treaty. Just one question was asked on every other topic so we assumed someone was worried about the impact of the threat of the repeal of Treaty on voters.
Community independent Sophie Torney, Jess Wilson’s main rival for the seat of Kew, supports Treaty so we assumed the Liberals and/or One Nation commissioned the poll.
One Treaty question focused on whether we would support or oppose its repeal. The next two focused on money: would we oppose or support the repeal of Treaty, firstly, if the state were to save $1 billion and, secondly, if that money were to be spent ″closing the gap″.
There was no reference to any positive thoughts about Treaty, its good-will intent, our satisfaction with how it works or the feelings of First Nations people. The poll had a purely monetary focus.
Treaty is trying another approach – valuing, respecting and working co-operatively with First Nations people in addressing their present and future.
In vowing to repeal Treaty in her first 100 days in government, should she win office, Wilson will be recklessly ″throwing out the baby with the bath water″.
She should review, consult, be open-minded and learn. Otherwise, much will be lost: hard work, a working structure, goodwill and, dare I say, money already expended. Treaty is more than just legislation, it is a moral promise.
Jennifer Quigley, Balwyn
Questions for Wilson
Jess Wilson, why do you want to get rid of Victoria’s Treaty? The Treaty is the product of extensive consultation over many years. Is trying to get rid of it really a vote-winner? And what are the “other means” by which you are going to address Indigenous disadvantage?
Jenny Macmillan, Clifton Hill
Respect, not resentment
Re “Before you condemn migrants, spend a night in hospital” (18/9): Brendan Nicholson is right to remind us that before railing against migrants, we should spend a night in hospital. Our public health system depends on skilled nurses and specialist doctors, many born and trained overseas.
Yet, this benefit to Australia comes at a cost to countries who’s already stretched health services lose professionals trained with scarce public resources. Even the United Kingdom now experiences this brain drain.
As a specialist doctor who was educated and trained in Brisbane, I recognise the opportunities Australia has afforded me and the responsibility to give back.
But our hospitals rely on more than doctors and nurses. Many cleaners come from Tibet and New Guinea in my Brisbane hospital, doing essential work that too few Australian-born workers appear willing to undertake; Sara Fernandez, originally from El Salvador, leaves not a mote of dust untouched. The same work ethic applies to delivery riders and others who keep our cities functioning.
We should acknowledge both sides of this equation: migration enriches Australia, but can impoverish the health systems of countries migrants leave behind. Above all, those who sustain our hospitals deserve respect,
not resentment.
Joseph Ting, Carina, Qld
Racing carnival grief
As a passionate advocate for animals who had hundreds of letters published in The Age over many years, my beloved identical twin, Jennifer, would be devastated and enraged yet again at the two-horse fall and subsequent euthanasia of one of those majestic creatures in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
Clearly, nothing has changed since she noted with disgust (Letters, “Despite the cruelty, the crowds attend the Cup”, 6/11/19) how “well-groomed people in expensive hats and fine suits still chose to sip champagne under marquees while they declare their love for horses. Tragically, an industry that exploits animals and ultimately discards them to be tortured and slaughtered, denying its responsibility in this process, has nothing to do with love”.
Despite my deep grief since Jennifer’s death in December, I feel some relief that she doesn’t have to witness more of the same this racing season. Just as she was the voice for animals, I must now be the voice for her.
Janine Joseph, Armadale
Timely intervention
Re “The leap second has been cancelled. It’s about time” (18/10): I’m glad the leap second has been killed. Its only purpose is to ensure that midday occurs exactly at 12:00:00 twice a year (ignoring daylight saving) at Greenwich in England.
A day doesn’t last 24 hours all the year round. Around the summer and winter solstices, it’s about 20 seconds longer, and around the spring and autumn equinoxes, it’s about 20 seconds shorter. You can see this in a calendar displaying the times of sunrise, midday and sunset for any location.
The time of midday moves throughout the year occurring later each day around the summer and winter solstices, pulling sunrise and pushing sunset later each day. This explains why after the summer solstice, sunrise and sunset still occur later for several weeks despite daylight hours decreasing.
Wayne Robinson, Kingsley, WA
American betrayal
“The test result that reveals a dangerous Trump betrayal” (19/10) by David Crowe regarding the deliberate throttling of Starlink satellite speeds in Ukraine expose a deeply unsettling reality about modern geopolitical dependence.
Testing confirmed that while Starlink functioned seamlessly within European borders, vital connectivity dropped drastically in Ukraine. This was no technical glitch; it was a calculated restriction that directly crippled Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian kamikaze drones, reportedly cost innocent lives, and aided Russia’s war effort.
US President Donald Trump denies responsibility, yet reports indicate the directive originated within his administration.
For allies, including Australia, this demonstrates that critical, foreign-controlled defence infrastructure can be switched off at a whim, regardless of formal treaties.
If an American administration is willing to compromise a democratic ally under fire to appease a dictator or shield a billionaire, no partner is truly safe. We cannot afford to trust our national security to a partner capable of such a dangerous betrayal.
Paul Caine, Glen Huntly
Where elite eat
Yiaga restaurant has been lauded and glowingly reviewed by a small section of society that can afford the expense. However, the creation of the restaurant has taken what used to be a public space and handed it to the elite. As a Melbourne ratepayer, I hope that a good portion of every expensive meal flows to improve civic facilities accessible to the general public.
Peter Roche, Carlton
Joy of reading
I spent hours last weekend listening to the ABC countdown of the top 100 Australian books as voted by the public. What an absolute joy those hours were –
a reminder of books loved and sometimes forgotten and books known but yet to be read.
Probably the most noticeable part of the event was that there was no shouting, no nastiness, no abuse, no memes, Instead, deep appreciation for our country’s body of literature, wonderful recordings and interviews with living and long-departed authors and excited texts from listeners waiting to see where their selection came. Mine was eighth (thank you, Richard Flanagan).
I was surprised to acknowledge the amount of pleasure and, yes, relief, I felt in spending hours immersed in such a positive event in the midst of a world full of anger, frustration and bad news.
Naomi Brown, North Perth, WA
Out, obnoxious tool
’Tis the season of the dreaded leaf-blowers. Rather than sweeping up and disposing of their own refuse, most owners of these obnoxious tools blow their unwanted garden debris from one location to another to become somebody else’s problem. They also increase pollen in the air and asthma sufferers are adversely affected.
We live opposite the local council offices which adjoins a large parkland. They are major culprits. It’s time for local councils to bring back the rake and broom!
Mark Hulls, Sandringham
Gough thought it first
The recent conversations about abolishing state governments are not new (Letters, 18/10). In the 1970s, Gough Whitlam considered Australia would be better served by up to 20 regional authorities. They would develop according to their economic and social needs based on geography. Hence, there would be one for the north-west of Australia, another for north Queensland. It never went anywhere.
If it were ever to take off, I think it would be done on economic grounds. It is crazy the Northern Territory has its own parliament with such a small population. It would be far better administered by South Australia with two or three new seats being created in the South Australian parliament.
The same could be said of Tasmania being administered by Victoria.
But we have totally stopped using imagination in politics – it is so humdrum.
John Rome, Mt Lawley, WA
Crunch time
Re “Sour grapes” (Letters, 18/10): Grapes grown in Queensland have been available since August: varieties include Arra Sweeties, Sweet Globe, Autumn Crisp and Arra Fire Crunch. They are, of course, expensive, but not imported.
Ron Noonan, Lake Wendouree
AND ANOTHER THING
Election season
The Liberal Party is using immigration as a political wedge and Treaty as a political football.
Sarah Russell, Mt Martha
With the lack of funding for our fire services, maybe we could introduce a property-based tax to raise funds. It could be called the Fire Services Levy. Oh, wait ...
Neal Wrigley, Brunswick East
One Nation’s retrograde predilection for mocking others (Letters 19/10) is very Trumpian and makes me sick.
Jane Ross, San Remo
One Nation’s cartoon mocking Senator Jacqui Lambie’s vaginal prolapse, which is directly related to back injuries she sustained in the army, is as sick as it gets.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
Furthermore
To stop all the angst in regards to people not singing the national anthem (Letters 19/10), let’s get rid of the words and let’s get a nice tune so we can all hum along.
James Lane, Hampton East
Re ″Sour grapes″ (Letters 17/10). Easy enough. Just avoid anything produced in the USA. It’s travelled too far to get here. I do.
Lesley Taskis, Kingsbury
When our fruit is not in season, we buy from other countries, and vice versa.
Australia has an excellent fruit export market. We just returned from overseas and saw Australian navel oranges sold in Canada!
Wendy Poulier, Ferntree Gully
Would Australia have the ability to regulate the speed of communications to and from Pine Gap similar to Ukraine’s Starlink experience? Probably not. Perhaps we should ensure our communications are closed down for a day or two until Trump gets the message.
Alister McKenzie, Lake Wendouree
Finally
Why flay Trump for appointing the late, great Katie Zacharia? She had all the qualities that made her compatible with the president: inexperienced, loose with truth and qualifications, and lacked basic knowledge. A perfect fit.
Peter Russo, West Brunswick
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