10-07-2025
Australia's independence and national interest
On the flipsideBeing an old Northcote boy, ex Herbert Street, I applaud the residents for refusing Macca's push for a store in their suburb. Here's a chance to boycott the US, so I hope you succeed.
John Cain, McCrae
Broken care systemWhen Australians outsource care to childcare, disability or aged care industries, they do so because of an initial assumed trust, based on their experience of living in Australia, that of all countries, Australia is one where what should happen does happen, and what shouldn't happen doesn't those who trustingly outsource care have to decide, in the case of childcare, which staff members to deem trustworthy enough to dispense the care, or in the case of aged care, are only able to outsource care under the condition of there being no right of enforceable visitor access to check on the care, those care systems are broken and not worthy of deregulating care sectors, the Australian government has caused twofold harm. It has not only eroded public trust in deregulated care sectors, but eroded the confidence of citizens in their country and its government.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
Tiers of joyThere has been plenty written about a compromised AFL draw, and ″A Radical Fixture Change″ (9/7). But nothing about the introduction of a two-tiered system which would allow for promotion and the imminent introduction of the Tasmanian Devils and potentially a Darwin-NT team, two tiers of 10 teams would solve all our current as a bonus, more supporters from more clubs would have a better chance of supporting a winner as they cheer on their favourite team, and two of those clubs each year, a is this not being discussed in public? Surely two tiers of 10 makes good sense.
Peter Hayne, The Patch
Deregulation failureIn the early 1990s the Labor government, and subsequently the Coalition, became captured by public policy that the solution to economic and productivity growth was market-oriented government characterised by deregulation, privatisation and contracting out. And where did that get us? Major regulatory and performance failures in childcare, aged care, housing and vocational training, and a decline in productivity. And here we go again. Again we find the treasurer, prime minister and the productivity commissioner promoting the idea of getting rid of redtape or freeing up the private it ever occurred to policy officials that the mediocre performance of recent decades might be because of the deregulation and related market-oriented reforms and the so-called solution may be part of the problem? We should be looking at more effective and nuanced regulation than just more deregulation. The risk is that other muted productivity reforms, such as taxation, will be successfully blocked by vested interests while the low-hanging fruit of further deregulation will become ″the reform″.
Terry Burke, Paterson
A drive for lifeAs retiring Baby Boomers practise the art of golf, conversation often settles on various ailments and what remains on your 'bucket list'. I try to combine the week, I seek perfection in every drive, chip, and putt. It never happens and I thought would never happen until the other day when I got a hole-in-one, the holy grail of most golfers. I was ecstatic. A friend, trying to keep matters in perspective, produced some statistics that suggest it is not as rare as you would think. But how many of them have had Parkinson's disease for nearly 20 years, I protested.I'm a bit slower around the course nowadays and my golfing friends fetch a lot of my wayward shots but it's one thing I can cross off my bucket list. A diagnosis of Parkinson's is not the end of the world. Put whatever you want on your bucket list and go for it. You, too, might get a hole-in-one.
Phillip Hoysted, South Hobart, Tas
Trump, call PutinI would suggest a rapid call to Vladimir Putin if Donald Trump expects to raise the Nobel Peace Prize above his head if the recent drone and missile strikes on Ukraine over the past 24 hours are any indication of his ability to bring peace comparable with Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
David West, Essendon
Education for allThe recommendation in the Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism to introduce a school program on how to deal with antisemitism is a positive one.I hope it can be matched with a school program on how to deal with the grief of witnessing starvation, maiming and killing of thousands of children in is devastating to see no punitive sanctions against Israel from our government.
Colleen Coghlan, Prahran
Tragedy's reachRather than the demonisation of Israel being the biggest tragedy of the conflict in Palestine (Letters, 9/7) might one suggest that the killing of tens of thousands of people and the near total destruction of their homeland is a far greater tragedy on every level. Further, might one also suggest that if the public image of Israel is such an issue, then Israel itself may want to consider the actions that create that perception and maybe even cease them.
Graeme Gardner, Reservoir
Unpeaceful marchesUnfortunately, the regular anti-Israel protests in the city are not peaceful, as your correspondent claims (Letters, 9/7). How can they be when they regularly feature calls for the destruction of Israel, chants demonising all Zionists as terrorists, flags and photos of terrorist groups and their leaders, and now chants calling for death to Israel's defence force?Your correspondent claims the marchers are demonised for what others do around them, but it's hard to believe that the incitement from these marches doesn't directly lead to antisemitic attacks. Why does the correspondent not arrange for her own peaceful demonstrations just like the peaceful protests in support of Israel do?These demonstrations are not genuinely about peace, or they would also condemn Hamas, which started this war, perpetuates this war, and sacrifices its people for PR purposes.
Stephen Lazar, Elwood
The human tollI wonder whether anyone else feels just deeply saddened by the story of a woman who lured three people to their deaths, and another to illness and deep grief?It is an extraordinary story: idyllic town, religious community, marriage breakdown, and a very exotic choice of murder weapon. Indeed, all true crime storytellers must be eager to bring their version to an audience: those who travelled to the court or breathlessly awaited media yet, despite the fascinating details of this case, this is just a deeply sad story. I do not know – as was 'diagnosed' by a columnist in The Age this week – whether Erin Patterson has narcissistic personality disorder, but I do know she has her own sad story that led her to do something truly terrible. I know there are confused and hurting children, a devastated new widower, a haunted ex-husband/son and an aching story is not salacious, it is just very sad. I hope that we can remember the human toll of our curiosity in our rush to gobble up the latest details of this awful case.
Nickie Gyomber, Alphington
Interlocking logicThe wearing of seatbelts became mandatory in Victoria in 1970. We were the first in the world to do so. Initially, there was some resistance based on the removal of freedom of choice. The impact on the road toll was instant, and continues to be significant 'interlock device″ prevents anyone with a blood alcohol level of above the maximum allowable level from starting their vehicle. This is a case of after-the-fact protection of the community and the if we were to again be trailblazers of road safety? What if it every vehicle was fitted with this device and was mandatory as were seatbelts? Would the additional cost not be worth the guarantee of no drunk drivers on the road? What if it became as accepted and automatic as clicking seatbelts?
Ray Way, Blackburn South
Relief from miseryOn a miserable day with miserable news reports and miserable weather, thank you John Silvester for in-depth analysis of the world and local events surrounding the, but not of, the Morwell trial (″The butcher, the fashion choice and the old job: The red flags in killer's claims″, 10/7). I am still giggling while I am writing this and will probably do so throughout the day.
Veronica Padkins, Somers
Credit: Matt Golding AND ANOTHER THING
QantasQantas should introduce a frequent hacker account, where you earn points every time your personal information is used.
Paul Custance, Highett
I am finally in an exclusive club. My Qantas data has been hacked just the same as the members of The Chairman's Lounge.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
TrumpDonald Trump thinks he rules the world. If only we'd stayed with the French nuclear submarine deal.
Katriona Fahey, Alphington
After seeing Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at their formal dinner, I feel moved to nominate both for the Nobel Comb Over of the Year Prize. Their follicular excellence deserves international recognition, while their leadership and humanity do not.
Mick Hussey, Beaconsfield
If Donald Trump doesn't win the Nobel Peace Prize he will no doubt claim he was robbed and threaten to annex Norway.
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
″Netanyahu nominates Trump for peace prize″ (9/7). Was that part of the deal?
Martin Shaw, Mirboo North
I would, formally, like to nominate Donald Trump for the 'nobble' prize.
Robert Juozas, Eaglemont
FurthermoreDump AUKUS. War has changed. What can a submarine, even a wiz-bang nuclear one, do to stop a drone, or an explosive device in a mobile phone?
Wendy Brennan, Bendigo
It is apparent at least six RBA members have never experienced family living in the outer suburbs while trying to pay down a mortgage.
Arthur Pritchard, Ascot Vale
The people of Gaza aren't responsible for the crimes of Hamas. Neither should our Jewish citizens be blamed for the crimes of Israel.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
