30-06-2025
We are a diverse nation. Enough stale, pale males
Long-term benefits
For a project like the SRL, the last thing we need is a business case. Major projects that will continue to be impacting in 100 years' time require a vision. Business cases largely apply to the now and next few years based on business as usual. Major transport developments like the SRL are based on a vision of Melbourne where our dependence on road transport is diminished. Where we can think differently about travel across suburbs. This will allow town planners with vision, create a better living environment. Political leaders should keep quiet if this is all they can say about major projects.
Howard Tankey, Box Hill North
A decade late
The Metro Tunnel, due to open in 2026, is actually seven to 10 years late from its originally recommended timeframe. Sir Rod Eddington's report, Investing in Transport, (2008) had it planned in two sections; the western part (Footscray to Domain) was to open in 2016, and the eastern part (Domain to Caulfield) in 2019. This version was included in the Brumby government's 2008 Victorian Transport Plan, but that was shelved by the Baillieu government in 2011.
In 2013, the Napthine government proposed the Melbourne Rail Link, which inexplicably bypassed Melbourne's CBD.
Finally, the Metro Tunnel was re-introduced, albeit in a shortened, single-stage form (South Yarra to West Kensington) by the Andrews government in 2014, and construction started in 2017. This was a year after it would have opened, if the original plan had been followed.
Political interference in the planning process is the main cause of the delay, which has also added considerably to the cost and reduced the original scope.
William McDougall, Woodend
A big launch lost
The Metro Tunnel opening should be a celebration of a generational step-up in rail services. It should deliver long-overdue service enhancements across much of the rail network. Despite best intentions, projects will inevitably run late however this should not detract from the primary goal of delivering better public transport.
The public quickly forgets the extra time and cost of such projects once they start to experience genuinely improved services.
A partial opening will undermine the community's confidence in the project. It's understandable those responsible for delivering the project are motivated to see the first trains run as soon as possible. Yet a partial service at off-peak times only will confuse passengers and compromise service reliability.
The original business plan foresaw the project opening in 2026. By this measure, the project remains on schedule. The optimism of those delivering the project has created an earlier expectation. The impression of delay shouldn't become the dominant narrative. More importantly, this can't be fixed by starting services with a compromised service plan.
John Hearsch, president, Rail Futures Institute Inc, Heathcote Junction
Many don't get it
If you ask anyone over 60 what they think of the SRL, the majority will say, why would I want to travel from Cheltenham to Box Hill on a train? They don't get it. The major benefit, in our ever expanding city, is a rail loop to connect the outer suburbs, without always having to head to Flinders Street station. Promoting travel times this early means nothing. To cancel the project would be madness, it will never be any cheaper to build.
Paul Custance, Highett
Education business
Graeme Turner's Broken: Universities, Politics & the Public Good offers a timely and sobering reflection on the systemic neglect of Australia's universities (' Netflix has romanticised academia. This is what it's really like ', 29/6). Yet one vital consequence of this neglect is barely mentioned: the proliferation of low-quality, market-driven degrees from bottom-tier or for-profit institutions – degrees that offer little academic substance or job readiness.
As public funding dwindled and universities were told to operate 'like businesses,' many did exactly that – competing for market share by offering dubious degrees with vague titles, weak curricula, and little alignment with real-world skills or scholarly merit – often from institutions few Australians could name. These programs, typically heavy on marketing spin and light on rigour, reflect a system incentivised to enrol, not to educate.
In this race for enrolments, academic standards have been quietly sacrificed. Meanwhile, genuine research and teaching – especially in the humanities and sciences – are underfunded and undervalued. Students are left paying for thin content; employers are left disillusioned by meaningless qualifications.
If we're serious about Australia's 'knowledge infrastructure,' we need to reclaim the integrity of a university education – not just through funding, but through regulation and an unapologetic commitment to quality. A healthy tertiary sector isn't just a line item. It's a national imperative.
Professor David Fox, Beaumaris
Savings start at the top
Graeme Turner's article strikes a loud chord. As an academic myself, I have personally experienced the frustrations outlined and have watched over the last couple of decades as course after course has been cancelled and academics' workloads have increased due to cost-savings. However, there is one aspect to the matter that Turner did not mention. This is the inflated pay packets of the CEOs – sorry, vice chancellors – of our top universities; according to the Australia Institute many are now earning over seven times as much as their teaching staff. While many of those august institutions are firing administrative staff and increasing teaching and administrative workloads on their academics, they somehow can find the money to pay the heads of the university million dollar-plus salaries.
Dr Peter Christopher White, Hawthorn
The hobbies are free
Shona Hendley may not be able to afford to buy herself a bathing suit (' All year, I've tried to find a new hobby. One major problem is crushing my efforts ', 29/6), luckily she can do a lot of things for free. She could join her local Landcare group and help with pulling out weeds in native bushland, and in the evening she might join a group listening for frog song. She can volunteer at her local hospital and spend time holding pre-term babies and giving them some human warmth. She can volunteer at a primary school and help children learn how to read aloud. She can go to her local library and borrow a book for free and if feeling inspired, maybe even write a poem. She can then read it for free at her local pub poetry gig and perhaps lash out, and shout herself a glass of lemonade.
Di Cousens, Upwey
A change of pace
Shona Hendley is looking for a hobby for benefits in mental health, finding purpose and reducing stress. It must fit the budget. One answer is a weekly Scottish country dance class for $6-$10 per class. You enjoy dancing to bright and lively Scottish dance music, make new friends and grow your mental and physical health. There are groups all around Victoria that will welcome new dancers.
Ross Gawler, Malvern
Certain players
Richmond's Tom Lynch is facing a lengthy suspension after throwing a dangerous haymaker (' 'His frustration spills over': Two-touch Tom on report after dirty day at MCG ', 29/6). As a neutral observer of the game, I could not imagine a player being mauled, held and denied access to the contest more than the number of occasions this occurred to Lynch. He remonstrated at length with the umpires. Nothing changed.
The game I love and will continue to love is being compromised by players who continually push players in the back, scrag others and play outside the rules at the behest of coaches. I'm hoping to see defenders in particular given the opportunity to play in front and not get shoved under the ball. And for players like Lynch to be protected from those who scrag and block players' access to the ball.
Andrew Dowling, Torquay
Trusted old lippy
While working overseas at weekends I always read The Age from cover to cover. The article (' Hailey Bieber's latest makeup trend is 'fairy magic'. Here's how to nail it ', 29/06) caught my eye with a breathtaking photograph and how-to video tutorial. How I would love to emulate this look and wondered what it would cost to purchase the recommended products. To my surprise they came to $598. So instead of dreaming of having a fairy magic look when I next go out, I slink away with my trusted old lippy and sunscreen. I could never justify spending close to $600 on a look, especially when the fashion could turn to something different next month.
Judith G. Hudson, Elwood
Public benefit
Your correspondent seems to be suggesting there is an inverse relationship between the money spent on education and the prevalence of youth crime (Letters, 30/6). If he is correct, perhaps the better question might be how do we increase the amount spent on the public system to decrease the number of youths offending?
John Alley, Thurgoona, NSW
AND ANOTHER THING
Venice wedding
Bezos, Zuckerberg and co could be tamed quite quickly if the global online community decided to boycott Amazon purchases, Instagram use etc. And while we're at it, stop watching AFL on Thursday/ Friday night. Could we do it?
Andrew Barnes, Ringwood
So many complaints in The Age letters page about the ugly display of wealth at the Bezos wedding. I don't think they could care less. Memo to the rest of us: Money can't buy class.
Robyn Williams, Sale
I can't believe The Age gave a double-page spread on a multimillion-dollar wedding when there are people in war-torn streets struggling for survival. The bridegroom and the Musks of this world don't deserve one line of print.
Ian Anderson, Surrey Hills
Trump and Israel
Is it true Trump has instructed the Israeli judiciary not to sneeze without his permission, otherwise tariffs will be imposed? (' 'We are not going to stand for this': Trump ties Israeli legal action against Netanyahu to US aid ', 30/6).
Barrie Bales, Woorinen North
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Maureen Dowd recounts Trump's view that a reporter's question disrespected the US military's action. Yet a greater 'disrespect' of the US military came from Trump himself a few years ago when he privately denigrated soldiers who gave their lives, calling them 'losers'.
Joyce Butcher, Williamstown
Maureen Dowd, keeping us sane and entertained.
Denise Deerson, Bulleen
Furthermore
Now, now, George Brandis (Opinion, 30/6) calling your former colleagues 'political onanists' is a little unchristian of you.
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn
