I was there when Laura Tingle decided to state the obvious and declare that we are a racist country (Letters, May 30). Those who say otherwise don’t get about but nevertheless Ms Tingle cops the flack for saying what most of our politically correct population won’t. The problem is that the term “racist” is cast too quickly and too often by people who don’t understand the term except that it is offensive. That the ABC rebuked Ms Tingle shows how the organisation is losing its way in knowing what the population really thinks. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne
Journalist Laura Tingle.Credit: James Brickwood
I’m astonished to see that some letter writers to the Herald seem to think that because Laura Tingle works for the ABC she should not express any opinion on political matters and racism in Australia. She was not promoting these opinions on air at the ABC. Surely, when outside the workplace, anyone is entitled to express an opinion on these matters. Politicians do it all the time. Richard Mabbitt, Randwick
The wide-ranging response by Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner to Laura Tingle’s assertion that Australia is a racist country identified a number of problem areas regarding racism in this country and zeroed in on how it can be addressed (“ABC leaders should support Tingle”, May 30). He left out one critical ingredient, however. Leadership. Or lack thereof. Anti-racism strategies are of course all-important and legislation which outlaws incitement to racist violence is critical. But so is leadership. From political leaders at every level of government to every leader in civil society whose position of authority gives them a microphone. Without it, without harnessing the will to stand up, the best strategies and laws in the world are rendered ineffective. Vic Alhadeff, Kirribilli
Having read Laura Tingle’s statement regarding her comments at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, it comes across as an insincere “sorry, not sorry” apology – essentially “everything I said was right, just expressed poorly”. It also failed to address the central issue; that the ABC and its chief political correspondent are supposed to ensure that they are perceived to be impartial and fair-minded. In her comments at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Ms Tingle failed to do that. Roger Gallagher, Merrylands
The naysayers of the Voice referendum elevated the simmering racism that has always existed in Australia to a level where it was acceptable to openly express distasteful beliefs. Peter Dutton played a large part, choosing to dog whistle the worst characteristics of our society, opening that terrible Pandora’s Box. He succeeded, “beating” the government and discovering in the process his modus operandi for winning. Laura Tingle is simply stating a fact, something we expect from a journalist.
Alison Stewart, Riverview
At a time when the future of the ABC is clouded, I cannot believe Laura Tingle could be so naive as to think her comments would not be used by critics of the ABC as evidence of organisational bias. She has also broken the cardinal rule of journalism in that she has become the news instead of reporting it. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie
Without a doubt, we are a racist country. Recall all the terrible things said about Aborigines and Asians as well as the torture and murder of the Chinese on the goldfields in the 1800s. It hurts me to still recall a shocking story of racial abuse which involved the ABC newsreader Jeremy Fernandez some years back. Fernandez, on a bus, copped a torrent of abuse in front of his infant daughter, was called a black c--- by a passenger and told to get back to his own country. He received little support from the bus driver. Welcome to Australia! Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South
Migration debate creates harmful division and fear
David Crowe (“Higher tolerance for rapists fighting deportation but no tolerance for facts”, May 30) has excelled himself. Not only has he exposed the difficulties all governments face in trying to deport non-citizens by cancelling visas, he has shown the hypocrisy of the opposition’s attacks on the government, that all was uncomplicated under the former government when we now know this is not true. These cases are not black and white. Missteps happen.
There is a particular purgatory for the Coalition in opposition. Rather than reflecting on why voters decided otherwise, it reverts to its home turf. “Failed migration policies”, “asylum seeker boats out of control”, “failing to keep the community safe” always get a good workout. By contrast, Labor, the Greens and Independents are rarely ever willing to go this low. These attacks continue the demonisation of people who are non-citizens, recent migrants or asylum seekers. It does nothing for social cohesion when the country needs this more than ever. Brenda Kilgore, Red Hill (ACT)
Fiery question time: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Peter Dutton’s selective use of facts to win political arguments is more about creating division and fear than improving the system of dealing with the release of offenders into the community. A relevant consideration is the fact that Dutton oversaw, or more correctly, didn’t see, the decline of standards in the immigration department and the cuts to public servants under his watch as minister. His convenient ignorance of the role of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal belies his own culpability in its performance. Much more could be achieved with a bipartisan approach to this problem than the dog and pony show currently under way in federal parliament. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
If people have lived their whole lives in Australia, commit crimes but are never told they have to take out citizenship, why does Australia think we have some right to “cancel” them and deport them to places they do not know and separate them from their families? The man who is the subject of the latest hysteria is a rapist, but he has lived here since 1955; in what universe is he still Scottish?
For the media to whip up this insane, ignorant frenzy again is absurd. Giles was correct to stop the practice. Marilyn Shepherd, Angaston
On listening to the tirades of the opposition, one would assume that only asylum seekers and refugees commit heinous crimes and certainly not dinky-di Australians! Sue Martin, Clareville
Land clearers deserve jail time
What price wildlife (“Once were koalas, now clear-felled”, May 30)? The woman who illegally cleared five hectares of native vegetation and destroyed koala habitat and any people who do this with impunity, should be given jail time; a fine is not enough of a deterrent. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
Chaza Khouzame was fined for illegally clearing koala habitat at Canyonleigh.
A fine of just $135,000 hardly seems sufficient punishment for the wilful and illegal destruction of native forests conducted by the Canyonleigh property owner. To have deliberately undertaken such rampant clearing for the sake of building a luxury home is vanity in the extreme. When precious wildlife such as koalas, gliders, honeyeaters and cockatoos are threatened in this manner, surely fines in the millions and/or custodial sentencing is justified. Such a person as this, with little regard for the environment in which they live, should suffer the consequences of their actions much graver than the fine they received. Stuart Laurence, Cammeray
Just looking at the possible proposed development, I guess the fine for land clearing would just be considered as a minor cost of doing business. Peggy Fisher, Manly
True cost
An appeal from middle Australia. Could the Herald possibly stop referring to Sydney’s private schools as “elite”. Just call them what they are: expensive. Alan Egan, Paddington (Qld)
Different approach
The state government is to be congratulated in restricting development on Sydney’s urban fringe (Letters, May 30). But Chris Minns would do better to redirect more of this housing to the middle ring which has much more land and good transport links. Eastern Sydney is already heavily congested and it has small lot sizes which would make redevelopment rather expensive. Tony Simons, Balmain
I am really concerned that very high new home targets are going to turn this beautiful city into an eyesore. Anyone doubting my concern should have a look at the monstrosities built around Canterbury Station. I can’t see why everyone has to live in Sydney. Larger rural centres need to be utilised to cope with an ever-increasing population. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
No Moore
Sydney Town Hall has been dominated by Ms Moore and her independent team with the backing of a small but vocal lobby group since 2004 (Letters, May 30). While some of her projects have had merit it’s now 2024. It’s time to hand over the reins, or is there no one else also capable of having Ms Moore’s vision for the rejuvenation of our city without impacting negatively on rate-paying residents and businesses? Do we have to have two major arterial roads from the Eastern Suburbs to the CBD with cycleways, Moore Park cycleway being rarely used, and soon the construction of the Oxford Street cycleway reducing traffic to the city to one lane when both roads are already gridlocked in peak hour traffic? Megan Passmore, Paddington
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.Credit: Steven Siewert
Bad signs
Last Sunday, I chose to use the M8 to get from the North Shore to Mittagong. I found that tunnel signage fell well below norms, with absolutely no warning as to the reduction in speed limit, and signage in general at around half the frequency that one would expect. To have spent such a huge sum in constructing this network and then skimping on signage beggars belief. One hates to imagine what the Warringah Expressway is going to look like. Gwynn Boyd, Mosman
No idea
You know the policy well is dry when the conservatives start talking national service (Letters, May 30). Grahame Riethmuller, Redbank
All those supporting the introduction of a national service program should immediately sign up or shut up. Ted Hemmens, Cromer
Calming pleasure
Winifred West did not have a crystal ball into the future of the Sturt arts and crafts studio and school she set up in Mittagong in 1941 but she was thinking clearly in seeing the Sturt as an integral part of successful education and community-making (“Exclusive NSW girls’ school embroiled in ugly dispute”, May 29). I have been visiting this gallery for nearly 50 years. It provides joy, inspiration and mind-calming pleasure to see the beautiful works invented and displayed in these garden studios and workshops. Not everyone in Australia receives sustenance from sports and gambling activities; I know there are many like me who need places like the Sturt to keep our spirits high and our minds optimistic. Caroline Ford, Drummoyne
After 83 years, the Weaving Room at Sturt stands silent.
Honourable behaviour
It is great to see actual figures confirming the increased attendance at the National Gallery of Australia’s Vincent Namatjira exhibition following Gina Rinehart’s protest about the two small portraits of her (CBD, May 30). And it is amazing to see that Vincent’s people have categorically rejected a proposed crowd-funded broadcast of the portrait on an electronic billboard in Times Square, New York – an offer that would guarantee international status for any artist. So not only has Vincent Namatjira presented an uncomfortable mirror for us to see the reality of the monarchy, white settlement and modern Australia, he has perhaps shown us how to behave honourably in the face of easy wealth and fame. Rob Firth, Red Hill, ACT
Fuel folly
As the chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees slips away, so too does the pretence by fossil fuel corporations that they are prepared to concede at least something to shareholder activists (“Exxon’s battle with climate activism is coming to a head”, May 30). These companies regard such shareholder-led resolutions as “nuisance proposals distracting from their primary obligation to create value for shareholders”. Exxon’s share price has “almost doubled since 2021 on the back of significantly increased production and higher oil and gas prices”. Where does this leave the planet? There was a moment when such companies appeared to want to do the right thing. But under the weight of conservative campaigns, their climate change denialist agendas and their make-money-for-shareholders mantra, the fossil fuel companies are, if anything, ramping up production. The 2008 Republican “drill baby drill” exhortation is repeated enthusiastically by US presidential candidate Trump when describing his energy policies. As climate targets recede, fossil fuel companies (and decision-makers) appear to have us on a highway to hell. Fiona Colin, Malvern East (Vic)
Goodnight sweetheart: Farewell to a radio legend
Vale Bob Rogers, thank you for the music, thanks for the memories, you really did it your way (“Broadcast legend on air for more than seven decades dies at 97,” smh.com.au, May 30). I am sure your many, many listeners would echo your signature sign-off tune and say “goodnight sweetheart, goodnight”. Kath Maher, Lidcombe
Bob Rogers at 2CH radio station in 2011.
For as long as I can remember Robert Barton Rogers OAM was part of my life, his smooth, dulcet tones resonating on the wireless over many decades. We shared the same birthday although he was some years my senior. He will be remembered as the Fifth Beatle, but more than that he was admired by a generation. Vale Bob Rogers. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook
Goat it wrong
I thought the lyrics were “Cheap wine and a female goat” (Letters, May 30). Tom Meakin, Port Macquarie
Beaver away
I’m not sure how it would go down if I identified as a furry beaver (“No, you can’t wear a tail to work and expect to keep your job”, May 29). However, if identifying as a furry is part of a neurodivergent individual’s way of coping in a neurotypical world then being inclusive and making space for this is important. Laura Beaupeurt, Callala Bay
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