With the number of homeless aged people on the increase, especially older women, how heartwarming it would have been if the residents of Hardwicke Street had put out the welcome mat to share with the new residents: those vulnerable over 60s – mostly older women – who have not been able to access secure housing (“‘Keep our curtains drawn’: Residents block social housing for seniors”, January 6). Not to mention modelling a social conscience for children, rather than yet another example of protectionist NIMBYism. And what a contrast to what we more commonly see, where people in public housing are scattered to outlying areas to make way for developers’ luxury homes – with the Sirius building a salutary example of that. Anne Ring, Coogee
An artist’s impression of the 29-unit housing block that Homes NSW is proposing to build for seniors in Riverwood in Sydney’s south.Credit: Homes NSW
Over the past 30 years in Pyrmont, a number of small and large public/affordable housing units have been built alongside new medium-density private apartment blocks, the value of which has grown substantially. We have been able to build a generous and very active community that works for the benefit of all. The social housing residents are our friends and neighbours and an essential part of this community. Long may they remain. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont
Where is the fair-go attitude that we Australians pride ourselves on? Why do these residents not want to share their “peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood” with people (mainly women, and over 60) who have fallen on hard times, many at risk of homelessness? Really, but for the grace of God, some of the dwellers of this street may have found themselves in just such a circumstance, and they would be most grateful for a roof over their heads, and a little kindness from their neighbours. Mia David, Wollongong
Who would oppose a well-designed, three-storey social housing project for homeless women over 60? Yet Riverwood residents have thrown up every objection in the NIMBY playbook, ranging from an influx of cars to disruption of the “serene atmosphere” and safety issues. Would these same residents prefer that these unfortunate women return to sleeping in cars? Change is inevitable. We have to open our hearts sometimes to allow it to happen. Kudos to Housing Minister Rose Jackson for supporting this project. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge
Those pesky seniors! Nothing devalues a property more than having old people move into the neighbourhood. With their mobility scooters, high pants and old-fashioned ways, seniors are a blight on the community. They don’t join the P&C, can’t run the line for the under 7s football game, clog up the aisles in the local supermarket trying to reach the top shelf, and don’t get me started on the “I’ll have a cup of chino” routine. Neighbourhoods that have suffered “seniors ingress” never recover. It’s as if they make everyone else around them grow old too! Chris Andrew, Turramurra
The claim by MP Mark Coure that he was simply passing on residents’ concerns about a potential development for seniors is a typical cop-out. So, what is his position on the proposed development? And what are his plans for reducing homelessness? His constituents (all of them) have a right to know. David Rush, Lawson
Perhaps the Liberal member for Oatley and the residents of Hardwicke Street could show a little more compassion for the desperate plight of homeless senior citizens and support the proposed housing development. Consider that these citizens may actually enhance the quality of life in our community. The weasel words used in the residents’ protest reveal it to be just another case of NIMBY values overriding the needs of people. Leo Sorbello, West Ryde
The good burghers of Riverwood are displaying the worst case of NIMBYism I’ve seen in a very long time. We are talking about a complex of 29 apartments to house people aged over 60, mostly women. I guess the locals would rather see these people living rough than upsetting their local values. Ought to be ashamed of themselves. Tim Overland, Castle Hill
Here we go again. Residents oppose a social housing block for seniors in their area, citing devaluation of their properties and disruption of their “peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood”, egged on by the local (opposition) member. Is there any compassion left in our society? Apparently not. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill
Bash, slash, gotta dash?
The bravado playing style exercised by the newest member of our Test cricket team, 19-year-old Sam Konstas, is in some ways commendable for exuding confidence and self-assuredness (“Where will the next Konstas or Webster come from? Hint – it’s not the Big Bash”, January 6). The excitement generated by unbridled aggression, utilising unconventional shots such as “ramping”, ill-disciplined air swinging hook shots and constant aerial straight drives is understandable. This style of playing is aptly suitable to the T20 form of the game, as the sole aim of this format is to hit every ball over the fence. But this is Test cricket. Employing this style as an opening batsman is a disaster. An opening batsman has to weather the onslaught of the new ball and attempt to establish a solid foundation for the following team members. Bashing and slashing serves no purpose other than making a few runs and getting out, leaving the top batsman exposed to the new ball and super-charged bowlers. He would be better placed batting down the order. Rodney Worthington, Coorabell
Sam Konstas has split opinion very quickly.Credit: Steven Siewert
While it was great that Australia won the cricket, it was poor protocol for all the Aussie players not to be in full whites gear at the end of the match and for the presentation. It was further poor protocol not to include Sunil Gavaskar in the presentation of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Allan Border. Terry Wooldridge, Mona Vale
Well said, Neville Board (“I dropped my SCG membership and missed the Sydney Test. But I have few regrets”, January 6). I once considered myself a “queuing queen”, especially when the Ashes Test was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. I would arrive just after 2am to join the faithful fanatics. It was all good fun, ’til DOB caught up with me! Margaret McCabe, Bawley Point
Pioneering women
Female contributions to medical science began well before Marie Curie (Letters, January 6). The 18th-century French midwife Angelique du Coudray trained more than 4000 midwives and 500 male doctors in a bid to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Her compatriot, the 19th-century doctor Marie-Anne Boivin, was one of the first surgeons to remove a cancerous uterus, and also invented a new pelvimeter and speculum. In 1754, Dorothea Erxleben was the first German woman to gain a medical degree. It would take more than a hundred years for another German woman to repeat this. Karolina Widerström was one of the first female gynaecologists of Sweden and published her most important work, Women’s Hygiene, in 1899. And we cannot ignore the work of Elizabeth Anderson, England’s first female surgeon and physician, and the first female dean of a British medical school. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie
Carter before the coarse
Donald Trump is upset that the traditional 30-day honouring of past president Jimmy Carter will continue until his inauguration (“Trump fumes flags will be half-mast for Carter come inauguration day”, January 6). In fact, US flags should remain at half-mast throughout his four-year presidency, which will inevitably see the slow death of democracy. Clay O’Brien, Mosman
A state funeral for Jimmy Carter will be held at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9.Credit: Bloomberg
It’s slightly disturbing when you realise you’re not surprised by Trump continuing to lower the bar. But somehow making the protocol tributes in Jimmy Carter’s memorial arrangements about himself and alleging an insult to his inauguration is something else again. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow
Donald Trump’s signature style is not only to incessantly lie but to exaggerate the lie as well. Phrases such as “like never seen before”, “everyone knows” or “most corrupt in history” are trademarks of his narcissistic, authoritarian persona. Now, his fragile ego seems threatened by US flags at half-mast on Inauguration Day for a truly great American statesman, Jimmy Carter. His comment that “nobody wants to see this and no American can be happy about it” actually sums up what Americans will soon come to feel about his coming presidency. Robert Caraian, Crows Nest
Uni super stars
There’s more to it than the eye-watering university salaries (“Highest university executive pay packets revealed as crackdown looms”, January 6). The amounts quoted are packages with flexibility to include additional super; at present, the best tax shelter. Although extra salary sacrificed contributions means breaching the limits, the additional tax is offset by what the super fund has paid. The real gem, though, is the double-digit growth in super balances, with fund earnings taxed at a paltry 15 per cent, far below 47 per cent. Michael Blissenden, Dural
Panning Israel/Hamas war not antisemitic
Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, has had a distinguished military and diplomatic career (“‘How can I do better?’ Israeli ambassador’s candid confession”, January 6). More’s the pity that his defence of Israel is so one-dimensional, the very charge he makes of Australians’ view of Israel. As far as he is concerned, Israel is a peaceful nation, it’s all Hamas’ fault, and worldwide criticism of Israel “has nothing to do with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but with antisemitism”. Such reductionism does him no credit. It flies in the face of rigorous international analyses of Israel’s dispossession and dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and the judgments of the world’s highest courts. Constant repetition of the mantra that criticism of Israel is antisemitic doesn’t make it true. Just ask the brave Jews who dare to hold Israel to account for its moral culpability. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)
Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
It is not antisemitism causing criticism of Israel as the Israeli ambassador claims, but respect for international humanitarian law. He asks Australians to appreciate the “seriousness of the security threat” facing Israel, but don’t Palestinians deserve consideration for their security too? As your editorial concludes, this conflict can be settled “only when words replace weapons”.
Caroline Graham, Cromer
The Israeli ambassador states that Israel’s war in Gaza has a just cause and is a just war. Israel’s war does have a just cause. However, another condition for a war to be just is proportionality. This means that the good achieved by the war should outweigh the bad it does. With more than 40,000 Palestinians killed, including thousands of women and children, the cost of the war is not proportional. The war is not just. Rob Neurath, Ashfield
Surely there could not be a more abused term than “a just war”; many aggressors have used that term to justify activities which have been manifestly unjust. Amir Maimon now uses this term to excuse his country’s indiscriminate destruction of the homes and the lives of many innocent Palestinians. And, of course, as soon as critics draw attention to the injustice, he takes advantage of the claim that it is a symptom of “antisemitism”. I feel that much of the goodwill that Israel might have enjoyed in the global north in the past is slowly trickling away. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
When did objecting to more than 40,000 deaths in Gaza including over 14,000 children, become antisemitism? Steve Bright, North Avoca
Ambassador Maimon’s struggle to understand that many of us cannot accept, let alone endorse, Israel’s justification for killing countless thousands of innocent people beggars belief. His attitude instead hints at what the Palestinian people have had to endure since Israel was established. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills
Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon suggests security threats and the failure of Hamas to lay down its arms are justifications for a war that has led to the wanton loss of life and the deprivation of a civilian population of basic humanitarian aid. Matthew Knott has reminded readers that Doctors without Borders has accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and The New York Times has reported the lack of safeguards to protect civilians. It is hard not to point the finger at Israel when the evidence mounts against it. Saba Mustafa, Punchbowl
In defence of Dutton
Your correspondent who is alarmed by what he sees as an “unbalanced” proportion of anti-Dutton letters must be unaware of the Herald’s publication policy (Letters, January 6). That is; letters are published in the same proportion of for/against as that which is received. May I respectfully suggest he reread the letters? A useful frame of open mind when reading would be to have the following question in mind: if so many educated and informed correspondents are “anti-Dutton”, what have I missed? Peter Thompson, Grenfell
Opinions are strong – and divided – on Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton.Credit: Monique Westermann
Your correspondent is confident that there must be an equal number of unpublished letters supporting Peter Dutton. My equally confident understanding is that the Herald always publishes in strictly balanced proportion to sentiments as received, so this cannot be so. The simple fact is that there is lots to dislike about the policies and attitudes of the leader of the opposition. It’s worth noting that there are likewise plenty of letters bemoaning the wishy-washy leadership of Prime Minister Albanese. Max Edwards, Kanahooka
Nearly two decades ago, I asked about Letters’ selection criteria and was informed that all letters were divided into relevant topics and then selected proportionally according to the popularity of that topic. Within that, they were further divided into “for” and “against” contributions, again proportionate. If your correspondent finds there are too few letters supporting Dutton, it may well be just that, the general view among the readers. I also am concerned with the implication of hard and fast political tribes. To criticise Dutton or his policies doesn’t mean you must be “Albo supporters”. It ignores that vast section of the electorate who are in the middle, people who can look at issues and policies independent of any rusted-on allegiances. Brian Collins, Cronulla
If there was some pro-Dutton commentary, I feel sure the Herald would be printing it. The leader of the opposition has made such a career out of being relentlessly negative that maybe nobody can come up with anything positive to say about him. It’s not about providing balance, it’s more a question of recognising reality. Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic)
I love Peter Dutton for his humour and unfailing positivity. Please sign me up for his fan club. Rob Mills, Riverview
Never fear, there is another morning paper that fills the void with their letters page. My local Concord cafe supplies this paper free and it contains a challenging Sudoku. Those are its two good points. Paul Keir, Strathfield
John Huxley is right to point out the lack of letters supporting Dutton. After all there was the time he advanced reconciliation by … um … oh yeah, what about his fully costed new policy for … ahh … give me a second. Well, at least he’s helped disadvantaged Australians by … no, hang on … I’ll think of something. Colin Stokes, Camperdown
Why does your correspondent assume the writers must be all “pro-Albo”? He must write again, illustrating the many constructive, collaborative, beneficial and practical ideas Dutton has come up with since becoming leader of the opposition. Rod Hughes, Epping
Don’t worry, John Huxley; one disappointing term has convinced this fellow Herald contributor to abandon their stance as an “Albo supporter”. While pro-Dutton commentary is rare in these pages, I doubt any editorial imbalance is at play. Even his conservative backers would struggle to wax lyrical about someone with Dutton’s track record. Col Burns, Lugarno
Your Waitara correspondent clearly doesn’t understand the Herald readership. All those Dutton supporters inhabit a different planet to the one that “Albo” and the teals are trying to save. Seppo Ranki, Glenhaven
We are simply trying to provide balance to the vitriol aimed against our left leaning (read “correct, based on scientific analysis”) ideas by other media, particularly that controlled by an American media baron. John Huxley, you get far more than your fair share of nonsense. Robert Hosking, Paddington
No, John Huxley, we may or maybe not “Albo” supporters but we remember nine years of climate denial, robo-debt and now an uncosted publicly funded nuclear frolic from Dutton. Lindsay Somerville, Lindfield
John Huxley’s complaint of bias by fellow correspondents against Dutton has about as much substance as Dutton’s nuclear policy. Dutton’s regular cheer squad in News Ltd surely tips the balance well and truly in his favour. Denis Goodwin, Dee Why
Is the correspondent who believes that there must be an equal number of letters supporting Peter Dutton that go unpublished suggesting editorial bias or is he just stirring the pot? Like him, I eagerly await a slew of favourable letters. Rosie and Riley will do their best but, as the satirists of the Wharf Review with help from Roger’s and Hammerstein put it, Dutton is just a man who must say no to legislation rather than producing policies that might elicit support from Herald readers. Jennifer McKay, Ashbury
To the contributor who wonders at the volume of anti-Dutton letters, pretty easy really. From a seasoned observer, here’s how it goes down. The majority of letterees detest Dutton and admire Albo, and you work from there. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
Word games
Jenna Price’s article reminds me that Clive Palmer was not the first politician to misuse the names of political entities (“Why Clive Palmer bets you can’t tell black from white. Or yellow from teal”, January 6). Two of our most influential parties are the Liberal Party, which is not liberal, and a National Party, which is not national. And then there’s One Nation. Laurie Wilson, Allambie Heights
Foot in mouth
I agree with Garry Maddox that Scott Morrison’s “I don’t hold a hose, mate” should be included in the National Film and Sound Archive’s collection (“From a soldier’s Christmas message to a randy koala: 10 of the most quintessentially Australian sounds”, January 6). I think this should be accompanied by one of Tony Abbott’s utterances; however I can’t decide between,“I am going to shirtfront Mr Putin – you bet I am”, “No cuts to the ABC and SBS”, “There will be no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping”, and “Shit happens”. John Payne, Kelso
Among many suggestions for inclusion in the National Film and Sound Archive, I would include Kevin Rudd’s 2007 speech that included the description of climate change as “the great moral challenge of our generation”. A prescient judgment on the subsequent failure of successive governments and their legacy for future generations. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
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