Melinda Pavey is my local MP but she does not speak for me or my community (“My country community wants practical talk not debates about climate”, December 14). She may be affected by the National Party’s ideological denial of the science that tells us we are confronting global warming. Not everyone in our community adheres to this version of reality.
I, too, grew up in the bush and have experienced bushfires. But despite what our member believes, the fires that raged through our country around Wauchope and Kempsey were unprecedented, as our fireys have told us.
City folk should not believe that the mid-north coast community is refusing to talk about climate. A great many of us understand that the “climate debate” is the practical and sensible debate we need. - Kerryn Higgs, Beechwood
I am a farmer in Pavey's electorate who was fortunate enough to avoid losses due to fires. I find nearly everyone around here to be very keen to talk about climate issues. Most of us wonder why her political cohort is so reluctant to accept what is very obvious to the rest of us. - Liz Beresford, Eungai Rail
I live in Pavey's community and I am a firefighter. Everyone I know wants to talk about the climate catastrophe that is consuming us. It's not true that the community doesn't want to talk about it. But it is true that she refuses to listen. - Geoff Goldrick, Grassy Head
Climate change is all we are talking about on the mid north coast - it has caused the deep drought we are in, the drying of the bush resulting in the massive fires, the smoke we have had for months and the burning of animals. - Kaethe Baird, Yarravel
It is true too, minister, we don’t want a climate debate. What we want is a Prime Minister, and Premier, to have the wisdom similar to your Environment Minister Matt Kean, to not just use weasel words but to face up to how human-induced climate change is rocketing up our emissions and we need to face that head on. - Noeline Kyle, Earlwood
Once again Peter Hartcher concisely chronicles my frustration (“Crying out for leadership, we got excuses” , December 14). PM, our society isn’t a corporation. The bottom line doesn’t always dictate. Our nation’s current catastrophic situation requires you lead us accordingly.
Our nation’s integrity is in question globally due to your government’s inaction and denial regarding climate change. To date your government’s response has been shameful. Australia could lead in combating climate change. We have the natural resources, imagination and drive. Stop listening to your political advisers, heed the wisdom of scientists and listen to the public’s pleas. Our quality of life is at stake. - Cleveland Rose, Dee Why
The PM said: “I can understand that it’s deeply unsettling to a lot of Australians, particularly those who are living in Sydney” (''The big smoke'', December 14-15) But what about those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their homes, the farmland and bush decimated and all the animals roasted to oblivion? That sort of comment makes me angry and I suspect I am not the only one. - Caroly Laurie, Walcha
Remainers mourn loss of a broader European outlook
I sympathise with the desire of today's Scots to cast off the shackles that bind them to their traditional foe, the English. I also understand Johnson's determination that the split will not happen ("Johnson to block Scots' independence", The Sun-Herald, December 15). The Scots see the value in being part of the European Union rather than being cast adrift to fend for themselves in an increasingly uncertain, possibly hostile, world, with Russia and China looming over them. Johnson's keen interest in Scotland no doubt largely stems from the importance to the UK economy of revenue from North Sea oil. This revenue would belong to an independent Scotland, making it fully self-sustaining. Johnson has a lot to lose. - Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin, ACT
What is omitted from the analysis of UK Labour’s election loss is the ongoing savage media attack on Jeremy Corbyn (''UK will leave the EU after Johnson's thumping win'', December 15). Studies found media coverage of Corbyn to be negative, misleading and untruthful. Finally Labour was financed by small grassroots donations, as opposed to the Tories, who were funded by big corporations and billionaires (including media owners). Corbyn was polarised by the establishment whose gravy train would have been significantly challenged by a Corbyn government. - Llywela Smith, Bellingen
Never one to pass on an opportunity to promote division, Scott Morrison asked Johnson to "say g'day to the quiet Britons" ('''Say g'day to quiet Britons': PM's take on poll'', December 14-15).
A good leader brings people together and doesn't alienate those whose ideas are incompatible. A good leader listens and doesn't dismiss the concerns of those who think differently. - Dorin Suciu, Valentine
Doing right will hurt but there are benefits
Dear Angus Taylor, I totally agree with Denise Meyer (“Dear minister, let me remind you of our Oxford encounter”, December 14-15). Spin works for your mentors. It sounds nice when you attend international forums. Sadly, in the end, the truth will prevail. Like who you knew at Oxford and what you did (I love the bit about the sexist boys club you joined). Why don’t you give truth a go? Apologise to Naomi and Denise. Move on. It will hurt you emotionally and your career will suffer but you will feel better afterwards and I may remember you for something positive. - David Neilson, Invergowrie
Two opinion pieces use the same word “elite”, but with very different connotations. One uses the true meaning of the word, in this case to describe Rhodes scholar and parliamentarian Angus Taylor, and indirectly, Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. The other uses it as a pejorative to describe mainstream media journalists imitating Trump’s use of the word. The word is being debased by the very people it defines: powerful people who hold a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege or political power in a society. This must be challenged otherwise our language will lose all meaning whereby we end up with a language more in keeping with George Orwell’s Newspeak of 1984. - Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill
Prosecute the wage thieves
Adele Ferguson again highlights the ideologically unbalanced policies of this government and its pursuit ''out of control and evil unions'' (''Wage scandals becoming the dark underbelly of the labour market'', December 14-15). That it persists with the ridiculously titled Ensuring Integrity Bill, while wage theft is rampant and entrenched, is out of step with community and worker expectations. I expect our government to enact legislation that metes out appropriate and adequate penalties for illegal activities and behaviour by all sectors of the business community, not just unions. I suggest that most fair-minded Australians would expect likewise. - Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs
Atheists in the ascendancy
Wendy Squires, you’ve already got a country free from religion (“What this country really needs is freedom from religion”, December 13). The atheist agenda on abortion, contraception, divorce, homosexuality and euthanasia is in place. You’ve got it all.
First there was acceptance, then legislative endorsement, now comes the effort at compelling everyone to the atheist line. The only element of the five not welded into place with legislation is euthanasia, but that’ll come.
What you and other atheists want is that your irrational religion should be mandatory. - Michael Baker, Tarlo
The religious freedom bill – what a misnomer. Freedom to discriminate with impunity and immunity in the smallest ways (not delivering services, not stocking or selling products to those whose religious beliefs are different to yours) and largest ways (not being approved for a home rental, not being given the job regardless of your suitability). The person on the receiving end is the one who bears the discrimination, who does not experience ''freedom''. Not too sure how people’s religious beliefs are going to be identified, but I am confident that appearances – clothing, someone who appears gay, transgender, gender indeterminate, skin colour,speech, accent – will count for much. - Linda Shaw, Braddon, ACT
We need more proof
Anthony Fisher’s letter is welcome news (Letters, December 14-15). He assures us that Catholic leaders now recognise ''child sexual assault as a crime as well as a grave sin''. His claim to be ashamed and appalled is probably sincere. He has clearly improved his approach to the issue after his disastrous “dwelling crankily on old wounds” comments from 10 years ago.
Regrettably though, he has not pointed to any real or practical changes in the church. No evidence of change to the culture, structures and processes of the church which were found to be part of the ''child abuse problem'' was mentioned. The governance of the church remains unchanged. Criminals are still guaranteed protection in the confessional.
Further, he does not address Justice Peter McClellan's comment about delays in institutions, including the church, participating in the national redress scheme for survivors. Only when the church has become a leading agency in the scheme, especially in paying financial compensation, can we begin to take the archbishop at his word. - Jim Doyle, Concord West
Government behind closed doors
So this is how government really works ("The MP, the lobbyist and claims of an unpaid bill", December 14-15). A professional lobbyist who has no qualms about buying political influence for the tobacco industry, Adani or a speculative start-up flogging a questionable product, as long as the right amount of money changes hands. No wonder our political system is broken. - George Skowronski, Darlinghurst
Some like it hot - not
Test cricket lives, and Peter FitzSimons should turn off the air-conditioning ("Cricket in its long form is testing my patience somewhat'', December 14-15). The empty seats at the Perth stadium reflect the 40-plus degree temperatures rather than disinterest in the long form of the game.
Everyone I know is following the match, on free-to-air or radio, while also attending to the many other tasks that present at this busy time of year. - Chris Moon, Katoomba
Giving it a whirl
The article about Wurlitzer organs in Sydney cinemas brought back memories (''Giving the grand old Wurlitzer another whirl as the State turns 90'', The Sun-Herald, December 15). In the late 40s my mother took me on a holiday to Sydney. We stayed at Bondi and rode the toast-rack trams into the city. I remember being treated to a movie at the Prince Edward Theatre. The decor was opulent, and prior to the film, the movie-goers were entertained by an organ which rose majestically from the orchestra pit. The trip also included, thanks to the kindness of two gentlemen staying at the same hotel, a visit to the old Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay. I can’t remember who was on the card, but it was exciting for an impressionable 14-year-old from the bush. - Derrick Mason, Boorowa
Pack lunch for ride to Randwick
Dear Premier. I took a ride on your new tram from Randwick to the Quay and return just after 11am on Saturday (''Light rail hit by technical difficulties on day one'', The Sun-Herald, December 15). The inward journey took 55 minutes to reach the Quay. The return journey took 1 hour 35 minutes. My normal 374 bus can travel from Coogee Beach to the Quay in 38 minutes at the same time on a Saturday and 39 minutes for the return journey. If this is the best that $2.9 billion can do, no thank you. - Ross Langford-Brown, Randwick
"Shoot through like a Randwick tram," said no one, ever. If Saturday’s performance is any guide, anyone going all the way out to Randwick may need to pack lunch. There are too many delaying factors embedded in the system, such as interminable waits through full cycles at some sets of traffic signals. - Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
The new trams look swish but what about their speed? When I was at Sydney High in the 30s, a swift getaway when the bell rang at 3.20 and a good connection at Moore Park tram stop saw us board the 3.40 Manly ferry at the Quay . Even if today’s trams did have the speed, the traffic would beat them. - Donald Howard, Elderslie
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