Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:
With the demise of an Australian icon, is now the time to seize the moment and bring about the rebirth of the car manufacturing industry in Australia? With the Prime Minister calling for technology to be the driver for emissions reduction, what about electric cars as a primary contributor (''GM took away Australian identity at the heart of Holden'', February 19)? Technological intervention has surely provided production line efficiencies that would reduce manufacturing costs and the government could subsidise a fledgling industry by allowing a tax-free period to assist the new industry to establish itself. Jobs, jobs, jobs. Why would this not be an attractive initiative to a government in need of new ideas – our very own locally produced electric car. Stan Keifer, Arakoon
Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:
Pushing electric cars is just a reactive strategy. In the next decade or so, politicians will be debating how to dispose off the discarded batteries and we will be slugged to purchase new batteries to keep cars running. The proactive strategy would be to push fuel-cell (hydrogen) cars. Now that Holden is quitting Australia, we have the opportunity to lead the world with this new tested technology. Surendra Chowdhry, Seven Hills
The Opposition Leader is blaming the Coalition government for the demise of the Holden brand.
When the decision was made by GM to cease production of the Holden in Australia the head of GM, at the time, said the call had been made long before the Coalition came to power; it was made in the last months of the last Labor government. Instead of blaming others, the Opposition Leader should take some responsibility for the decisions that his Labor government made in contributing to the demise of the brand. The latest announcement is not restricted to Australia. It affects many other countries where right-hand drive vehicles are produced and utilised. Dallas Franklin, Kyogle
The decision by General Motors to kill the Holden brand in Australia came as a shock, not least to those in the marketing division. The General has lately been promoting seven years free scheduled servicing on the Holden Colorado. How will that work after 2021, when GM has left our shores? It’s not a good look to potential buyers. Commiserations must go to the loyal dealer network, which is likely to be left holding the (empty) bag. The government must ensure that Holden employees, given so little notice, are paid every entitlement. Glenn Johnson, Leura
Yes, memories indeed (Letters, February 19). We owned the ugliest Holden station wagon ever to roll off the assembly line, large, square ... and pink, but in pre-seatbelt days it took us, our four kids, a couple of dogs, and assorted friends safely to the beach and back, all lolling in the back seats and wagon area. Happy happy days. Now I drive a small Toyota. Coral Button, North Epping
Your correspondent’s memories of canoodling in the family Holden had a younger member of our family wondering exactly what canoodling was. The best explanation I could come up with was that there’s canoodling and then (with raised eyebrow and knowing look) there’s canoodling. Lee Henderson, Goonellabah
Heritage needs to be defended from Premier blind to history
Might I suggest that before the Premier demolishes Willow Grove and St George’s Terraces she ensures that the builder of the new and undesirable Powerhouse Museum can complete the contract on time and within the budget parameters (''Design brief said heritage home can go'', February 19). We really don’t need another hole in the ground a la the stadium fiasco. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest
Apparently Willow Grove cannot be retained because it would prevent “city connectivity” being delivered. I would have thought “city connectivity” would embrace the connectivity between historic and contemporary Parramatta. In that regard the Willow Grove precinct should be left to play a significant role. Gladys Berejiklian’s lukewarm support for heritage values shown in the design brief is no more than an invitation to throw out the old and make way for the new, a sentiment that many voters in Western Sydney may take to heart when considering whether her government should be re-elected. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Amid the frantic efforts to save Willow Grove, it is gratifying to see that the proposed Powerhouse Museum will be connected with Parramatta's Eat Street. Would that be the same Eat Street that is currently being devoured by the Parramatta Light Rail? Bob Edgar, Westmead
Living on the northern beaches, I don’t go to Paramatta very often. On a visit last week I was amazed that in a large area of nondescript shops and houses, the planners of the proposed Parramatta Powerhouse Museum had set their sights on demolishing Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace, some of the few precious heritage buildings remaining in Parramatta. I thought perhaps that the architects in the competition for the project had somehow been unaware of their significance.
Parramatta has been badly treated by developers over the years and much heritage has been destroyed. Only recently have planners begun to create an attractive centre, incorporating what little remains of the historic structures. Elsewhere in NSW the recent bushfires have destroyed substantial numbers of heritage buildings and we need to protect what is left more than ever.
The design of the museum could be altered to incorporate the heritage. Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace are primarily the heritage of the citizens of Parramatta, but wherever we live in NSW we should help them defend that heritage, because it’s ours as well. Andrew Greig, Avalon Beach
We have a Premier who doesn’t care about our fish or our history. When will we get politicians who are connected to our land and care about our history, all of it? Linda Apps, Dulwich Hill
Workers pay price of system errors
The number of companies whose “payroll system errors” have underpaid their employees equals at least 20. The number of companies whose “payroll system errors” have overpaid their employees equals zero (''Get house in order: Porter'', February 19). Go figure. Rob Phillips, North Epping
Is criminalising wage theft redundant or tautological? Mark Porter, New Lambton
Looking forward to the headline “CEO’s underpay themselves”. Jill Moonie, Myocum
Operator error
I don’t dispute for one moment the findings of the International Road Assessment Program as to the potential safety benefits of better roads (''Thinking about saving lives on the road'', February 19).
However, given the enormous potential cost of lifting the star rating of roads across the entire planet by even one or two “stars”, I wonder if a more cost-effective solution would be to invest in improving driver standards?
Driving a modern car is not especially challenging and there is nothing inherently dangerous in the act of driving. Therefore most accidents can be attributed to driver error which of course takes many forms, including incompetence, drug and alcohol misuse, road rage, not driving to the conditions, impaired health and fatigue.
If all drivers were trained to a high standard of operational expertise, and retested both technically and physically on a regular basis, there is no reason why road deaths and injuries could not be reduced significantly, for a far lower cost than “idiot-proofing” the roads themselves. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach
Backwards steps
Great idea to go back 100 years or more to find the best solution to the complex challenges of our 21st century education for future generations (“Call for classroom inspectors”, February 19).
And while at it, let’s double down on the systemic weaknesses in the present system, just to ensure we can bash principals and teachers when election time comes around. Vanessa Tennent, Oatley
Too much to bear
A NSW parliamentary inquiry into the koala population heard from various expert witnesses that koala losses are more catastrophic than first thought ('''Spectacularly huge' koala losses after drought, fires'', February 17). On the outskirts of Sydney, in the Campbelltown area, is one of the last important chlamydia-free koala populations. This koala population will soon be fragmented by development with their long-term viability looking unlikely.
Given the gravity of the situation, in NSW in particular, there appears an unwillingness of the government to genuinely protect the few remaining koala populations. The NSW government must act and protect the habitat of the surviving koala populations or we will loose this iconic species in NSW. Maria Bradley, Coogee
Retire in comfort
If you're going to compare pensioners' taxation arrangements in Australia with other countries, then you need to include the negative gearing benefits most Australian pensioners have enjoyed, that are not available to foreigners ("'Why punish them?': Call to allow retirees to work without a pension cut", February 19).
Yes, some other countries allow a higher income before reducing the pension, but they don't provide taxpayer-funded capital gains for real estate owners. And retirees would be the group with the largest percentage of real estate owners. We need to compare apples with apples.
Brenton White, Mosman
Growing concern
A transport expert calls for much-needed investment in our trains and buses and says this government has no plans to deal with the growth in mass transit use (''Huge hike in public transport numbers'', February 19). The Transport for NSW spokesperson excitedly brags about all the toll roads they are building and the private metro that will cannibalise public rail routes. Who do you trust? The government that has just privatised all our bus services and is running down our existing current rail network, or an academic who would have little to gain from offering his expert opinion?Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park
Narrow attitude
Stan Grant’s article about not wanting his rights shackled to conservative appeasement borders on racist innuendo (''I don't want my rights shackeled to conservative appeasement'', February 18). His use of the terms “white triumphalists” and “white allies” is highly emotive, to say the least. I would suggest the great majority of Australians, be they white, black or brindle, agree Grant and his fellow Aboriginals are entitled to be recognised as First Nations people. But hopefully we can be inclusive rather than exclusive.
Perhaps Grant should take more heed of the multicultural nature of our society and promote social cohesion instead of the somewhat narrow attitude he displays. In this sense, forgiveness is far more fruitful than condemnation. The songwriter Peter Allen encouraged us all to “still call Australia home”. Having said that, I – and surely most Australians – acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and pay respect to the elders, both past and present. James Morrice, Burradoo
Bring Assange back alive
Time served. Bring him home sane and alive ('''Our ratbag' Julian Assange suffers from psychological torture, say two Australian MPs'', February 19). Michael Kirby, Castle Hill
I have no sympathy for Julian Assange. I think he should have faced the music 10 years ago instead of hiding out in the Ecuadorian embassy. But, like the ISIS wives and children, he deserves to be protected by the Australian government and dealt with under our justice system if necessary. Bring them home. Lorraine Phillips, Glebe
Song of praise
The Australian national anthem should be sung when Australia plays in a sporting event, that is there are players representing Australia ('''Bigger than the game': Campbell calls for broader anthem debate'', February 19). This would be Wallabies v All Blacks or Kangaroos v Kiwis or Commonwealth and Olympic Games, so not every NRL game or any club games. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill
A heritage billboard
When both the Prime Minister and Premier see the Opera House as nothing more than a gigantic billboard, what hope does Cockatoo Island have (Letters, February 19)? Todd Hillsley, Homebush
Babble speak has taken over
I agree with your correspondent about "in terms of" (Letters, February 19). It is the most superfluous, ill-used, pseudo-sophisticated trendy term, used by both politicians and lazy followers of babble speak. Remember the politician who uttered this gem: ''When it comes to, in terms of the election ..." Garrett Naumann, Cammeray
I often wonder whether the use of “to be honest” in conversation is simply an innocent expression of, or an exception for, or even a confession by, the speaker. Edward Loong, Milsons Point
Actually, the word "actually" would be up there in its overuse. And it's actually interesting that, in most cases, it's actually superfluous. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North
Long-suffering readers and listeners also have to endure our media's obsession with "self" as there are too many who can't resist puffing their copy with gems such as, "the Prime Minister himself is responsible", "the government itself needs to", "you yourself have done much" or "they themselves will make the right decision". It would be appreciated if those responsible could perform some self-assessment and remove this annoying flaw from their literary toolkit. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie
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