By all means cut immigration, Peter Dutton, but please explain how we will fill the jobs that have need for workers across our economy (“Dutton risks being stuck in a rut”, May 20). I have tried to understand the reasons for worker shortages since COVID started. This topic needs a thorough investigation, but what was revealed was the need for immigration to actually have people to do the work many Australians would not do in city and rural areas. If Mr Dutton wants to demonise immigration as a source of troubles, perhaps he could reflect on the Liberal policies that assisted in developing the problems with housing and particular skill shortages over their time in the big chair. If the Labor government supports the development of a more self-reliant economy, and the development of new climate-friendly industries, the benefits will be available to all of us. We need to seize the opportunity to back that plan instead of a scare tactic, no-sighted set of strategies that concentrate on unnecessary headline grabbing. Robert Mulas, Corlette
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wants immigration firmly on the federal election agenda.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
It is difficult to fathom why so many of us seem to believe that the current and future projected levels of immigration are too high. Naturally, public opinion is influenced by our politicians, and the fact that both the government and the opposition are proposing that the net migration numbers be reduced is telling. However, it appears that despite our long and successful history of multiculturalism, a strong undercurrent of racism still exists, particularly now that the bulk of our immigrants come from Asia or the Middle East. Also, at a time when the economy is not favourable for many, a tendency exists to identify targets for blame. Our political leaders are not immune to stoking this tendency, and the opposition leader has a track record of language critical of certain types or groups of migrants or refugees. In our daily lives, the massive benefits of immigration to the nation are all too obvious. While arguing to reduce the actual numbers entering our country, it is incumbent upon our political leaders to constantly reinforce the economic and cultural gains provided by immigrants. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
Peter Dutton tried to differentiate the Coalition from Labor first by basing his energy policy upon nuclear power, which he has apparently found too difficult, and now he has taken what he perceives as an easier route by becoming Migration Man. However, as Sean Kelly correctly points out, his migration policy is not hugely different from Labor’s, so it could well be that he reverts to championing his nuclear policy largely because the lead time is so large that he will never see it come to fruition and nor will he suffer any consequent retribution from the electorate. Peter Nash, Fairlight
With 72 per cent of the population agreeing that migration is, at least, up for discussion, Dutton’s right on the money. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
More to problem-solving than lowering migration
Voters queuing to inspect a rental property or watching in horror at an auction where bids climb to the stratosphere could be forgiven for thinking that far lower migration could alleviate their problems (“Migration fix not enough for voters”, May 20). However, it is not just the problem of housing price and availability. Traffic-choked roads and overcrowded buses provide more evidence for the conclusion that population growth cannot continue indefinitely, and a population limit must soon be on the political spectrum. The unfortunate typical lack of planning requires that we attract migrants with various skills, but ideally, no more than necessary. Furthermore, high-fee-paying students must be accepted to subsidise our underfunded universities, but again, no more than necessary. Labor must listen carefully to the legitimate concerns of voters, who naturally will decide their vote out of self-interest rather than concerns about the possibility of weakening the economy. Geoff Harding, Chatswood
More traffic to look forward toCredit: Louise Kennerley
No one should be surprised that many Australians want a lower immigration rate. However, there should also be a concern that those immigrants already living here are not being blamed for any of our economic or social problems. We need to have a harmonious relationship with them and not used as scapegoats, or we to could possibly end up with detrimental consequences. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury
The missing bit in Dutton’s cut to migration is “Which bit?” . Is it university students, which will set a fire in academia? Is it tradespeople, which will infuriate the building industry? Is it professional people, which will cause apoplexy in business organisations? Maybe it is tourists who will trigger a meltdown of the tourism industry. Can we please have some details? Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
A slide back to a refugee and humanitarian intake of 13,750 “new Australians” per annum, says it all, Peter Dutton. As if the world does not change. Backward, not forward-looking Migration Man, with the politics of race, fanning division, not harmonious unity. Frederika Steen, Chapel Hill (Qld)
Those accusing Peter Dutton of “racially profiled immigration reduction” might consider immigration that favours Scandinavians – a sovereign wealth fund, national health and dental services, free childcare and university. Plus a return of State Housing Commissions and transformation of building standards for sustainability. Imagine one nationalised energy organisation employing Scandinavian ocean-pumped hydro expertise to store our vast access to solar and wind energy. Political hell would break loose with taxation reform, but we might fulfil Bob Hawke’s promise that “by 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty” or sleeping in a car. Ronald Elliott, Sandringham (Vic)
What’s putting the ‘off’ in offsets
Environmental offsets are the “con” in current conservation (“Breaches infiltrate offsets scheme”, May 20). At best, an offset purports either to set aside an “equivalent” piece of natural habitat or to create an “equivalent” human-made habitat. In the first case, there is still a net loss of habitat, and in the second, humans simply cannot create a habitat with the complexity of a naturally evolved habitat. It may look like a duck but not quack like one. Further, offsets allow a developer to destroy a habitat with only a promise to offset, rather than have the development delayed until the offset has been established. Oh, so sorry, the dog ate my homework, bad luck. At worst, offsets allow a developer to pay money for research into endangered habitats and species, which aside from potentially compromising researchers, makes no guarantees about beneficial outcomes for habitats or endangered species. Allen Greer, Sydney
I am yet to understand why developers can build housing estates on prime agricultural land, yet solar farm developers are being accused of ruining prime agricultural land. Once a house is built, there is no chance of using the land for agriculture. Solar farms can run sheep among the panels while farming the sun at the same time. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
We have imposed upon the integrity of the natural world a jarring juxtaposition of development and extinction. When the evolutionary tree of life loses a leaf or branch, nature over time and condition of opportunity will fill the breach and flourish. When breaches of development conditions go unchecked in the environment, species and ecological balance will be threatened. To offset extinction of a species or habitat is a Gordian knot that may see the bigger picture unravel. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
White elephants
Room for more marine fauna down below?Credit: Ben Symons
The building of the two ferry wharves in Botany Bay (“$78m piers to open without ferries”, May 20) was opposed by many people. Despite opponents pointing out the adverse environmental impacts on those sections of the bay, and attempts to raise the total absence of a reasonable cost benefit of the original proposed cost, the previous government ignored all objections. As I forecast, these will be expensive white elephants. The only possible benefit I can see is once completed, I will have two huge structures to scuba dive around, which may ameliorate the damage created. Michael McFadyen, Kareela
Self-interest
Richard Denniss (“Money can’t buy everything, but Jim Chalmers can buy an inflation reduction”, May 20) clearly lays out the idea that subsidising essentials does not contribute to inflationary pressures, but rather reduces them for many households. It’s remarkable how proponents of lower taxes want us to believe the $57 billion fuel subsidy for businesses does not contribute to inflation, only generate “jobs and growth”, while a $300 electricity bill assistance program will somehow lead to long term economic crises. The same dollar but a different prognosis, depending on whose self-interested eyes you’re being shown the picture from. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
Toll suggestion
A review of toll roads in Sydney (“Caution needed on Sydney’s road tolling shake-up”, May 20) has suggested that motorists should pay less when travelling greater distances. Given that we pay for the often elusive benefit of getting to our destination faster, can I suggest that the toll road owners structure their charges according to time spent travelling between tolling points? If we can travel at the speed limit permitted, charge the full fee, but discount it for every minute we spend stuck in traffic because they have not delivered what their road and fee is supposedly designed to provide. Bruce Pacey, Revesby
Ongoing threat
Reading the charge history of Operation Amarok’s recently arrested DV offender, only to learn his recent breach of an AVO only resulted in a two-year community correction order, was extremely troubling (“Police blitz on DV offenders”, May 20). Will the proposed legislation changes ensure the safety of his ex-partner? Will he be wearing an ankle bracelet? Will it be possible that a woman under such high threat can be directly alerted when he approaches within a certain radius of her location rather than relying on others monitoring it to alert her? Her life was possibly saved on this occasion but an ongoing high risk certainly remains. Louise Dolan, Birchgrove
Worthy praise
The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key Credit: Council on Geostrategy
George Brandis’ criticism of the lack of high-level representation at the recent annual Sea Power Conference is appropriate (“Australia’s absence from meeting of key naval allies was inexcusable”, May 20). It was also encouraging and refreshing to see Brandis acknowledge some of the successes of the current government’s foreign policy initiatives in our Asia-Pacific region. He is right to insist that Australia must be represented in a range of international forums at the highest levels of government and eschew populist criticism of the prime minister for doing so. Greg Fraser, Lyneham (ACT)
Money spinners
I’ve always been a Christian, even when I tangled for a time with atheism (Letters, May 20). I drifted in and out of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, yet my faith in the words of Jesus just didn’t resonate comfortably with either, or any other organised religion. Now I baulk at self describing myself as a Christian because of the likes of Trump, Putin and a myriad of right-wing control freaks conniving to rake in money by telling people that God speaks through them. It’s apt that, as your correspondent said, as every day goes by, Jesus wept. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
Battery power
Solar battery storage - now powering regret and hindsight
About five years ago, an acquaintance who had some inside knowledge of how electricity providers work said “Don’t buy solar panels for your roof, buy a battery (Letters, May 20). In a few years’ time the electricity suppliers will have so much energy in the daytime they won’t be able to handle it and will be giving it away, so you can charge your battery at no cost and use it in the evening.” Seemed far-fetched at the time, so I didn’t buy one. Silly me. Kevin Hunt, Kenthurst
Philosophical engineer
Is your Bruce correspondent (Letters, May 20) a graduate in Philosophy from the University of Woolloomooloo? Part of my BA from the western campus of UniWoolloo was in Philosophy, writing as a retired structural engineer. Chris Wilkinson, Turramurra
Rail trail
Armidale Regional Council are to be commended to proceed with the “rail trail” proposal (“‘Rail trail’ for bike tourists back on track amid anger over lack of train service”, May 20). The advocates for returning trains can live in hope, but the reality is that rail trails do rejuvenate regional areas. The New England area is ideally situated for one up on the tablelands. Autumn and spring will attract many active folk to experience the kaleidoscope of colours that come to life during those seasons. John Anderson, Masters Beach
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