Chris Richardson’s heated criticism of the Albanese government’s plan to reduce HECS debts is one-dimensional and has the semblance of a political attack (“HECS gift is a reverse Robin Hood”, November 5). If Richardson wishes to campaign against tax breaks for those on higher incomes, he could choose to start with superannuation, family trusts, negative gearing, capital gains discounts and franking credits.
As a result of years of underfunding, our higher education system is in disarray, with universities relying on overseas students to get by and high school graduates deterred from undertaking a degree due to the resulting HECS debt. At the same time, if our country is to advance and be prosperous in the future, a greater percentage of the population will need tertiary education. Richardson makes the obvious observation that “somebody pays”. Many would argue that he could direct his attention towards other tax breaks and rorts. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
Graduates are in line for fee relief. Credit: Louie Douvos
I’m unsurprised that proposed changes to HECs scheme to address intergenerational unfairness has created controversy. As a Boomer, I’ve learnt hypocrisy has no bounds. And this is typically the same cohort that has vociferously resisted attempts to fix John Howard’s mess of unsustainable middle-class tax welfare. Howard’s tax policies, apart from leaving structural deficits affecting funding for defence, health and aged care, have led to deleterious impacts such as housing unaffordability and other intergenerational disparities. These objectors should focus on abolishing nonsensical franking credits and returning superannuation to its original intent rather than the tax- and estate-planning behemoth it has become. And then also recalibrate the overly generous CGT discount and modify negative gearing. Carlo Ursida, Kensington, Vic
If the federal opposition is genuinely concerned about the cost to taxpayers of the very welcome plan to reduce HECS debt, it should immediately get rid of its policy to allow more people to get access to their superannuation. The cost of the latter to taxpayers in the future will dwarf the cost to taxpayers of the HECS reform. It is also very disappointing to hear some economists bad-mouthing the HECS proposal as “robbing Peter to pay Paul”. If Peter gets more money because he is now induced to go to university, he will not only increase the country’s productivity, but will also contribute more to government revenue because he has a higher-paid job. James Tulloch, Westleigh
Chris Richardson argues that “people with student debts are comfortably better off than most Australians”. The opposite is true for most in the years post-graduation, when our young people have to deal with massive debt before they even have a chance to think about other important objectives such as housing. Far better to give all the opportunity to succeed with free education and then recover the costs of that education through a progressive taxation system. Martin Cousins, Lindfield
It seems Chris Richardson is behind the times. His comments may have applied 40 years ago, but not today when further education is required in most fields of employment, unless your ambition is to remain a labourer. Early child care, aged care, office assistants, to name a few, all require post-high school qualifications these days, as well as skills in new technologies. Note that the plan includes TAFE and other VET graduates, not just those from university. The concept is to take some pressure off young people entering the workforce to help them get on their feet. Glenys Quirk, Forster
Lessons from the US
People writing to your newspaper are justifiably baffled by a man such as Trump contesting the presidency of the US (Letters, November 5). Could it not be explained in part by the dire inequities of their public education system? It is a lesson for us here in Australia, especially as most of our children are educated publicly, and these numbers will increase as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. If we wish to avoid the adverse consequences of a generation of American adults who lack not just work skills to adapt to the modern world, but the inability to distinguish fact from opinion, our wealthy country needs to adequately fund a quality public education system. It is not only an investment in the future wellbeing of our nation but insures democracy prospers under an informed and discriminating electorate, voting for leaders who govern for the people and who are not divisive despots like Donald Trump. Lyndall Nelson, Goulburn
US election dayCredit: Marija Ercegovac
As an expat dual citizen living here, I’m rightly appalled by Trump and his lack of policies, as well as his racist and misogynistic behaviour. But I have siblings in the US who have no health care or holiday pay and struggle to survive on little more than the minimum wage. As in Australia, as the Voice referendum showed, many are swayed by false narratives and simplistic solutions, deeming the cost of living crisis more important than valuing their fellow citizens. I pray that most in America are able to disregard Trump’s posturing, but am unsure if they will. But like Kamala and Obama before her, I still have hope. Jen Hacker, Ettalong Beach
The US election is not about Harris and Trump. It is about continuing a system that entrenches inequality or blowing it up. It’s about listening to facts or conspiracy theories, belief in the common good or “it’s all about me”, about negotiation or confrontation. The sad part is that if Harris ever gets to be president, America will probably go through the same thing again in four years, regardless of whether with Trump or an acolyte. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
How great is democracy the American way (“US braces for violence”, November 5)? Election officials to spend election night in a secure location, combat training and active shooter drills for poll workers, people voting early fearing election day violence and the threat of burning the country down if Trump loses. God is not bestowing blessings on America at the moment. Lyn Savage, Coogee
Many of us look at those Trump supporters and shake our heads in disbelief and pity. I lay much of the blame for their ignorance on biased media posing as news. The US is not alone in this regard. We have it here as well. Decades ago I made the decision to be a Murdoch-free zone. Life is so much better without fear, division and misinformation. David Atherfold, Avalon Beach
I fear Thanksgiving will turn into Thanksgrieving. Sally Spurr, Lane Cove
Whoever wins, the GOP is forever tarnished by its association with Trump. Mark Henry, Urunga
While I cannot endorse either main candidate because I am an Australian and its effect on me is somewhat limited, I do wish to point out that the lives of the unborn are significantly important to me, as are the conflict in the Middle East, real questioning of scientific claims and national sovereignty. On all these matters, Harris is a total failure and Trump at least in the ballpark, in my view. Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
Public praise
Great reminder by Ross Gittins about the value that public servants provide (“We owe more than we realise to our best econocrats”, November 4). It is fashionable in certain circles to include public servants into the number of “elites” that are supposedly running the country for their own benefit. In reality, you need people who understand how things work and are willing to put in the hard yards to improve the country.
Boris Feigin, Narwee
Horse racing on a fast track to nowhere
Horse racing is not a “sport” comparable to activities that demonstrate human skills and endurance (“How Melbourne Cup became the race that bores a nation”, November 5). It is simply animal abuse involving obscene amounts of money at all levels. The Melbourne Cup is a waning tradition. It is on track to become the race that appalls a nation. Gillian Appleton, Paddington
Jockey Robbie Dolan celebrates after winning aboard Knight’s Choice.Credit: AP
While Bianca O’Neill sees the Melbourne Cup as on its last hind legs, I wonder why my local TAB opened at 7.30am. The Melbourne Cup may have lost some of its lustre with the advent of big, new Sydney feature races, but if you recall running neighbourhood sweeps as a kid, and you still invest five bucks on Cup day and pretend you know a horse’s withers from Ms O’Neill’s withering article, the magic remains. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
Bianca O’Neill’s opinion piece makes grim reading for those of us who have grown up with this Australian tradition. It would be a shame to see its demise as it provides the chance for fun, social gatherings and the lubricating small talk that builds friendships. For many, the Cup provides dot points for many of life’s events. For the record, I was born the year Rising Fast won. Paul Ryan, Emu Plains
No surprises about the declining interest in the Melbourne Cup and horse racing in general. Any Boomer or war baby who throughout the 50s and 60s had to put up with non-stop racing commentary on the radio every weekend probably developed an abiding hatred of it and its fans. With any luck, it will soon go the way of bear-baiting and cockfighting. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba
High-flyers
The mea culpa by Jason Clare says all that is wrong with the thinking of our political leaders and their expectations of being treated differently (Letters, November 5). As someone with a medical condition requiring special treatment, why on earth would he book an economy class seat? If Jason felt more space and comfort was needed, the sensible thing would have been to book a business class seat. To book the cheap seat and then request an upgrade speaks volumes about what they expect. Stephen Ramshaw, Turramurra
In the early 1960s, I flew from Canberra to Sydney on TAA’s single-class Fokker Friendship. Seated behind me was a portly gentleman, hidden behind the Herald. All I could see was a head of white hair and his bushy black eyebrows. It was Bob Menzies, a patrician flying with the plebs. Bruce Ryan, Kiama
Sir Robert Menzies - a fan of first-class journalism and economy travel Credit: Staff photographer
About 10 years ago, a family member of mine fell ill in Singapore. After the surgery, I asked Qantas for an upgrade to business class because the seat effectively included a bed to lie down. Qantas declined my request. Now I see Labor MP Jason Clare asked for and received an upgrade following surgery. One rule for the elites and another for ordinary Australians. No wonder the upgrade furore resonates with voters. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach
Affordable housing
The NSW planning system defines “affordable housing” as housing that costs no more than 30 per cent of very low to medium incomes. However, it is also alternatively defined based on the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), which sets rates at 80 per cent of the market rate (“Affordable housing in Sydney is not affordable”, November 4). While NRAS has established a framework for registered community housing providers, its market-based approach is subject to fluctuations and falls short of a truly affordable goal. Community housing organisations contribute positively but remain a limited part of the solution.
Bonus floor space provisions for community housing can only address housing affordability in a piecemeal way. This doesn’t mean we should abandon them, but we must recognise the broader challenges driving high housing costs. A key factor is our dominant urban model, which includes the high costs of car dependency: motorways, car spaces in developments and more. Shifting from car dependency, alongside tax incentives favouring modest housing over large detached homes, will be crucial to achieving affordable, sustainable urban living. Matthew Bartinel, Killara
The government cannot control the rate of housing construction in a free market – the market does. If the value of a dwelling does not remain at a profitable level, developers will not invest. Subsequently, building rates will slow as the demand drops off, either because of too many dwellings or increased unemployment, until demand picks up again. And so the vicious cycle continues. The affordability crisis will worsen without major changes in policy. Roger Johnson, New Lambton Heights
Passing thought
When our mother died we had an awful lot of trouble trying to convince the funeral director to put “died” in the death notices (“‘Bring a shovel’: Sons stunned as death notice for ‘wild and wayward’ mother goes around the world”, November 5). I explained that out mother hated the euphemistic and sanitised “passed”. “Passed what or where?” she would say. Eventually, we compromised with “departed this life”. Apparently, the director was terrified that potential customers would see her as being a bit harsh in her dealings with the dead – sorry, deceased. Donald Hawes, Peel
Jennifer Ann Kelly’s death noticeCredit: SMH
At last, a mention of the strange usage of words for dying, such as “passed” and “gone” – where to? Dying is inevitable, it happens to us all, so can we please go back to using the word “died”? I’ve even heard that an unfortunate animal had “passed away” when hit by a vehicle. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
Your paper contained the funniest and most joyous obituary I have seen. Jennifer Kelly sounds like she was a hoot of a mother, who was so loved. Thanks, kids, for making me laugh out loud and wishing that I had met your fabulous mum. Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay
A bad note
As well as the longer written examination for HSC drama students, the new course 1 and course 2 music syllabuses have reduced the elective options available for external marking. No explanation has been given for this change. The emphasis on performance creates an equity issue, not only for composers and students with anxiety, but also for those who cannot afford specialist tuition in voice or instrument. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Mental health crisis
Lifeline’s busiest day of the year should serve as a loud wake-up call to those in power who are denying access to affordable care in the middle of a national mental health crisis (“Why October 7 was the busiest day for this crisis service”, November 4). Amid this spiralling cost-of-living crisis are many clients of psychologists who are having to choose between groceries and therapy. There are many who, having exhausted their 10 annual psychology sessions under Medicare, but still needing support, are calling crisis lines because they have nowhere else to go. A crisis line was once intended to be for exactly that purpose – a crisis. Until mental health care is made more affordable, with reasonable and realistic Medicare rebates for clients of psychologists, they, like much of the mental health of our nation, will continue to be overwhelmed. Tegan Carrison, Brisbane
Nuclear fantasy
How on earth does Peter Dutton expect us to build a nuclear reactor (or many nuclear reactors) within the next 10 to 15 years when it takes over two and a half years just to repair a sea wall (“‘Terrible news’: Nielsen Park beach reopening delayed. Again!”, November 3).
Deb Ditchfield, Vaucluse
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