When Peter Dutton was a policeman, he was obliged to ensure that the public obeyed the law and arrest the transgressors. Now, while cognisant of the Liberals’ platform, he makes and enforces the rules of his political party (“Dutton reads riot act to MPs on abortion”, November 6). His handling of the party’s raising of the issue of abortion is illustrative of how he plans to run the Coalition. There was no discussion on the merits of either side of the argument and then reaching a consensus, only the recognition that “it cost us votes in Queensland” so there will be no agitation to change abortion laws. Such expediency is reminiscent of some politicians elsewhere, but hopefully less so in Australia. Peter Nash, Fairlight
Peter Dutton and his frontbencher Jacinta Price, who raised abortion as a federal issue.Credit: Dan Peled
“It cost us votes”. Is that all that informs his and his party’s position on the sensitive issue of abortion? I would have hoped science, religiosity, medical advice and morality may have come into play when settling on a position on this contentious issue. But no, Dutton’s position is simply about what will win him votes. Pathetic. Bill Young, Killcare Heights
So Dutton’s big concern about the growing anti-abortion push in the Coalition is that “it costs us votes” and he insists that he would not change Australia’s abortion laws. However, we all know that the Liberal minority government needs the Nationals seats to win an election, and that the Nationals are the tail that wags the Liberal dog in this coalition of convenience – Dutton’s promise means nothing if the Nationals insist on change. Peter Newberry, Kingsford
As your correspondent notes, the lives of the unborn seem significantly important to some men both here and in the US (Letters, November 6). The lives of women? Not so much. What I can’t work out is how it is any of their business? When men start being able to bear babies, I’ll listen. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay
It was reported that Dutton said the Coalition “will not be changing our position on abortion ... it cost us votes in Queensland”. And here I was thinking he was doing it for the benefit of all Australian women. Anthony Healy, Willoughby East
Another bloke who reckons blokes should control women’s bodies. National sovereignty is important to him, too, but evidently not Ukraine’s. Jeffrey Mellefont, Coogee
Praise Knight’s rider
I find myself in the unusual position of supporting Rosemary O’Brien in putting those naysayers on the magnificent sport of horse racing back in their box (Letters, November 6). The Melbourne Cup remains one of Australia’s iconic sporting events largely due to the weight of tradition. As Australian studs have responded to the sheer economics of prize money distribution, they have focused on producing the world’s fastest sprinters at the expense of our once-great stayers. The Golden Slipper and the Everest are testimonies to this seismic shift over the past few decades.
In terms of human athleticism and skill, one need only watch a replay of Robbie Dolan expertly guiding the outsider Knight’s Choice to victory in this year’s Cup to appreciate the supreme sporting ability of our wonderful jockeys. Long may we be able to marvel at the deeds of these magnificent equine and human athletes. Dennis Metcalf, Drummoyne
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan with pop star Ronan Keating.Credit: Justin McManus
The Melbourne Cup is essentially a spring festival. Historically, they are always about renewal and hope for future good fortune and prosperity. Gambling on a horse race is an apt metaphor but limited. We need to reinvent this festival as a national holiday and give it extra layers of meaning. Understanding chance and probability is powerful and even teaches us to feel empathy for those who are not winners. Stephen Westgarth, Darlington
Decades ago, I decided that I’d offer no support of any kind to horse racing until horses learn to talk and confirm that like having their arses whipped around a racetrack. If people want such a spectacle, maybe it’s people who should be arse-whipped around a racetrack. Peter Thompson, Grenfell
Light in the dark
Toni Lorentzen rightly describes the obituary for Chris and Sean Kelly’s mother as funny and joyous (Letters, November 6). Even funnier were the prophetic words irreverent comedian Spike Milligan had engraved on his headstone when he checked his chips in: “I told you I was ill.” And can we ever forget the list of descriptors used by John Cleese for the unfortunate state of that Norwegian blue parrot? Brian O’Donnell, Burradoo
The Herald page listing the names of those who have kicked the bucket is headed “Summary of death notices”. For myself, I am preparing something in advance. It may refer to my successes with the Letters page. John Flint, St Leonards
My mother, in sync with Jennifer Kelly, had a laughing aversion to euphemisms for “died”. She read the Herald’s death notices daily, noting the better ones. When she died, we used her favourite: “Mollie R ‘slipped her moorings’.” Anna Roache, Granville
In looking at simplicity in descriptions of the parting of this life, one cannot get simpler than the grave of Patrick Caulfield, CBE, the famous artist and printmaker, and designer of his own headstone. In modernist style in the Highgate Cemetery in London, it says, simply, “DEAD”. After Karl Marx’s headstone, I think it is the most photographed. Robert Hosking, Paddington
Quite often in my regular perusal of the obits, I’ve noticed that listed among the deceased person’s characteristics is that they were “funny”. I do wonder at times if the eulogist could expand on this descriptor and tell us whether the subject was either “haha” or “peculiar”. Duncan McRobert, Hawks Nest
Future-proofing
The HECS system was introduced by a Labor government in 1989. In that year, the last Baby Boomer (born in 1964) was 25 and would have likely finished their degree debt-free. By accident or design, we Boomers did very well from Labor governments – from Gough Whitlam who introduced free tertiary education in 1974 to Bob Hawke in 1989. Fifteen years of education bliss denied to those who came after us. I am happy to see another Labor government trying to address inequality between the generations. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA)
University fees were reintroduced in 1989. Credit: Louise Kennerley
With due respect to Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and Chris Richardson, I will not be evaluating their advice when considering my vote at the next election. Instead, I will consult my grandchildren. At their age, my wife and I were struggling with our first home mortgage. Our grandchildren, who are recent university graduates, all burdened with substantial HECS debts, can’t even begin to think of homeownership. Bryne Smith, Burleigh Waters (Qld)
The concerns regarding student debts are misdirected. Large corporations benefit from recruiting graduates. Perhaps they should pay off the education debt; which, by the way, is not a debt. It is an investment in the future of this country. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga
Reserve judgment
The fact that the price a successful bidder pays for a property is $1.1 million above the price guide, but only $200,000 above the reserve, raises serious questions about real estate practices (“Family spend $7.1 million to upgrade from a unit to Chatswood family home”, November 4). Why did the auction proceed if the vendor’s expectation was so much greater than what the agent advised was reasonable? Instead, Domain reports it as a win-win for all, rather than a possible case of under-quoting. Ross Duncan, Potts Point
Coalition conflict of interest claims absurd
Isn’t this a case of the pot calling the kettle black (“Coalition questions whether close friendship swayed Labor on $470m tech contract”, smh.com.au, November 6)? How many degrees of separation are required before there isn’t a conflict? There is no direct connection between the minister and the recipient of the grant. Instead, we’re talking about a past friendship between the minister’s adviser and a person who works for a company that invests in the recipient (presumably via an arms-length managed fund).
On this definition of “conflict of interest”, the whole modus operandi of how a consultant expands its client base would be ruined. A consultant fosters relationships in the hope that they will ultimately lead to them being offered paid work. Likewise, the whole system of references. Obvious conflicts must be avoided, but this is ridiculous.
The Coalition has forgotten what their purpose is. They think it’s to score political points. It is actually to work as our elected representatives (same as all MPs) to make Australia better. This isn’t doing that. David Rush, Lawson
It is abundantly clear that the Coalition under Peter Dutton is far better at digging dirt and slinging mud than it is at ploughing, sowing and cultivating in the electoral field. Dirty politics and smear tactics may get headlines but only sound policies, rational leadership, hard work and a positive approach will reap benefits on election day. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills
Affordable EVs
David Calvey feels electric vehicles at $40,000 are a bit too expensive for teachers and nurses (Letters, November 5). But an on-the-road price under $31,000 will now buy you an EV with a range of 350 kilometres, a ten-year warranty (car and battery) and very cheap servicing; the first at 40,000km. Just imagine the savings, especially if you can charge using solar or use overnight grid tariffs. Do the maths; it’s definitely the cheapest option and the best for the planet. Cliff Britton, Manly
The MG4, an affordable EV
US has lost its way
I agree with Maureen Dowd that America has become a place where a man without character could become president, again (“How did America become a place where a man with no character can be president?”, November 6). Trump has become a predator, intent on securing power for him and his friends to become richer. His chief enabler, the Republican Party, has sold its soul to grab his coat tails to power. Politics has become a gerrymandered mess where citizens are denied the vote according to their voting proclivities, and in some cases, their race. The electoral college ensures someone with character like Hillary Clinton, who won 55 per cent of the popular vote, was defeated by a man without character, helped by his dirty tactics and dirty friends. Unfortunately, America is no longer the land where character and integrity always wins. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
America votes. Credit: Agencies
Your correspondent trusts Donald Trump to apply “real” questioning to all scientific claims. This already occurs with claims of merit being published in prestigious scientific journals and subjected to intense and sometimes ruthless scrutiny. The proponents and reviewers have generally spent years working and studying in the field related to the claim. If, however, by “real” questioning he means a casual observer with a gut feeling, or a politician who smells a vote in it, then I agree Donald Trump would probably fit the bill. John Vigours, Neutral Bay
Wong got it wrong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s opinion piece on the Middle East is very disappointing (“Australians are traumatised and deserve facts on Middle East horrors”, November 6). The casualty figures come directly from Hamas, so at the very least are dubious, while it’s simply untrue that 2 million people – Gaza’s entire population – are facing starvation.
It almost defies belief that she bemoans the lack of a Palestinian state without acknowledging the Palestinian Authority’s rejection of three generous offers of statehood. Israel’s supporters don’t claim the Labor Party enables Hamas by insisting Israel follow the laws of war, as she writes. Labor enables Hamas by condemning Israel, even though Israel is following the laws of war.
Totally missing is any acknowledgement of Israel’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties with evacuations and warnings, its efforts to allow the transfer of aid, or the fact that the civilian-to-combatant casualty ratio of about one to one is far better than other recent urban wars.
If she really wants to be constructive, she should demand the PA end its intransigence and genuinely negotiate, demand aid to Gaza come from agencies that aren’t committed to rejectionism and infested with terrorists as UNRWA is, and condemn the Hamas human shield tactics that deliberately cause the civilian casualties. Jamie Hyams, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Melbourne
Penny WongCredit: Alex Ellinghausen
Cathy Wilcox is a wonderful cartoonist, but today I think she has erred (Letters, November 6). All the bad apples are not in Israel. Hamas and its Iranian masters knew full well what would happen after October 7 and welcomed it with no regard for their own people. They have always used them badly, hiding behind them and under them. They divert food and millions of dollars away from them, which has been found in their tunnels. Hamas is the one that justifies rape, as evidenced from the reports of those hostages who have been released or rescued. Yes, the scale of the crisis is horrific, but where is the response from the Arab world? Anita Hart, Greenwich
Penny Wong’s commitment to multilateralism makes sense. But where are the facts that she claims we deserve? All she offers is age-old rhetoric. Throughout her article, she gives primacy to Jewish life and the Jewish state. She merely sanctions extremist settlers in the West Bank, but not the Israeli state that arms and enables them. She parrots the long-standing falsehood propagated by Israel and its supporters that Hamas is “bitterly opposed” to two-states and “seeks to end the Jewish state” (anyone who can read Arabic knows this to be complete nonsense – it’s the occupation and Zionist expansionism that they oppose and seek to end). She ignores the fact that the Likud Party charter and the current Israeli government vehemently oppose Palestinian statehood and seek to create a greater Israel, from Jordan to the Mediterranean and beyond. All the while the Australian government maintains unwavering relations with and political support for the belligerent theocracy that is Israel. Wong is defending the indefensible. Jamie Travis, Stanmore
Financial smarts
While it is unfortunate that Caterina Hrysomallis did not receive any financial education when she was at school, I can assure her that things have come a long way since then (“The lessons advisers wish school students were taught”, November 6). We teach simple and compound interest in Year 8, work/pay stuff with taxation and hire-purchase in Year 9, budgeting, understanding credit card and energy bills in Year 10, calculating how shares and superannuation work in Year 11, and put them all together in nice HSC questions in Year 12. Our students are taught in such a way that they can leave school with an excellent basic grasp of how they can negotiate the financial world when they start work. I encourage Caterina to pick up a mathematics text book and discover for herself how much we have improved since she left school.
Mia David, Wollongong
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