Jim Chalmers is a good treasurer, but he is trying to pull a swifty with his new mandate for the Future Fund (“Costello slams treasurer’s plan to adjust Future Fund”, November 22). Firstly, the supply of housing finance has never been an issue for the Australian market, even before the establishment of the fund. Banks, building societies and other financial institutions have always met the demand. Currently, the banks’ interest rate margins (the difference between funding costs and lending rates) is about 1.8 per cent, well below the Future Fund’s mandate of a 4 to 5 per cent above CPI return. Which begs the question, why would it invest in housing? Could it be that the government’s pledge to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029 is already behind schedule, four months after the announcement? Secondly, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation already has investment capital of $30.5 billion from the government for investing in green technology, so why the extra push from Chalmers for the Future Fund to invest, given it already has investments in renewable projects? Private capital has and will continue to invest as well. The Future Fund has adequately met its performance mandate to date. Chalmers’ latest directive was unwise and unwarranted. Mike Kenneally, Manly
Peter Costello (left) has criticised Treasurer Jim Chalmers over the Future Fund.Credit: Peter Rae
Peter Costello and the opposition are unhappy the treasurer proposes the Future Fund invest in some of the most critical issues of our times – housing, net zero transition and infrastructure – areas in which it already invests. Yet, shortly after the Coalition came to power in 2013, Costello was forced to defend his fund’s investment in fossil fuels. He said the fund’s only mandate was to deliver appropriate returns from legal investments. This is the exact proviso Jim Chalmers has placed on any decision the fund takes to address some of Australia’s biggest economic challenges. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Anti-Israel is not personal
Your editorial quite rightly points out that the racist attacks on our Jewish communities are unAustralian and are to be condemned (“Antisemitic criminals ruin our city’s name”, November 22). This is not our war; we have no troops involved and yet antisemitism is growing by the day. And despite our PM calling out this behaviour, nothing changes. Here in Sydney, we have imams calling for the death of Jews worldwide, yet nothing happens to stop this. There has been little or no action against this rising tide of racism. It’s all well and good to condemn this behaviour, but action is needed from the government. Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah
At a time when there are international arrest warrants out for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (“ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leader”, November 22), why does the Herald editorial conflate what was clearly an anti-Israel act with antisemitism? The vandal’s graffiti on the car read “F--- Israel”, not “F--- Jews”. If we really want to prevent the spread of antisemitism, we need to be more careful in our use of language, lest we drive those with concerns about Israel’s behaviour to the antisemitic camp. Hans Knutzelius, Balmain
Greens betray their roots
While the Coalition dines with education and migration agents, the real culprits of this failing attempt by Labor to control the foreign student intake are the Greens (“New heat on Coalition as Tehan dines with agents”, November 22). Having prevented any progress on climate change nearly a decade ago, they now help the Coalition block Labor’s attempts to control private exploitation of foreign students and rising immigration. This could backfire on them at the next election as many independents are showing much more common sense in getting sensible, negotiated legislation through parliament. Once again, the Greens have cut off their nose to spite their face and achieved nothing. Ken Pares, Forster
Greens leader Adam Bandt has been criticised by a reader for helping the Coalition block Labor initiatives.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
It’s time for the Greens to decide to restore some faith in its brand, not only among its existing supporters, of which I am one, but also the electorate. Stop helping the Liberals play their dirty political wedge games and vote with Labor to stop unscrupulous migration agents “commercialising” naive foreign students as cheap labour for all the usual industries – hospitality, construction and agriculture, to name a few. Grow a spine Adam Bandt, and you can Google that expression. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill
Face data is theft
I was surprised to see an article by Bunnings MD Mike Schneider defending the store’s use of facial recognition software to protect staff against violent offenders or people banned from the store (“Bunnings only used facial recognition for violent intruders”, November 22). His explanation seemed as legitimate as his apparel (I’m sure he doesn’t wear a red Bunnings shirt and green Bunnings apron at board meetings). Like most big corporates, technology is initially used for one purpose (remember the idea of reducing theft in supermarkets) only to be repurposed for commercial gain. When it comes to privacy, trusting a corporation with ours will never be a wise move. Sorry Mike, but I loved the outfit. Brian Barrett, Padstow
Everyone should know that shoplifting costs all consumers money by putting pressure on prices. Personally, I am happy to have my face “captured” on video when I enter or leave a store, and I’m pretty sure so are the 99 per cent of honest folk who pay for their purchases. Ian Sanderson, Normanhurst
Stop police child abuse
Where is Kate Washington, the ultimate parent of children in the state, as minister for families and communities (“Where police strip searches occur most“, November 22)? I am waiting for her to intervene in the protection of children from state-sponsored child abuse. She has a serious conflict of interest here. For years, Redfern Legal Centre, before that the ombudsman and now civil society is calling on the state to cease police abuse of children. This isn’t the only time that police powers have been used excessively in western Sydney. Remember what happened during COVID-19. Anne Eagar, Epping
How bright do you have to be to know that strip searches of children by police is wrong? What special training do police have that makes them fit for the practice? If anyone is suspected of hiding drugs they should be taken to a police station and searched in the presence of a medical practitioner. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill
Ohm on the range
I was saddened to read of Elizabeth Elenius’ sorry experience on her EV road trip to Canberra (Letters, November 22). But that should not stop her, all that is required is planning. One way to do that is to get the PlugShare app, which shows the location of most charging points on the map, as well as a description of the available plugs, charging rates, costs and details about the parking. I have driven to Canberra and Toowoomba in my EV, as well as frequent trips from the Mid North Coast to Sydney. Only once have I had problems, and that was when I was very new to EV ownership. A word of warning to all potential EV buyers (new or second hand): check that your vehicle is CCS2 compatible, or that it can be made CCS2 compatible using an adaptor. These are the most common public fast chargers. Gordon Chirgwin, Harrington
Finding somewhere to charge their electric vehicle has proved difficult for some long-distance travellers.Credit: Supplied
Travelling is part of a PM’s job, stupid
Those again rushing to criticise the PM for his overseas travel are obviously short on censure ideas, have some distorted envy or are badly misinformed and ignorant (“Time to land ‘Airbus Albo’. Letting fly over PM’s travels is plain silly”, November 21). As David Crowe mentions, Anthony Albanese spent more than 45 hours in the air to attend APEC and the G20 – hardly a junket. What critics either fail to understand or intentionally overlook is that, as a small nation, it is extremely important that our leader regularly attend these international forums to gain recognition, to be heard and, potentially, to have an impact. Second, these forums are the platform where vital relationships are formed and strengthened by personal contact between leaders during formal and informal discussions, public and private interactions. Albanese has proven himself to be particularly adept in establishing bonds of friendship and mutual interest with a range of influential national leaders. The tag of “Airbus Albo” is the creation of simplistic and small-minded thinking. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
Well said, David Crowe. Albo was doing his job, on our behalf. The same critics who criticised him for going to the G20 would have criticised him if he didn’t. Hypocrisy is alive and well in some sections of the parliament and media. Business as usual. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Bouyancy is best
Water safety programs save lives (“Surf lifesavers target men, remote spots, this summer”, November 22). All schools could provide these every year for every child. It should not be a competition for who can swim the most laps; it should teach people about swimming between the flags, treading water and using side-stroke. A sensible practice is to always take a floating device when spending time near the water. My husband has saved two people’s lives by using a boogie board. Our granddaughter received a bravery award for keeping several people afloat on her boogie board in dangerous seas. Use a floating device in attempting a rescue. It works. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Warning after methanol tragedy
The deaths of six young tourists in Laos, including two Australians, after drinking allegedly poisonous vodka is heartbreaking (“Second Melbourne woman dies from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos”, November 22). Some articles have suggested the drinks were purposely spiked with methanol, which would imply a deliberate act of murder. However, I believe it’s more likely that the backyard distillation processes used to produce cheap vodka were conducted using poorly controlled equipment, which mixed methanol with ethanol. This is nothing new. The old saying of people becoming “blind drunk” was a reference to the dodgy practices of years gone by, where poorly controlled distillation resulted in methanol-laced liquor. Grave warnings should be issued to all travellers of the risks of non-commercially produced liquor. The warnings should also alert travellers to the risk that commercial brand-name bottles can be refilled with backyard spirits containing dangerous methanol. The safe bet is to stick with beer while travelling in developing countries. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona
Bring back Macdonald
ABC Sydney “Mornings” presenter Sarah Macdonald mentioned on air that her contract has not been renewed (“It’s all change at the ABC and not everyone is happy about it”, November 21). Refreshing that she openly broke the news on air and did not let the ABC do the usual mumbo jumbo about someone they fired leaving to “spend time with the family”, or something similar. What a shame. Macdonald has been an incredibly successful presenter and has conducted great interviews with people including the prime minister and the NSW premier. I hope ABC board chair Kim Williams reinstates her so she can continue her excellent program, which brightens many people’s lives. Richard Dougan, Northbridge
ABC presenter Sarah Macdonald announced on air that she’d just learnt her contract would not be renewed next year.Credit: Graphic: Monique Westermann
Sarah Macdonald’s listeners deserve an explanation. On air, ABC Drive presenter Richard Glover said exactly what her audience is thinking: “I don’t understand.” Program manager Ben Latimer needs to explain this terrible decision. Suzanne Smith, Clovelly
Sarah Macdonald has been a gem every weekday morning and will be sorely missed. She engages her listeners and encourages the 702 community to listen to each other and share stories and ideas. Shame on the ABC. Molly King, Freshwater
I am finding the ABC hard to love at the moment. Our wonderful, clever, warm and funny Sarah has been sacked. Unbelievable, unfair and so very disappointing. Anna Matejka, Hurstville Grove
Sarah Macdonald is smart, capable, funny and experienced. Who made this decision and why? Is it gender-based or is someone’s favourite going to be parachuted in? Lucy France Cronulla
Sarah Macdonald is one of the most relatable presenters on our airwaves. What were you thinking, ABC? Judy Love, North Haven
I’ve never been to a rally before, but if someone wants to organise one I’ll be there with my “We want Sarah” placard. Malcolm McEwen, North Turramurra
Farewell, and thanks for all the zingers
I would like to personally thank Bill Shorten for his years of service to the Australian people (“Shorten condemns ‘quicksand of name-calling’ in fond farewell”, November 21). Also, to thank him for choosing an after-parliament career that continues to benefit ordinary Australians. I look forward to hearing from Bill now that he is free to speak without the constraints of the parliament. All the best. Carole Hayes, Newtown
Who were Jones’ enablers?
Could we please stop talking about the odious bully who once ran NSW and start talking about the people whose cowardice and self-interest enabled Alan Jones? Prime ministers, premiers and other prominent people are among those who allowed him to practise his dark art. A handful of people showed the way by standing up to him, and their courage in doing so strips his enablers of any excuse. The public and, in particular, the people he allegedly victimised deserve answers from those who gave him succour. Bronwyn Scott, Lucaston (Tas)
For fake’s sake
Roman philosopher Seneca said: “That which happens by accident is not art” (“Someone just paid $9.6 million to stick a banana to a wall”, November 22). Since this has been bought by a cryptocurrency “entrepreneur”, this is surely a case of fake money buying fake art? Allan Kreuiter, Roseville
It seems that the winning bidder for Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian, like his $9 million duct-taped banana, was also ripe for the picking. Col Burns, Lugarno
An art patron takes a picture of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s piece, Comedian.Credit: EPA
So endeth the lesson
I, too, am irritated by other people invading my private aural space on public transport with their loud conversations, music, TikTok, movies, whatever (Letters, November 20). I have often wondered if I should fight back by reading my book out loud, at high volume. It may be a way to swiftly empty the carriage. Marie Del Monte, Ashfield
Postscript
Angus Delaney wrote an opinion piece this week which found its mark with many of our readers. At a Coldplay concert, he noticed that many of the audience members were filming videos on their phones (“It’s time to pocket our phones and just watch the show”, November 19).
Sally End agreed: “I really hate this obsession with phones. Are people not able to live in the moment any more? It’s the same on NYE and at Vivid.”
Tom McGinness went one further. “On the subject of phone annoyances, did using headphones on public transport become unfashionable? Do we really have to listen to both sides of your rambling conversation, suffer your questionable taste in music and share your inane TikTok videos?” Tom, you are speaking my language.
In a busy week, there was no bigger story than Monday morning’s arrest on criminal charges of radio shock jock Alan Jones. NSW Police formed Strike Force Bonnefin last year in the wake of a series of stories by the Herald’s chief investigative reporter, Kate McClymont, detailing allegations of indecent assault and inappropriate sexual touching by Jones, involving a number of victims.
Ron Sinclair wrote: “Not for nothing was Sydney labelled ‘Jonestown’ for the long period during which Jones exercised a largely malignant influence on major issues. Now, at last, let justice prevail.”
“I’m sure Alan Jones, with a major in English from Oxford, is familiar with the lines from Longfellow’s poem Retribution. “Though the mills of God grind slowly; Yet they grind exceeding small,” wrote Elizabeth Denny.
This was a favourite saying of my late mother, who firmly believed that her enemies would eventually turn to dust. Like Paul Keating, she considered retribution to be worth the wait. But how is it that my high school phys ed teacher, who chose me last for every single game, is still alive (cue Janis Ian’s Seventeen)? Mills, keep on grinding.
Margot Saville, letters editor
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