So good to read of positive outcomes when government sticks to its guns on policy (“Pharmacy changes are no longer a bitter pill”, December 30).
Patients win with the introduction of 60-day scripts, and despite Henny Penny cries from the Pharmacy Guild that the sky was falling, more pharmacies have opened. It seems the government got its settings right on something as fundamental to the cost of living as health care. Glenn Johnson, Leura
The Pharmacy Guild cries wolf and gains a few billion dollars in questionable compensation from the government. Across Australia, 22 pharmacies did close (probably coincidentally), but 165 applications for new pharmacies were made. Of those applications, 87 were approved (net gain). Australians got their cost-saving 60-day scripts. The opposition got mileage from the anti-government campaign.
Questions remain. Where did the inaccurate “modelling” about staffing cuts and pharmacy closures come from? What are the processes used to authenticate the capacity of such modelling to create a factual representation of an outcome before it is deemed worthy of consideration by politicians and the media? And will the guild and the opposition eat their words? Nell Knight, Avoca Beach
Customers win out this time.Credit: Getty Images
How interesting to read of the change in attitude of the Pharmacy Guild towards the policy changes of prescription dispensing by the Albanese government. And how typical of the opposition to join in with negative attitudes to any change that might end up benefiting those most in need. It reminds me of how the opposition reacts to anything a Labor government attempts to do to bring more equity to our society. Springing to mind are changes to policy for things like negative gearing and franking credits and of course the referendum on the Voice. The push for cheaper medicine has benefited pharmacies and the public with savings for both. Will we see any acknowledgment from Peter Dutton? Don’t hold your breath. Jan Bohan, Eastwood
Once again a government, and it doesn’t matter what flavour, has not thought through a policy to a real conclusion. I take five tablets a day and I will do for life. It’s not a choice and my pharmacist tells me they are very common and are always a repeated medication. Only two of these five items are on the 60-day list, so I still have to go to the chemist shop every month for the others. I understand if the money isn’t available and they still need to remain a single dispensing item, but allow us to collect and pay for two scripts when we collect the others. I cannot see an issue and it would really help. David Storie, Windsor Downs
I remember well the petulant “tears for unfounded fears” performance dispensed by leaders of the Pharmacy Guild, railing against the 60-day scripts and promising carnage for chemists. James Massola’s dose of reality reveals the industry remains healthy, and we are in fact beneficiaries of government reform. It would appear the tears were way off script. Janet Argall, Dulwich Hill
We are now told that our pharmacies were under no threat from the 60-day scripts and that the Pharmacy Guild was merely engaged in histrionics. It was always clear that the guild’s modelling was nonsense, but this lobby group was sufficiently powerful to extract concessions from the government. This incident should be enough to prompt us again to put in the effort to limit the access of special interest groups to our decision-makers. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
It was disappointing to read that the doom and gloom scenarios spread by the Pharmacy Guild lobbyists over the introduction of 60-day scripts for many medicines were grossly unfounded. This government policy has been shown to be an important cost-of-living measure that has reduced GP waiting times. Rather than blatant politicking, one can only hope the next generation of Pharmacy Guild lobbyists will not be so amateurish and will begin to understand the bigger impact on the health system that this policy has and maybe even acknowledge the billions in taxpayers funds recent governments have provided to improve the pharmacy industry. Deane Golding, Randwick
Plan first, build later
Time and time again we read about simple planning failures, and here we go again (“School full before homes are built”, December 30). We have schools filled with large numbers of temporary (and inadequate) classrooms, named demountables by successive governments. We have a demand to build more housing, primarily because ownership of many resides in the hands of too few, and yet we seem to be unable to solve the easily solvable that comes from a bit of straightforward planning.
Every school has a catchment area, and it is not rocket science to plan the required size of any school to meet future population demand. Yet our politicians seem to fail with this simple process every time. Businesses do not. They would not survive long if they failed to address their markets. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie
Cammeraygal High School, 10 years old and already full. Credit: Facebook
Maybe it’s time for the government to start thinking laterally. I remember seeing in Barcelona a school where the younger students started school early, about 7 or 7.30am.
Then, when they had completed their day, about 1.30 or 2pm, the older students came in and started their day, finishing about 8pm. While it would need a willingness to adapt and would undoubtedly lead to a few problems in the initial stages, it would be a better use of our under-utilised school buildings. If people in other countries can do it, then I see no reason for Australians not managing the same system. Judy Christian, The Ponds
Carter’s legacy of decency
As decent souls around the world mourn the passing of former US president Jimmy Carter (“Former US president Jimmy Carter dies at 100”, smh.com.au, December 30), one can’t help but wonder how many future leaders will leave such a marvellous legacy after their term of political office. Given the types of leaders we will have in 2025, I am not optimistic. Shirley Whybrow, Balmain
Jimmy Carter a good and great manCredit: AP
In the cut and thrust of current politics, we often neglect to pay due respect when politicians leave office. Jimmy Carter was one world leader who continued to lead by example, a man of faith who worked hard for peace and social justice for decades afterwards. He displayed the genuine greatness that America craves all the more today. Margaret Johnston, Paddington
Jimmy Carter had his wish to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris. Maybe he had a second wish: to die during the presidency of a decent, caring man who will guide the coming ceremonies with dignity and respect. Victoria Harrington, Thirroul
Jimmy Carter: a remarkable man. Maybe not the greatest president but, as a man who sought to improve the lives of people around the globe, he is head and shoulders above most former and certainly all recent US presidents. Fran Durand, St Ives
Harry Truman once said: “A politician is a man who understands government. A statesman is a politician who’s been dead for 15 years.” Jimmy Carter was a politician who did not fully understand government but he was truly a statesman from the moment he left office, thus proving Truman wrong on both counts. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA)
Brandis spices up green debate
After reading George Brandis (“The very best – and worst – of 2024”, December 30), I realised that he is not only eloquent but spot-on! The greatest political comeback brought a smile on my dial, by George. Tony DeGiovanni, Bawley Point
George Brandis has some thoughts for youCredit: Liliana Zaharia
Which of the progressive policies of community independents, laughingly called “wealthy teals”, is George Brandis referring to as “vaporous abstractions”? Could it be realistic energy policies to ameliorate the effects of climate change that we are now suffering and the Nationals are denying? Could it be the green paper on future-proofing the taxation system produced by Allegra Spender? Maybe it’s policies on our ageing health system or the housing crisis? Take your pick. Before the next federal election it’s so good to know, from a Coalition mouthpiece, how a Coalition government would view these vitally important issues. Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga
To the best and worst list of 2024 can we add “most pompous dismissal of the global threat posed by climate change”. The inaugural winner of this award is George Brandis for the snarky phrase “vaporous abstractions so beloved by wealthy teals”. Brandis may consider himself a moderate, but his words are bitterly conservative. John Bailey, Canterbury
What’s your racket?
Wendy Harmer is spot-on (“Give me Motorhead over din of local wildlife”, December 30). Here in the Forest, we also enjoy the roar of cicadas, the thunder of possums across the roof, the chittering of fruit bats and screeching from local and imported bird life in the pre-dawn hours. Toss in the cacophony of bonks, grunts and chirrups from the resident frogs (shouldn’t have built the pond!) and the scream of sirens from the Northern Beaches Hospital ambulances and police and the words “how’s the serenity?” come to mind. At least Wendy can be grateful for the ocean views. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest
Kookaburra: nothing could be finerCredit: Adobe Stock
This must be Wendy Harmer’s best joke ever. I adore waking up to the call of cicadas and this year it is all day and loud. I capture the call daily and send it off to my children living overseas. Rosellas whistle for my attention (my new microwave mimics the call), the rainbow lorikeets fight for positioning and the king parrots swoop for the win. I love the Australian bush calls, particularly in summer. And when I hear that kookaburra laugh, I know I can live nowhere else. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
Dry argument
Falling alcohol consumption, particularly among the young, is a positive consequence of cost-of-living pressures and hopefully this trend will continue after financial problems subside (“Liquor sales fall as young ring in 2025 alcohol-free”, December 30).
The added benefit to one’s health will probably be recognised and contribute to the incentive to drink little or no alcohol during one’s entire life. The future for Australians would no doubt be brighter, with more money for essentials and positive experiences, improved health, fewer road accidents and reduced family violence. There would be no better New Year’s resolution than to reduce alcohol consumption. Geoff Harding, Chatswood
Benign craziness
Thank goodness for the “craziness” of Julie Keating of Port Hacking (Letters, December 30) or else the selfishness and misplaced sense of entitlement might have tipped the shorebirds over the edge. Biodiversity in Port Hacking is seriously under threat, and the shorebirds are but one link in the chain of biological interdependency. There are failures of governance serious enough to place the estuary’s biodiversity at risk, and agencies appear powerless against the pressures of self-interest and entitlement. The time is critical for responsible agencies to deliver on existing legislation and controls and implement further essential protections to augment the work by concerned expert groups and citizens such as Julie Keating. It is well past time for them to step up and put the waterway’s future ahead of vested interests. George Cotis, Gymea
Ailments and failures
As a past long-term sufferer of CFS, now recovered having found a solution, it is disturbing for me to read (Letters, December 30) about an immunologist dismissing any possible benefits of lymphatic drainage without offering any encouragement to sufferers to seek alternative health solutions. The medical profession continues to fail the many, often young, people who suffer from CFS without suitable guidance from GPs. Holistic health care including acupuncture, osteopathy, herbal medicine and massage, supports healthy body function while addressing detoxification and balancing energies. I was fortunate to have a GP who supported my use of Chinese medicine and other remedies. The final solution was discovering my immune system was failing to control stealth viruses, via an immunologist in the US. Many thanks to the Herald for highlighting this troublesome condition and the issues surrounding it. Jill Ellen, Ashfield
Hold that thought
“Reminiscence Therapy” (“A stroll down memory lane adds purpose to your future”, December 30)? I don’t think so. The children already quake when I mention the good old days and the grandchildren then add, “Before the war? Not again, Granddad.” John Crowe, Cherrybrook
Global XI
Your correspondents’ reference to the positive influence of migrants on the sport of cricket is something that one hopes will be expanded in future years (Letters, December 30). I hope our junior coaching programs and scores of backyard contests are up to the challenge and that future team lists include Nguyens, Wangs and Ivanovs among the Anglo-Saxon names. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
Thought of the day
As 2024 ends, and 2025 soon begins, how very apt perhaps is this quote: “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today’s a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Carpe diem. Edward Loong, Milsons Point
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