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I’ve seen the footage of two policemen hurling Danny Lim, 78, headfirst into the stone floor of the Queen Victoria Building (“Street figure injured in QVB arrest attempt”, November 23). This unnecessarily punitive approach has no place in a civilised society. We are told that the “arrest was discontinued after he sustained a cheekbone injury” and that “police have promised” an “independent review” of their actions “has been launched.” Independent? Really? Time for the premier to conduct an inquiry into the culture which has bred this approach. Like everyone else the police need to be held accountable for their behaviour. Bernard Shirley, Edgecliff
There needs to be more than a police inquiry into the manhandling of Danny Lim. We need to examine the events leading to police being called; this is not the first time it’s happened to him. We have to enquire as to how society has become so intolerant. Danny Lim is a legend. He is the sentinel fowl in the ongoing attacks on freedom of speech and expression. An ageing, ethical man with a smile and a sandwich board is not a threat; increasing intolerance to peaceful protest is, however, a major threat to our democracy. Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park
Like many I was sickened at the treatment of the two officers towards Lim. There are times when the police need to be heavy handed, but this was not one of them. Hopefully, Lim is OK and the officers will be disciplined for their excessive use of force in this particular situation. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
I’d like to advise NSW police that my 80-year-old slightly wobbly husband will be in Springwood town square next weekend sporting a placard that has the word “bastard” on it as part of a statement he wishes to make. They won’t have any trouble wrestling this dangerous protester to the ground, à la Lim style, but I hope they’re careful not to break his glasses and walking stick. Helen Lyons-Riley, Springwood
Leave Danny Lim alone. What harm has he ever done to anyone? We miss him at Edgecliff with his cheery wave, lovely smile and message of peace and love. Irene Thom, Vaucluse
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I was horrified to learn of Danny Lim’s injury at the hands of police. For decades Danny has brightened many a person’s day as he spread his eccentric and cheeky messages through the city and inner west. Everyone who ever chatted with him knew him to be a gentle, kind and totally harmless character. He is the “eternity man” of our generation. I wish him a speedy and full recovery. Cliff Hamilton, Loftus
Watching the deliberate strategy of the police in the video footage, designed to trip and ensure the person arrested will fall flat on their face, was brutal. We urgently need a radical overhaul of our police force. We need a new model, with a different focus, one that serves community members and one that can be trusted to do the right thing. The current model is broken. Gillian Whalley-Okafor, Sussex Inlet
The images of Lim’s arrest and consequent injury are confronting and upsetting. One can only hope he makes a full recovery. Vicky Marquis, Glebe
Halt the climate debate and start decarbonising
The latest State of the Climate report makes for grim reading (“Drier, hotter, wetter: CSIRO, BoM confirm Australia’s weather to get even worse”, November 23). Yet, we continue to engage in debates over fossil fuels, renewable energy and the adoption of EVs. It is well past time to enact plans to decarbonise the economy and mitigate the worst effects of drought and bushfires, storms and floods. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
It is a hopeful sign that two federal ministers are making some noises about how much we need to take climate action, after the release of the latest very concerning State of the Climate report. Maybe, just maybe, they are quietly softening the electorate up before announcing much more drastic climate action and a much lower emissions target? We and all living things need such action, so we can only hope this is the Labor strategy, rather than it being the usual platitudes to calm the natives. Barry Laing, Castle Cove
It is clear that money, or the want of it, is the real cause of climate change. Coal is still being mined, petrol cars are still being sold over EVs, flying and cruising are accepted as a means of travel for holidays. Today it was announced that we are already 1.5 degrees warmer than a few years ago. When do governments start acting? When do people begin to think and demand action? Joanna van Kool, Crows Nest
I was surprised to read plug-in hybrid vehicles will still be getting tax breaks until April 2025 (“Tax break deal set to rev up EV sales”, November 23). That’s a lot of time lost trying to encourage the sale of fully electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids have been a useful transition for people apprehensive about range. This has stopped them going fully electric. With the greater range of new EVs and the increase in charging stations, there is now no need for plug-in hybrids. Though better than a combustion engine vehicle, plug-in hybrids still pollute. Dennis O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)
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Until fossil fuel producers/exporters make the connection that their products, which by definition are burnt somehow, somewhere, and which therefore contribute to increasing global temperatures, are indirectly responsible for such climate disasters as the NSW floods, then no progress will be made (Letters, November 23). Same goes for party political attitudes. Keith Sutton, Leichhardt
With the passing of six months into a Labor government it seems that the Greens, the teals and the independents are providing a good balance on wide-ranging policy changes including supercharge our EVs. Barely a constructive word from the Liberals, whose time in the wilderness appears to lengthen with every passing day. A party ineffective in both government and opposition is not an easy thing to achieve. Michael Blissenden, Dural
Small changes, lasting benefits
As I read the article by Jenna Price, I related to her sense of euphoria lit by a seemingly little spark (“Journalism waking up to inequality”, November 23). Women are gradually being heard in her profession as they cope with years of watching little recognition of their talents and with belittling attitudes from male colleagues. It reminded me of the action of the present chief justice of the High Court as she dealt with sexual harassment in the workplace of our highest jurisdiction. These things are small but so encouraging to someone who stepped naively into the world of the Bar in 1970. May the changes happen in all professions more quickly. Jennifer Blackman, Wentworthville
Many hands make flight work
As a helicopter pilot very familiar with heavy cockpit workloads, I can only heartily agree with David Evans’ insistence that modern airliners need at least two pilots up front (“One pilot? The ‘Swiss cheese’ model says no”, November 23). The captain’s job is to switch the computers on at the start of the flight, and the copilot’s job is to wake the captain when it’s time for him to switch them off at the end of the flight. At Qantas, union rules require a third pilot, whose role is to disarm anyone who tries to enter the cockpit, and interfere with aircrew salaries, allowances or entitlements. Jack Robertson, Birchgrove
The proposal by some airlines to have only one pilot to fly their passenger aircraft despite safety fears will certainly be scrutinised by the flying public. I think most will decide to choose an airline that employs two pilots to ensure there is always someone to fly the aircraft in case of computer and human error. Cost-cutting in this instance could have fatal consequences, both physically and economically. Joy Paterson, Mount Annan
Train pain in Spain
Flying to Spain will hardly stimulate domestic manufacturing (“Officials fly to Spain to fix train pain”, November 23). Had the trains, trams and ferries purchased overseas been built locally, then it’s highly likely the localised machinations of consultancy and construction would have held greater feedback, monitoring and co-operation, making for a better-manufactured outcome. The state would have saved considerably on the overseas flurry of government transport troubleshooters flying to far-flung reaches of the globe to rectify our domestic transport woes. I suggest the premier et al seek assistance from the Newcastle and Wollongong yellow pages when next contemplating acquiring people movers. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Lowe’s latest blows
How does Philip Lowe still have a job (“Wild ride ahead on rates, says RBA”, November 23)? The face of the Reserve Bank of Australia told us not so long ago that interest rates wouldn’t move until 2024. Not only have they moved, it’s like they’re in a 100m sprint race. Now we’re being told to strap in and that a wage rise would be bad for the economy. It seems to me that Lowe must have taken up residence under a mushroom – climate change, an ageing population, the breakdown of supply chains and a messy electricity grid are not new phenomena. Neither is a senior bureaucrat getting it wrong, and suffering zero consequences. Mick Grimson, Leumeah
Lesson one, plan
It is commendable that Chris Minns has promised co-educational schools for all if Labor wins the March election (“Families promised access to co-ed”, November 13). But where will he build them, how will he find the teachers to staff them, and will these teachers be paid decent salaries? Will effective action follow the political rhetoric? Rob Phillips, North Epping
Hats off
I enjoyed roast beef for lunch at my local club yesterday: it was nostalgic, not surprising, not playful or luxurious dining, it lacked a little flamboyance and the Yorkshire pudding was not up to my mother’s standard. However, it did suit my companions and my sense of fun (“Three stars, three hats, and a surprise ‘Oncore’,” November 23). Maybe just a one-hat. Congratulations to the worthy winners. Kath Maher, Lidcombe
Illustration: John ShakespeareCredit: Shakespeare
Colour me impressed
It’s hard to believe some people argue the teals had not achieved much, and therefore this movement shouldn’t be replicated at the state level for the coming NSW elections (Digital view, November 23). On the contrary, the teals and other independents have worked relentlessly to make sure much-needed amendments were introduced in a range of bills (for instance, the climate bill, the federal integrity bill), and have been pushing to get a range of reforms in many areas (e.g. election funding laws, gender equity). It has only been six months, and what they have achieved is already considerable. They’re putting pressure on the government to act, and cannot be ignored. We need more of them. Catherine Ciret, Manly
To say the new teals have simply replaced like for like is absolutely not true (Letters, November 23). My teal was voted in by the Mackellar electorate solely because the community was tired of not being heard. My teal is now proudly taking our community’s voice to Canberra, independent in every sense of the word, influenced by neither major party. Electorates who rode the teal wave to victory would have been wasting their time trying to change the tired old views of the Liberal Party as suggested by your correspondent. Joy Nason, Mona Vale
My baby shot me down
Like your correspondent, I too believed gender roles were taught from birth, so I was determined to keep my son’s experiences as neutral as positive; no guns, instead educational and soft toys, a token truck and a doll (Letters, November 22). Sadly, my utopian outlook was shattered when one day at a park he picked up a large stick and began waving it aggressively at people while shouting: “Bang, bang”. Alicia Dawson, Balmain
That’s all folks
Comparing Daffy Duck to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is despicable (Letters, November 23). PS: is it rabbit or duck season? John Bailey, Canterbury
Sacre bleu! But how would the French fare under Australian rules?
Socceroos were “o-bleu-terated”. Welcome to world-class football (“Socceroos bottom of World Cup group after France thumping”, smh.com.au, November 23). Martin Jaffe, Lilli Pilli
Fair enough – the French comprehensively beat the Aussies. Should the Socceroos request a return match with AFL rules? Michael Petras, Thornleigh
Full-throated advice on Qatar
I have been much amused by the letters on how to pronounce Qatar (Letters, November 23). Having lived in the area for a few years you get used to saying strange words. When it came to saying words that began with a Q, my advice is to clear your throat as if you were going to spit. Then forget the spit and just say the word in question. Never fails. Of course, being a Scot originally the sound comes quite natural. Vivienne Potter, Gowrie
Ken Done untrendy, but not fast fashion
I may have had the questionable taste to buy two Ken Done sweatshirts in 1989 but they endure 33 years later (“Fashion winner’s list a hue’s hue of colour”, November 23). While they are only worn in the privacy of home they remain soft and a perfect fit and are always paired with the most comfortable trackkie daks. Maggie McElhill, Annandale
Digital view
NSW bureaucrats rushed to Spain to resolve trains dispute
From Florence from Firenze: ″Let’s all join in the chorus that has been sung here many times: Victoria builds its own trains. And add: they are only about 600 kms down the road. Why not ask them?″
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