Credit: Badiucao
Growth of both population and the economy is the cause of most of Australia’s problems, not a solution, and does not align with majority Australian opinion (“Big Australia? Dream on”, January 14). Per capita, Australians already consume resources at a rate which, if extended to the whole world, would require four Earths to fulfil that demand, yet Michael Koziol, together with the political parties and most economists, seeks to grow our resource demand into an unsustainable and increasingly inequitable future. We need to curb our demands on nature, not expand them. The economy we must build is a very different one, in which we seek to satisfy real need, not an avalanche of artificially stimulated wants. John Coulter, Bradbury (SA)
Sydney - too big for its boots?Credit: Steven Siewert
Do we value ecological and economic sustainability and the wellbeing of future generations and ecosystems, or do we prioritise the short-term gains of rapid resource exploitation, consumption and waste disposal? The latter are not sustainable on a planet where the human ecological footprint far exceeds Earth’s renewable biocapacity and whose life-support functions are failing. Indeed, we have an extinction and ecosystem crisis in Australia that has prompted 240 leading scientists to call on the government to take strong protective action. Further, our State of the Environment Report named population growth as a factor causing this environmental destruction. A second criterion is surely human wellbeing. Is it enhanced by population growth? In Australia, it appears that wellbeing as measured by the Genuine Progress Indicator was greatest in about 1970 when the population was 15 million but has fallen since as the population has increased. We have to decide to halt the damage to our life-supporting ecosystems and our own wellbeing. Increasing the population will make it harder. Alan Jones, Narraweena
The State of Environment Report 2021 would be a good starting point for Michael Koziol and other Big Australia proponents, as it details the decline in our natural world, and lists population growth as one of the major causes. Immigration may have been beneficial 50 or more years ago, when our population was less than half of now, but in the current global environment, with 8 billion people, it would be foolish for Australia to increase our population – either through immigration or fertility programs – and still expect our remaining natural environment and quality of life to survive. The increasing costs of dealing with climate change disasters should also be factored in to any population discussion. Karen Joynes, Bermagui
Why do we have this obsession with increasing the population of Australia? Admittedly, we live in a large country, but it is mostly arid with a fragile ecosystem that has been badly treated by our sojourn here over the last 234 years. It is time we demanded that our land be protected from greed and stupidity. We do not need an excessively large population, apparently to keep the economy growing, we need a thoughtful government to ensure we have a country that is sustainable, a country which is nourished by care, responsibility and respect. And it had better be soon. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Great divide over response to Premier’s Nazi uniform
The report that Premier Perrottet’s ministers are publicly expressing their support for him (“Senior ministers rally around Perrottet in wake of Nazi uniform revelations”, January 14) puts me in mind of Sir Humphrey’s observation: “Bernard, if you are going to stab someone in the back, first you must stand behind him”. John Ure, Mount Hutton
Neurologists have shown that 21-year-olds’ brains are still not fully formed, ie: they are not yet adults. For this reason, and his apparently genuine remorse, I think Dominic Perrottet deserves to be excused for a serious breach of social ethics. This raises a second issue: the charging and imprisonment of children as young as 10 years old in Australia. They, too, need to be considered more leniently as a consequence of their undeveloped neurology. Elvis Kipman, Killara
NSW Premier Dominic PerrottetCredit: Twitter
When I read that Dominic Perrottet made choices at age 21 and is now blaming his naivety of youth for them, I’m reminded of the Redgum song, I Was Only 19. Governments of the same Liberal ilk were conscripting youths and sending them off to fight a war in Vietnam. Some are still suffering the consequences. Perrottet might be sorry now that it’s come to light, but perhaps he should have shown contrition long before now. Trevor Sheridan, Charmhaven
Let him, or I suppose these days, whoever is without sin cast the first stone. Can we now please get on with running the state? Margaret Shanahan, Northbridge
Sorry to say that exposing the Premier wearing a Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday, is not a “beat up”. He was an adult only 19 years younger than he is now. One correspondent trivialises the Nazi uniform by comparing wearing it to “cheating at marbles” or “wearing a Superman outfit”. The main argument should be that Perrottet knew what he had done when he presented himself for premiership and did not disclose his 21st antics until being caught out. Jane Silverton, Mosman
In December, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood died. In the rush to bestow saint-like status on her, it was conveniently overlooked that one of her most popular creations, which she sold commercially, was the ‘Destroy T-shirt’ with the Nazi swastika prominent. She was lauded as iconic by her supporters. The premier makes a stupid mistake as a 21-year-old, apologises to those his actions hurt, they accept, yet his detractors demand a public shaming. Mike Kenneally, Manly
Some don’t care about Perrottet’s costume drama. But icare. Andy Germolenko, Goulburn
Lifeline founder a saver of souls
I beg to differ with the assertion that Cardinal George “Pell is the most influential clergyman Australia has produced” (“Shadow of a giant”, January 14). That honour should go to Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker, the Methodist and later Uniting Church minister who founded Lifeline in Australia, thence internationally, saving countless lives, rescuing people from despair and providing millions with non-judgmental understanding, care and connection in time of need. Meredith Williams, Northmead
Matt GoldingCredit: The Age
Some writers and commentators say Pell was the only Australian to rise to high office in the Vatican. This is not so. Cardinal Edward Cassidy (1924-2021) was an Australian priest who grew up in Bankstown. He was ordained in Sydney in 1949. He held many high offices in the Vatican including president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. When he retired in 2001, he returned to Australia and lived in Newcastle, where he was a substitute priest. He died in 2021 and is buried in the crypt at St Mary’s Cathedral. Leo McLeay, Sydney
What a relief to read Paul Collins’ article (“Pell’s vision of a static, triumphant church is fading”, January 14). With attendance in so many churches dropping, Christians need to look for ways to engage with the secular world, to serve and save those struggling (via education, healthcare et cetera, as Collins reminds us) not to pontificate and push ideas like papal infallibility and the rhythm method of contraception. Megwenya Matthews, North Turramurra
Your correspondent (Letters, January 14) says we have little knowledge of where Christ stood on financial matters, but I seem to remember that he threw the money men out of the temple. Probably a comment on their interest rates. Gayle Davies, North Sydney
Catch the maglev express
Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami promotes his country’s high-quality rail technology (“High-speed rail transformative: envoy”, January 14). High-speed rail has gone into a public service black box without any community debate over the most basic issues. France sets a better example. Its debate authority, the Commission Nationale du Debat Public, has a track record of rapid structured debate before its government commits to projects and services. It’s a river of gold for media companies. The $100 billion-plus rail project developed by Anthony Albanese a decade ago adds little economic value, simply replacing cheap services that already exist. Many countries now have a rail technology far superior to conventional high-speed rail for Australian conditions – maglev. Peter Egan, Mosman
Parramatta’s pool pain
An artist's impression of the new Parramatta pool.
It is indeed sad to see the demise of the local pool (“Bathers mourn the loss of ‘blue rectangle’” , January 14). The theft of the much-loved Parramatta War Memorial Pool must be noted. Long and loud community protest was brushed aside so that the government could deliver Parramatta’s “world-class” stadium. The building of a new pool was never on the government’s agenda. It was only through agitation from the community and the new council that an agreement to build a new pool was reached. The disgraceful compromise is that Parramatta ratepayers have to stump up half the cost of an ugly mega aquatic centre, and we are losing yet another large chunk of Parramatta Park. Bob Edgar, Westmead
Minimalist masterpieces
Jean Flynn (“With all my art: My cluttered, inspiring, happy place”, January 14) struck a chord with me with her “minimalism except for art” attitude. Hedy Lamarr, known as the most beautiful woman in Hollywood and less well known as an engineer who developed frequency hopping technology, which is used in WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth, said of art: “A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.” Jenny Forster, Manly
Eat for your brain’s sake
Sarah Berry (″If you change anything about your diet this year, change this″, smh.com.au, January 14) recommends we reduce our intake of ultra-processed foods. For several years, we at Flinders University have been researching the development of appetite self-regulation in childhood.
We have learnt of research on brain development in childhood arising from the consumption of ultra-processed foods. This includes disruption of the development of brain connections between areas associated with cognitive control and parts of the brain linked to the reward value of food. Berry referred to research about cognitive decline in adults arising from ultra-processed food. Sadly, some of the damage from this food will have been done during early childhood. Alan Russell, Netherby (SA)
I believe the best practice when it comes to food labels is not to read them. That is, if a food has a label, then don’t buy it. (Sadly though, I often fail to follow this practice.) Matthew Boylan, Leichhardt
Dangers of permanency
Social media - world without endCredit: AP Photo/Tony Avelar
When social media was only newspapers, magazines, letters and the telephone, we were still using flash bulbs, box cameras and film requiring processing. It took serious effort to find and sort through pictures scattered among families, friends, news outlets et cetera. No more. The benefit of instant access has a dark side of permanency. Dominic Perrottet’s 21st should be a heads-up for those who aspire to progress their fortunes in meaningful or influential pursuits. Robert Caraian, Crows Nest
The gift of books
The never-ending storyCredit: Steven Siewert
Malcolm Knox (“Harry’s memoir might close book on literacy”, January 14) is sadly right. As a lifelong and voracious reader, I despair. My life has been enriched and expanded by my years of reading, but I’m often disappointed by reactions to gifts of books I’ve loved because, “I don’t read much”. Many years ago, I gave my ex-husband a book for Christmas. When, several years later, I gave him another, his reaction, “I’ve got a book” floored me. At 83, I fear I will not have the time to read all the books I’d like to.
Margarett McPherson, The Gap (Qld)
There is only so much of family matters that Prince Harry can disclose (“Harry and Meghan here, there and everywhere”, January 14). When there is nothing more to whinge about, media interest will wane. However, the royal couple’s whole persona revolves around being in the spotlight. So, they will continue to contrive ways to keep their names in lights because nothing is scarier than being ignored. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach
Why does everyone need to write a memoir and tell all about their family? Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
‘Essential’ to release draft bill on Voice before referendum: Dutton
From Barbara Cronin: Dutton just cannot resist playing politics by this call for a draft bill. The question is, do we want a voice for Aboriginal people, in parliament, or not, the actual form it will take will be up to later decisions, undertaken, by other questions. Those opposing are cynical and disingenuous.
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