Police strip searches of young people at music festivals have been known for years to have a very low percentage of instances where drugs are actually found on the person searched (“Strip-search victims take class action”, September 19). They should have been stopped years ago unless there are very strong grounds for conducting them. Little wonder that a class action has been commenced about the overuse of this practice. The police minister and/or police commissioner should step in and stop it. Paul Parramore, Sawtell
Not only should those innocent people who were humiliated by being strip-searched by an overbearing police officer be compensated, the police responsible for such actions should be charged. The failure rate from sniffer dogs is in the 80 per cent bracket, and as an ex-inner west resident I have witnessed the aggressive manner of NSW police as they go in and out of pubs and bars with their dogs looking for drugs. Instead of continuously targeting young people, I challenge them to take their dogs into the car parks, lobbies and offices of banks, insurance companies and law firms where employees are perhaps the people who can afford expensive drugs such as cocaine. Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas)
It is hard to believe our young people would have such difficulties to face. After reading about the prevalence of bullying in certain schools, we now learn that for some years until 2022, young women could be taken aside by police and strip-searched at music festivals. For the flimsiest of reasons, they were intimately searched for drugs. It seems to have been more an exercise in humiliation than anything else. Who gave police officers this permission, and who condoned it? Not to save lives, just to embarrass young women? A thorough and honest investigation should be undertaken to make sure this never happens again. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Help ‘Generation Debt’
Whichever way you look at it, the debt young people find themselves in after university is unfair and inequitable (“Student loan debt skyrockets to $81b”, September 19). This must be addressed, and soon. Our country must invest in education in all its forms, it’s a no-brainer. The money spent on proposed new bodies or Senate inquiries and University Accords should be spent cutting fees. Everyone knows it’s the right thing to do. Action is required now. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill
It was unfair for the Morrison government to increase fees for arts and humanities degrees to an exorbitant $50,000 when the students earn the least and carry the highest tax burden. There was no rationale behind increasing fees then, and there is no rationale now to continue with this inequality of earning and paying. This can’t be too difficult for the Labor government with a soul to reverse in a flash. While all the focus is on the housing crisis, the government, along with the Greens, can change it soon and give relief to these hard-working people. It is baffling that the Greens are silent on this issue. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
Is study really worth the debt?Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Presumably, getting a university education should see a person end up in employment with an above-average wage. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to expect them to pay back their student loan. But what if they don’t gain any material advantage from their degree and do no better in the labour market than high school graduates? Surely, then, it can be argued no advantage was gained? Many students drop out without completing their degree. They still have to pay. Is it their fault they dropped out, or did the system fail them? If you pay for something because you think it is to your advantage to do so, you expect to get an advantage. Too many young people end up with a student loan debt that is nothing more than an expensive dud. A lemon, in fact. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove
What about a true investment in the future? Cancel AUKUS and use some of the funds to pay off all HECS debt? Gareth Turner, Louth Park
Students or submarines. You choose.
Education, whether it be kindergarten or university, should be free for all Australians. It is a right not a privilege. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury
Student debt may seem overwhelming, but any suggestions to wipe them out should be resisted. Reducing student debt now would raise concerns about moral hazard, potentially discouraging students from taking responsibility for their educational costs. Similar to the lessons of the 2008 Financial Crisis, the message could be: “Go ahead and take risks – if things go wrong, you’ll be bailed out.” It’s essential for students to remain accountable for their education expenses. HECS terms in Australia are far more manageable compared to student financing in the US, where many have to rely on banks and non-government lenders. Beyond the current demand for tradespeople, tertiary education often provides access to secure careers with above-median earnings.
John Kempler, Rose Bay
Democrat deficiencies
I was once an American, but I have now lived very happily in Australia for 49 years as an Australian citizen (“I’m asked one thing about Trump”, September 19). Like Bill Wyman, I, too, am often asked about Donald Trump and America’s current madness.
While Mr Wyman is correct to say the Democratic Party is “not seen as an attractive alternative”, such an argument smacks of blaming the victim. The true American problem is that Trump’s MAGA supporters are, for the most part, racist, misogynistic, entitled whiners – exactly like their leader, in fact. Michael Davis, Balmain East
Orange you glad you live in Australia?Credit: AP
The best summary of why such a poor candidate as Donald Trump is able to run for president is supported by voters. Ingrained views on political style (aka socialism dubbed as communism), religion and race are highlighted as factors that the Democrats have failed to dilute. An example noticeable at the time was when plausible Republican candidate Nikki Haley railed against Trump, but we have hardly seen, to this day, any Democrat exploitation of this. Also, let’s not overlook a quasi-Australian contribution – Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News has inflamed that which the Democrats have failed to douse. Brian Jones, Leura
I’m perplexed by Bill Wyman and the wider lack of introspection in the US as to why the country is on the precipice of electing an ageing and despotic, convicted criminal. To blame it all on Americans turning their back on the Democrats due to their lack of strength and “fight back” to the indecencies of Republican policies is simplistic and base. I think what most people outside of America question is how Trump has managed to appeal to such a broad sweep of people (right-wing extremities aside) and harness their darkest impulses and prejudices in the name of self-preservation and national pride. Where has American humanity and common sense gone? The fact that America is back contemplating this dilemma for a second time shows us how far it has fallen in terms of its integrity, both to itself and on the world stage. Rebecca Semple, Abbotsford
Thank you, Bill Wyman, for trying to answer the burning question of what the hell is going on in the US and explaining why Donald Trump may still prevail in the forthcoming presidential election. I trust you have sent copies of your article to Tim Walz and Kamala Harris. To be perfectly honest, however, I still don’t get it. Donna Wiemann, Balmain
Tougher gambling ads overdue
Despite the alarmist claims of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland (“Gambling ad ban risks boom in offshore sites”, September 19), there is no evidence that when a nation bans advertisements promoting gambling, punters and gamers switch much of their money and attention to illegal offshore wagering sites. Instead of allowing Australian gambling businesses to thrive, the Albanese government should implement proven measures to mitigate the terrible harms caused by gambling. Rowland should take note of the fact that, in comparison to the $2.7 billion Australians annually lose to scams, we lose more than $27billion to gambling. In Australia, the scourge of gambling rivals the personal, medical and societal havoc caused by alcohol and other dangerous drugs. It is time federal parliament passed tough new laws banning any advertisements promoting gambling on television and all other media. The result of tough anti-gambling legislation would produce similarly huge benefits as the banning of ads promoting alcohol and cigarette smoking. Australians deserve nothing less. Ross Fitzgerald, Redfern
Right to feel safe
He was aggressive to her when she was serving customers and they both got fired (“Woman endured horror as she hid from killer boyfriend”, September 19)? Not: “He was aggressive so we called the police and fired him”? No wonder women don’t feel safe. David Neilson, Araluen (NT)
Cost of plague is deer
Thank you, Herald, for highlighting the deer crisis, the next rabbit plague, destroying bushland and agriculture while politicians watch the train wreck (“Race to stop march of destructive feral deer herds”, September 19). We face so many natural catastrophes exacerbated by climate change, along with fire ants, bee plagues and soil fungi pathogens. The deer are worse because the will to stop the plague is up against pressure from the hunting lobby. Another crying need for backbone in both state and federal Labor governments to fight for our nation’s survival. Barry Laing, Castle Cove
Feral deer Berambing in the Blue Mountains - getting too close to home.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Deer in Australia are not “cute” – they are a pest species destroying our native flora and fauna more effectively than rabbits can. The “cuteness” factor must be ignored. They need eradication as soon as possible. Why not a government bounty on them? Marjie Williamson, Blaxland
Services lost in big plans
I applaud the idea of a mini-city in Liverpool (“Mini-city a step closer to Sydney’s suburbs”, September 19), but the problem with these developing areas is that it’s kicking out service businesses. For example, in Waterloo and Alexandria, you used to have panel beaters and other smaller manufacturing businesses and wholesalers of electrical goods and tools, car mechanics etc. Those businesses have been forced out of the area or have closed down because they can’t find a space to re-open their businesses and rents have skyrocketed. I now have to travel further out to find what was convenient in the past. This loss of services has not been addressed in new planning. It’s not good enough just to build homes and offices: we also need all the other service businesses, including schools, and the infrastructure for those new cities not to become high-density housing ghettos. Renos Ross, Paddington
Count cost of ageing
As the population ages (and the climate warms), hospital overcrowding and ambulance times are bound to worsen (Letters, September 18). The so-called “gig economy” also means many people don’t have paid sick leave, so delay their GP visit until they have to head to hospital – as has been the case in America for 25 years at least. While our system is imperfect, ageing is a privilege, and by WHO standards Australia’s health system (and life expectancy) is among the best in the world. We will need to decide how much we want to spend in the final years of our lives. We, the ageing population, cannot have everything all the time indefinitely. We have to face this reality, sooner or later, as the healthcare budget is not infinite. Marianne Cannon, Suffolk Park
Solar panel beating
Installing solar panels on roofs can also be a problem in bushfire-prone areas (Letters, September 19). The December 2019 bushfire, again lit as a hazard reduction venture, came within 10 metres of our house. Close enough. We have invested in electric heat pumps and vastly improved our insulation to reduce electricity costs, but we have been warned that fire brigades will not put their hoses on roof panels, because of the danger of electricity connecting with water hoses. So we need a guaranteed method of isolating the panels and notifying firies in case of fire. We are still investigating. In the meantime, we buy our electricity from the grid from a sustainable electricity retailer. Bill Johnstone, Blackheath
One simple step to increase solar uptake would be for electricity companies to allow one account across two or more owned properties. The owner of a shaded principal residence could then benefit from installing solar on a second, perhaps beach property. Apartment owners would be encouraged to establish a solar farm on rural land. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach
Common, no wealth
Only 10 sports, four venues, no ceremonies, and partial funding by Australia? We Scots really do know how to economise (“Scaled-back 2026 Games in Glasgow after deal”, September 19). Ross Duncan, Potts Point
Towers in space
Asteroids the size of towers flying past Earth (September 19)? Can we put some rockets on the tower at Barangaroo and blast it, with the troublesome casino on top, into outer space to join them? Mark Anderson, Coogee
Salute to cruciverbalist
Oh, dear. First DH, now DP (Letters, September 19). They set the standard. Imagine the cruciverbalists’ gathering up there. Aidan Cuddington, Umina Beach
I’m saddened to learn of cruciverbalist David Plomley’s death. He concocted such interesting clues and revived words that were all but lost in time, some frustrating, but more often, quirky reminders of the joy our rich English language, ever a rollercoaster ride, provides. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
- To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
- The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.