Illustration by Cathy Wilcox.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Fair enough to criticise where criticism is due, however Mark Foley’s article (“After a decade, Labor lost on environment”, July 20) is somewhat premature. Labor has indeed been out of office for nearly 10 years. However the report highlighting the scale of the environmental neglect has only just been revealed. It was hidden away by the previous government. How can you be expected to fix a problem in eight weeks of learning about the extent of the problem? And why wasn’t the criticism levelled more vigorously at the previous minister for disregard of her responsibility. - Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont
Seriously, Mike Foley? It’s Labor’s fault that they emerged from nine years of opposition without a “ready to roll” plan to respond to a report hidden since December by their predecessor? Blame where blame is due, the last government. - Jill Robinson, Randwick
The release of the State of the Environment 2021 report was variously delayed, postponed or possibly buried by the previous government because it was a dismal assessment of where we sit. How can you present a plan to solve a problem when you don’t have a true understanding of the problem? “Widespread consultation”, which Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek proposes, sounds like a positive step on what we know will be a long journey to better protect our precious environment. Then, perhaps, an informed, considered and effective plan. - Ann Robinson, Annandale
Foley accuses the two-month-old Labor government of not having a plan to tackle Australia’s extinction crisis. I’d have thought it’s very difficult to plan for a problem when the dire extent of the problem isn’t known. Plibersek needs time to consult broadly which is necessary to implementing responsible and effective policy. - Nicholas Harding, Newtown
Your editorial on the State of the Environment Report hits the nail on the head (“Labor must fight natural calamity on multiple fronts”, July 20). Legislation on environmental protections urgently requires updating to protect what is left of our precious natural heritage. Old-growth forest needs preserving, with the added benefit of being an excellent carbon offset. Approvals of new coal and gas projects also need to cease, as the latest IPCC report has made very clear. This includes our exports which account for millions of tonnes of emissions overseas. Greenhouse gas emissions affect us globally, no matter where they are coming from. Hopefully, Plibersek’s shock at reading the report will spur her on to action. - Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)
Illustration by John Shakespeare.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
It is heartening to see our new federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, being honest and transparent with the public in releasing the damning State of Environment Report (“Plibersek promises new laws next year to tackle rapid environmental decline”, July 20). However, the concern for the koalas of south-west Sydney is that they will have to wait until next year for new federal environment laws. Like every other species under threat, they don’t have several more months to wait, they need their habitat and wildlife corridors urgently protected. - Maria Bradley, Coogee
The apparent intention of Labor to continue to increase coal and gas mining and allow exponential population growth makes all their other environmental promises next to worthless. Rather than being in thrall to the vested interests and deniers it’s time to get on the equivalent of a war footing and deal with this existential crisis. - John Burke, Wahroonga
Data-driven reform might work, with honest politicians
What a brilliant idea, data-driven policy (“To achieve valid reform, we must know what works”, July 20). We would better understand the economic benefit of providing subsidies to the fossil fuel industries ($11.6 billion annually, according to The Australia Institute) and the benefit of approving new coal and gas projects. We could also appreciate the “benefit” of allowing the fossil fuel industries to donate millions to the major political parties. Perhaps a data-driven approach would only work if there were no incentives to approve economically reckless policy (and projects). To remove these incentives, we need political donation reform and a strong federal anti-corruption commission. - George Rosier, Carlingford
In the words from an iconic Australian movie, “tell him he’s dreaming”. Steven Hamilton lacks a broad perspective. He wants to increase the role of academics in policymaking. This was arguably the big mistake that resulted in excessive JobKeeper handouts during the COVID pandemic. Of far more vital input in policy determination is practical understanding and fairness. In Australia, understanding the interrelationship of personal income tax, company tax and superannuation tax concessions is a prerequisite for sensible reform. - Graeme Troy, Wagstaffe
Using valid data for holding policymakers to account for promises made – often on the run or from the sides while in opposition – is not a no-brainer but a great solution in making evidence-based policy reform. Often when policy reforms are made, the situations are not exactly replicated but are different from when the reform was suggested. For instance, any policy reform that was made just before the pandemic changes the comparative terrain, and politicians hide behind this flimsy robe of “not wanting to compare oranges with apples”. If this simple yet effective fact-checking can be implemented through a data-based report card, I would like to know about the effectiveness of the great furphies of trickle-down economics, privatisation of public assets and the effects of tax cuts on increasing employment applied in Australia. - Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
Data may uncover flaws in all manner of government spending, but the real world is speeding along and the rear-view mirror is ignored. Popularity is the political lottery ticket. Whether policy is good or bad fades into insignificance depending on the complicated algorithm, “What’s in it for me?” So, in reality, those truly worthwhile social, economic and environmental decisions we claim we want, die on the sword of popularity. Until the national mindset comprehends and accepts the issue of need v want, effective government is unreachable. No amount of analytical data, or indeed celestial oil, will fix that. - Robert Caraian, Crows Nest
Face it, masks are back and essential
While severely immunocompromised people battle to access COVID-preventative drugs (“Patience wears thin over COVID-19 drug confusion”, July 20) there are measures we can all take to mitigate their vulnerability, and our own. Masks are currently mandated on public transport. However, as demonstrated by the majority of maskless travellers, mandates don’t work. If every person chose to be responsible by wearing a mask, infection would be contained, vulnerable lives may be saved and our health workers’ physical and emotional exhaustion would be lessened. Sadly, our society is self-interested, uncaring and consequently, very sick. - Gerardine Grace, Leura
It is a curious phenomenon to be lying in bed with COVID, reading all about COVID. I am a N95-mask wearer, vaccinated four times, and don’t attend large gatherings. But I still caught it. It is everywhere. My experience of this illness is mediated through the cultural lens of the fear of death, which has been inculcated in us for the last two and a half years. Will I be the one to die? This is not just panic speaking, but a realistic awareness of the danger of this horror virus. People do die, and not just the frail elderly. Mandatory masks in indoor settings, free distribution of N95 masks, and consistent strong messaging from political leaders seem the very least we can do. We can’t tolerate any more unnecessary deaths, nor the expected avalanche of illness and disability in the years to come. - Josie McSkimming, Coogee
Our health professionals and epidemiologists recommend, urge, suggest, advocate, encourage, advise and warn our governments to mandate masks. Surely, there’s another word in the dictionary that will help our governments to understand the message. - Mary Ziegler, Bellevue Hill
Trade secrets
Evidently, the Barilaro appointment to a trade commissioner job was ill-fated from its conception (“Conflicting evidence on chaotic process,” July 20). Well-qualified and experienced people were available yet were passed over – literally after the appointment had been made – in favour of Mr Barilaro. It is unlikely the full exposure of this unseemly debacle will be permitted. The defamation laws in Australia support obfuscation and prevent truth telling, to the detriment of the Australian taxpayer. At least we have the ballot box coming up in March. Perhaps the taxpayer redress will be played out there. - Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie
The NSW government New York trade representative fiasco points to an unprofessional, chaotic and incompetent administration. Are we truly to believe that a professional and experienced bureaucrat like Jenny West is incapable of understanding whether she had the job or not? It beggars belief. The system of senior appointments must be honest, impartial and fully transparent. The current system appears to fail on all counts. - Denis O’Brien, Orange
Message to Mr Barilaro: Keep your friends close and all the others even closer. Or were you hit in the eye with a Big Apple? - Ian Macdonald, Goonellabah
Private privilege
Not to take anything away from the appointment and achievement of a private school principal, but the Herald must stop deifying the private system (“Queenwood principal to head 640-year-old UK boys’ school”, July 20). Principals for both private and public schools have an enormous responsibility, but that is where the comparison ends. Private-school principals are very well remunerated and have the budgets to hire and fire as many support staff as required. They also have the power to hand-pick new students to enhance school performance data and expel others. A public school principal has none of the above luxuries, but I can’t recall any stories dedicated to public school principals in recent times. - Mark Nugent, Lugarno
No faith in the system
Jenna Price’s comments on the lack of trust in politicians (“Morrison, blind faith and our political mistrust”, July 20) could also have noted the change in Australia’s rating in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2012, our score was 85, seventh-lowest nation for corruption. In 2021, after nine years of Coalition government, our score was 73 (lower score = more perceived corruption), and we had dropped 11 places to be 18th. Not a result to be proud of. - Steve Bright, North Avoca
I suggest Scott Morrison’s time in power is as close as our lucky country has come to a becoming fundamentalist theocracy. We must do everything possible to ensure that our Constitution, and its central tenets of a secular nation with separation of church and state, are upheld, and that future leaders govern in the interests of the people, and not their God. - Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs
I really hate to write an apologia for Scott Morrison, but should anyone put their whole faith in government to do the right thing? His own government proves the point. Even this shiny new Labor government is already showing signs of compromise between health under COVID, the economy, and action on climate change. - John Christie, Oatley
Scott Morrison’s statement about trust was made to a Christian congregation in a Christian setting. He recalled the words in Psalm 146: “Put not your trust in princes, or in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” His warning against trusting governments and other human institutions was simply a reminder, for anyone whose aspirations happen to lie in that direction, of what Christian teaching says about achieving salvation. - Reginald Barrett, Mosman
If Morrison believes that governments should not be trusted, then why was the government he led so reluctant to legislate for even a toothless independent anti-corruption commission? - Ian Falconer, Turramurra
The power of the pen
You are so right, Anthony van den Broek (Letters, July 20). The Herald letters page restores one’s faith in humanity. It is the first page I go to each day. I like to think that my letters (and all the others) about the Nadesalingam family, and the editor’s thoughtful (and brilliant) decision to publish them, might have made a tiny contribution to the Biloela family being returned to their home. - Margaret-Anne Hayes, Turramurra
Selective belief
I bet Scott Morrison still believes in the (non-imaginary) moolah he receives from the untrustworthy government (Letters, July 20). - Alicia Dawson, Balmain
Masking around
Thank you, Marisa Black, for reminding me of superheroes. (“Wear your mask like a hero (cape optional),” July 20). I now like to think that I am having a Masked Man date. - Patricia Farrar, Concord
Travel buzz
At last, I’ve seen a miracle. On returning from a great holiday last night, my suitcase was the first to arrive at the airport carousel. - Norm Neill, Darlinghurst
After you
After showing my 17-year-old daughter Julie Szego’s article on national service, she cheekily suggested that the first in line should be freelance journalists with too much time on their hands (“National service for teens? Sign me up,” July 20). Any volunteers? - Chris Hughes, Clovelly
Pollies and lolly
Maybe it is a case of sweet dreams not being made of this (“Tripodi and co: Will case turn sour for sweets shop owner?”, July 20). Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook
What a delicious irony Kate McClymont has served up. An ex-government minister, who now owns a lolly shop, is being investigated for his alleged involvement in providing political candy to his colleagues while in office. Stranger than fiction? You bet!
Gordon Lambert, Kiama Downs
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
“Here’s how to cheer-up school-leavers: compulsory national service”
From Life on Mars: “If you are expecting young people to provide a year of their life to volunteer for the benefit of the nation, then they should have an expectation that the nation will offer them something in return: a more affordable university education, perhaps, or policies that allow them to have access to affordable housing.”
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