I congratulate the opinion writer for the sensitive handling of the one-year anniversary of the Voice referendum’s defeat (“Avoiding the Voice debris is a national disgrace”, October 14). The referendum was used as a football by the Liberal Nationals and Peter Dutton to humiliate the Labor Party, and anyone with good sense would have seen that. Still, voters allowed themselves to be divided and confused, egged on by the likes of Warren Mundine and Jacinta Price. These two kept urging the Coalition to oppose the Voice, insisting that a Yes vote would give Aboriginal people an unfair advantage. Now Price has the cheek to say she thinks that since the Voice, we are more divided than ever. Hopefully, a strong future government will try again, and we voters will carry the day. Sherry Stumm, Rainbow Flat
It isn’t only the leaders of the Voice “yes” campaign who are silent. We are all abashed by what we have done, so we try to avoid even thinking about it. This anniversary is a sombre reminder. Even those who defiantly maintain their “no” stance must admit there has been no further progress on closing the gap. Did they ever imagine a “do nothing” alternative would serve, or was benign neglect always their ongoing agenda? Can we now see that most of us unthinkingly fell in line with a cynical political power play? All that hard work by Indigenous Australians was trashed when we failed to listen to them on that one occasion when they were really counting on us. Starting over is that much harder. Margaret Johnston, Paddington
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price opposed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.Credit: Dan Peled
The Herald’s editorial scores a bullseye from this reader. The way so many voters within our otherwise stable, multicultural society were cynically stirred to reject what was a reasonable proposition played a pivotal role in the Voice’s defeat. Though, in retrospect, other factors were also at play, such as the inability of our otherwise well-intentioned PM to communicate to voters what the Voice represented for our nation as a whole – not just one group. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why
Sorry, I disagree with your editorial. Jacinta Price and Kerrynne Liddle have both tried to introduce ideas to get Indigenous affairs back on track, calling for both a royal commission into domestic and sexual violence and for an audit of the many groups that get funding. Labor said no to both of these ideas. These two women haven’t given up on closing the gap, but it appears Labor has. Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah
A year ago, I voted No in the referendum. I wasn’t misinformed about Aboriginal history, in fact, I taught it for 25 years. I’m not a member of the Liberal Party, I’ve been a lifelong supporter of Labor. I’m no more racist than the next person. I listened to Aboriginal voices on both sides of the argument, and read opinions on both sides. The person who impressed me most was Jacinta Price, an Aboriginal person. I am tired of being categorised. In fact, this whole debate has turned me away from politics altogether, having lost friends in the process. I am seriously considering how I will vote in the federal election. This is something I never thought I would have to do, but I will no longer give my trust lightly to any political party. Vivienne Parsons Thornleigh
I recall that during the Voice referendum debate, Peter Dutton, David Littleproud and Jacinta Price repeatedly told us that their policy was to establish regional voices throughout the country instead of an enshrined national voice. This was supposed to be the better pathway. In the ensuing 12 months, I have not read or heard a single utterance from any of these people regarding any policy to move forward with the issues affecting Indigenous people. Given that the election is only months away, I would have thought that these politicians would have been involved in active consultation with Indigenous people to enable them to present a coherent plan should they win office. I guess they must be too busy consulting other communities about their nuclear power stations. Phil Peak, Dubbo
Katie Kiss articulates the “hurt and confusion” of all those who supported the failed Voice referendum (“The year our Voice broke: Fallout from the failed referendum”, October 14). But there was only one reason it failed: the widespread perception of over-correction. The Voice proposal tanked because, regardless of the truth, it was seen by many as giving greater rights to some Australians over others. That perception didn’t square with the concept of a “fair go” for everyone. Like it or not, it was a gaping hole in the argument that was poorly tackled but skilfully exploited. And any hope of a “reframed and reconciled relationship” in the future will depend on firmly closing it. Adrian Connelly, Springwood
Katie Kiss claims the failed Voice referendum left us hurt and confused. She is so wrong. The majority of Australians were not confused at all. We said no. Brian Pretorius, Breakfast Point
Right-wing threat
Two articles highlight the growing danger of right-wing extremism in Australia. One highlights the occurrence of a white nationalist protest in Corowa (“Neo-Nazi rally sparks outrage”, October 14). The other conspiracy theorist set on destroying G5 infrastructure (“Phone towers tumble in spate of dangerous attacks”, October 14). Both exemplify the infiltration of Trumpian madness into our Australian political context. This madness should be condemned by leaders of all political parties. While it is good that Susan Ley has condemned it, Dutton needs to step up and step back from his divisive brand of politics, which so closely mirrors that of Trump. Neil Ormerod Kingsgrove
A mobile phone tower fell down after its bolts were removed.
Sussan Ley, the federal member representing the town of Corowa, where a neo-Nazi rally took place recently, is rightly outraged and dismayed at this shocking demonstration. On the other hand, Ms Ley is the deputy leader of a party heavily intent on sowing division throughout the Australian population, as well as unfettered free speech. Careful what you wish for. Brian Collins, Cronulla
Republicans out of date
As a Brit, I’m a happy monarchist. As an Australian, I totally accept the need for change. (“King Charles will travel with two doctors, spare supply of blood”, October 14.) What astounds me is that the only option ever getting traction is a republic. A model surely demonstrably flawed, where power remains concentrated in the hands of one individual. France is the first and foremost example where the president rules. The US lies close behind. Russia? India? China? All republics, all ruled by despots, with the people’s power already reduced to rubber stamps. The concept of republicanism is actually as outdated as the system its proponents seek to replace. If there’s going to be a change, let’s have something truly, originally, Australian. I’m afraid Peter FitzSimons’ constant badgering is as dated as an ermine robe. Tim Parry, Avalon Beach
Gunning for Donald
I thought most Americans carried a small arsenal of guns as the norm – at the supermarket doing the weekly shop, at church on Sundays, at the beach on holidays – thanks to advertising and lobbying by the NRA (“Man charged after being arrested with guns near Trump rally”, October 14). If they arrest one person, surely they’d have to arrest the entire audience? What does surprise me is that attendees at his rallies don’t whoop and holler and shoot their guns off into the air. After the events of January 6, 2020, I think Trump would love that. Patrick McGrath, Potts Point
This continuous harping by the media on the policies of the two main candidates for the US presidency is becoming tiresome (Letters, October 14). Once upon a time, a major ingredient in electing a leader in a democracy (president or prime minister) was character. Character relates to issues like morality (now a rarely used word in political discourse), honesty, integrity, justice and service. By service, I mean putting the needs of the nation ahead of personal, self-serving ambitions. Mr Trump fails on every one of these measures – he is a serial liar, a convicted felon and a narcissist. I know little about his opponent but she, or even Hayden’s drover’s dog, would be preferable to Trump. Andrew Caro, Greenwich
A man was arrested with guns near a Donald Trump rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday.Credit: AP
Politics at any cost
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong is wasting her breath in castigating Peter Dutton over his Gaza views (“Coalition slammed over Gaza war view”, October 14). Dutton is there to oppose and that is what he does – witness his determination to destroy the Voice referendum. His refusal to countenance a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict appears partly motivated by wanting to annoy the government. How else could anyone not want to end the ongoing destruction of so many helpless people in Gaza, the alienation of Israel because of an intransigent leader, and the almost inevitable risk of a full-scale war breaking out in the Middle East? Talk about leopards and spots. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Israel has declared the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, a terrorist organisation. It has declared the head of the UN persona non grata, denying him entry to Israel. It is now firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. And much more.
Clearly Israel no longer recognises the UN. Perhaps it is time for the UN to do the same back to Israel. Membership requires a state to comply with its obligations under the organisation’s charter. Gordon Drennan, Burton SA
The Coalition seems to have no respect for those trying to stop the killing of civilians. Their blanket support for Israel is indefensible. UN peacekeepers are there to save lives and Israel wants them gone. Can Australians ever elect a party that supports this sort of insanity? Henry Spirek, Blayney
Most letters the Herald has chosen to publish on the war in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon have been critical of Israel. Some correspondents have accused Israel of war crimes and even genocide. Whether or not the letters have always been based on fact or a sound understanding of a complex history, they have mostly been within the bounds of legitimate discourse.
The Herald has also published articles and letters expressly equating Israel’s conduct of the war with the practices of Nazi Germany. The most recent example is a letter (Letters, 11 October) supporting the display of a swastika superimposed on an Israeli flag. The writer justifies this on the grounds that the policies of the Israeli government have “some similarities” to the Nazis. The letter does not identify these similarities.
One does not have to accept all elements of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism to acknowledge that a quintessential example of post-Holocaust antisemitism is equating Israel’s conduct with that of Nazi Germany.
The Herald publishes fewer than 10 per cent of letters it receives. It is difficult to comprehend why this letter made the cut. Ronald Sackville, Bellevue Hill
Minority rule
Sean Kelly is correct (“Are we heading for minority government? We could do a lot worse”, October 14). We frequently agonise over the supermarket duopoly, so isn’t it also time we broke the Labor-Coalition stranglehold on our political system? Julia Gillard governed in minority with skill and intelligent negotiation. It can be done, and when done well it is the hallmark of the democratic, diplomatic process. Meredith Williams Baulkham Hills
I still don’t understand why there is a persistent apprehension about minority government in this country. Every Coalition government has been a minority government led by the Liberal Party with the support of the National Party. And it is not uncommon for these “partners” to have conflicting policies on a number of issues. While it is debatable, depending upon one’s political views, about how beneficial for our country these minority governments have been, there is no doubt the stability of our political system has been maintained. Rob Phillips, North Epping
A useful metal
Ben Laycock (Letters, October 14) claims that gold “has almost no practical use.” If he had bothered to do a brief online search he’d have found that among gold’s many practical uses, the device he was using for the search contained gold.
Gold is used widely in electronics precisely because “gold is virtually indestructible”, as he notes. It is an excellent electrical conductor and electrical contacts are often coated in gold because it doesn’t tarnish, and hence maintains its excellent conductivity over time and use.
Gold has many uses other than a store of wealth – including in the manufacture of the electronics we all rely on.Credit: Getty
You’ll find gold in every mobile phone or tablet, every computer, every TV or microwave oven, every recent car and millions of other devices that we use daily. More than 5 per cent of gold is used in this way and is often not recovered, as electronic devices are disposed of at the end of their brief lives. Less than 40 per cent is “melted down into bars and stashed away underground”, so it wouldn’t take many years without gold mining before we ran out of the metal for its important practical uses. James Lawrence, Coogee
Savers punished
It’s good to see the light being shone on the lot of bank depositors (“RBA rate cut could dramatically turn the tide on savers”, October 14). There are at least three issues which need airing: the huge volume of deposits on which little or no interest is paid – money for old rope for the banks; the effects of reduced spending by depositors when the general level of interest rates is reduced by the RBA – a factor making it even harder for anyone to figure out the size and timing of any effects on total spending; and the fact that savers pay tax on the inflation component of their reward for forgoing consumption, while borrowers tend to fare well via inflation. Mike Bush, Port Macquarie
Nation’s unsung heroes
It’s National Carers Week. Let’s celebrate the diversity of primary carers and their roles. These unpaid workers, who often fall into their roles out of necessity, make significant contributions caring for people with disabilities, or those who are elderly or infirm.
The more than 2.4 million informal carers in Australia give more than 36 million hours of care each week, saving the public purse more than $77 annually. They are multi-skilled factotums, who with the patience of Job wash bodies and laundry and dishes, make and keep appointments, keep records and tempers, give medication and time and hugs, fill forms and fridges, wipe faces, benches and bottoms and deal with GPs, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, OTs, My Aged Care, Services Australia – and a lack of sleep. They, too, need support to have a life of their own. We should always acknowledge their selflessness – not just this week. Meg Pickup, Ballina