It is the question of our times: how do people with power and influence turn out to have such bad judgment (“The rich and influential cheer squad who backed a war criminal”, June 3)? We’ve seen it with the supporters of Trump and Putin. Now, we see it locally with any number of shock jocks, business magnates and media barons who seek to benefit vicariously from the deeds of another.
In the end it’s not Ben Roberts-Smith who makes me so furious – he at least has the excuse of being in the heat of battle. It’s the easily triggered entourage of keyboard warriors, the army of hypocritical evangelicals, the unquestioning rent-seekers and, worst of all, the cowardly politicians who will happily lead a pile-on against a rape victim or a defenceless woman in a niqab, but say nothing when confronting a big bloke in a uniform. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
The article on Roberts-Smith’s backers reveals their influence on his over-confident decision to sue for defamation. He was empowered by rich and influential war-hero worshippers who refused to believe there could be truth in the articles published by The SMH, The Age and The Canberra Times. Undoubtedly Roberts-Smith’s innate arrogance was enhanced by such homage. Kerry Stokes’ unquestioning faith in a war hero blinded him in his misplaced financial backing. His support fuelled Robert-Smith’s hubris, as did BRS’s belief in the safety net of brotherhood; an enduring cultural “code of silence” within the SAS. The backing of former defence minister and chair of the Australian War Memorial Brendan Nelson further enhanced his confidence; he couldn’t possibly lose.
The dominoes began to fall when principled, conscience-driven SAS soldiers refused to lie about witnessing Roberts-Smith’s involvement in the murder of Afghan civilians. Afghan witnesses corroborated those accounts, courageous journalists reported the truth, justice prevailed. Gerardine Grace, Leura
Billionaire Kerry Stokes backed Ben Roberts-Smith Credit: Philip Gostelow / Graham Tidy
Following the Roberts-Smith disaster, perhaps Australian politicians like John Howard will think twice before committing Australian soldiers to asymmetrical wars in which one side operates according to rules while the other side has no rules, and in which it is difficult or impossible to distinguish combatants from non-combatants. Robert Henning, Narooma
I find it extraordinary that, according to the Afghanistan Inquiry Report, junior officers from troop/platoon level upward were unaware of the commission of war crimes. Didn’t they associate with the troops? Didn’t they pick up rumours of the deaths of prisoners and civilians? Of course, such an action would require courage and leadership. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill
As the Australian media continues to feast on the carcass of Roberts-Smith’s reputation, let us all remind ourselves of a few additional uncomfortable truths: for one, the SAS are government-appointed killers – their service is required so most of us don’t have to fight. Roberts-Smith’s conduct on behalf of Australia is a price I am willing to tolerate. Finbarr McCarthy, Caves Beach
I am sympathetic towards Roberts-Smith and the many soldiers like him, current and retired. No one knows what it is like to be in the theatre of war, not knowing who will shoot and kill you or blow your legs off at any minute. It is easy to dissect and pontificate, sitting in our armchairs in the safety of our homes away from the frontline. I suspect many more of us would react as he did in the midst of savage battles and in hostile territory, not knowing who the next suicide bomber would be, and more. Narelle Ryan, Woollahra
Housing model must change
Rarely do I have a problem with Ross Gittins’ opinion (“Try building where we want to live”, June 3), however, for the 30 per cent of NSW residents who live on income support or the basic minimum wage, more high-rise housing close to transport and jobs will still be out of reach without government intervention. It’s not all about increasing housing supply and market forces.
Why don’t the NSW Government and the relevant local councils designate 20 per cent social and 10 per cent affordable housing as mandatory for the urban consolidation sites that Gittins argues for? Why don’t they provide only the maximum negative gearing and land tax concessions to the developers of this housing stock if they agree to have it leased to eligible social and affordable housing tenants? Urban consolidation without social equity is not an answer. Gary Moore, Blackheath
Gittins falls into the old trap of only seeing the housing issue through the eyes of a city dweller. Those of us who live outside the major cities still joke that NSW stands for Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong. Employment, education and better health facilities have long been the drawcard of the cities while the cost of housing and transport have been the downside. Now that many people can, and do, work remotely, the state government should be looking to decentralise to regional centres. However, more than 70 per cent of state electorates are within the metropolitan boundaries of these three cities.
Living in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, I enjoy a wonderful temperate climate, have never lived more than 10 minutes from my workplace, can be in any major east coast city within a couple of hours, have clean beaches and clean air. However, our few schools are overcrowded and underfunded, our health facilities are woeful and our regional roads disgraceful.
There is an obvious solution to city housing costs, urban sprawl, transport infrastructure costs, education, employment and health. Can anyone see it?John Nicolson, Ballina
Like Gittins, I suspect the lack of action surrounding housing affordability cannot continue. However, I feel that economists are ignoring what houses looked like when owning a home was more affordable. In that era, houses were smaller and simpler and public housing offered dwellings with a similar floor plan. Then there is the change in our attitude toward mortgage borrowings. For my generation, borrowing the minimum needed was the norm. Over time the use of mortgage borrowings has extended to include furnishings, landscaping, upgrades and, in extreme cases, cars and holidays. Natalie Burns, Helensburgh
Housing crisis Credit: Andrew Dyson
This heartening story ( “Care for city’s vulnerable seniors”, June 3) shows what is becoming more and more obvious when it comes to caring for our elders, namely that rigid one-size-fits-all models don’t work for everyone.
Another example of a different system is the Abbeyfield model, where a specially built cottage or an existing building is adapted to house up to ten elderly residents in a homely atmosphere with a live-in housekeeper. These are people who were finding it hard in their existing situation but do not require nursing care. They remain engaged with the community, changing their address but not their lifestyle.
The more models, the more chance there is of providing a decent future for our oldies. Joan Brown, Orange
D is for decency, Peter Dutton
Peter Hartcher’s forensic demolition of Dutton’s position on the Voice (“Dutton’s race to the bottom”, June 3) exposes Dutton as a cynical opportunist without a shred of decency. The contrast between his and Albanese’s principled stand could not be greater. Dutton should hang his head in shame. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer
So relieved that seven Liberal MPs have reassured me that it’s OK to vote yes in the Voice referendum. Strangely enough, I had already made up my own mind to do so. Voters are quite capable of making a reasoned decision on how to vote – as they did with reference to the Liberal Party at the last election.
Stephanie Edwards, Roseville
How much further can Peter Dutton descend? His nay-saying and scare-mongering, especially on the Voice but also on critical matters such as climate change, grates with a public seeking the justice and stability being delivered by Anthony Albanese. Waiting to see which way the wind blows, as Dutton too often does, is the antithesis of leadership. What he is succeeding in doing guarantees that his divided party will remain in the political slime.
Ron Sinclair, Windradyne
We’re the voice
Many of us have long been troubled by the status of our First Nations (“Why my friend Stan got under our skin”, June 3). When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people say they are effectively voiceless in our grand scheme of things, it’s actually worse than that – for most of us they are completely out of sight for most of the time. Then along comes Stan Grant or Adam Goodes; no matter how impressive, we apparently don’t want to acknowledge them.
Here we go, with a referendum about a simple advisory mechanism; but it’s throwing up unresolved questions about self-determination and belonging. The debate is less about race and more about the history of modern Australia and what the nation will look like in the future. It’s giving my generation fresh pride and hope that Australia is up to the challenge; we will live to see it realised to benefit us all. Margaret Johnston, Paddington
I read the article by George Megalogenis and accept that all his observations ring true. As for the current vitriol levelled at Grant, there may, however, be a more simple explanation than racial prejudice. As a commentator on the Coronation, it was an error of judgment by Grant and perhaps ABC management; what was otherwise a joyous occasion was not the appropriate vehicle to air grievances around First Nations peoples or the potential for a republic. That I tuned in for a short time did not fire me up enough to complain to the ABC, but I did exercise my right to flick the remote to wonderful coverage on a commercial channel. The same visuals moved from a sombre, dour commentary to an event focused on a celebration – as it always should have been.
As a host of Q&A, Grant is a most engaging, thoughtful moderator/interviewer who displays empathy, is willing to probe deeply and can be both humble and courteous. I hope his exodus from ABC journalism will be short-lived. Howard Young, Clovelly
Fair go, for all
I find it interesting that business groups have warned that the Fair Work Commission’s decision to grant a pay rise to low paid workers “would add to inflation” (“Wages lift boosts risk of rate rise”, June 3). Why is it only workers’ salaries and wages that may add to inflation, but never huge company profits or the obscene contracts and bonuses that many company executives enjoy?
Rob Peard, Beacon Hill
God bless the legislators who created the Fair Work Commission! Should be up there with Vegemite and the Hills Hoist! Barry Lamb, Heidelberg West, (Vic.)
Gilded Lillee
How delightful to read that Dennis Lillee continued to reply to his young fans (“On life, loss and a precious letter from Lillee,” June 3). I, too, received a letter (an aerogram, actually) from Lillee. In 1972, as a 13-year-old cricket nut with a mad crush on the handsome young bowler, I sent him a birthday card addressed to “Dennis Lillee, Australian cricket team, somewhere in England”.
I nearly fell over when his aerogram arrived some weeks later. And, like Chris, it was revered even at my all-girls’ school, where both students and even star-struck teachers queued to hold it in their hands. Alas, unless mine is in one of the boxes in the shed, I too have lost it! Jennie Curtin, Blackheath
After reading Kate Halfpenny’s article, I immediately googled Lillee to see if he is still alive, and found that he is only in his 70s. I hope that he saw the article and is even now penning a substitute letter to send. While, as Halfpenny muses, it is important to be able to let go, there would also be something extra special about being – yet again – at the receiving end of a generous gesture from someone admired since childhood. Anne Ring, Coogee
Hover craft
Gledswood Hills Public School should be very cautious when holding school assemblies when there is likely to be a risk caused by the profusion of parental helicopters hovering above (Letters, June 3). At least the school is trying to instil values, which the parents have failed to do. Peter Wilson, Murray’s Beach
Ukrainian thanks
While overseas at present, I’ve struck up two conversations with people from Ukraine who have said how aware they are of the terrific help from Australia regarding the Russian invasion. They both asked me to pass on their thanks to the Australian people. Terry Thelwell, North Ryde
Tennis slam
Watching the French Open, I am struck by how farcical tennis has become. Championship tennis, especially the Grand Slams, is supposed to be a test of physical and mental endurance. Instead we are confronted with toilet breaks, medical timeouts, calls for the trainer and now, most ridiculous of all, courtside coaching. It is time that tennis once again became a true test of champions. Robert Loader, Pyrmont
ABC gains perspective
I agree the ABC needs qualified First Nations people and those with culturally diverse backgrounds on the board ( Letters, June 3). However, I am not sure that this will put an end to the racism evident at the moment. Sadly, many First Nations high achievers in both the media and sport have been racially abused for years. Not only is it racism but tall poppy syndrome, where the high achievers are put down simply because they have worked hard to achieve their goals. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
The ABC is responding: last year Suzanne Dredge became the head of Indigenous news, and she leads a stand-alone Indigenous reporting team. This year Laura Tingle became the staff-appointed member of the ABC board. The Minister for Communications nominates other ABC board members for five-year terms; those selected by the previous government may not reflect the notion that the ABC belongs to all of us. Diana Wyndham, North Sydney
Mosman’s full?
Surely Nimby-ism doesn’t exist in Mosman. Tim Schroder, Gordon
Loony timing
Just went up to my rooftop balcony to look at Vivid – the most vivid thing over Sydney is a full moon! I think someone got the timing wrong. Malcolm Sainty, North Sydney
Full moon Credit: Photo: AP
On just terms
Here’s a thought; save for a death in office, how about if a member of any level of parliament decides to depart before a general election, their party pay for the byelection, not the taxpayer? Jonathan Harris, Bankstown
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
‘Fate of koalas’ in Labor’s hands as it mulls 3000-home development near key habitat
From Carmine: “Outrageous if this development goes ahead.”
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