Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shown that he is prepared to use the public school pupils of NSW as an election tool (“PM’s deal a $4.8b boost for schools”, March 4). Recent Productivity Commission data shows funding for public schools in real terms increased by 20.3 per cent (2012-2022), yet over the same period, private school funding from governments rose 37 per cent. Albanese happily leverages disadvantaged children from low socioeconomic backgrounds by announcing that, after 12 years of government inaction (including the past three years under Labor), he has finally, and belatedly, decided to fund NSW public schools to the same degree that Australian private schools have been funded for a decade. Says it all about Labor Party ethics and politics, doesn’t it? Kevin Farrell, Beelbangera
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with students during a visit to Carlton South Primary School in Sydney yesterday.Credit: AAP
It doesn’t look like either the NSW education department or the federal version have learnt much over the past 30 years about how to improve mathematics/numeracy skills in our children (“Maths test for thousands of pupils aims to identify, assist strugglers”, March 4). As a former teacher, mathematics consultant and maths tutor, I can assure parents (and politicians) that this new emphasis on identifying students who are struggling will miss the real problem – the lack of carefully structured, teacher-led daily practice of key maths skills. Like the Count Me In Too program used successfully in schools 30 years ago, this involves much more than rote learning of tables etc. Good maths teaching will only occur when universities and state education authorities take steps to ensure infant and primary school teachers are properly educated in the subject. Most are far from it. Governments also need to stop spending 90 per cent of precious resources and teacher time on the bottom 10 per cent of students and focus more on quality, whole-class instruction that will lift all students to greater competency and feel good about mathematics. Kim Morley, Safety Beach
The $4.8 billion boost to public education is overdue but very welcome. My grandson was a reluctant reader in year 2 at his public school. Fortunately, a funding grant allowed him to have intensive one-on-one teaching. This early intervention allowed him to become an avid reader, and in NAPLAN literacy test for year 5, he achieved a band 6 placing in the top 10 per cent of the state – all thanks to early intervention. The funding boost should include strategies for early intervention in literacy for all students in public schools. The results speak for themselves. John Cotterill, Kingsford
Wonky cabinet
Correspondent Robert McAulay’s letter asking readers to compare the quality of Labor’s cabinet to that of the Coalition gave me a good laugh, if nothing else (Letters, March 4). In general, if Labor is so superior in this regard as the author suggests, I doubt whether it would be staring down the barrel of minority government, if not worse, after just one term. The author may not be aware that Jim Chalmers, our treasurer, has been signing the cheques in what is the biggest spending government in our Parliament’s history. The magnitude of this expenditure has been a big problem and the RBA has made this clear on a number of occasions. McAulay also extols the virtues of Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, whom he claims has restored our relationship with China. Again, he may not be aware that the Chinese military, among other things, has just conducted a drive-by shooting of our country. So much for Ms Wong’s diplomacy. I will agree on one thing with the author – I hope the electorate has a good, hard look at both sides before they tick a box. Ray Lawrence, Mona Vale
I absolutely endorse correspondent Robert McAulay’s letter on the talent in the federal cabinet as opposed to that in the shadow cabinet. To take only one example, who could forget Angus Taylor (shadow treasurer, no less) when he made that stupendous gaffe criticising Clover Moore’s “climate hypocrisy” based on incorrect figures. It’s only having the hide of a rhinoceros that enables him to continue to make the inane pronouncements he seems so fond of doing. Coral Button, North Epping
Reader Ray Lawrence criticises Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ big-spending ways. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Robert McAulay eloquently highlights the stark contrast between the current government and the previous one. His letter serves as a crucial reminder of the Morrison government’s failures, including the economic instability, robo-debt, excessive reliance on consultants and unconditional handouts to business. It’s concerning how quickly voters seem to forget these issues and the dire state of affairs the previous government left behind. I firmly believe that prime minister Albanese and his team deserve the opportunity to continue their work. Geoff Hermon, Maraylya
Israel influence
Your column (CBD, March 4) notes that opposition home affairs spokesman James Patterson is receiving free assistance from Melbourne law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler, joining his leader, Peter Dutton, who has previously disclosed that he’s receiving free advice from the same firm. As CBD mentions, Arnold Bloch Leibler’s senior partner is Mark Leibler, former president of the Zionist Federation of Australia. The position is held by his son, Jeremy Leibler, who is also a partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler. Both father and son are outspoken supporters of Israel, with a comment recently appearing on Mark Liebler’s X account calling Jews who accuse Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing “vicious antisemites”. A comment on his son Jeremy’s X account suggested academics at Macquarie University should be made to feel “unsafe”. How can we expect an objective position on Israel/Gaza from Messrs Dutton and Patterson when they are receiving favours from two of the most outspoken proponents of Israel’s position? Michael Buining, Pymble
Trump throws Ukraine to the dogs
After slashing USAID, America, under the direction of President Trump, has now withdrawn the provision of armaments to Ukraine in its war with Russia, whose president is wanted for war crimes by the ICC (“Trump pauses Ukraine military aid days after Zelensky meeting”, March 4). At the same time, it continues to supply weapons to Israel, whose prime minister is also wanted for war crimes by the ICC. A disturbing theme. Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay
Tim Costello rightly points out that when it comes to world charitable aid and the many lives that will be at risk due to termination of much-needed funds, Donald Trump’s pro-life stance goes no further than the foetus (“Gutting USAID is cruel, and there is a ripple effect here”, 4 February). Similarly, Trump recently quoted the Bible verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers”, clearly referring to himself, while lifting an export block on shipments of MK-84 bombs to Israel. As far as I can see, the Make America Great Again campaign is all about a country that has no heart. Julie Robinson, Cardiff
A Ukraine supporter wipes her eye during a rally in London to protest against Donald Trump’s treatment of Volodymyr Zelensky.Credit: Getty Images
Ray Warren believes there are more important issues to consider than the niceties of peoples’ behaviour in the Oval Office (Letters, March 4). Here’s a few. The deliberate humiliation of a vulnerable US ally who challenged Putin’s talking points delivered by his poodle and his “conga line of cowardly sycophants” (thank you, Jacqueline Maley). Blaming Zelensky for the threat of World War III because he would not sign a “peace deal” that Ukraine had no part in negotiating. The about-face in US foreign policy which threatens 80 years of international rules-based peace and order. Australia will soon enough have its own reckoning with Donald Trump, and there will be plenty of important issues for Ray to consider. He will be as disgusted as many Americans were by the despicable display in the Oval Office last Friday. Maggie McElhill, Annandale
US out of sight
A number of Herald correspondents have suggested that our alliance with the US is no longer reliable or useful, and that we should get out of AUKUS (Letters, March 4). While not disagreeing with this idea, I am amazed so many people think a US-Australian alliance has ever been of any use to Australia. We called on the US when the Britain proved uninterested in Australia’s security in 1942. The US sent troops and supplies to Australia and made a fair contribution to turning the tide against Japan’s push south. However, that was for America’s benefit as Australia was an unsinkable “aircraft carrier” moored in the South Pacific. We simply received side benefits. Since then, various treaties such as ANZUS have seen Australia contribute forces to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, at the behest of the US, with absolutely no benefit for us. The US has never been of benefit to Australia, and is rapidly becoming more of a millstone around our necks under Donald Trump and his minions. Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale
Plane madness
I am horrified that Peter Dutton wants to spend $3 billion on new jet fighters (“Australia to send Ukraine more tanks”, March 4). Has he not realised that the Air Force has had its day? I haven’t read a single report of either Russia or Ukraine bombing one another from planes. Why? Because they can so easily be shot down by cheap surface-to-air missiles. This explains the widespread use of rockets in the conflict. Malcolm Sainty, McMahons Point
Group home hell
Our disability group homes will never be effective or efficient while they operate as a private for profit system (“These Sydney homes were supposed to be havens, not hellholes”, March 3). Such a system is always corrupted by the fundamental conflict of interest, the conflict between profit and care. That conflict is exacerbated by the provider’s imperative to pretend all is well and ensure their funding. Twenty-two years working as a clinical psychologist in a large residential institution taught me that the job is difficult enough without the additional burden of conflict of interest. In the rush to shut down government institutions, people forgot to design a model of care that made care of the client the non-negotiable priority. Mark Porter, New Lambton
Ban wall-puncher
Domestic violence is taking a horrific toll on women in this country, and yet we have a seemingly popular program on TV where a young man admits to punching a wall in a possessive rant (“Backlash grows as police probe MAFS incident”, March 4). He has been in this relationship for two minutes and is already showing unacceptable behaviour. Allowing him to continue on the show is sending a bad message; he should be kicked off and put on a behaviour management program. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick
Wivenhoe Dam, Brisbane’s main defence against flooding.Credit: Getty Images
Open the flood gates
There has been much written about government preparation for the imminent landing of Cyclone Alfred. I see that Wivenhoe Dam, which is Brisbane’s main flood mitigation measure, is almost 90 per cent full. I hope someone in authority has told Seqwater to release a lot of water before the heavy rain hits. I recall that nobody thought to do it last time in 2022, and huge flooding in Brisbane was the result. Perhaps Chris Minns could call David Crisafulli and give him a gentle reminder. Ian Morris, Strathfield
Up in smokes
The sale of illegal tobacco products is out of control, largely fuelled by the high excise on legal tobacco (Letters, March 4). The obvious solution is for the government to take the final step and ban the sale of all tobacco products. While there will be a loss of revenue, the health benefits for the community would be immense. If the present situation continues, the cost to future generations for health care will rise and criminal activity will flourish. Greg Thomas, Annandale
Charger shortage
My wife and I have been seriously considering an EV as our next car but concerns about charging away from home are a real disincentive. The recharging network is still inadequate in terms of availability, reliability and charging speed. I am impressed that Corinne Gaston can put 200 kilometres into her EV at Goulburn in 10 minutes (Letters, March 4), but I am also aware that she will have to do it again at Gundagai two hours later. I can put more than 900 kilometres’ worth of petrol into our VW Golf in five minutes and be quite confident that I can refuel almost anywhere in Australia without having to pre-plan it. Obviously, we don’t expect the EV-charging network to match the bowser network any time soon, and we recognise that we will need to make compromises, but there are limits to how much inconvenience is acceptable. The EV-recharging network needs to be considerably better than it is now to entice more country drivers to EVs. Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest
Rewriting his story
As Meredith Williams points out, far more men appear on the letters pages than women (Letters, March 4). Domestic and world politics are especially depressing nowadays, which could be putting them off. Or maybe they’re too busy looking after the kids, doing the shopping, cooking and cleaning as well as working at their full-time jobs. Statistics have shown men perform fewer domestic tasks than women who also work full-time. Perhaps this gives men more time to write letters. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights
I wonder if the reason more men write letters to newspapers than women is because they are not looking after children, cleaning the house, tending the garden, cooking the meals, being a taxi and working. I didn’t write letters before I retired and lost one of those jobs. Mary Billing, Allambie Heights
I write in total support of Meredith Williams regarding the gender imbalance on the letters pages. Next Saturday, March 8, is International Women’s Day, so I suggest you women out there begin typing and hopefully we will have a higher representation to celebrate the important day. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
Women march in Sydney for International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated this year on March 8.Credit: Getty Inmges
Another way to achieve Meredith Williams’ aim of gender balance is for fewer men to contribute. Therefore, this is the last and final submission from this male correspondent. This decision is, of course, entirely altruistic. It has nothing to do with the fact that no previous letter of mine has been considered sufficiently witty, erudite or incisive for publication. Richard Griffiths, Allambie Heights
Back on your broomstick
Far too many letters are published by the now “softened” Rosie O’Brien (Letters, March 4). Give others a chance, or is she favoured simply for her controversial comments? Vicki Barker, Harrington
I’m wondering why Rosie O’Brien has gone all diminutive on us. Come on, Ms O’Brien, it’s “Rosemary” we all love to hate, not “Rosie”. Trevor Somerville, Illawong
I suppose when “Rosie” gets back on her witch’s broom, it will be back to “Rosemary”. Terry Cook, Ermington
Isn’t Rosie a self-confessed creature with a broomstick? Perhaps the letters editor is part of her coven. John Flint, St Leonards
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with students during a visit to Carlton South Primary School in Sydney yesterday.Credit: AAP