Credit: Illustration: Cathy Wilcox
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EDUCATION
The bottom line is good, responsible parents
It is pleasing to read that universities could be stripped of their accreditation if they fail to equip the next generation of teachers with proven skills on how to manage a classroom (The Age, 7/7). Inadequate or inappropriate teaching preparation, along with increasing workloads/administrative tasks and relatively poor salaries, has led to the unfortunate situation of an undersupply of teachers within the system and an unprecedented abandonment of the profession by accredited teachers.
However, the huge elephant in the room, which is not embraced (probably because of misguided “political correctness”), and which is resulting in teaching becoming such an unattractive vocation, is the lack of proper parenting. Parents are (or at least should be) responsible for the development in their children of respect for others, self-responsibility, a love for learning, and for seeking “excellence”. If these qualities were brought into the classroom by students at all levels, then teaching would have a chance of returning to the respected and satisfying profession it was once.
Ian Anderson, Maldon
Paying for the loss of our state teachers’ colleges
Sue Bradshaw (Letters, 10/7), everything you say about the training of teachers is valid and correct. I have anguished over the multimillions of dollars spent by governments in consultation for effective ways to produce good teachers when we had it all along with the state teachers’ colleges. Two years’ training for primary teachers and three for infants (prep to grade two).
My colleagues and I learnt how to teach and manage a classroom. We were taught the basics for teaching health, social studies, music, science and nature study. Included in the course was psychology to help manage individuals, the class and ourselves. There were blocks of time throughout the year to put all this knowledge into practice under the supervision of an experienced classroom teacher.
What happened to this fantastic system? It was tossed aside. College buildings, experienced lecturers and solid, effective programs all evaporated, leaving us with years of bewildered, unsupported student teachers, many of whom have struggled in the classroom ever since. Many non-productive years later, we are still hearing of people thrashing around, trying to find the answers on how to teach our children literacy and numeracy and how to be considered, thinking human beings.
Joy Stapleton, Darraweit Guim
Telling it like it is, then improving on it
The vagaries of Australia’s NAPLAN results (The Age, 10/7) are reflective of a system that massages the truth because it fears the wrath of parents. Truth, though, is what we need. This nation is putting its young people at risk of bigger failures in the future by taking a softly-softly approach to reporting underachievement.
No parent confronted with a nonsensical report assuring them their child is at an “acceptable range” of academic achievement – along with all the “cut and paste” gobbledegook that goes with it – will be surprised that NAPLAN has a similarly jargonistic approach. The role of everyone working in the education system is to tell it like it is, then improve it.
Matt Dunn, Leongatha
When private schools take the ’best and brightest’
George Brandis argues that the lifestyle chances are better for “the gay kid from a loving family in a wealthy suburb who goes to an elite school and will sail into university” than the “impoverished kid from western Sydney who suffers the tyranny of low expectations but does not belong to any identifiable minority” (Comment, 10/7).
Education is the key to addressing “the broader equality narrative”. But until we address the “social apartheid” that is our current system, where one sector “strip mines” local communities of the best and brightest – whether by scholarship, other inducements or guilt-laced promotions endorsed by conservative politicians – how can you build caring and inclusive communities that work together to ensure all children can support themselves in the future?
Kevin Brown, Moonlight Flat
THE FORUM
Self-imposed mirage
As a gay man who grew up in the suburbs, I found George Brandis’s comments (Comment, 10/7) personally offensive. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is proof positive that growing up poor, whether gay or straight, in Australia is no barrier to success.
The “tyranny of low expectations” is merely a self-imposed mirage. Better to teach our children to believe in themselves rather than Brandis’s banal banter. In response to his question: “Who do you think working people find more in a path with their concerns and social values: the LNP’s Matt Canavan or Labor’s Mark Dreyfus?“. Mr Dreyfus, a million times.
Andrew Bell, Docklands
Learning to be a parent
I am amazed and saddened that in 2023, women are expected to leave hospital too soon after the monumental task of giving birth and to cope with the challenges and demands the new job of motherhood requires (Sunday Age, 9/7).
I had my babies in the 1990s. With my first one, on day eight the medical staff asked whether I felt well enough, and was ready, to go home. Even with subsequent children, I felt I needed a refresher on certain issues and the medical knowledge changed too.
New mothers need several days to recover from childbirth and one-on-one help to learn the skills needed to establish breastfeeding and care for a infant. Our communities are not the villages they once were, offering support from neighbours and other mothers. Hospitals must have the resources and funding to support new mothers and fathers so that they are healthy, happy and confident parents.
Mary-Jane Boughen, Murrumbeena
No longer the man of wit
Paul Keating left the political arena almost 30years ago. In his prime, his use of rhetoric was both brilliant and inventive. But certainly not now. Calling NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg a “supreme fool” (The Age, 10/7) is not exactly dazzlingly clever. The latter-day Keating resembles an embittered and empty political husk.
Dennis Walker, North Melbourne
Seeking climate justice
Today is World Population Day. Over the past decade, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change has named population growth and consumption per capita as the strongest drivers of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
Australia’s birth rates are relatively low compared to many countries but our rate of CO2 emissions per person continues to be some of the highest in the world. This is in stark contrast to our Pacific neighbours who are some of the lowest contributors to climate change. I invite our educational institutions to convey the link between population growth, consumption and climate change to our younger generation and subsequently, empower their future choices.
Ian Butterworth, Avondale Heights
Facing the harsh reality
Re “Thunderstorm ‘waves’ and jet streams: Why flights are getting bumpier” (Sunday Age, 9/7). Climate change will influence the way we live into the future, and we will have to make some dramatic adjustments to our lifestyle. How long can it be before air travel becomes as fraught as a trip in a 19th-century sailing ship?
In a disrupted climate, it is equally clear that seaborne commerce will face the same dangers from mountainous seas and storm surges. The supply chain issues of today may turn out to be a walk in the park unless we look seriously at future proofing our economy and the sustainability of our food and energy supplies.
John Mosig, Kew
High cost of risk takers
Another adventurer, another costly rescue – this time, a lone sailor in the ocean off the South Australian coast – and another huge bill for taxpayers. Is it fair to expect others to put their lives at risk to rescue these people?
Raelee Hunter, Ocean Grove
Self, not public, interest
Peak psychiatrist and psychologist groups want many thousands of young people with ADHD added to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (The Age, 8/7).
I worked as a rehabilitation counsellor prior to the Kennett government when health professionals treating injured workers were guaranteed a government-backed, fee-for-service rebate. The number of psychologists suddenly claiming pain-management expertise jumped dramatically, and overservicing by other professionals was rife. Never stand between a health professional and an expanded client group and taxpayer-funded money. The NDIS is already unviable and this would be its death knell.
Warwick Slade, Mooroolbark
An undeserved honour?
The robo-debt royal commission was very critical of the actions, and lack of action, of Kathryn Campbell, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services from 2011 to 2017. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019. Individuals are appointed to this order for “distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large”. I would be curious to know who nominated Campbell and what was said in support of the nomination. Was she, for instance, nominated for the “good work” she performed in relation to robo-debt? Given the negative findings of the royal commission, is it appropriate that she retains her Order of Australia?
Laurie Duncan, Carlton
Time to pay the price
Scott Morrison wanted to be a “welfare cop” to rein in the cost of assistance to Australia’s most vulnerable by concocting robo-debt. His acolytes, Christian Porter, Alan Tudge and Stuart Robert, plus a plethora of subservient public servants, gladly went along for the ride. Their ideological bent has brought them undone. Will they face the music and pay for their reprehensible behaviour? If only they had shown the same zeal to tackle the scourge of tax dodgers which cost the economy far more.
Hans Pieterse, Narre Warren North
Failure to be accountable
No, Peter Dutton. The robo-debt scheme was not just a few mistakes. It was a deliberate, illegal policy to crucify people who relied on Centrelink support. You did not stand up against it.
Breda Hertaeg, Beaumaris
Mais oui, Emmanuel
Surely French President Emmanuel Macron will have heard of the robo-debt royal commission’s findings against Scott Morrison. With Morrison currently on holiday in Europe (The Age, 9/7), Macron could even invite him to dinner. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
Chris Wallis, Albert Park
Why weight matters
While I understand Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt’s endeavour to counter weight bias (Sunday Age, 10/7), I believe she is mistaken to include medical practice under this heading. Weight variability can be an important bio-marker in many medical conditions, both physical and psychological – for example, cancer, diabetes, metabolic and endocrine disorders, depression.
For this reason, asking a patient about their weight has nothing to do with discrimination or bias, but has long been rightly regarded as an important factor to be addressed as part of a thorough medical assessment.
The issue of providing “sustainable behavioural change” for patients who request it is a separate one and can be addressed as such, either by the GP or other support services.
Dr Leslie Chester, Brighton
Difference in the days
Your correspondent praises Independence Day in the US and says, “from media reports, it appears there were no demonstrators baying for a change of date or doing away with this day” (Letters, 10/7). If Australia Day had been established to celebrate the “declaration of independence” where Australia separated from Great Britain, there would be no demonstrators baying for a change here either.
Keith Lawson, Melbourne
Learn from Cambodia
The Cambodian government has warned the Ukrainian government against using the cluster bombs being supplied to them by the United States saying, “if they do, future generations of Ukrainians will suffer”. Cambodian men, women and children are still being killed and maimed by cluster bombs dropped illegally on their country, at the direction of Henry Kissinger, in the 1970s.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Threat of cluster bombs
For those who would not accept that NATO was engaged in a proxy war with Russia, their doubts have now been removed. The US is providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, which most NATO nations deem to be illegal. Russia, the US and Ukraine have not signed up not to use cluster bombs.Rest in Peace Princess Diana.
Rob Park, Surrey Hills
In praise of Bazball
Can we please not have any more criticism of Bazball. The unpredictable nature of this strategy has created three of the most incredible and engaging Test matches I can remember. It makes a pleasant change from the dull and one-sided Tests played in Australia last summer.
Tim Wood, Doreen
Standard sport behaviour
Your correspondent says, “I emigrated from the US, so clearly I have a bit to learn about cricket, but it must be the only game in which the rule book/umpire is not considered to be the standard by which disputes are settled” (Letters, 10/7). He must not watch US Major League Baseball. In nearly every round, there is a manager or a player who will dispute an umpire’s call and be ejected from the game.
Robin Schokman, Doncaster
Sorry, say that again
Re “Left’s identity crisis? It’s progressing” (Comment, 10/7). So, George Brandis, let me get this right: Peter Dutton may be the saviour of the working classes?
Peter Baddeley, Portland
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
Robo-debt
ScoMo’s favourite song – Never Gonna Say I’m Sorry by Ace of Base.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
Despite all the evidence, it seems the Coalition was faultless. Donald Trump would be proud.
Dale Crisp, Brighton
Robo-debt yesterday. AI-debt tomorrow.
Monika Samolyk, Wangaratta
If the Liberals installed Archer as leader, they might be worth voting for.
Dean Virgin, Strathmore
Scott, leave now. You are robo-debt to us.
Paul Custance, Highett
Morrison resign? No, he deserves to be sacked.
Elaine O’Shannessy, Buxton
Morrison and co were told robo-debt was not legal. They knew it was morally wrong. They’re only sorry they were caught.
Sean Geary, Southbank
In seeking justice for robo-debt victims, Bill Shorten is my hero.
Julie Brown, Kallista
After years of gaslighting people on government benefits, he’s now the bludger. Time to go, Morrison.
Glenn Murphy Hampton Park
You require a conscience for something to live on your conscience.
Patrick Alilovic, Pascoe Vale South
Out you go, Scott. A corporate career awaits you.
Giuseppe Corda, Aspendale
Furthermore
The collective noun for lobbyists: a swelling rank.
Paul Custance, Highett
I really don’t understand what woke (7/7) is. I also have trouble understanding what a meme is.
Neil Coxon, Koromburra
It might have been OK to carry Warner when we were winning. Surely we can’t continue with him now the series is on the line.
Paul Deany, St Kilda
Are energy costs crippling for some people because they live in McMansions?
David Eames-Mayer, Balwyn
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