Credit: Matt Golding
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TRANSPORT
Much has been written about the need to proceed with the Suburban Rail Link from Cheltenham to Box Hill to come online in 2035 (“Suburban Rail Loop could save commuters 40 minutes but cost remains unknown”, 29/7). Yet last week we read about the dire need for rail projects in the north and the west from Beveridge to Truganina (“Fast-growing councils seek urgent fix to unsustainable transport woes”, 27/6). We have also heard about the immediate need for road upgrades for people in Melton, Rockbank, Point Cook and surrounding suburbs.
There is no doubt that there are many road and public transport needs across Melbourne. The government has undertaken many major projects since 2014. One of my favourites is the removal of level crossings. The Metro Tunnel is soon to open and the West Gate Tunnel is due by the end of the year. More projects are under way including the North East Link. As the budget cannot afford everything, surely it’s time to prioritise immediate needs over those of the future. After all, the fastest growing suburbs are in the north and the west. They need schools and health services as well as roads and rail.
Pauline Brown, Woodend
I do get it
Re “Many don’t get it” (Letters, 1/7) I am over 60 and if you asked me what I think of the SRL, I would say bravo! I have seen a lack of investment in infrastructure in my lifetime, and I look forward to catching a train from Cheltenham to Box Hill. And certainly wish there had been a train to the Monash Clayton campus, another feature of the SRL, when I was a student in the 1970s.
Phil Burnham, Collingwood
Back-of-the-envelope ideas
The anger over the SRL stems not from the concept or hoped-for benefits, albeit long-term, it is that other far more worthy rail projects should have had priority. For example, MM2, the Melbourne Metro rail from Clifton Hill to Newport, has a solid business case and fulfils a proven need. Likewise, substantially upgrading rail services in the north and west, and addressing the abundant needs of the expanding suburbs. In response to your correspondent, many do get the benefits of the SRL. The issue is the failure to prioritise vital rail connections, with guaranteed benefits for the vast majority of Melburnians as opposed to a back-of-the-envelope idea with limited capacity to improve the lives of the minority.
Mike Reece, Doncaster
Melbourne not alone
I agree with your correspondent regarding the SRL (“Long-term benefits”, Letters 1/7). Paris has an extensive Metro system, trains arriving every few minutes. It is currently doubling the size of this network and building a loop connecting the outer stations. China is doing similar works in Beijing and Shanghai. Melbourne is not alone with this project and no doubt future generations will be thankful for it.
Peter Robinson, Kilsyth
Waiting too long
The west of Melbourne has been neglected for decades, particularly in relation to public transport. All stations between Sunshine and Melton rely on an infrequent, often packed V/Line service. Promises to electrify the track to Melton have come and gone. Now, another review has highlighted the urgent need to electrify the Melton line. Confoundingly, the review and Michael Poulton, of advocacy group the Committee for Ballarat, also suggest extending electrification to Bacchus Marsh. Passengers on the V/Line train from Ballarat would then change to a “shuttle” service at Bacchus Marsh. This would arguably improve frequency and travel times for regional commuters. Ballarat has long been spruiked as a commuter city. The service to Melbourne now takes at least 20 minutes longer than it did two decades ago due to it becoming a proxy metro service on reaching Melton. Why not address the real issue. Give commuters on the Melton line a proper rail service and not use the Ballarat V/Line trains to plug the gap.
Denise Chadwick, Soldiers Hill
THE FORUM
Inviting input
Best practice when developing policies and laws is to consult those affected, as the state Labor government proposes to do in Indigenous affairs (“Yoorrook commission split over findings on injustices against Indigenous people”, 1/7). However, Opposition Leader Brad Battin has opposed a First Nations advisory body saying, “We have already seen a referendum here in Victoria that opposed the Voice. I will continue to stand with those Victorians and say the Voice is not needed.” On the contrary, the input of Indigenous people, in policies that directly affect them, is sorely needed and long overdue. Policies that will work, producing better outcomes, will be the result. Isn’t that our goal?
Lyn Shiells, Glen Iris
Cycle of construction
Dictatorial powers exercised by the state government on planning approvals, referred to as the “Development Facilitation Program” reveal symptoms of the government’s extreme budgetary stress from long-term structural deficits (“The suburbs set to be transformed by minister’s sweeping powers”, 1/7). Planning, land development and construction translate into revenue from a range of land taxes and related revenue sources, designed to stimulate an economy that continues to perform sub-optimally.
According to the 2025-26 state budget papers, revenue from land tax is forecast to be $6.4 billion in 2025-26, then grow by an average of 5.7 per cent a year over the forward estimates. This growth rate reflects expectations of high construction levels and property sales.
Yet in a globalised economy, revenue from a cycle of construction, property sales and high migration levels does not take advantage of the globalised market place and is self limiting. Sectors such as technology innovation and commercialisation of inventions with international application deliver far greater opportunities for economic growth but do not appear on the horizon of a government that prefers repetition of a self-limiting economy with a focus on manual labour.
Liz Burton, Camberwell
Lack of openness
When the federal IBAC was established in the early days of the first Albanese government it was a breath of fresh air after years of prevarication by the Morrison government. Unfortunately the lack of openness and transparency in its processes has been a great disappointment. The recent findings of corrupt behaviour by a senior public servant in appointing a close relative’s friend to a high-profile job (“Senior public servant promoted sister’s fiance, forged signature”, 1/7) without naming any of the parties involved is such an example.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South
Blinded to the costs
VCAT’s decision on an illuminated housing estate sign is to be applauded (“VCAT’s dim view on lights at night”, 1/7) with more cases surely to emerge with the full-scale adoption of LED lights by councils. This trend disregards the effect of LED lights on health, not only of humans but also wildlife which rely on darkness to navigate via the night sky. This is not to say that lighting is not necessary at night. Other colours such as the yellow we used to have is preferable to the glare of bright white/blue light from LEDs which contain an imperceptible flicker effect.
Much has already been noted scientifically about the effects of our overuse of digital devices upon sleep deprivation and its association with poor health. Now, with the proliferation of LED lights in homes, by retailers, car headlights, street lighting, AFL advertising around the ground and live performances, it is time for authorities to look beyond economics and look to the unintended consequences of new technologies before they are launched on the market. Many of us find oncoming headlights blinding nowadays, even when on low-beam. It would not surprise me if this led to an increase in certain car crashes.
Anne Carroll, Brighton East
An unhappy outcome
The latest pay request by teachers (“State teachers seek 35% pay rise”, 1/7) will no doubt be followed by a strike and then a confusing pay scale update giving teachers a below inflation pay rise of about 2 per cent or 3 per cent as has generally been the pattern since 1982 when I started teaching. The only teaching number at risk of going above 35 per cent is the number of teachers that leave before five years in the classroom. Teaching has been, and can be again, a wonderful career but there is much to be done to return the average classroom to 25 happy, enthusiastic students with one teacher that walks in with a smile.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill
What’s super for?
Re: “He proposed it 34 years ago. On Tuesday, Paul Keating’s plan comes to fruition” (The Age, 1/7), the government needs to define just what the purpose of superannuation legislation is. Is it to provide a taxpayer-subsidised investment scheme or inheritance scheme for the wealthy, or to lift ordinary people off the pension and provide them a reasonable income in retirement without recourse to the government pension. I believe it is, or should be, the latter.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia recommendation for a comfortable life in retirement is around $52,000 for singles and $73,000 for couples with the super balance required for that level of income $595,000 for singles and $690,000 for couples. The current individual transfer cap for a tax-free retirement pension, at nearly $2 million (indexed) is very generous. With even conservative investment returns of 5 per cent this would provide an income of $100,000 per annum without diminishing the principal. This amount doubles for couples to $200,000 per annum. If the aim is to move people off the government pension then the transfer cap is the maximum that any person or couple could possibly need for this purpose and super balances should not exceed this amount.
Ken Weaver, East Brighton
Israel’s wins
In the recent brief war between Israel and Iran, Israel, having recognised the existential threat posed to it by Iran’s public race towards nuclear weapons and rapidly expanding ballistic missile arsenal, destroyed Iran’s air defences and killed almost the entire upper echelon of Iran’s military, IRGC and nuclear scientists, whose purpose is the total demise of Israel. It also destroyed Iran’s air force, its defences against air attack, more than half of its missiles and missile launchers, elements of its nuclear weaponisation program, and many of the regime’s institutions of oppression.
Then the US inflicted major damage on the rest of Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, once Israel made Iran’s skies safe for it. Israel intercepted at least 90 per cent of the hundreds of missiles and all but one of the roughly 1000 drones Iran fired at Israel. While Israel suffered some damage and deaths from Iran’s attacks on civilians, it was far less than Israel had feared. So to suggest, as Amin Saikal does, (Opinion, 1/7) that the war demonstrated Israeli miscalculation and Iranian strength simply defies belief and ignores fact.
Stephen Lazar, Elwood
Trump’s achievements
Has there been a US president who has achieved what Donald Trump has achieved in just six months? He reduced the flow of illegal immigrants from thousands a day to a trickle. Eliminated billions of dollars of government rorts and waste. Despite the experts predicting that tariffs would create massive inflation and recession, the S&P 500 has just hit a record high and inflation has dropped to the lowest level since Trump was president previously.
His work was vital in the peace deal between nuclear powers Pakistan and India, with Pakistan nominating him for a Nobel peace prize. His administration brokered peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo after a three-year war, and conflict that dates back 30 years.
His administration negotiated the release of the last US hostage held by Hamas and facilitated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in coming days. He ordered the bombing of Iran’s nuclear weapons sites, and Iran is set to resume peace talks. He convinced NATO to dramatically increase defence spending. But Trump’s critics will no doubt find a way to criticise these achievements.
Robert Box, Chelsea
Crisis in Gaza
In our lives we have seen few situations as awful as Gaza. Israel’s blockade of adequate food, water and medical supplies for several months has led to infants and children becoming severely malnourished. Desperate people seeking limited food from the only provider, which is controlled by Israel, come under lethal fire. The images cause us to recoil in horror as we observe the suffering of the hungry and frightened children, and the anguish of their parents. No history, no previous grievous acts, justifies the continuation of this abhorrent war and blockade.
Andrew & Marie Trembath, Blackburn
In your hands
Sorry, but there is only one reason parliament is dominated by one sector – we voted for them (“We are a diverse nation. Enough stale, pale males”, 1/7). There were plenty of very capable young women who stood in the last election but didn’t get the votes. If you looked beyond the party and voted for the best candidate, our parliament would be very different and a lot more effective. Don’t blame the pale, stale, male outcome, change the way you vote.
Stuart Perry, Longford
Quotas work
Timor-Leste’s 2006 electoral law mandates that political parties include at least one woman for every three of their candidates. Thus women hold 35.38 per cent of parliamentary seats, one of the highest percentages in the Asia-Pacific region. If this young democracy can make quotas work successfully, the Liberal Party can too.
Elizabeth Douglas, Melbourne
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Matt Golding
Trump
So Trump is outraged over being called TACO (Trump always chickens out). Does that mean that he is a TAPAS (Trump a president above sanction)?
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Gender in politics
I’m always amused when people oppose quotas on the grounds of “merit.” If the incumbents are the best merit has to offer, then heaven help us all.
Sally Gatenby, Richmond
Sussan Ley’s experience in aerial sheep mustering may help her keep Canberra’s dinosaurs rounded up, and shuffling along.
Barbara Chapman, South Yarra
AFL
What I find strange about the AFL footy is when the teams are not winning or doing well everyone blames the coach: “Off with his head”. I thought there were others involved in the game?
Nola Cormick, Albert Park
Supporters should boycott all Saturday AFL games until the games are back on free to air.
Peter Gustavsen, Brighton
Furthermore
Congratulations to the ACT government for leading the way by being the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age for criminal responsibility to 14 years. Now other states need to do the same and provide the extra funding to keep our children at home safe.
Margaret Pekin, Thornbury
Re: “A thorny issue: How sea urchins could offer a perverse climate hope” (29/7), I recently returned from Greece, with an expensive trip to the doctor to remove seven sea urchin spines from my wrist. As a regular bay open water swimmer, I encourage action to ensure they don’t take over our beautiful environment.
Kerry O’Shea, Hampton
Re: “All year, I’ve tried to find a new hobby. One major problem is crushing my efforts” (29/7), has Shona Hendley thought of volunteering as a hobby? There are endless opportunities and the only cost is her time. I am sure if she finds a charity of interest she will be rewarded.
Sally Robinson, South Yarra
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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.