Suburban Rail Loop will help only the few

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Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding

TRANSPORT

Chip Le Grand’s comment piece on the vast expense of the Suburban Rail Loop (“Allan has time to abandon Melbourne’s gargantuan folly. But it’s about to run out”, 26/6) makes total sense, and aligns with my thoughts on this nonsensical allocation of Victoria’s non-existent funds for the former premier’s legacy to himself.
While the north west is crying out for upgrades to the rail network due to its rapid population expansion, and the government already secretly acknowledging what is going to be a major problem for that region, Premier Jacinta Allan is hellbent on building what should be the last stage of this thought bubble first. In an already well-serviced section of Melbourne, which is going to benefit a tiny part of Victoria’s population getting from Box Hill to Monash university, I have just one question: Why?
Anthony McCall, Frankston

Once rusted on Labor voter
I concur wholeheartedly with state political editor Chip Le Grand’s article condemning the ongoing folly of the SRL. It is a ludicrous, totally profligate, gigantic unwanted waste of taxpayers’ money.
As a fairly rusted-on Labor voter, I will not be voting for state Labor at the next election presuming this is still continuing. We know of the ongoing financial struggles to adequately fund the public hospitals and public schooling, and recently there have been many steep rises in state charges to help fund this pipedream. Many of those increases aren’t being publicised, not to mention the new taxes such as the second land tax charge.
As Le Grand points out, to make it worse, the initial $35 billion will be spent on my well-serviced eastern suburbs, while the western suburbs endure very substandard and old servicing of their suburbs by both road and rail.
But the premier seems determined to press on – definitely without my vote.
David Everard, Nunawading

Need vision to embrace the rail loop
Critics of the SRL fail to provide a blueprint for how Melbourne will grow. Without the SRL and associated density in the middle suburbs, Melbourne will spread forever across the plains, and traffic congestion will be appalling. The SRL is part of a competent vision for Melbourne’s housing growth. Critics should admit they have no such vision.
Jon Langford, Brunswick East

Eastern suburbs have choices, the west does not
Anyone travelling on the Hume Highway towards destinations outside the city only have to look right to see cars moving towards the city almost standing still in an effort to get to their destination. Who is our Victorian Labor government looking after when it’s focused on pursuing the SRL?
People in the eastern suburbs already have choices. Those in the western suburbs do not. As the world is becoming increasingly uncertain regarding fuel supplies, how are these people going to access alternative transport when nothing is being done regarding this? What is so complicated or compelling to commit to continue with the Suburban Rail Loop when the needs of people living west of the city are being neglected?
Christine Baker, Rosanna

We’re still going in circles
Melbourne’s Outer Circle railway was completed in the 1890s at massive expense but operated for less than 12 months.
The SRL and its economic viability is a mirage. It must be stopped and projected expenditure reallocated to improving the current rail network and our creaking health system. Avoid repeating the folly of the 1890s.
John Osborne, Windsor

THE FORUM

Credit when it’s due
I am not a fan of President Trump, I have been known to make the comment “America, land of opportunity where even a fool can be elected president”. He has obviously been misguided on the question of tariffs, but I believe he should be congratulated on recognising that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The world is indebted to Trump and Israel for the action they have taken. The world is further indebted to Trump for now enabling the peace process to begin.
No doubt, Trump exceeded his authority in not going to Congress to obtain approval for the B2 bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but I believe the venture would certainly have failed had he done so.
I can’t think of a previous president who would have been prepared to take this necessary action. We are now seeing politics in action by his opponents in belittling what he has achieved. Give him credit when it is due. On this occasion, he has been given expert advice and has followed through on it.
Alan Davidson, Altona

Feeling less safe
Early last week, Benjamin Netanyahu claimed to have bombed Iran in order to make us “all feel safer”. However, his actions made me, and no doubt many others, feel less safe. Now with Netanyahu having drawn Donald Trump into the “military action”, I feel significantly less safe than last week.
Is it because Netanyahu’s and Trump’s actions were based upon “intelligence” that is contrary to that of both the International Atomic Energy Agency’s and the US State Department? Intelligence that came from the same Israeli people and agency that ignored the warnings of Israeli borders watchers of heightened activity leading up to incursion of Hamas on the October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 1200 Israelis and now perhaps 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza?
Why was that intelligence ignored? Perhaps then US secretary of state, Henry Kissinger’s words from the 1970s still ring true: “There are only 90,000 people out there. Who gives a damn?” (“Deep Water”, Good Weekend, 21/6). In the greater scheme of things, ordinary people don’t matter to the powerful.
We have long known that the first causality of war is truth, and Trump has his own concept of “truth”. Combine this with having complete disregard for rights, agreements, rules or law, and a preparedness to exert what is basically coercive control on all in his orbit makes for a dangerous combination.
At a time when we need greater global cooperation, not competition, I’d feel much safer if Trump insisted countries spent 5per cent of their budgets on addressing global warming and humanitarian aid rather than weapons of war. Trump could then show himself to be a real leader.
Rod Eldridge, Derrinallum

Israel didn’t start conflict
Emma Shortis’ claim (“Australia needs to find its courage”, 25/6) that Israel “waged war on Iran” and breached international law is simply incorrect.
Israel did not start a war with Iran—rather, Iran has long waged war on Israel through its proxies, including Hamas, whose October 7 attacks were funded, armed, and likely coordinated by Iran.
Twice last year, Iran directly attacked Israel with missiles and drones. Israel responded in self-defence to prevent further escalation.
Iran openly calls for Israel’s destruction, funds groups dedicated to that goal, and even has a countdown clock in Tehran marking Israel’s supposed demise. Is that not an act of war?
In this context, Israel’s actions were lawful self-defence. Likewise, the US acted to protect an ally and deter a regime that repeatedly calls for “Death to America.” How is any of that illegal—or undesirable?
Stephen Lazar, Elwood

ABC charter needs attention
As Karl Quinn writes, the ramifications of the Antoinette Lattouf case are “potentially profound” (“Lattouf case has cost much more than just the money”, 26/6). The outcome of the case does little to resolve whether ABC broadcasters are free to express their political views.
In deciding that the ABC breached the Fair Work Act by dismissing Lattouf for holding or expressing a particular political opinion, the Federal Court casts doubt over whether the ABC can continue to claim that its broadcasters are impartial, fair and balanced.
It might be time to change the ABC Charter, abandon the pretence of impartiality, and allow ABC broadcasters to express their views openly. That would be a refreshing change from the current situation in which most ABC broadcasters play at impartiality while clearly holding progressive, left-leaning worldviews.
Rod Wise, Surrey Hills

Keep opinion to yourselves
I’m amazed and disappointed that the Federal Court has said that journalist Antoinette Lattouf could post information on her social media site that showed a view on the Israel Gaza war.
According to the journalists’ union the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), journalists “Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence”. The MEAA also informs that journalists “Disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of your journalism”.
Journalists’ views, such as on politics, should be private, and they should not interfere in any way in their reporting.
Marguerite Marshall, Eltham

$8 million in super. Really?
I could hardly suppress my crocodile tears after reading the first question and answer in the latest ‘Ask an expert’ financial advice column (25/6). The questioners – a retired couple with a combined balance of $8 million in their SMSF – clearly consider the proposed new super tax to be a burden they want to avoid.
Noel’s answer, assuming the SMSF’s earnings in 2025/26 to be $400,000, shows that the extra tax payable would amount to just over $7000.
Given that the couple expect to draw from their fund a combined pension of $333,000 in the coming financial year, I suggest they won’t struggle to pay this additional amount. And assuming a typical proportion of the funds are invested in shares, it’s likely the extra tax would be more than offset by the tax refund associated with franking credits.
Kevin Bailey, Croydon

Tax helps
The headline “We have $8 million in SMSF. How do we avoid paying the new super tax?” makes my blood boil. It encapsulates the way superannuation has been hijacked by selfish and greedy members of our society who have no concept of the greater good. If you have that much money in super, you should be appreciative of your good fortune and be happy that your tax is helping to fund services that benefit all.
Ann Maginness, Beaumaris

Eroding trust
The exponential increase in misinformation and disinformation is not a new phenomenon, but, as mentioned in the article by Liam Mannix ″⁣Brett Sutton made it through a pandemic. Now he’s fighting a new war″⁣, 25/6, has become more concerning with increasingly sophisticated AI technology.
The problem has been enabled primarily through the ubiquitous electronic media, and in particular social media which propagates beliefs and opinions often expressed by those with hidden agendas or inexperienced and unqualified ″⁣influencers″⁣, that are often mistakenly confused with truth and verifiable facts.
Consequently, trust in trained and experienced experts, including medical specialists, has been significantly eroded to the detriment of community health. Anything that can be done to reverse or mitigate this trend should be supported. I wish Brett Sutton every success in his endeavour to do this. Furthermore, education should from primary school on, emphasise the importance of deep, critical thinking and analysis, thereby empowering populations to differentiate between fact and fiction.
Leslie Chester, Brighton

‘Red notice’ red flag
I write as a concerned and angry consumer. I needed a plumber to address a toilet malfunction in my home. I selected a plumbing service from the internet that had thousands of five-star reviews. First hard learned mistake.
I am an older woman at home by myself at the time of my call to them. I was quoted more than $30,000 to address the problem.
I was absolutely floored by this, and told the attending plumber I would need to speak to my husband before any decision could be made. I was then transferred via phone to his supervisor and was told, effectively, that if I did not accept their quote without delay I would find myself with sewerage leaking everywhere and would be issued with a “red notice” from the council that would order me to vacate my home. This man was so persistent that I felt bullied and threatened. I refused to succumb to his attempted coercion. I was advised by another plumber that no such work was necessary and the problem could be easily fixed and for far less an amount.
I know my problem is not unique. I was stunned to learn that there is very little avenue for me to address this behaviour with an appropriate governing tradesmen’s body that would result in this particular plumbing service being sanctioned.
Surely, it is wrong that such scams can occur so blatantly without consequence, and that the reputation of honest tradesmen is unfairly sullied by association.
Christine Harris, Mordialloc

AND ANOTHER THING

Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding

Trump world
Trump’s desire for a Nobel Peace Prize by blitz bombing Iran is a classic case of the ends justify the means – which they don’t.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading

How long until Trump launches his own awards system?
Joan Segrave, Healesville

Let’s hope this time Donald Trump has said something true when he says Iran’s nuclear capability has been destroyed.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne

NATO secretary general Mark Rutte has given the concept of ″⁣brownie points″⁣ a complete new meaning.
Ruth Davis, Carrum

Don’t upset Donald! It is plaintive to watch the NATO leaders in The Hague to kowtowing to Donald Trump to keep the alliance together. For Trump the solipsist it was all that mattered - he was the centre of attention.
Helena Kilingerova, Vermont

Can the world’s focus please be put back on the situation in Gaza? Israel is committing murder and mayhem.
Rhonda Cox, Diamond Creek

Re Megan Herbert’s cartoon, 26/6: It was Hamas. It did house strategic targets. There never was a negotiating table.
Sam Bando, Malvern

Bezos’ wedding
Foam party? (“Protesting locals force Bezos to move Venice wedding spectacular”, 26/6). A foam party for 50 to 60-year-olds? And here’s me thinking the US president was childish
Pam Cupper, Dimboola

Furthermore
Twice this week the majority of the sport section has been devoted to the trials and tribulations of just one AFL football club. Enough! Apart from Carlton supporters – who cares! There are 17 other AFL clubs.
Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley

Finally
Re Letters, ″⁣Rest in peace from tech″⁣, 18/6: My dad’s favourite pizza topping? Beer.
Elizabeth Chipman, Seaford

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