Credit: Badiucao
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Like many, I am shocked and sickened by the latest allegations of abuse occurring in childcare centres. I was involved in campaigns for universal, affordable, quality childcare in the ’70s and ’80s when services were largely provided by community groups, churches and local government with funding from federal sources. We campaigned successfully for a range of services to meet community needs. There were clear regulations about space, staff-child ratios, quality of food provision, and there was oversight.
The Howard government changed the framework by opening the sector to for-profit organisations. The service attracted big corporations and childcare chains – there were corporate collapses, such as ABC Learning, often inadequate staffing and accusations of financial misconduct. For-profits now provide 75 per cent of childcare centres and there has obviously been inadequate oversight and regulation. Too often profit comes before care. So we are all justly horrified by the latest accusations of abuse. Childcare is an essential service for families. It is part of early childhood learning and good for children’s development. The Albanese government recognises this and has raised wages for poorly paid workers and has put more funds into the sector. It is a community responsibility, as are our schools. We must ensure that the staff are well-trained and paid, that there are ratios, that it is well-regulated and supported, and provided where needed. And we need to rethink our priorities. Where do we want our tax dollars to go: to universal, affordable, quality community childcare or more daycare nightmares? For me, I want it in community hands.
Anne Sgro, Coburg North
Many good men work in the sector
I, too, was devastated with the news of the daycare nightmare allegations. All parents have the right to safe and happy childcare for their children. The Age reports (“Innocent male workers will leave sector in charges wake”, 2/7) that parents “took to social media to decry men working in the learning learning sector” and that parents are considering removing their children from centres if a male educator worked there. This is not the solution. Many good men work in the child care industry, and at kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools. And we need men in these areas. We need kind, good male role models for our children throughout their lives. This horrendous accusation should not negate the importance of our children experiencing the support of both good female and male educators throughout their lives.
Mary-Jane Boughen, Murrumbeena
No check will ever be foolproof
The allegations of child sexual abuse by a childcare worker are truly horrific, and my heart goes out to those parents and children affected. It has led to calls for stricter or changed Working with Children checks, and while the checks would be improved by cross border co-operation, no check will ever catch all future alleged abusers. Whether it is comprehensive checks for working with children, police checks for directors, checks for gun licences, or any other, all a clear comprehensive check really tells us is that the person hasn’t offended yet, or hasn’t been caught yet. There is no check which can ensure a person will not offend in the future in whatever field the check covers. We cannot make childcare risk free; we can only mitigate the risk. It will also be very unfortunate if this case results in fewer men in childcare. There have been cases of female child sexual abusers, and we must take the risk that women will offend or be without childcare entirely. Children need both female and male role models in their lives, as safe as we can make them, but unfortunately life cannot be entirely risk free.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
THE FORUM
Call out racism
In the land that proudly calls itself multicultural, the ugly shadow of racism still lingers. From casual slurs whispered in workplaces, to systemic inequalities affecting First Nations peoples, migrants, and refugees, it is time we acknowledged racism is not a relic of the past — it is still very much alive in Australia.
Many of us grew up hearing that Australia was the ″fair go″ country — a place where everyone had a chance to succeed. And yet, there is discrimination because of skin colour, religion, name, accent or cultural background. I have endured most of this in my almost 70 years here.
Media must do far more to amplify diverse voices and challenge stereotypes, and criticise those politicians who promote racism. To remain silent is to be complicit. As citizens, we have a moral responsibility to confront racism — in our institutions, in our communities, and within ourselves.
Australia must do better. Not just for those who suffer the sting of racism every day, but for the country we aspire to be.
Ange Kenos, Niddrie
Women, rise up
If you look at the countries at the forefront of all the major conflicts in the world all are led by men. This despite the fact that women make up roughly half the population on the planet. The only way this can ever change is if women rise up and challenge this imbalance and take their rightful equal place in the leadership of countries. Providing quotas in a democratic country is just one small step towards achieving this.
David Parker, Geelong West
Wrong priorities
Development Victoria has announced the construction of a $350 million three-storey building in the Albert Park reserve. The proposed development is presented as a community/sports centre rather than a pit building and entertainment space for the annual four-day F1 car racing. Victoria has far more urgent needs.
Geoff Gowers, Merricks North
Cooking with gas
Energy Minister Chris Bowen and the Albanese government are to be commended for putting an east coast domestic gas reservation scheme on the agenda (″Gas exports in sights of sector review″, 1/7). This is an issue of national and economic security. We have more than enough uncontracted gas to prioritise Australian consumers and manufacturers. The government just needs to do it now before Victoria builds import terminals to reimport our own gas back.
Kieran Simpson, Blackburn North
Not the American way
Your correspondent (Letters, 2/7) is apparently looking with rose-coloured glasses. He highlights various actions that he attributes to Donald Trump, without a more balanced view of Trump’s wrecking ball tactics.
Trump sees the world in a very limited way; that there are winners and losers, and that his ideas about how the US should be run must at all times venerate him as a ″saviour″. While he may have been effective in reducing the number of people seeking to enter the US unlawfully, he is also behind the most egregious attack on American citizens and others granted legal protection to remain in the US, by virtue of his wholesale rounding up hundreds of people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
His attack on children by virtue of the dismantling of USAID, which had been a lifeline to thousands of people, many of them children, is costing lives abroad by removing lifesaving food aid. And in the US, his obliteration of programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provided food purchasing assistance to low-income families.
As if that is not enough, he is also in the process of trying to prevent low-income people from having access to government medical care (Medicaid) because he sees this long-standing program as being a waste of money.
One cannot ignore the destructive actions of this man, who equates cutting costs as demonstrating fiscal responsibility, regardless of how dangerous or damaging. He is a traitor to all that the US used to stand for and should not be celebrated for a partial picture of a few wins.
Joyce Butcher, Williamstown
Trump, be humble
Donald Trump would earn more international respect and acclaim over his peacemaking efforts, especially between Israel and Iran, if he was less boastful, conceited and vainglorious about everything. So often we hear him gloat about what he has done in wildly exaggerated, hyperbolic tones.
A bit of humility goes a long way in most people’s minds. Best to let others sing your praises, not yourself. But I guess it’s not in his DNA.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris
Destructive style
Leadership styles vary and it is probably fair to say that “a decisive style” appeals to many people. When compared with what the Democrats offered in the last US election, Donald Trump certainly appealed to those who favour what comes across as a strong, decisive style of leadership. During his term, he has certainly demonstrated those “attributes”, but it is far too early to assess the impact or quality of his decisions.
His public utterances are such as to make one wonder if he actually understands the consequence of his proclamations and executive orders.
Checks and balances are an important part of our democratic systems and institutions and while Trump’s disruptive style has merits in challenging “sacred cows” imbedded in our bureaucracies, he largely relies on his own judgment and ignores anyone who disagrees with him.
Is his track record that solid? Frankly, it is pathetic to see so many world leaders (not to mention his fellow Republicans) so obviously demonstrate their apparent adulation and seemingly not challenge him.
Our own leaders are yet to show their hand and I suspect are having “two bob each way”.
Charles Griss, Balwyn
Impressed commuter
It’s rare on the same day to traverse the city by car from the centre to West Footscray and, later, the city to Doncaster. The engineering feats, the architecture, the developments are impressive. The re-making of Footscray Road is a marvel to behold. As is the re-engineering of the Eastern Freeway to accommodate the monster North East Link. While there are constant complaints about traffic snarls, road conditions and the wisdom, or not, of the never-ending Big Build, this commuter is thoroughly impressed.
Simon Feely, East Melbourne
Going round in circles
In blaming the voter for not electing more women, your correspondent misses the point (Letters, 2/7). If the Liberal Party continues to preselect males over female, voters who choose to support that party have no option. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Elaine Carbines, (ex-Labor Party member of state parliament), Belmont
EATO, neato
Given Donald Trump’s virtual abandonment of the guiding principle of NATO – one in all in – perhaps it should be renamed EATO, the Eastern Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading
Too easily distracted
Sensibly harsh penalties apply for the use of handheld mobile phones in cars. However it is legal to use any feature of the built-in operating system of a car. Increasingly, this effectively amounts to using an iPad while driving; this can be more distracting than using a mobile phone as it requires taking one’s eyes off the road to read a screen. Research is needed to assess the impact of operating systems on car accidents.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne
Parking mad
Can someone please explain? We’re losing a big car park in Flinders Lane because it’s not required (tell that to those who regularly park there) and in its place we get an enormous “entertainment centre” bringing many more to the area. I’m sure it will have its own carpark for its clients but what about parking for others who use it now?
We are constantly told Melbourne needs more people coming into the city while available parking constantly shrinks. Yes Minister has returned.
Megan Peniston-Bird, Kew
Us and them
With most of Europe sweltering it has been reported that more than 90 privately owned jets flew into Venice for the wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. This while the world burns and experts confirm that global warming is a threat to our survival as we know it.
Billionaires and celebrities and their behaviour are a clear example of the disconnect between the privileged and most of the world’s population. It is a perfect example of the quote attributed to Maria Antoinette on hearing of the shortage of bread: ″let them eat cake″.
Peter Roche, Carlton
Carlton blues
It seems Carlton have not learnt the art of patience. Brett Ratten was the best Carlton had for sometime, but was still sacked with a better than 50 per cent win-loss ratio. Michael Voss will go the same way with the board having little understanding of what it means to be patient. As a long-suffering Blues fan, I find it difficult that the board thinks making one change will fix everything.
Stephen Maude, Boronia
Mason says hello
To the Tom Lynch supporters bemoaning the apparent lack of protection he received from the umpires in marking contests, Mason Cox says, ″Hi.″
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale
Credit: Matt Golding
AND ANOTHER THING
Liberals
If, as Jenna Price claims (Comment, 2/7), the Liberal Party is so “anti-women”, why did its MPs choose a woman as their leader?
Ivan Glynn, Vermont
LNP deputy Ted O’Brien says his party is ″the one for Australian women″ (1/7 ). That is, until Angus Taylor’s leadership challenge.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
I propose 100 per cent women candidates for the next five elections. How wonderfully our world would change. Meritorious men could then apply for preselection.
Denise Deerson, Bulleen
Furthermore
Anthony Albanese’s straightforward approach to defence budgeting, “first define the need, then consider cost” helps explain how Labor captured the mantle of “superior economic manager”.
Peter Bennett, Clifton Hill
I remember Edwin Maher’s pointers directing us to the weather around the country. Thank you Edwin for your most important point (″It took crashing into my garage to realise I shouldn’t drive″, 2/7). Let’s hope those who need to, act on it.
Alison Shelton Agar, Hawthorn
Please make America sane again.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
I suggest that Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu meet at a cafe in Gaza.
Ken Richards, Elwood
The Yoorrook commission’s findings, if implemented, would be the final nail in the coffin for the already bankrupt state of Victoria. This should be put to a vote by the people of Victoria rather than the state government.
Ian Anderson, Ascot Vale
It seems we need some truth-telling about the truth-telling. What caused the split at the Yoorrook Justice Commission?
Joan Reilly, Surrey Hills
I agree that we must put the needs of now before the future (Letters, 2/7). After all, what has the future ever done for us?
Les Aisen, Elsternwick