The gambling industry would have us believe that a ban on betting ads on commercial TV would have a devastating impact on the free-to-air television business (“‘Put people first’: Late MP’s husband makes emotional plea on gambling reform”, August 12). Maybe, but then we have to question how they go about their business in pursuit of a story. Take the case of Channel 7 and its wooing of Bruce Lehrmann in pursuit of an exclusive interview - they did admit to spending $100,000 on his accommodation. By abandoning such practices Channel 7 would be less reliant on gaming ads and in the process enhance their audience’s viewing pleasure. A win-win. Nick Franklin, Katoomba
Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, Alliance for Gambling Reform, addresses the media during a press conference to call on the Government to ban gambling advertising, at Parliament House in Canberra. Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald
It is reported on the ABC this morning that the Albanese government is considering allowing some advertising of online gambling on the free-to-air commercial networks. At the same time your article summarises the alleged appalling working conditions that some staff are exposed to at one of those networks. Why would the government choose to prop up such a dysfunctional network at the expense of so many citizens harmed by the presence of online gambling? Why indeed bother with a Senate inquiry if the recommendations are to be ignored? The free to air networks have been given a lot of government support over the years but not all have behaved ethically and responsibly. It is time to stand up to the bullies in the media and say no more. Governments exist to ensure the safety of their citizens and in their allowing gambling advertising they are letting the citizens down. Wendy Cousins, Balgownie
There was massive fightback from tobacco companies when cigarette advertising was banned, but the right thing was done and the smoking rate reduced dramatically. Labor has a chance to do the same thing with a blanket ban on gambling advertisements, especially since most of the population wants it. Labor will look strong and decisive and most of all will save so many future families from misery. Just do it. Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay
Labor has forgotten why the previous government was defeated. By 2022 the voting public were sick of the deafness, arrogance and kowtowing to vested interests. Overwhelming public opinion wants decisive, effective legislation over gambling advertising. The Labor government and the opposition continue their long-held wilful deafness to public concern over the enormous damage dysfunctional gambling causes. Our local members and senators should remember that as yet corporate interests are not on the electoral roll. No matter how great their donations to party coffers, it is we the people at the ballot box who determine their political future. Murray Patchett, Kentucky
What those opposing blanket, or partial, bans against gambling advertising are missing is that gambling comes as a co-morbid condition among most addicts. Gambling is frequently associated with nicotine dependence, depression, mental illness, and tragically an increasing rate of suicides. Consequently it should be treated as an illness, with triggering mechanisms like advertising either completely banned or more highly regulated. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay
A sure fire path to re-election for this Labor government is to ban gambling advertisements. A strong and positive policy that would be a platform for building a “people first” strategy. And Peter Dutton would have no choice but to agree. They need to be fearless. An absolute vote winner. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill
In defending the less-than-total ban on gambling ads Bill Shorten believes that, because commercial media operators were “under massive attack by Facebook” and “free-to-air media is in diabolical trouble”, we should bail them out. Who really is in real diabolical trouble? I’d say it is clearly the gamblers who have lost their homes, damaging families and livelihoods because of the advertising promoted gambling addictions. Remember it was not long ago that commercial television didn’t have this river of gambling advertising gold. So they have become addicted to it and now want the poor gamblers, their damaged families and young gambling beginners to feed their addiction. John Millard, Mullumbimby
It’s reassuring to know Bill Shorten is giving more concern to the powerful rich owners of media companies, as opposed to the mug punters being enticed by the avalanche of betting ads on our screens struggling to feed their families. This wouldn’t have anything to do with the Labor Party needing the support of those media companies come the next election, would it? Terry Thelwell, North Ryde
So, media won’t survive if the proposed total ban on gambling comes into force. If the teal independent MPs held the balance of power in parliament, perhaps both sides would lay their cards on the table and play their hands to secure a win-win solution. Bob Scott, Eastlakes
Isn’t gambling just a recycling of funds, from the unlucky losers to the well-informed winners? John Christie, Oatley
Celebrate excellence
Strongly agree (“Stop hiding the truth and release median ATARS”, August 13). These kind of marks demonstrate individual focus, resilience and excellence. We should also certainly celebrate schools like Quirindi High, Moss Vale High and Ashfield Boys High; schools which have teachers who are committed to their craft and their kids. All kids. Not average, amazing! Bravo. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill
Year 12 students at Moss Vale High after receiving their HSC results. The school improved 200 places in the rankings. Credit: Rhett Wyman
It is good to see the wonderful HSC results coming from some of our public schools (“Not so average: Public schools on the up”, August 13). However, the data only reflects the outcome for those students who actually sat the HSC and received a tertiary entrance ranking (ATAR). Some of the schools mentioned have well over 1200 students which would tend to indicate a year 12 cohort of at least 130-140, yet their reported HSC scores are for 90-100 students only. Less academic students are funnelled into non-ATAR courses or are encouraged to seek employment or training elsewhere. Not every student will achieve the dizzy heights of academic success suggested simply by enrolling in one of these schools. The same is equally applicable to the private school system. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest
The schoolboy photo on the front page took me back to the 1990s when school playgrounds and corridors frequently rang out with authoritative voices demanding, “tuck your shirt in”! Brian Collins, Cronulla
Cycle hysteria
In every European city I’ve visited cycling is seamlessly integrated into everyday life (“Conspiracy theories abound as cycleway opponents target Clover Moore”, August 13). The residents of these densely-populated urban environments would find the hysteria generated by a modest cycleway proposal for Sydney unfathomable. It seems we have reached a stage where any suggestion of change is met with a wall of self-interest and conspiracy theories. In such an environment how can we hope to respond to the life-threatening challenge of a warming planet? Tom McGinness, Randwick
What is wrong with my fellow Paddingtonians? Don’t they realise that there already is a bike lane down Oxford Street? It’s called the “footpath”. Don’t they want more through traffic to use the much better alternative, Moore Park Road? Don’t they want more crossings? Don’t the “too many to count” coffee shops want more business from the bike riders, no longer snaking their way through the back(ish) suburban streets of Paddington? The only improvement is for the planners to realise that roads do not need to be straight, and can curve back and forth to allow larger spaces on each side of the road for tables, etc. and further improve traffic-calming. Please, my fellow residents, use your brains. Robert Hosking, Paddington
In doubt
So, we residents of western Sydney knew the airport was coming (Letters, August 13)? No, we did not. John Howard abandoned the airport in March 2000 on the back of the evidence that there would be an increase in serious respiratory disease in the hemmed-in basin of western Sydney. In 2003, Labor leader Simon Crean dropped the airport from the agenda promising to find a new site. The then-NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell was a strong opponent until he changed his mind. So, no, we didn’t always know. Diana Dixon, Blackheath
Super levy a useful inflation tool
Ross Gittins make a lot of sense when he suggests that rather than using the blunt instrument of interest rate hikes to control inflation, we should consider raising and lowering the superannuation guarantee levy (Letters, August 12). Interest rate rises take money from mortgage holders and pass it to the banks. A temporary increase in the superannuation levy would have the desired effect of curbing spending and therefore inflationary pressures, while still leaving the funds in the hands of wage and salary earners. This measure would have the added benefit of spreading the burden more widely, not just on mortgage holders, and without rewarding the banks. As inflationary pressures reduce, the levy could gradually be reduced again. It would also be worth considering allowing people to withdraw that excess super at a later date. The idea sounds almost too sensible to have the slightest chance of adoption. Alan Phillips, Mosman
Arts undervalued
An excellent article by Saria Ratnam on punitive fees for arts degrees (“Punitive uni fees are short on humanity”, August 13). When the Coalition first introduced the massive increase in fees for arts degrees I was convinced that if the Labor Party won government, one of the first things they would do would be to reverse this decision. Now, more than two years later, the Coalition’s message that “the study of languages, literature, history, art... don’t really matter” is continued by the Labor government. I am in despair. Phyllis Codd, Bellingen
‘Coot’ heaven
Who would have thought (“Bandicoot bandits taking a bite out of a multimillion-dollar business”, August 12)? To the North Head Sanctuary Foundation, this was an eye-opener. It runs a visitor centre which we have dubbed “Bandicoot Heaven” because everything a bandicoot needs is nearby – a place to sleep under the bushes during daylight and nearby lawns to fossick under for grubs at night. We have never come across a bandicoot fossicking for truffles. They do like peanut butter sandwiches, though. Peanut butter is used to bait “trap and release” cages during the annual North Head Bandicoot Survey. To a “coot”, peanut butter is worth the cost of being trapped night after night for a week. A bandicoot once took advantage of a volunteer and ate her peanut butter sandwich! Geoff Lambert, Fairlight
A long-nosed bandicoot captured and released as part of the research project.
Leave crocs alone
When a danger exists from one animal or another, the typical response is to kill it (“There are too many crocs in Australia. Time to unleash the hunters”, August 13). Brad Emery declares that we have too many crocodiles and the solution is controlled hunting, which of course is a benign term for slaughtering. We do not need to turn Australia into a hunting ground for gun-happy tourists who are rapidly running out of their native animals to kill. We know crocodiles are dangerous, so it’s us who need to avoid their natural habitat. In a list of deaths caused by animals from 2001 to 2017, the leading “killer” animal was the horse, with 172 deaths, and last of all the crocodile, with 21. There are a lot of dogs, kangaroos, bulls, cows and bees to dispatch before we start on crocodiles. Trevor Somerville, Illawong
Brad Emery’s piece suggesting the regulated hunting of crocodiles be allowed in northern Australia misses a couple of points. First, populations of native animals should, by rights, be allowed to self-regulate except where they are having a genuine negative economic impact. Second, there is a significant difference between hunting a crocodile sleeping peacefully in the sun and facing an enraged feral pig crashing through the bush. Only one could fairly be called a sport. Greg Phillipson, Aranda (ACT)
Shades of Nazism
I agree with Alan Marel about the disturbing similarities between the racial vilifications of Trump and Hitler (Letters, August 13). But he stopped short of pointing out the origin of “make America great again”. Much of the appeal of Nazism and Hitler to post-war Germany, ravaged by defeat and crippled by demands for reparation payments, was the rewriting of history – “we didn’t lose the war, we were betrayed by socialist politicians” – and the offer to restore national self-esteem and “greatness”. This approach has proved successful with several populist leaders around the world. Ed Marel, Bathurst
Powerhouse promise
The people’s Powerhouse Museum is not being renovated, as claimed by the CEO Lisa Havilah (“Powering up for the biggest museum move in 50 years”, August 13). At great risk to its priceless collection and a cost to taxpayers of more than $400 million, the 36-year-old museum is being demolished. Only the walls of the original Ultimo Power House and the outline of the Wran building will be left once the wreckers have left. And for what? Events, parties, immersive experiences, contemporary art and performances a la White Bay Power Station and Carriageworks. No Powerhouse Museum – three priceless objects shunted back into giant voids: the 1785 Boulton & Watt engine after being prised out of its “bullet-proof” box (what a farce), No 1 Locomotive and the Catalina – all to be pointless remnants of the lauded Powerhouse Museum. Labor was voted in on their promise to save the Powerhouse, the only museum of industry, science and design in the country , one which has inspired generations to become aviators, astronauts, scientists and designers. But now Labor is breaking their promise to the people and depriving future generations of their much-loved museum. Premier Minns, stop this wasteful, cultural crime and actually save the Powerhouse Museum as promised. Jennifer Sanders, Russell Lea
Destined for Albion Park: The Catalina Frigate Bird II was donated to the museum by the swashbuckling Australian aviator Captain P. J. Taylor.Credit: Dean Sewell
Breaking bad
What happened (Letters, August 13)? You’re the brilliant country that gave us the Sydney Opera House, Steve Irwin, Crocodile Dundee, Hugh Jackman, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Ayers Rock, Aboriginal culture, Qantas, Nicole Kidman, the Great Barrier Reef – and then for the Olympics the Australian Olympic team sends the world’s worst breakdancer. If it wasn’t so fantastic it would be awful. Rob Newman Los Angeles (US)
Raygun now joins the pantheon of athletes such as Eric the Eel and Eddie the Eagle, who have won our endearment sans Olympic medal. Walter Lee, Ashfield
Welcome back
I have enjoyed James Valentine’s upbeat radio presenting for years, so it is no surprise that he has a positive, come what may view about his illness (“Last-gasp twist to Valentine’s cancer surgery”, August 13). Welcome back James! Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
James Valentine Credit: James Alcock
Coffee crimes
Like Tony Hunt (Letters, August 13), I was in the UK about 10 years ago and pining for a decent coffee. I found a café with a gleaming, steaming monster espresso machine and gleefully ordered a flat white. I am still suffering from the existential shock of watching the “barista” open a jar of Nescafé and shovel a teaspoon into a mug, and use that wonderful machine merely as a source of hot water. Stein Boddington, St Clair
Many, many years ago my mother and father used to drink a dreadful concoction that they called coffee, made from coffee essence. My girlfriends and I maintained that in those days the only places in the Sydney CBD where we could get a reasonable cup of coffee were the Liberty Café in Pitt Street, or the Cahill’s cafés. Shirley Rider, Point Clare
Trump’s people
According to George Brandis, “Trump’s people” include truck drivers, factory workers and other working people, many of whom live in the rust belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin (Letters, August 13). Due to the loss of a large number of manufacturing jobs as a result of globalisation, many of these workers had been left behind. In 2016 Trump promised to help them, a promise which won him all three states. As Brandis points out, Trump was their “champion”. However, if Trump was indeed their champion, why did all three states vote for Biden in 2020? Rob Neurath, Ashfield
Metro shock
Given all the drama surrounding the Metro’s emergency procedures, the biggest shock we are likely to get from the Metro is to see it up and running before Christmas (“‘Zapped’ firefighter case triggers dispute over Sydney’s new metro tunnels”, August 13). Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
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