Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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ELECTIONS
Thank you George Brandis for celebrating Australia’s pioneering role in secret ballots, in compulsions around voting, and in allowing voters to “preference” rank their electorate’s candidates (“Hail our democratic wonderland”, 26/8). To this historical list, of which we should all be rightly proud, we can add two more recently introduced features.
First, since the 1980s, we have had a statutorily independent and nationally operating electoral commission which alone decides the size and shape of each electorate within prescribed rules. Second, public funding of political parties, though presently still with some warts, further enhances our democracy by providing a counterbalance to electioneering that would otherwise be dominated by advertising voices paid for by the mega rich. Left unchecked, uncontrolled election spending, which is made more powerful by largely unregulated social media, will deliver ever more blights on our democracy. In such distorted election campaigns, there would be no point continuing to celebrate secret ballots, compulsory and preferential voting and any of our more recent innovations in the democratic process. Hopefully, before this present term ends, federal parliament can find some agreement across party lines and within the independents to further improve the rules around election spending.
Robert Townsend, Kew
Assorted characters
George Brandis provides such an informative article on the anniversary of our voting system. It is also noteworthy how Brandis in his final sentence managed to put Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and Tweedledum and Tweedledee in the same sentence.
Judith Hudson, Elwood
A system worthy of replication
George Brandis’ column was a terrific piece of writing that succinctly captures some of the great, and sadly unique, features of the Australian electoral system. It provides a brief historical overview of some key moments in our electoral history, with an unexpected and idiosyncratic twist. Who knew there would be a link to Alice in Wonderland? Australia has long been a leader in developing fairer electoral processes. If only some other countries would recognise the strengths of compulsory voting and having a national and standardised electoral system.
Ciaran Crehan, North Balwyn
The law on voting
Former attorney-general George Brandis writes that objections to compulsory voting are overcome by the fact that the obligation is not to vote, merely to take a ballot paper. This would mean that the ballot could be taken and then disposed of according to the elector’s desire including being thrown away, which according to the legislation is not the case. The Electoral Act 1918 - Section 233 states it is an offence if the elector fails to vote, which includes that they must take the ballot to an individual booth and mark it. The fact that the law is unenforceable might be convenient but the law is the law.
Michael Doyle, Ashburton
A variety of flaws
Almost every Western democracy has optional voting and almost every military regime has compulsory voting. If you believe in democracy, you believe in freedom of choice, so how can a country where you are forced to vote and are fined if you don’t be a “democratic wonderland”?
Our preferential system of voting has many flaws. It is more complicated to administer and count, sometimes taking days or even weeks to determine an election outcome. It promotes a two-party system to the detriment of minor parties and independents, which is probably the reason why George Brandis likes it so much. Voters are forced to express preferences for candidates they do not support. Don’t make people vote, make them want to vote.
David Charles, Newtown
THE FORUM
Virtuous performance
Regarding the appointment of Peter Garrett to review Australia’s longest-running orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (The Age, 26/8), the Midnight Oil frontman has long been recognised as a “social warrior”, often placing social and political causes at the forefront of his endeavours. From his time as an advocate for environmental issues to his tenure as a federal politician, where he championed causes such as Indigenous rights and sustainability, Garrett has consistently prioritised social activism. While his commitment to social justice is commendable, one must question whether this background equips him to steer an institution like the MSO, whose primary mission has always been musical excellence.
There was a time when the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra stood as the premier arts organisation in Australia, that captivated audiences and set the standard for classical music in the region. During its golden era, the MSO was not only a beacon of artistic virtuosity but also demonstrated a deep commitment to cultural enrichment.
However, one must wonder how far the MSO has fallen from those heights. Will this review by Garrett focus on revitalising the orchestra’s artistic prowess, or will it be another exercise in making the MSO appear more virtuous at the expense of its musical integrity?
Hamish Madden, Brighton
Open forum
Regarding Jayson Gillham’s threatened lawsuit against the MSO (“Cancelled pianist hires legal team, threatens action against MSO”, 23/8) it is sad that Gillham has not considered that he was a guest in someone else’s house. If I were a guest at a party, I would at least have the courtesy to ask the host first if I wanted to stop the party and use it and all the guests as my personal audience. Because it is the host that is going to be left with the fallout of anything I say or do.
Gillham has no shortage of social media outlets to express his views and can wear the consequences alone when he does. I fully expect the MSO to act to protect the integrity of its house. It has the ongoing responsibility to sponsors and the paying audience long after any artist has come and gone. If the MSO stage is deemed to be an open forum then at least print that on the tickets in advance. Do not conflate the right to free speech with the right to a free audience. Ask me to come to a rally and I will decide for myself.
John Joyner, Mornington
Just dreaming
So, Liberal home ownership spokesman Andrew Bragg is not keen on the large superannuation funds investing in affordable housing as “We don’t think corporate housing is consistent with the Australian dream” (“Should big super get involved in tackling housing affordability?” 26/8). But our current system of allowing investors to negative gear, a taxpayer-funded subsidy, into a property portfolio is part of the Australian dream? I guess that the average bloke can only dream about being a home owner.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
Territory challenges
Newly elected NT chief minister Lia Finocchiaro has been handed a poisoned chalice (“NT Country Liberals vow to tackle crime after belting Labor”, 26/8). Inheriting a net debt of more than $10 billion is a crushing burden in a territory with a minuscule population where its private sector GDP growth has been swamped by the public service bureaucracy. No previous government has successfully handled the Territory’s burgeoning debt well. That is a tough enough challenge, but Finocchiaro’s pre-election promise to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years is a potential powder keg that could well prove to make her government a one-term wonder. A focal point will be in Alice Springs and its neighbouring remote Aboriginal communities, where a youth crime crisis has been making headlines.
It will be a true test of Finocchiaro’s leadership to see if she can win enough support in those same remote communities to get her promise past the post, to convince Territorians that all-of-community safety and social harmony is a greater priority.
John Bell, Heidelberg Heights
Debt grows
In 1990, then Victorian Labor premier Joan Kirner under advice and pressure from then federal Labor treasurer Paul Keating, sold the State Savings Bank of Victoria, saying Victoria couldn’t stand interest on the bank’s debt of $140 million for that year. (An Age Ago, 26/8). In 2024, following years of further Labor and Liberal government privatisations, the Victorian government debt is $135billion, needing interest payments nearing $9 billion per year or $26 million per day.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Uplifting story
When the first sections of the daily newspaper are dominated by reports of what is going wrong in the world, it is uplifting to read a story about someone who has overcome terrible war injuries to represent Australia in the Paralympics. Such is the case of Curtis McGrath (“When a mine blast took his legs, Curtis McGrath foretold his Paralympic future”, 25/8). McGrath embodies the spirit of all in the Paralympics who have a shared desire to represent our country despite the disadvantages in their lives. We should all be proud of them.
Bruce MacKenzie, South Kingsville
A profound message
Some might recognise the closing line “to live lighter that others may simply live” (Letters, 24/8), rightly praised by your correspondent (“Let’s all walk into the light”, Letters, 26/8), as a reworking of Mahatma Gandhi’s “Live simply so that others may simply live”, but it is no less timely or wise for its borrowing – and sits well next to another of Gandhi’s exhortations, “You must be the change you want to see in the world”.
Deborah Morrison, Malvern East
Gender divide
A respectful word to your correspondents on inequality and the need to simplify: Baby Boomer men are, on average, the richest ever cohort. However, the women are the fastest growing homeless demographic, and 80 per cent of unpartnered women are retiring in poverty. Many have never had “franking credits, liberal tax concessions, unbridled negative gearing, and capital gains tax reliefs”. Universal Boomer wealth is a myth; wealth and poverty are highly gendered in Australia. Women have experienced multiple disadvantages, including time out raising children; and the pay gap.
Superannuation only started in 1992, and has favoured higher-income earners. The mainly male, top 10 per cent gained 38 per cent of tax concessions. Women have had around half men’s superannuation.
Barbara Chapman, South Yarra
Park your worries
I wish to allay your correspondent’s concerns (Letters, 26/8) regarding the lack of bike cages at the rebuilt suburban stations across Melbourne. My local station at Hughesdale and adjoining stations at Murrumbeena and Carnegie all have secure Parkiteer cages for cyclists. As part of the elimination of the level crossings on the Dandenong rail corridor there is a splendid all weather bike path from Caulfield to Yarraman station which connects with several key cycling routes. A search on the PTV or Metro websites will indicate what facilities each station has including bike lockers.
Steven Haby, Hughesdale
We’re the dealer
The Great Barrier Reef is dying from the top down, because of the rises in sea temperature and sea acidification caused by global warming (“Outlook for reef is officially ‘very poor’,” 26/8). Nobody wants to admit the irony of government policy in relation to global warming. While lamenting global warming and loss of the reef, Australia conducts inquiries to preserve the reef for the tourist industry, as if science is somehow going to rescue the reef. Behind the scenes, Australia is still opening coal mines and gas fields, saying that “fossil fuel is part of the solution to energy shortage”. But that’s OK, since we don’t burn the stuff locally, we export it.
Geoff Black, Frankston
Services before roads
While your correspondent (Letters, 25/8) is able to draw attention to the availability of bus services in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne (routes 504, 506, 508 and 510), the standard of service they offer is mediocre – non-existent weekend services in some cases and poor frequency during the week. It is the same right across metropolitan Melbourne. E-scooters have a role to play but high-quality public transport services are much more important. The Allan government should ditch its hyper-expensive Big Build roads projects, such as the North East Link, which are also blowing up the Victorian economy, and focus on service improvements to the public transport network. No brass plaques as a memento, but far more cost-effective.
Ian Hundley, Balwyn North
Health care
With considerable justification there has been criticism of the administration and resourcing of our healthcare system. But, this is a good news story. At a routine 20-week ultrasound our grandson was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. His mother’s care (and his) was immediately transferred to the Monash Hospital high-risk pregnancy unit. A plan was developed for action the moment he was born. After five days a very delicate operation was successfully performed to relocate his internal organs to their correct position and the hernia repaired. He received around-the-clock care from a team of highly skilled professionals. After 60 days of NICU and special care nursery attention our grandson is at home and to all intents and purposes is a normal, happy little baby. We are in awe of the skill and dedication of the staff who helped to care for our resilient little boy.
Richard Bennetts, Nariel Valley
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Matt Golding
Power
Your article on the magnitude of the problem facing the government on renewables and batteries by 2035 (“State faces big test on energy push”, 26/8) forgot the main threat to this happening. Peter Dutton.
Ross Hosking, Blackwood, SA
Will the Hunter Valley earthquakes put a crack in Peter Dutton nuclear power plans? (“Second earthquake leaves residents without power, water near site of proposed nuclear plant”, 24/8).
John Groom, Bentleigh
Politics
The new Northern Territory LNP government, led by Lia Finocchiaro, says that its first priority will be to lower the age of criminal responsibility. What a disgrace.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Republican Pat Buchanan coined the MAGA slogan in 1992 (Nick Bryant, The Forever War). Trump is actually promoting Make America Great Again Again.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading
Every time I see the background nodding (Letters, 26/8) I am reminded of Dr Fauci’s less than subtle face palm during one of Trump’s shambolic press conferences. Joy to my heart.
Peter McGill, Lancefield
After reading that in 1990 our former State Bank’s assets were wiped out by $2.7 billion Tricontinental losses (An Age Ago, 26/8), sadly in relative terms the current Victorian Labor government’s economic mismanagement isn’t so bad after all.
Peter Venn, East Bentleigh
Furthermore
Bees, sardines and starlings, among other species, co-operate to deal with existential threats (“Wisdom of the swarm: the future of ‘super intelligence’,” 25/8). Sadly, as in the case of climate change and the use of violence, that ability keeps eluding Homo sapiens.
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
“Nude Networking: benefits of sauna diplomacy” (26/8) barely mentioned women, or how men’s clubs worked to exclude women from critical networking. Nude saunas seem to do this again.
Rachel Martin, Croydon
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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.