Credit: Illustration: Megan Herbert
GOVERNING
Democracy is a very fragile creation. There are as many implementations of democracy as there are countries and groups professing to be “democratic”. The appalling war in the Middle East is being waged between two allegedly democratic belligerents – Hamas, democratically elected, and Israel, which claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East.
The US version of democracy is far from truly democratic (thank you, Peter Hartcher, “160 million Americans will vote. Only 538 will choose the next president”, 12/10). The US is in grave danger of its system collapsing under the relentless barrage of lies and misinformation peddled by Trump, now joined by Elon Musk and his social media clout.
We must not forget the lesson of Germany in the 1930s. The Nazi party was democratically elected and proceeded to take over the country with a strategy underpinned by lies, misinformation and thuggery. Sound familiar?
In Australia, we have one of the best implementations of the democratic ideals (thank you again, Peter Hartcher) and we must resist all attempts by extremist and right-wing groups to undermine the foundations of our institutions. To quote Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government – except all the others.” We must protect what we have.
Bob Malseed, Hawthorn
Tweak our system for better representation
Hartcher goes easy on the American “democratic” system in “160 million Americans will vote. Only 538 will choose the next president” 12/10). The US system’s obvious flaws highlight the huge advantage our compulsory voting, independent Australian Electoral Commission and preferential voting system give us. Minor tweaks would make ours an even better representative democracy.
Firstly, I want to know my candidate’s, not just their party’s, views on issues. This is where Tim Walz got into trouble in the US election farce (sorry “campaign”) when he accidentally viewed a very sensible opinion.
I may vote for a candidate who aligns with my views even if their party does not, hoping they can sway their party room. This would also do away with press “gotcha moments” when politicians accidentally state (shock/horror!) their own opinion.
Secondly, the ridiculous race to the bottom between two parties feigning saintliness while blatantly scuppering any serious anti-corruption commission must be called out loudly and clearly until the neanderthals who think corruption is fine in our system have nowhere to hide.
Meanwhile I will vote independent.
Michael Langford, Ivanhoe
Compulsory voting a key to the greater good
Your correspondent’s views (Letters, “Not slouching, trying”, 12/10), that three of the requirements of our constitution – compulsory voting, non-dual/non-multiple national citizenship, and requirements for standing as a parliamentary candidate including 100 nominators and $2000 – are undemocratic, show a lack of understanding of our Australian democracy.
The words “freedom” and “democracy” are often used to advocate for a policy justified as a democratic right.
“Freedom of speech” , for example, is viewed as a “democratic” right when that speech involves hate speech.
Democracy is more than every citizen having their personal views enacted. A strong, healthy democracy requires policies, laws, infrastructure and culture supporting the greater good, not just for the present, but also for the future.
If ordinary citizens weren’t compelled to vote, imagine the extent to which power by powerful self-interested parties, would likely increase. Compulsory voting in Australia is not only a right, it is also a privilege and a responsibility for citizens concerned with supporting the greater good.
Jennifer Gerrand, Carlton North
Raw democracy
When members of the public voice their political concerns through various media, they are participating in a democracy. Not everyone can be a politician, and not everyone is able to join a political party, but it is the raw, unfiltered voice of the people that produces the groundswells of change. It is where the real power lies and is a defining feature of democracy: to shut down the vox populi is to shut down democracy.
Emma Borghesi, Rye
A year of shame
A year has passed since the first day in my 70 years I felt truly ashamed to be Australian. A year since the October 14, 2023, when the majority of Australians rejected a reasonable proposal for our First Nations People to formally have a Voice to federal parliament.
A year since our First Australians were denied the same rights long enjoyed and much exercised by lobbyists representing business, politics and religion. A year since the political opportunists and the closet racists strongly advocated the No vote, hiding behind suggestions of better, yet undefined alternatives. A year during which no such meaningful proposals have been put forward.
Another lost year, with only more evidence that a Yes vote was needed. Not good enough.
Ken Reither, Gisborne
Majority voted no
Advocates of the failed Voice campaign, which sought to give Aboriginal people special status and rights over non-Aboriginal people, should heed Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s advice that such a proposal was very divisive and has resulted in a greater schism in Australia between– those with Aboriginal heritage and others. She postulates there can never be cohesion in a country that has two flags, and what she calls the broadening Aboriginal ″industry″ in which government-funded organisations appoint only Aboriginal people to its positions.
While Yes supporters are critical of the 63 per cent of Australians voting against the Voice, that cannot simply be dismissed as the result of a negative campaign. It should be seen as the democratic vote of the majority who did not agree with what was proposed.
Robert Rogers, Warrandyte
Say it next election
A year on from the tragic failure of the Voice referendum, it’s not too difficult to identify the three main reasons for that. They were Warren Mundine, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Peter Dutton.
As for the first two, as Indigenous Australians they sold out their people by promoting a No vote and it’s something they will have to live with. Peter Dutton was being his usual self when he walked out of the chamber during Kevin Rudd’s apology to Indigenous Australians in 2008. This is one of many reasons he should not succeed in leading an Australian government, and we’ll all have a say in that.
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool
THE FORUM
Cancel culture
I can’t believe The Age’s Good Food Guide has dropped widely praised, two-hatted restaurant Reine and La Rue because its owner Alan Yazbek displayed a Nazi sign at a pro-Palestine rally. Next thing, there’ll be calls for the MSO and Opera Australia to eschew Richard Wagner’s works because of his antisemitic views.
His music is even performed in Israel, despite protests.
Peter Price, Southbank
Cancelling culture
The MSO/Jayson Gillham debacle has grown out of all proportion (″MSO discriminated against me: pianist″, 5/10). He was about to play a piece that a composer had dedicated to journalists killed in Palestine. It appears Gillham was expanding on the dedication, which would seem a perfectly normal thing to do. Surely, not a reason to cancel his concerts.
Joy Hayman, Surrey Hills
Aged care living horror
At every opportunity, the Australian media pounces on provider abuse of the NDIS with relish where there is a whiff of political gain (‴It’s the Wild West’: Gift cards, free holidays and annual payments for NDIS referrals″, 13/10), but suppresses and avoids details relating to the privatised aged care system.
To each Australian, for whom ageing related disability has resulted in the cessation of their own voice being heard due to having lived, or living out the horror and intense loneliness after loss of mobility, of the round-the-clock neglect in Australia’s deregulated, privatised system of residential aged care, it ought at least to be pledged in response by Australian society, and by the Australian government, that their descendants will not suffer as they have suffered.
The first response of the Australian government has been to legislate to protect aged care providers from criminal liability. The response from Australian society to protect itself is, as the aged care royal commission noted, ″strangely weak″.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
Yes, so no Pesutto
The question of John Pesutto’s leadership of the state Liberal Party has been rumbling along for the past two weeks. He was elected on a knife-edge against two strong candidates. I have seen no mention of the fact that by voting No in the referendum, in a strong Yes seat, he has shown himself to not truly represent his constituents. I think it is optimistic to presume he will be reelected in 2026.
Jan Downing, Hawthorn East
Remove the royals
Your article about monarchists (″Superfans prepare to face their monarch″, 13/10) reminds me of another cult, that of Donald Trump. Obviously the royals are not as venal or mendacious as the corrupt megalomaniac who could soon be back in the White House, but Charles and Camilla have done nothing particularly impressive to earn the deference given to them by the nations where he is head of state.
They are no better than the average citizen of any of these countries. They give speeches and cut ribbons, assisted by an army of flunkies, and give a small proportion of their time to charitable causes, while they lead lives of utter luxury. And what about the treatment meted out to Diana Spencer by Charles and his then mistress?
So. to anyone meeting them during their visit, enjoy abasing yourselves before these very flawed people with your fake curtsies and bows, it all means nothing. The sooner this family is removed from our system of government and we become a grown-up, fully independent nation, the better.
Edmund Doogue, Crawley, WA
Small miracles
Congrats to Amra Pajalic for her piece on babies and life generally (“Post child-rearing, I find babies revolting”, 13/10). There will be a barrage of garment renting at this article.
Everyone’s journey is different, however. We have so much awful news and the death of many innocents just now, as always.
To see a baby is to see a miracle. When they are very little, they smile when you smile at them (later they become more suspicious of strangers). Their small hands are a miracle. Their softness is amazing. To see them there, all the other stuff falls away for a moment.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Forever sullied
By referring again to the incident that allegedly occurred in 2017 when a male colleague allegedly molested Julia Banks, your correspondent repeats the slur that any of the men in the Liberal Party room that day were, or are, a potential abuser (Letters, 13/10).
She refers to him as a ″sleaze″ convinced the alleged crime actually occurred.
Banks never named the perpetrator, and so no charges were laid, but the fallout unjustly and forever sullied the names of every male in the room at the time, as your correspondent’s letter proves.
Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully
Smoke and gambling tax
One would think that shrinking revenue from cigarette tax would be welcomed, indicating a reduction in smoking, but apparently it is seen as a problem for the government (″Black market sends budget bottom line up in smoke″, 13/10).
No doubt, a reduction in gambling tax would be seen in the same way.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
No nuclear deterrent
Your lengthy article on Iran’s efforts to build a nuclear bomb has a glaring omission (“Cat and mouse: What we know about Iran’s secretive nuclear program”, 10/10). There is no mention that Israel has had a nuclear capability for years. Surely, this is a crucial factor in Iran’s nuclear ambitions?
Once the nuclear genie is out of the bag, it is understandable that adversaries will want to play catch up.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
Thank you, Stephanie
As l read ″Falling in Love″, Sunday Life, 13/10, I was transported back to the late 1950s: A time and place, where I, too, fell in love with food, restaurant kitchens, and the love the chefs placed on each plate that was plated up and sent into the dining room.
I was just four years old when my chef mother taught me how to fold a chef’s hat out of a starched napkin, or cut butter into precise portions then using butter pats to turn the small cubes of butter into beautiful small balls with the most wonderful grooves around the circle.
I watched my mother move around the kitchen effortlessly, handling food with the utmost respect.
Growing up in that environment, I naturally gravitated to cooking and my infatuation with the masters of the trade. I had a list of restaurants I hoped to dine at in the early 1980s. Stephanie’s was at the top of the list. Thank you Stephanie Alexander for giving so many people your love for cooking and letting us rejoice in the art of eating excellent food.
Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris
AND ANOTHER THING
Society
Maybe it’s time the government consulted smokers on how to stop people smoking. Not the non-smoking health/government bureaucrats who don’t understand the need of smokers.
James Lane, Hampton East
The report of an alleged Nazi salute at the Victorian Police Academy (13/10) is very concerning. That an experienced police officer could even think of such a thing suggests that there is something deeply flawed in the culture of the whole academy.
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn
The “white man fight back” blokes dressed in black (13/10). Obviously, a great deal of thought went into that wardrobe choice.
Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills
Furthermore
Deputy leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley demands that Richard Marles resign over a toxic work environment (12/10). Has she forgotten that a civil court found a Liberal staffer was raped in a Liberal ministers office? Oh, and the Liberal minister did not resign.
Sean Geary, Southbank
So a large majority of Australians would vote for a Vladimir Putin wannabe if it wasn’t for the nomination of Kamala Harris. How scary is that?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
Excited at the prospect of lobsters going to China again. The excitement is palpable. Lobster price rising from unaffordable to really unaffordable.
Don Hyatt, Dingley Village
Why do we have the United Nations? I doubt they will ever convince Israel to cease fighting.
Bruce Dudon, Woodend
There is international condemnation of Israel’s attacks on UN peacekeepers. Does anyone seriously believe that Israel cares two hoots what the rest of the world thinks about their actions?
John Walsh, Watsonia
No one has ever looked better running fast and bouncing the ball, hair streaming behind, than Michael Turner in his pomp. (″This Geelong footy legend helped 134 players get drafted″, 11/10.
Michael Read, Carnegie
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