Credit: Illustration: Megan Herbert
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.
LETTER WRITERS
In relation to the admirable piece on letter writing from Megan Stoyles of Aireys Inlet, (″Highs and lows of an Age letter writer″, 14/9), it is worth noting we are all heirs to the legendary letter writer to ‘The Times of London’ during the first half of the 20th century whose alias was ‘Disgusted’ from Royal Tunbridge Wells.
He was never identified; but was thought to have been a retired Colonel of the Indian Army who became subsequently a high ranking member of the British Civil Service. Nicknamed the ‘Thunderer’, he was, according to one observer, ‘self-opinionated and convinced of his own infallibility’. One wag proffered that the spirit of his letters was that ‘you may be as disgusted as you please but never disgusting’.
Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza
Citizens can change the world
Many countries in the world would not allow such a democratic right as expressing one’s views publicly, so we have much for which to be grateful here. What drives us letter writers? For me initially, it was rage about some government practices. Also, distress about an individual’s ability to alter the course of injustices. However, I was reminded of a Margaret Mead quote: ″Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.″ So we continue to write in the hope of influencing leaders to change some of their practices and spark the desire to create change in some activist groups.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Without venom or vilification
I love the idea of a community of like-minded contributors. This publication’s forum is a wonderful opportunity for ordinary people to speak for democracy and raise stimulating ideas without venom or vilification. May it live forever!
Rosalind McIntosh, Camberwell
The editor is not the enemy
Whether letter writers have highs or lows is obviously determined by the editor. Editors, according to a professional journalist friend, are the contributor’s enemy, who it’s claimed, may cut or alter writers’ offerings or possibly bin them.
As an often disappointed letter writer, I don’t regard the editor as the enemy, but I do offer the admittedly subjective opinion, that sometimes editors, not only in the letter columns, can ignore or give less emphasis to more important issues. To me, one such under reported important issue, is the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the need for a permanent settlement to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Passionate, funny and wise
Megan Stoyles’ article made me think about my fellow contributors. What an erudite, funny, passionate and wise bunch you are. Each morning, I head straight for the letters page and scan for my favourite authors. The redoubtable Myra Fisher has succeeded Constance E. Little of Swan Reach as our doyenne. My only concern is that we are an ageing group and our dying art will soon be replaced by AI.
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn
Keeping it concise
Megan Stoyles’ article caught my attention. It seems that epigrammatic suggestions work well too.
Meg McPherson, Brighton
For those not mentioned
Well done, Megan Stoyles. It looks like you have nailed it. (I still can’t believe you didn’t mention Nick Toovey, from Beaumaris, or Belinda Burke from Hawthorn). Keep up the good work, everyone.
Claire Merry, Wantirna
It’s not you, it’s me too
You are not alone Megan, they never publish me either.
Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully
THE FORUM
Fomenting intolerance
On Saturday, I read that by demonstrating for peace I was a “hypocrite” (Letters, 14/9). Yesterday, I read speculation that I, and most of my friends, “might have remained silent” about the selling of targets wearing keffiyehs, or 2000-pound bombs if the war hardware were for killing people we wanted killed (Letters, 15/9).
So, the Quakers, and other pacifists who show up to object to arms dealing, are hypocrites and selective, deadly haters.
I hesitate to say this, but are we witnessing another predicable, ugly result of locating an arms expo in our city – the fomenting of intolerance and division in our own peace-loving home?
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Protester intentions
I was a protester at the Land Forces Expo. I can assure your correspondent (Letters, 15/9) that the protesters would not have ″remained silent″ if the military hardware on display were ″destined for their preferred causes″.
The protesters were united in their opposition to the use of weapons in all conflicts around the world, whether in West Papua, Palestine, Sudan or Ukraine. They were united in their abhorrence of a weapons fair, at which arms dealers spruik their latest killing machines to clients while enjoying a glass of wine.
No, we cannot abolish war. But what does it say about us that we have chosen to host the biggest arms fair in the southern hemisphere as part of our aspiration to become one of the world’s top 10 arms-exporting nations?
Richard Barnes, Canterbury
Selective outrage
″Imagine the uproar if the police threw projectiles at the protesters,″ writes a correspondent, (Letters, ″Hypocrisy on the march″, 11/9). As this newspaper has reported, a photographer has lost part of his ear from rubber bullets. Protesters in hospital, a young woman filmed being shoved by police onto the ground into, if not right next to, flames.
So, are you in uproar? Will I see you in Melbourne today?
Harrison Robertson, Frankston South
Bashing battlers
The Reserve Bank says that spending must be reduced to curb inflation. It paints a picture that suggests frivolous spending on avocados drives inflation. No. Spending and buying are not the same, and people are spending more but buying the same (for many, just the bare essentials).
To suggest they cut down on their buying of essentials and even sell up (if they have a house to sell) to curb inflation is an expedient, inadequate response. Frivolous spending, however, where people who don’t need to worry might spend too much on a house to meet their desires, causing property prices to go up, is a contributing factor. So, too, is price-gouging and the never-ending pressure to generate higher profits and to pay inflated executive salaries.
Those details need to be addressed before bashing the battler.
Emma Borghesi, Rye
JobSeeker shortfall
The indexation of pensions and income support payments will take effect from September 20. These are well below the poverty line. Working families are struggling too, but our most vulnerable Australians are living on incomes consigning them to poverty.
Those on JobSeeker are doing it tough. Those old enough on the age pension, or with a disability pension are struggling to live on their payments. However, those on JobSeeker are still getting $300 per fortnight less than the pension. The biggest group on JobSeeker are those over 50. This is because it’s extremely difficult to meet the disability eligibility. Forty per cent have an underlying chronic condition, either illness or injury.
Many are waiting to qualify for the age pension, which is now 67. There are those whose occupations were physical in nature – concreters, tilers, bricklayers, who can’t do this any more.
Poverty is a political choice, none of those receiving income support – pensions, JobSeeker, carer payments are living lives of luxury. The government needs to increase the rates of JobSeeker urgently, as well as rent assistance. Pensioners also need further relief.
Peter Sutton, Murrumbeena
Growth must be a choice
It is not a fait accompli that Melbourne will be the size of London in 25 years. Our level of population growth is a policy choice. It is a choice that the voters currently have no say in, as there is no public discussion.
It’s not just housing that is the issue, but associated infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, etc. There is also the impact on the environment hastening the impacts of climate change. We need to have a discussion among all levels of government about whether this is the choice we as a country want to make.
Kieran Simpson, Blackburn North
Downsizing dilemma
How will our downsizing help solve the housing crisis? We’re fortunate enough to have a house worth several million. If we sell it for that amount, it will hardly be to the average house seeker.
If we then downsize to a much cheaper place, it will deprive a house seeker to a place they might afford. We’re delighted by the proposal not to have to pay stamp duty if we do downsize, but that adds to the housing crisis.
Sounds bonkers to me.
Nigel Dawson, Windsor
Great expectations
I agree with John Keating (″We can end auction trickery″, 14/9) that reserve prices ought to be made public, as when buying any other kind of product.
What he doesn’t mention is that, far from ″working in cahoots″ with their agent″, vendors are also exploited when persuaded on the morning of the auction to agree to a disappointingly low reserve. The purpose is so the auctioneer can announce this low expectation early, to ideally spark more bidding.
If things don’t go well, the agent can sell the property regardless, as the commission on a higher result is negligible compared to not selling at all. In that case, the sellers’ price hopes are secondary. Fortunately, as has happened to us, the market usually ends up coming to the party, recognising the prevailing value of the property, and everyone goes home happy.
Indeed, what is rarely discussed with underquoting is that prospective purchasers should have done their homework by researching recent comparable sales as their best price guide. There should really be no surprises.
Marish Mackowiak, Ormond
Runway emissions
Re a third runway for Melbourne airport approved by the federal government.
The Labor government says it’s working on achieving its emissions targets, so wouldn’t it be more helpful to reduce our carbon footprint by encouraging less air travel?
It’s one step forward with the rhetoric and several steps backward accelerating climate change every time you allow more air travel. Where does all that leave us for our 2030 target?
Cate Lewis, Clifton Hill
Teens’ social needs
I agree, more needs to be done for kids to do (Comment, 15/9). The cost of sport limits how much involvement kids can have, the lack of transport options in rural areas means kids struggle to get to towns. In my area, we’d love a modern indoor pool where the kids could hang out and swim with their friends. (We don’t have shopping malls to browse, the local shops shut at midday on weekends).
My daughter’s swim friends live in a scattered 80-kilometre area, some on farms. Social media has enabled their friendships to flourish, these have kept them going. The encouragement and support they get from each other far outweighs the negatives.
Donna Lancaster, Inverloch
Robo-debt scapegoat
Public servant Kathryn Campbell is guilty of breaching the Public Service Code of Conduct and has been duly punished for her ″crimes″: The loss of her career and reputation for acquiescence to uncaring politicians.
However, Bill Shorten is wrong to ridicule her claims of being the scapegoat. Until the politicians who were responsible for creating and promulgating this hideous policy are also brought to account, she is their scapegoat.
Ivan Murray, Taradale
AI excels as doctor’s aid
From a patient’s point of view, AI medical has many benefits (″AI is just what the overworked, burnt-out doctor ordered″, 14/8). Two weeks ago, I had a consultation with a rheumatologist using AI. She asked my permission to record the conversation. Once our voices were turned to text, the program could delete superfluous chit chat. The AI medical could suggest medications. Importantly, my specialist was still in control because she told me she checks the text to ensure its accuracy.
During the consultation, the specialist could keep eye contact with me instead of tapping away on her computer while we talked. Waiting times between patients’ appointments are cut because administrative work is not as burdensome. Because the consultation is recorded, nothing gets missed. My rheumatologist, a doctor for decades, was excited about this development in AI medical. So am I.
Erica Cervini, Prahran
Parroting Trump
Peter Dutton’s claims that a future Coalition government would be the friendliest government the mining and resources sector has ever seen, presents as parroting of Trump’s “dig, baby, dig” mantra. This planet cannot tolerate a return to its unregulated exploitation. We have already reached the tipping point in climate change. We can’t return to coal, oil and gas energy.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris
AND ANOTHER THING
Crowd size
Miserable crowd at Sydney Showgrounds for GWS v Brisbane semi-final. More empty seats than at a Trump rally.
Ken Richards, Elwood
Guessing the Geelong bandwagon has increased in size after the weekend’s results.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn
Everyone outside Melbourne should petition for a day of remembrance to acknowledge that no Melbourne team has made the AFL preliminary finals this year. It’s so sad, it’s worth repeating! Go Port, Lions, Swans and Cats (of course they’re not Melbourne).
Christopher Millington, Eden Hills, SA
Letter writers
Megan Stoyles of Aireys Inlet (14/9), what would The Age be without its (our) letters punctuated with a Golding cartoon gem? Keep writing those letters.
Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills
Hear, hear Megan Stoyles. How about an annual ″Constance E. Little Award″, with permission of course?
Roger Foot, Essendon
A major oversight, Megan Stoyles. No mention of Deborah Morrison of Malvern East.
Alistair Davies, Thornbury
Megan Stoyles’ article doesn’t mention me. I’m heartbroken.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills
Furthermore
Definitions: Albanese government. 1. Meandering, lacking spirit, risk averse, cowardly. 2. A one-term government.
Greg Gardiner, Brunswick
The suffragettes (1903) did it all before you, ″cement girl″, and they were thrown into prison and force fed. How lucky are you?
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
If Russia or China put weapons in Mexico, America would not sit idly by. But America does this in Ukraine on Russia’s borders, and we are supposed to be surprised that Russia takes action?
Tony Haydon, Springvale
“Soft” interviews? Credlin’s credibility is deemed to be deficient.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading
”
The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.