Credit: Illustration: Cathy Wilcox
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AFL private school drafts
‴It’s not often us – it’s the parents’: The staggering private school dominance of the AFL draft″ (24/11) gives the game away. We are witnessing the destruction of many of Australia’s best young footballers’ dreams. Our once meritocratic game is becoming the domain of a reducing talent pool.
Gone are the days when the national draft attracted the best from all walks of life. We are effectively killing the dreams of thousands of young boys at the age of 12, and seemingly celebrating it, simply because of the schools they attend.
The AFL already has a crisis with reduced Indigenous players across the competition. It’s now at breaking point on whether the most talented Australian boys can make the top competition without a private education.
Jeremy Burke, Richmond
Private schools jockeying for rankings
″Only 19 of the 71 AFL draftees ... came from a public school” according to the Age report (24/11). The more important statistic might be how many of those 71 draftees were on private school scholarships.
My experience teaching in the government school system for 34 years was that it was very common for private schools to offer scholarships to our top sports students. Every public school PE teacher would say the same. One year, a private school offered scholarships to almost all of our year 10 girls volleyball team in an attempt to improve its standings in the private school sports competitions.
Scholarships are why so many AFL draftees come from private schools, not because those schools are automatically better at nurturing sporting talent.
Grant Nichol, North Ringwood
Need to celebrate sportsmen’s role as fathers
Reading the headline “How a sleep deprived mum led AFLW’s biggest comeback” (23/11), it struck me that there is rarely a mention of a male sportsman being impacted by his family responsibilities.
Then I read Helen Garner’s comments that “I get sick of hearing the phrase toxic masculinity. And I know that people don’t mean to say that all masculinity is toxic, but I think that a lot of boys probably absorb it as that, there’s something about them which is irredeemably toxic″.
I have two grandsons and a son, and know that’s not true. We need to represent women’s sporting prowess as we do with men, and we equally need to celebrate stories of sporting men’s roles as fathers. We must do better for boys and men by representing all the positive roles men play.
Marian Allison, Northcote
Mutual back scratching
The private school sports scholarship phenomenon (″It’s not often us, it’s the parents″, 24/11) is now explained as pushy parents, not pushy private schools. In reality, the scholarships are a form of early indoctrination in the philosophy of ″you scratch my back and I will scratch yours″.
Tony Haydon, Springvale
Sucking the brightest from government system
The high number of AFL draft players emerging from private schools has nothing to do with “poaching” students from government schools. It is, apparently, about their parents seeking “better academic networking opportunities”. Blame the parents for wanting a better education, not the private school for offering a half or full scholarship worth upwards of $10,000.
It is not just football, it is any aspect of life where a private school’s marketing claims “we created these exceptional students”, even though in some cases they just “bought” them off the government school shelf.
This process sucks the best and brightest out of the government system. Is it any wonder they struggle to maintain standards? No federal government is ever going to prioritise public schools over private schools. It is where politicians send their children, because they can afford the fees.
Haydn Moyle, Flemington
THE FORUM
Political vaudeville
Sean Kelly (Comment, ″Politics is built on shifting sands″, 25/11), in summarising the causes of Scott Morrison’s demise, should include the political appeal of boredom.
In 2019, journalist Chris Uhlmann wrote of Morrison’s appeal: “I suspect the silent majority is actually enjoying the sound of silence out of Canberra.”
The re-election of Donald Trump does not indicate, at least in the US, any appetite for boredom. If Australia were to follow suit – and Peter Dutton appears attracted to that notion – a ″steady course″ may no longer hold appeal for some.
The opposition opposes, blames, dog-whistles, demonises refugees and blames renewables for high energy prices. No government can remain ″boring″ in the face of these divisive, over-simplistic tactics. No matter how sensible Labor’s policies, they can no longer assume these will garner support. There are disruptive forces at work which need to be exposed as empty, if not harmful, promises.
Fiona Colin, Malvern East
Politics is personal
Sean Kelly analyses the tactics used by political players, particularly Dutton on using migration as a tool to win the next election (“Politics is built on shifting sands″, 25/11).
How politicians act in a crisis is, of course, a reflection of their true values. For example, Morrison’s absence during the bushfire crisis and his ineffective leadership during the pandemic. Dutton now weaponises immigration to stoke our fears as an election tool, in much the same way as Trump does. Now, both major parties are uniting by using new election rules to try to prevent independent candidates seeking office.
Politics is not separate from life, as some people think. How you vote is integral to your life. Do you want an inclusive Australia, where we all get a “fair go”? Do you want action on climate change now? Or, will you mindlessly absorb and believe political tactics?
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Not-so-smug Boomer
While sharing Michael McGirr’s chronological position, I disagree with his position on voting ( “Over-65s should step back on voting”, 23/11).
I happen to share many of the concerns of my young daughter and support her when voting on these issues. These include the lack of housing, educational debt, gender equality, an inequitable tax system and climate change.
I also vote on the same issues I am still passionate about despite my approaching decrepitude, such as environmental protection and the preservation of wild places, as I would like to totter around in them for a few more years.
Not all Boomers are sitting back unconcerned about generational inequality and smugly reviewing their property portfolios and checking on their franking credits.
Like McGirr, I also have a poet friend who offers guidance. His name is Dylan Thomas, and he offers these words on ageing: “Do not go gentle into that good night.“
Paul Sinclair, Thornbury
Keep on voting
Michael McGirr’s hypothesis (23/11) is interesting, but I’ll keep voting, thanks.
I fear the right-wing rump of the Liberal Party and its push to wind back women’s rights. The young may not be aware they are facing that fight all over again.
Jane Ross, San Remo
No gambling response
What a hapless, incompetent government the Albanese government is proving to be. After promising ″a comprehensive response″ before the end of the year to the Peta Murphy gambling report (which was tabled 18 months ago), it has now succumbed to lobby pressure. Its reason? It is a ″complicated″ matter. Despite Albanese’s praise of Murphy who ″led the charge on new reforms to minimise the harm caused by online gambling”, that firm commitment has been abandoned.
And so the harm continues. We are grateful to previous administrations that gave us gun reform and tobacco control for the benefit of the community. Pity our current government finds such community commitment legislation so complicated.
Brian Marshall, Ashburton
Net zero positive spin
How encouraging to see a positive spin on reaching net zero emissions by using our abundant solar and wind (″Playing role in saving the planet could make us rich″, 25/11). However, the main issue is highlighted in the final sentence – the federal government and the opposition have to quickly develop policies and processes to enable this to happen.
Until the opposition finally acknowledges the reality of climate change and has a positive approach to working with the current federal government, I can’t see much hope of change in the near future. It seems that Peter Dutton can only oppose and not work for our common good.
Denise Stevens, Healesville
Norwegian would-be
I find it amusing that Peter Costello is complaining about Jim Chalmers’ use of Australia’s sovereign wealth fund for low-cost housing.
The Norwegian fund was set up, so all Norwegians could benefit from their natural resources. If the Howard/Costello government had followed its lead, we would be a very wealthy country now. We, too, would be able to provide free education and free medical and dental and put caps on childcare costs. Norway provides excellent maternity and paternity leave which benefits the next generation.
Since its fund was established, Norway has made great strides to educate more women and close the gender pay gap. This initiative alone had paid them back twenty-five-fold.
Marilyn Hoban, Mornington
Trump doesn’t appeal
Your correspondent (″Trump Appeal″, 23/11) has a clear warning for Australia. He sees our country heading down the same path as America if the needs of “ordinary workers” are not met. Would such Australians have voted for ″a blustering showman” like Trump? I doubt that.
Your correspondent is making a point, but his letter fails to address the real issue. Trump is not the answer, even if you feel hard done by. No one would knowingly vote for a man who believes that climate change is a hoax and that representative government is negotiable.
Claude Miller, Castlemaine
Missing the point
In dismissing all 78 million Trump voters as potty-mouthed, racist homophobes, your correspondent (Letters, 23/11) essentially proves the point made in my letter (″Trump Appeal″, 22/11). They
are not.
I too, am sure that Trump will only deliver more wealth to the wealthy. It is unlikely that the working poor will receive any greater economic or social justice.
My point was that if governments prioritise (important) social and geo-political issues ahead of alleviating the hard-scrabble lives of many working people, we risk the same electoral outcome. People will turn to populists who they think are on their side, no matter the absence of any convincing policies or real solutions.
Graeme Russell, Clifton Hill
ICJ breaks own rules
The decision by the International Court of Justice to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant is a travesty that reeks of politics.
The court has blatantly broken its own rules. It only has jurisdiction over countries that are not capable of investigating and prosecuting alleged crimes themselves. Israel has a completely independent legal system that is totally capable of doing so, and has convicted soldiers for illegal acts.
Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of intentional starvation, but Israel has been allowing aid into Gaza, some of which has been looted by Hamas.
Danny Samuels, Malvern
Not genocide
Re your correspondent who accuses Israel of genocide (Letters, 25/11): Since when has an army committing genocide evacuated civilians away from the fighting, facilitated massive aid transfers or even arranged mass polio vaccinations?
Robbie Gore, Brighton East
Israel fails pub test
I think it is time that Peter Dutton, James Paterson and other dogmatic supporters of Israel took the following ″pub test″. Would they be equally in support of Palestine or another predominantly Muslim nation if the roles were reversed and they were relentlessly bombing Israel whilst preventing appropriate food and medical supplies to enter country? And if the answer is ″no″, what does that say about them?
I am neither pro-Israel nor anti-Israel, but in this scenario I can only conclude that Netanyahu is a war criminal who should be held to account for his actions.
Mark Thomson, Beaumaris
Airbnb supply
The report ″Rent rage rising as complaints about ‘excessive’ increases surge″ (24/11) ignores the elephant in the room: Airbnb taking homes away from the rental market.
A Google search shows there are over 500 Airbnb properties to rent in Ballarat and more than 1000 in the central Melbourne area. Imagine if Airbnbs were to be banned by the Victorian government, and all those houses and apartments were released to renters across the state. That would increase supply by a marked extent.
Daniel O’Dubhlaoich, Wendouree
Thanksgiving? No thanks
Why publish a recipe (Good Weekend, 23/11) that talks about an apple and dried cranberry bar being a great dessert for “celebrating Thanksgiving”?
Thanksgiving has nothing to do with the vast majority of Australians. At least Halloween derives from Irish and Scottish Christian celebrations, which connects with Australians, but Thanksgiving? It’s of relevance to only a handful of countries.
John Christiansen, St Kilda
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
US politics
Donald Trump’s is going to drain the swamp? That can’t be right. He’s just filled it (″Trump’s Picks″, 23/11).
Colin Smith, Dandenong
Maybe it’s time the Australian cricket selectors gave Bancroft an opening batsman position or a top-five batting position.
Meg Biggs, Kew East
With India’s four fast bowlers bowling as fast as Dennis Lillee (over 150km/h), it could be a long, hot summer for the Australians.
Ian Cameron, Chelsea
Re private school recruiting bias of AFL teams: How about Dustin Martin, Castlemaine Secondary College; what other superstars await in the public school sector?
Peter Baddeley, Portland
Just because a nation is a democracy does not mean it should get our unswerving and uncritical support.
Graeme Gardner, Reservoir
No matter what ties exist, Australia should condemn illegal actions by any nation.
Doris LeRoy, Altona
Ross Gittins for prime minister. Quick, before someone else realises what a forward thinker he is.
Sue Acheson, Rokeby
Hopefully, Ross Gittins’ column on energy (25/11) will put another dent on the idea of going nuclear for Australian energy production.
Sarath Goonawardhana, Chadstone
We live in a crazy country. Kayakers get arrested for trying to stop a shipment of coal while the police protect the shipment that will add to CO2 levels. Surely, it should be the other way round?
Pauline Ashton, Maribyrnong
While doing 40km/h behind a truck on Toorak Road, I hit a pothole that destroyed my tyre. The fix cost $700. The problem (″Mind the gaps″ 24/11) was not my vigilance. Maybe we should all just walk everywhere. Problem fixed.
Bruce Severns, Toorak
Regarding your correspondent’s suggestion of ″humthey″ to replace use of ″human″ (25/11). May I suggest ″humwoman″, as it includes both sexes?
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East
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