Tumbling after.Credit: Andrew Dyson
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Wonderful and messy
According to Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece, the cost for the New Year’s Eve fireworks was $5 million. From my vantage point on the promenade at Docklands it was well worth it. It was spectacular and the sight of thousands of Melburnians peacefully enjoying the night was wonderful. Why didn’t anyone think to spend a tiny fraction of the cost to ensure that rubbish bins were regularly emptied during the night. What must visitors and residents think when walking past this disgraceful mess?
Geoff Wenham, Malvern East
Up in flames
The fireworks have been and gone in a flash when money could have been be spent on underprivileged folk, housing and other causes. Never mind the frightened animals subjected to the noise. I guess nothing will change.
Merle Mitchell, Mt Eliza
Cracker of a past time
This NYE was a bit of a fizzer for me. As an elder citizen, these days I stay at home. I refuse to stake out a packed-in spot in the city to watch the fireworks and laser display at midnight. I abhor the mad scramble for public transport afterwards. Someone in our neighbourhood let off their illegal firecrackers around midnight. The desultory cracking and whistling soon finished. Fireworks must be expensive these days.
I remember the midwinter “cracker nights” of childhood. To us it was more exciting than Christmas or birthdays. The season culminated in the lighting of a bonfire and the ceremonial setting off of the full family arsenal on the night itself.
The crackle and whistle of fireworks was punctuated by the wailing sirens of fire engines and ambulances. Eventually fireworks were banned as too many people were being seriously injured. We had one accident in our family when Dad peered closely at a catherine wheel that failed to perform, and it exploded in his face. His glasses were peppered with chips. But they saved his sight.
Geoff Black, Frankston
Not good managers
If anyone is still under the impression that the Coalition is the best at managing the economy, then the release of decisions made 20 years ago, by the National Archives, should put this unfounded belief to rest (“Howard dodged housing reforms”, 1/12).
John Howard and Peter Costello ignored the findings of the Productivity Commission, which they had asked for, on controlling spiralling housing prices. They knew what to do – make changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax – but they didn’t do it, so to all those who can’t afford a home, thank their lack of action 20 years ago.
They also squandered the extra billions earned during the mining boom. Instead of investing in infrastructure, services and future proofing the country, they gave it away in tax cuts.
So short-sighted – the detrimental impacts of their policies should have been obvious and we have been paying for them ever since.
Samantha Keir, East Brighton
Labor’s elderly support
As a person in my 70s, I am shocked to see the polls showing that voters in my age group are moving their support from Labor to the LNP. Since coming to office in 2022, the Albanese government has worked tirelessly to address the generational wealth divide in our community. The LNP has not only shown no policies to address this issue, they have actively voted against most of the measures that have been implemented.
There is no magic bullet available to negate the cost-of-living crisis experienced in most advanced economies, but by we oldies giving our support to the current government, they can continue their work supporting the young and give them some of the advantages we enjoyed.
Jan Downing, Hawthorn East
Road to hardship
John Howard and Peter Costello thought housing reforms were too hard and too unpopular, so they decided to kick that particular can ″down the road″. And here we are, down that road.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
Teenage pressures
Only five Australian cricketers in history, including Sam Konstas, have debuted for the national team as teenagers. While this is a remarkable achievement, it also underscores the risks associated with such a rapid rise. Athletes thrust into the international spotlight at such a young age face unique pressures, and the weight of expectation can be immense. If Konstas encounters difficulties in his early appearances, the pressure to make a successful comeback in his 20s could become overwhelming, potentially jeopardising his career.
Ian Cameron, Chelsea
Monash uni shows the way
I was heartened to read the article ″Monash Uni chief insists suppression is not the solution to campus hatred″ (30/12). I spent 40 years working in universities, mostly in senior roles, and I have been appalled by the lack of a credible and appropriate response to these issues at Australian universities. Monash’s Professor Sharon Pickering is absolutely correct that we must protect academic freedom and freedom of speech, but she is also correct in saying that these freedoms are not unlimited. The establishment of a campus cohesion research program to study discrimination and develop a practical guide to prevent and respond to hate is an appropriate response to these issues for a high-quality academic institution such as Monash University.
I urge other vice chancellors to also adopt such an approach to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their staff and students.
John Rosenberg, South Melbourne
Path to president
Your correspondent thinks it won’t be long before Australia becomes a republic (Letters, 31/12). However, it is imperative to resolve the method of electing a president first. The American system is the least democratic. The French system is a vast improvement. In Germany, a federal convention is created for the sole purpose of electing the president, and that convention ensures maximum representation of the population. The same applies in Italy. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Tweaking the systems of other countries to suit Australian conditions will simplify finding a system that is right for our country.
Elizabeth Sprigg, Glen Iris
Battin’s fraughtology
State Liberal leader Brad Battin gave a wonderful example of tautology when he said, ″I will continue to make sure that females and women are heard in the party room and on the frontbench.″
Greg Bardin, Altona North
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
Peter Dutton is almost right. The future lies in new clear energy, rather than nuclear energy.
Matthew Hamilton, Kew
The state Liberal Party says positions are earned on merit. Therefore, it has concluded that men have far more merit than women by appointing men to all leadership roles. Arrogant, and totally out of touch.
Peter Heffernan, Balaclava
Furthermore
“Screen-based” pedestrian (Letters, 31/12) oblivious of approaching screen-based car: what could possibly go wrong?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
One indicator to me of rising disrespect for others is the increasing number of train travellers who place their feet on seats.
William Maher, Watsonia
Last year was a busy year politically, so much so that it seems I completely missed the referendum that gave the gambling industry a Voice to parliament.
Ken Reither, Gisborne
Has Elon Musk forgotten Germany’s last far-right government?
Les Aisen, Elsternwick
Each time I hit a pothole I wonder if the money needed for repairs is disappearing into some other big black hole.
Graham Cadd, Dromana