Credit: Megan Herbert
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Acknowledgment of Country
Like many, I was saddened to hear that parts of the Dawn Service commemoration were disrupted by a noisy minority who took issue with the Acknowledgment of Country and, apparently, that a verse of the New Zealand National Anthem was sung in Te Reo Māori. I have taken part in many Anzac Day parades in Melbourne and country areas. The sanctity of the Dawn Service and Anzac Day itself is a time for reflection and commemoration, a time to thank our servicemen and servicewomen. Yet, that sanctity has sadly been added to a list of targeted events and locations where attention-seeking males have sought to show off their boorishness in displays of misplaced patriotism. Remembering, of course, that two generations ago, our forefathers and mothers fought against an ideology that this minority worships.
Should we be surprised? We live in an increasingly polarised society where social media algorithms stoke conflict, and in real life, extreme ideologies make the most noise. Stunts perpetuated by these so-called neo-Nazis are designed to shock, and the more grievous the stunt, the better for their publicity. It does not matter to them that they are on the wrong side of history, so long as the media broadcasts what they did and how they did it. Events such as the Anzac commemorations where we make an effort to be respectful, inclusive, and reflective, draw them like moths to a flame.
I know that our police and security agencies have identified the far-right as problematic, but trying to predict where they will appear next is a bit like whack-a-mole. But we should always be thankful that a much bigger majority of people truly understand and are respectful, and that was also on display at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Jeremy de Korte, Newington
There is a time and place for protest
The bogans who interrupted the ANZAC dawn service at the Melbourne War Memorial should be ashamed of their actions during the commemoration of Australians who went to war. Many were injured during these conflicts and many gave the ultimate sacrifice. They went to war to protect our way of life and give our community the rights to many things, including the right to protest. However, there is a time and place to protest and the services was neither the time or place. It needs to be remembered that many Indigenous men went to war. Surely it is not hard to be respectful on that one day of the year that is held dear to the country.
Alan and Kaye Leitch, Austins Ferry, Tas
Can we not all feel that we belong?
I was born and have lived in Australia for 76 years. This is my home, my place – the place I feel connected to. I will always acknowledge the history and the original people of our land and I give respectful honour and gratitude to them for the way they have cared for and been custodians of this land. The main issue associated with the Welcome to Country ceremonies is that maybe for those of us with non-Indigenous backgrounds, they can make us feel that we will never belong to the land. That we will always be “welcomed” but never looked upon as connected to this place, this land. That we will always be the outsiders. I have no issue with acknowledging our heritage at public events but I do with ceremonies “welcoming” me to what I feel is already my home. I would just like us all to be able to feel that we all belong, that we can all call Australia our home, our land. Together. Connected.
Marilyn Hewitt, Ivanhoe East
Frontier wars were the first conflicts
I attended the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance when the sickening heckling occurred during the Welcome to Country ceremony. What a despicable act from a very few. Not only was it a display of ignorance when Indigenous soldiers both served and died for their country during both world wars, but it is estimated that more than 35,000 died and were massacred defending their homeland against colonisers, police forces, and settlers. Until we recognise that the “frontier wars” were the first conflicts and the most brutal for the Indigenous peoples across the continent, we can never progress as a country by burying our heads in the sand.
Dan Wollmering, Pascoe Vale South
The goodwill of welcome
I’m dismayed at the outrage against Welcome to Country ceremonies at Anzac Day services and other major events. I’m dismayed that so-called “patriots” willfully don’t recognise the law of the land (which unequivocally revoked terra nullius) and who deny the history of frontier colonialism.
I’m dismayed that their orchestrated outrage is pitted against my peoples rather than at the known neo-Nazi proponents who booed and shouted “Australia for the white man” at dawn services, and who are bastardising the memory of service of our soldiers.
Are blakfellas, like me, also dismayed at the ways Welcome to Country have been altered and [in instances] lapsed in meaning? Yes, we are. And the validity of Welcome to Country, as a symbolic formality, at what seems like any and all events (big or small) is something we’re discussing. But this isn’t something for YT Australia to interject on, and certainly not demand to cease. But, as formal proceedings anywhere are layered with gesture and ritual, Welcome to Country should feature at formal governmental, diplomatic or significant occasions. They are goodwill gestures – in spite of everything – intended to “welcome” into our own relationality with the lands. They’re not gatekeeping exercises in granting “permission” for YT people to exist and live where they have always.
The Voice referendum being voted down (and which I myself stood against) was not carte blanche to do away with respect for First Nations peoples. It was an opportunity to redefine the ways state and mob interact and are represented, though the Voice couldn’t articulate this with any surety of structure or meaningfulness. The “No” vote was not a referendum result that dispossesses the rights of First Nations peoples to safe visibility, and not an excuse to do away with the ethos of mateship. Shame on those who would mistake otherwise and still call themselves “Aussies”.
Jack Wilkie-Jans, Cairns, Qld
Act of friendship
There seems to be a general misconception of “country” in the welcoming ceremony. I was born in the “North Country”, which is an area within the “Country” of England which, in turn, is part of the “Country” of the UK of Great Britain. In the eyes of our Indigenous people, terra nullius is a conglomerate of tribal areas, each with its boundaries.
When we enter into a region, be it Garigal, Gamaragal, Wurundjeri, Bunurong or wherever Country, it is this region into which we are being welcomed. It is certainly not claiming ownership of the “Country” of Australia.
It is a charmingly friendly act that should be accepted as such.
Geoffrey Palfreman, Dingley Village
Clear view of history
Some of your correspondents need to read a bit more about Australian history. The belief that the Anzacs were defending our country and were amazing heroes is sadly just not the case. Gallipoli was a poorly conceived and executed campaign and our soldiers never stood a chance. They were mowed down so needlessly at the direction of the imperial government and were not even defending our land. Let us never forget them but don’t re-write history and pretend they fought an army 10 times our size and somehow defeated them against all odds.
Tim Sampson, Canterbury
THE FORUM
No life on a dead planet
Your correspondent hit the nail on the head (Letters, 23/4). Climate change should be the main focus of this election. Solutions will arise for housing and other social issues but the state of our climate can’t wait forever, and without a healthy planet where will we be?
Diane Maddison, Parkdale
Policies, not bribes
Thanks to economics correspondent Shane Wright for exposing the shameful pre-election bribes being thrown around (Comment, 27/4). Clearly designed to influence swinging voters with a “what’s in it for me” mentality, pre-election bribery is in the same integrity barrel as political donations from vested interests. As Wright notes, what’s needed are policies, not gifts, in particular policies that make society richer.
Much has been written about gas extraction companies not paying taxes and royalties. The fossil fuel levy suggested by senior economists Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims is a big-picture wealth policy fitting Wright’s description. So far, only the Greens and teal independents support such measures. More than ever we need big-picture politicians with policies, not bribes. Let’s get behind them.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
What cost the spending?
The proposed spending of $21billion by Peter Dutton on defence over the next five years may make us feel slightly safer but at what cost? Surely there will need to be major cuts in services such as health, education,welfare payments and veterans affairs to name a few.
How will this policy help relieve the cost of living pressures people find themselves under these days? The people who need help the most will be the ones who will have to bare the brunt of cuts needed to pay for the Coalition’s policies.
Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy
A last week lost
The benefits of democracy in Australia include a last-minute scramble for votes before each election, dominated by slogans and sweeteners. The broad-brush long-term plans are optimistic, but often not costed and with little detail (″Dutton targets energy and housing to fund promises″, 27/4).
The current overall plans from both Labor and the LNP are judged to lack productivity measures, with housing policies that would nudge house prices up, not down.
No wonder millions vote early.
Australia has a flawed but robust democracy overall.
The last week before polling does not highlight the best of it.
John Hughes, Mentone
Please, recognise women
I’ve just watched the funeral service for Pope Francis. Although it was a moving ceremony I was distressed by the vast numbers of male clergy. Why can’t the Catholic Church recognise women and acknowledge how valuable female clergy are?
I’m a Christian and am grateful for the many priests and bishops we have in the Anglican Church.
Carole Nicholls, Surrey Hills
The missing leaders
Over the past week I appreciated catching up with Pope Francis’ achievements for justice and peace across our troubled world. I watched Francis’s funeral with all those “men dressed up in their importance”, as a friend of mine said; ie, cardinals and bishops.
I thought, surely it is time for the fabulous diversity of skilled, compassionate and courageous women across the globe to also be in Catholic leadership?
Bring this on – and I might then go back to church.
Maria Bohan, Newtown
Need to tackle poverty
Domestic violence can never be condoned or tolerated, and government messaging in the media could be useful, but if we are to eliminate this we need to deal with the causes. Poverty through the disparity of living standards and the proliferation of gambling due to government inaction would be a good start.
John Marks, Werribee
Campaigning 101
I wonder if poor polling for the Liberals is because they prefer to talk about the problem but not the solution?
Bridget McKenzie argues a great point that EV users should be paying for roads but won’t tell us how. Or that nuclear reactors require more water than what’s on offer but farmer’s water rights won’t be affected. Where will the water come from?
Any opposition wanting to govern must provide an alternative set of policies to win the hearts and minds of voters; it’s campaigning 101. The Liberals don’t appear to have done the hard work; rather, they have taken the easy road of telling us all what’s obvious. Less than a week out from polling day that’s not good enough.
Rob McCasker, Bull Creek, WA
No climate for change
A notable feature of the two major political parties during their election campaigns is the lack of focus on policies to tackle climate change. In the novel The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is a possible explanation as to why this might be the case.
In summary it argues that to adequately address this existential threat, we have to stop doing the enjoyable, everyday things that we know are causing it: “The thought of addressing it [ie, climate change] actually seems in some ways worse to us than being killed by it.” And “Make someone ashamed to their core, tell them that their very being is inimical to life ... then ask if they want to make a donation.”
That being the case, it’s no wonder the topic has been relegated to a minor role during the campaign.
Kevin Bailey, Croydon
Widening gap
“Life isn’t 9 to 5 and neither is healthcare.” While that statement is true it’s laughable for Anthony Albanese to trot this out in the election campaign. For the purpose of its rebates, Medicare defines normal hours for GPs as 8am to 8pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. The small after-hours rebate increase only kicks in after that. No wonder the number of GPs choosing to do any after-hours work has declined and clinics now either close or charge increasing gaps if they are open on weekends.
Louisa Ennis, Thornbury
Crises of humanity
Your correspondent (Letters, 26/4) correctly says there are humanitarian crises in Yemen, Syria and Sudan. But this doesn’t excuse Israel’s inhumane actions against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
AND ANOTHER THING
The election
How many citizens in Australia do a big supermarket shop without a list or a budget, but “rack it up” on the credit card at the checkout? Two, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
Just imagine how dynamic and relevant this election campaign would be if Julie Bishop had been elected opposition leader.
Pete Garfield, Echuca
Is “undecided” a polite pollster term for “don’t know” and/or “don’t care”?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
Re. being back on track, so will we all end up in Gundagai?
Ann Young, Chirnside Park
Trump
Donald Trump is proving to be better at breaking deals than making deals.
Brendan O’Farrell, Brunswick
What on God’s good earth has Trump got in common with Pope Francis that would make him think he’d be welcomed at the Pontiff’s funeral?
Bruce Crowe, Sunbury
At the Pope’s funeral, President Volodymyr Zelensky could have asked Donald Trump if he possessed a black suit: but then he has dignity and virtually global respect, unlike the US president.
Russell Taylor, Box Hill South
Donald Trump has just realised that Vladimir Putin might be “tapping him along”? He’s been playing him for the past eight years, and he’s only just worked it out.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
Protests
Pro-trans protesters clashing with pro-trams commuters – not winning hearts and minds.
Ralph Böhmer, St Kilda West
Far-right protesters who disrupt council meetings and other gatherings are so selfish and self-righteous. They have no consideration for the desire of the other attendees to actually do something constructive at the meetings.
Michael Helman, St Kilda East