Credit: Matt Golding
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Commodity training
Re the article “Thousands of carers to lose their qualifications” (22/11), 10 years ago, my research identified the problem of vocational providers delivering aged-care courses that did not meet national standards. More recently, the royal commission highlighted concerns about the quality of some vocational training providers, suggesting a need for better regulation. In some vocational colleges, training is treated as a commodity. Is this the inevitable consequence of governments funding the private sector to deliver a public good?
Sarah Russell, director, Aged Care Matters, Mount Martha
How to slash reputation
The State Library of Victoria is housed in a beautiful historic building with a wonderful collection of books. However, one of its significant treasures is its team of professional and dedicated staff. Their detailed knowledge has helped many students, writers and professional historians over the years and any reduction in their numbers would seriously damage Melbourne’s reputation as a centre of culture and learning (“State Library to slash staff, services”, 22/11).
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn
There goes research
First the CSIRO, now the State Library of Victoria cuts mean it’s RIP for research.
Vikki O’Neill, Ashburton
Support the CSIRO
“Knowledge is Power” is a catch-cry which we all know, and the curiosity which it engenders resulting in research and subsequently development, empowers societies, and what better society to empower than ours, of late, a lighthouse of humanity, amid the current global storms of disinformation, extremism and intolerance
To rectify decades of incompetence in managing our undersea capability, the AUKUS deal gives billions to other countries. A mere fraction of this would fund and advance the CSIRO, our premier research facility which has allowed us to punch well above our weight in the world. This screams of disproportionality, and it should be obvious to all except some myopic thinkers in government.
Research is often viewed as dilettantism, when it is in fact the key driver for the advancement of humanity. There should be much more support for the CSIRO, not less.
Dr Mano Thevathasan, Carlton
Not trustworthy
Would a Ukrainian trust Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump to deliver a just or sustained peace? The current ″Peace″ plan calls for Ukraine to cede territory and capitulate was drafted in Moscow and delivered by Washington.
Vera Lubczenko, Geelong West
The four values
The values that shape this country is something I came to understand after migrating from India in 1983, to build a life with my Australian wife.
I have narrowed it down to four values which I now offer to the LNP to assist them design their “Australian values” test for migrants:
1. We give people a “fair go”, which means we offer them an equal chance to succeed or be heard. Fairness, decency and equal treatment matter to us.
2. We are an egalitarian society so our political and other institutions are structured to ensure they are fair, accessible, and not dominated by class.
3. We believe in national unity and ensure that we do nothing to divide our workplaces or communities.
4. Finally, we have a healthy disrespect for authority.
When a politician ignores the values above, the proper response is to shake your head, take a sip of something cold, and say “what a wanker”.
Prabha Kutty, Colac
Please, a definition
Would somebody please give me a list of values that are uniquely Australian? I have lived here all my life and have no idea what they are, so how can new arrivals espouse them?
Cheryl Day, Beaumaris
What’s up with this?
With the upcoming social media ban, and the apparent push to use WhatsApp as a solution, I wonder if people realise you cannot hide your phone number even if it is unlisted within WhatsApp. Now anyone added to a group setup by kids for kids, we better hope they are all kids as all their phone numbers are exposed to be used directly via SMS or a direct phone call. As far as I know there are no privacy settings in WhatsApp to hide these numbers. What happens to young children when adults call them directly at any time?
Dave Callander, Bentleigh East
Education the key
Consider two 16-year-olds standing at the crossroads. Both have drifted through 10 years of a school system that had struggled to meet their educational needs. Both have low self-esteem and have opted out, as say an adult may choose to walk away from a situation that seemed pointless to them. One of the two finds his way into an apprenticeship, working with competent adults, and learning a trade that will serve him well for much of his working life. A sense of worth and self-esteem that has long been missing is restored as he becomes a responsible member of society.
The second teen misses this opportunity to advance, and finds himself idle and seeking direction, a prime candidate for inclusion with the wrong crowd. Petty theft being the start to a long spiral into a life of crime. He becomes a burden on society and, in time, costs many thousands of dollars in policing, court time and prison. This plus the damage to others he causes along the way.
The first example will thrive, contributing to society, and go on to pay many thousands of dollars in tax over his working life. The simple equation in this example is, invest in education and our youth, or pay the consequences over time. Properly funded schools are an investment and in time pay dividends, youth detention centre’s and prisons don’t.
Michael Newton, Doreen
Upside of the industry
Vendors shouldn’t worry that competition between buyers will lessen as a result of the underquoting laws (“Industry backlash as a result of underquoting laws”, 21/11).
The total number of buyers won’t change. They’ll just be at the right home auction, one that is within their price limit.
David Weir, Northcote
Heroes and villains
I was a real estate agent for 35 years. A couple of days before every auction I would have a “reserve meeting” with the vendor at which we discussed what the reserve price should be and procedures on the day. These meetings invariably ended the same way: the vendor would lean forward and say, “Er, um – there is just one thing I wanted to raise with you. I have an uncle [or brother, aunt, friend} who knows a lot about real estate – they sold a house 10 years ago – and have offered to start the bidding and kick it along. What do you think?“
I would then provide examples of auctions where such people had lost the plot and ended up “buying″ the house. I advised against it.
Real estate agents are portrayed as villains, and buyers and vendors are portrayed as naive innocents, but the public are all too ready to put their ethics to one side when it suits their interests.
Peter Bennett, Clifton Hill
One-way ceasefires
Apparently there are ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza. Maybe the ceasefire is only applicable one way?
Dean Virgin, Strathmore
Logic in reverse gear
Using the logic of their energy policy, the Liberals would try to lower car prices by flooding the market with Ferraris.
Geoff Witten, Lower Plenty
Ready to bat and bowl
Dear Cricket Australia, as the Australian team is ageing, my 91-year-old mother is available for selection. Although her hearing and eyesight is poor, she can’t be worse than what we have now.
Linda Lewis, Watsonia