Vintage Golding: Here’s your future.Credit: Matt Golding
Housing crisis
Kevin Bell (“A decent home is not a commodity, it should be the Great Australian Right”, 27/7) articulates well the reason we have soaring house prices, rents and a consequent rise in homelessness. Our broken housing system was evident as I drove home from the Palais in St Kilda on Friday night. I passed a nearby park where two Orange Sky portable shower vans enabled the homeless community there an opportunity to wash. I saw at least 50 people milling about near the vans. We cannot allow this shameful situation to continue. Government policies must rein in tax breaks for the wealthy so that we can provide support to those in our community who urgently need it – including young couples desperately wanting to settle down, buy a home and raise a family.
Carolyn King, Malvern East
Time to revisit our priorities
We have an inconsistent attitude to welfare. If someone comes to hospital we care for them. But if they have lost their house, for whatever reason, or can’t afford a house or rent, there is no clear commitment to provide shelter. Recently, I walked beside pavement works where trees were being lovingly tended. Walking further I found bedrolls of the homeless. If shelter is overwhelmingly perceived as an investment strategy it diminishes our sense of community and the primary impulse of care. We need to revise our priorities: providing shelter is as fundamental as providing healthcare, education, playgrounds, roads or parks. That many of the next generation will not be able to own or rent shelter is unacceptable. Let’s find means and ways to address this. In addition to attitudinal changes, we do need human rights and tenancy legislation.
Julia White, Clifton Hill
Everything should be on the table
An entirely new take on our housing crisis is timely. Kevin Bell takes this debate in a new direction and calls it a human right. He advocates four legislative frameworks which sound essential to make housing a human right. Underpinning these of course, we need actions. Everything should be on the table. In Victoria, we have councils now empowered to increase density in transport and shopping hubs. Developers are not building even with approval, due to lack of builders. We should reduce capital gains tax on the sale of landlord owned properties and phase out negative gearing. We should hasten the building of social and public housing. Could state government building projects be paused for a time to free up builders? We should be bringing in migrants with construction skills. In short, we should really apply ourselves to this problem which is fracturing society before it escalates to a “catastrophe”, as Bell says.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Great Australian dream or nightmare?
Kevin Bell’s great piece outlines perfectly the “Great Australian Nightmare” where so many of us cannot afford to own our own homes. True, it was somewhat undermined by an article on the same day containing the following joyous claim from a real estate agent: “It’s the great Australian dream to make money on real estate.”
Paula O’Brien, St Kilda
Better ways to spend our money
No, Frank Flynn (Letters, 27/7). You are not the only one in the world who thinks that the millions of dollars spent on the Olympics could be better spent on welfare, health and education. I am the other one.
Helen Hart, Berwick
THE FORUM
Why the secrecy?
Australians should wake up from the dangerously mistaken belief that we live in a fair democracy. Just one of numerous examples to support this lies in the scraps of information we have about how individual schools could be wealthy enough to acquire large plots of land. We all know the value of land, even if flood-prone, not far from the centre of Melbourne. What are the financial agreements benefitting these already rich schools, when this land is being ‘borrowed’ by the state government for a questionable project anyway? (“Secrecy over schools’ millions from road link”, 28/7) And why is it so difficult, and in some cases impossible, to get answers to these reasonable questions in a fair and open democracy?
Howard Tankey, Box Hill North
Moderates win clears Pesutto’s way
It is a good that the moderate faction of the Victorian Liberal Party have won all the administrative positions and have seen off the challenge of the right faction for another year (“Pesutto tightens grip over party”, 28/7). This should mean John Pesutto will remain leader for the time being. If the Moira Deeming action were to be settled, the Liberals and their Nationals allies would be able to get on with forming some positive policies. However, the excerpts published from the keynote speech of Peter Dutton were nothing new and simply more of the culture war nonsense which is dragging down the once great Liberal Party.
Ken Rivett, Ferntree Gully
Go Grace! Now let’s talk bike lanes...
Congratulations to Melbourne-based cyclist Grace Brown who won Australia’s first gold medal on the wet Paris streets. Our city could take inspiration from her stellar performance by building world-class cycling lanes to enable safe cycling for all.
Jenny Smithers, Ashburton
Wear it with pride
Having worn my green top while watching Linda Burney’s graceful exit from the frontbench wearing a bold gold suit, and hearing athletes talk about the pride they experience wearing the “green and gold”, I can only accuse your correspondent (Letters, 28/7) of being “unAustralian”. In fact, there have been world leaders who wore yellow suit coats – Angela Merkel springs to mind. What people wear is nowhere near as important as what they say and do.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
Resplendent in white
After reading Celine Dion’s dress for the Olympics opening ceremony took 1000 hours to make using 500 metres of georgette, adorned with thousands of hand-sewn pearls and sequins and finished with a sweeping train, I smiled at Michael Idato describing Dion as “dressed simply in white” (“This was a fabulous tour de force of culture and camp”, 28/6).
Susie Holt, South Yarra
Bring on a kangaroo flag
Did anyone else share the feeling of embarrassment as Australia marched into the Olympics arena behind an outdated flag? Far from being a British dependency, we are more of an American possession now. Hasten the day when we march in behind a kangaroo flag!
Tony Haydon, Springvale
Wilcox’s view of Paris
A couple of missing points on Cathy Wilcox’s otherwise excellent cartoon of Paris (Letters, 27/7). Women runners under the bridges of Paris pinching their noses to avoid the manly smell. Animals sharing eating houses.
William Hines, Seaford
Banks need to lift their game
Waleed Aly’s call to make banks accountable is long overdue (“It’s simple: Your bank is not safe”, 26/7). A year ago, I made an error and transposed two digits in an account number and a small amount of money went to the wrong account. I queried the bank as to why they transferred the money when the account holder name was clearly wrong. I was told that this was too hard to check so they don’t bother. When I pointed out that overseas banks do this already they claimed ignorance. They wouldn’t follow up and try to retrieve the money because it was my error. If banks made just name matching a requirement many frauds would be stopped in their tracks. Secondly, the nonsense that they can’t divulge details of the scammers’ bank accounts because that would be breach of privacy is just pathetic. These people are criminals and have no right to privacy. The reality is that if banks were held accountable for the losses from scams they would very quickly lift their game to protect their bottom lines and, consequently, their customers. At the moment they have little incentive to do anything.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Is cash really best?
Now let’s get real with this card versus cash debate. I prefer to pay by card, and am prepared to do so even when the merchant charges me extra for doing so (to encourage me to pay by cash, rather than covering the bank charges involved). This is because I know my card payment will not enter the black economy where tax obligations can be avoided. In most cases, a cash payment will save the merchant paying 10 per cent GST, and in many cases that cash payment will not be declared as income and therefore no income or company tax will be paid. So if merchants want me to pay by cash, they need to give me a 25 per cent discount as my share of the tax savings.
Graham Bridge, Morwell
Child care hardly a chore
It seems that many people can’t see that being with little people can help you see the world afresh, and that this is a wonderful thing (“I’m a grandmother - not a child carer”, 25/7). Adults can easily take the world for granted, but little kids are seeing the world for the first time in all its wonder and delight. If you put yourself in their position and try to see the world as they are seeing it, you might just rekindle all sorts of curiosity and delight in yourself. The last word that can be used about being with kids is ‘chore’ – it’s a huge privilege that adults can be offered, and it’s so sad if they choose not to take it
Don Jordan, Mt Waverley
Was it a goal?
When it comes to sporting activities, AFL is undoubtedly a most exciting and entertaining spectacle. Unlike many other sports, the formulation of the laws and rules of the game remain dynamic. Many rules have been altered to ensure the game moves at a fast pace. But the Friday night game between Carlton and Port Adelaide indicated how cumbersome it can be to decide whether a goal has been scored or not. Protracted reviews as to whether the ball touched the post, or even a goal umpire’s leg, held up the game unnecessarily. In my view a goal should be scored if the ball goes between the goalposts and over the back line. It should not be of importance if the ball did or did not graze the goalpost. Goal umpires are very astute deciding which side of the post the ball travelled. Furthermore, I would suggest that if the ball hits the goalpost and bounces back into the field of play then the ball should remain alive and play should continue. Imagine how exciting that would be.
Philip Bunn, Beechworth
Please and thank you
Why do so few AFL players acknowledge the humanity of the water-carriers who serve them on the ground during breaks in play? How much does it cost to say thanks?
Sue Currie, Northcote
AFL needs a retune
In reference to your correspondent’s rage at Katy Perry performing at the AFL Grand Final (Letters, 27/7) – surely it is a bigger insult to Aussie singers to have Sweet Caroline and Country Roads played after a goal is scored?
Paul Miller, Albury
Speak up on hunting
Ever wondered what it’s like to live within earshot of hunters? All of us – city and country – are being asked for our views, as the state government sets its hunting policy for the next 10 years. I suspect few are aware of this “public consultation” that closes on Monday, but it matters. It matters for those who live in shires slated to become deer hunting ranges. It also matters for us city folk who love to go bush for some respite. Deer hunting goes all year; duck and quail shooting lasts a quarter of the year. Government policy is to “grow” hunting. Speak now or forever hold your peace.
Joan Reilly, Surrey Hills
James Murdoch for gold
Sometimes in these days of constant grim news an occasional headline creeps in that brings joy to an old man’s heart. This was evidenced by the announcement that the doyen of the political sledge, Andrew Bolt said he would quit the Murdoch entourage if James Murdoch succeeded Rupert in his quest of control over brother Lachlan (“Might Andrew bolt over family feud?“, 27/7). All I can say is “James, James, James, Oi, Oi, Oi”.
Rob Park, Surrey Hills
Tap on Melbourne
I have recently began using public transport, particularly trams, and have been amazed at the number of people who fail to tap their Myki when boarding. Last week at one stop eight people boarded the tram, with only two tapping on as they entered. Most were younger people and when I suggested to one of them that he should tap on, he responded by saying it is cheaper to pay a fine if caught. No wonder public transport is costly and loses money.
Ray Cleary, Camberwell
Some more equal than others
Your correspondents from Wantirna and Sandringham are concerned about passengers not touching on and off when they travel. I live in Deanside in the western suburbs, where nobody touches on and off, because we have no public transport. Why are the taxes I pay worth less than those living in the eastern suburbs?
Steve Bell, Deanside
AND ANOTHER THING
A light show is projected from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.Credit: AP
Olympic opening ceremony
Magnifique! Paris rose to the challenge and what a triumph. The Olympics opening ceremony was a magical celebration of modernity and musicality, with a touch of elegant mystique. So very French. In our day marked by polarisation and division, how we need this timely reminder of our individual responsibility to bring unity in our diversity.
Matthew Leung, Hawthorn
The Paris Olympic Games opener was too French, too long, too hi-tech and too wet. Did I miss the Olympic spirit?
Ivan Gaal, Fitzroy North
“Deranged Smurfs and flaming pianos: strangest moments of the opening ceremony” (27/7). Not a patch on Hills Hoists and Victa lawnmowers in Sydney 24 years ago.
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
Marie Antoinette screams her head off. One of the most scary but brilliant pieces of theatre and design I’ve ever seen. The stuff of nightmares. The arts should win a gold medal too.
Juliette Kent, Melbourne
I loved the opening ceremony but Inspector Clouseau and Cato were sorely missed.
Ian Cameron, Chelsea
‘Childless cat lady’
They must be really scared, those people who are pouring out their vitriol at Kamala Harris. (“So Kamala is the ‘childless cat lady’? White male power plays its hateful gender card”, 27/7)
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
It is extremely insulting and hurtful to presume that all childless women have chosen to be that way. It is a profound sorrow to many. Trumpeting Trumpians should know better.
Tris Raouf, Hadfield
“Childless cat ladies”? Bring on the T-shirts!
Kathy Keech, Beaumont, South Australia
Finally
In solidarity with the underpaid journalists I will not be submitting any letters this week.
Peter Rushen, Carnegie
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