Attacks evidence of continuing pattern of anti-Semitism

Enough is enough. As news of the ceasefire in Gaza was being announced, further acts of anti-Semitic destruction were being planned and carried out (“ ‘Animals’: Minns blasts ‘barbaric’ attack on former home of Jewish leader”, 17/1).

Why can’t the people committing this outrage realise that whether acts of racism are directed at people as a group with different coloured skin, different heritage, cultures or religions, it’s still racism? Persecution of Jews in Australia because of events happening overseas is not the action of campaigners for a better world. They are intolerant and destructive racists.

Andrew Weeks, Hawthorndene, SA

Anthony Albanese’s statement that he believes Australia-Israel relations still remain strong is not a reflection on reality.

He should try telling that to the Jewish community, confronted by the rise in anti-Semitism in our once tolerant, egalitarian country. Tell that to the weekly pro-Palestinian protesters.

Good luck to Mark Dreyfus telling that to relatives of hos­tages. Will he meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and tell him that? Will our Prime Minister do so? No. Let’s not hold our collective breaths. That’s the crux of the problem; our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are stuck in their student politics time warp.

Ruth Bonetti, The Gap, Qld

Just as we read Alex Ryvchin’s excellent column (“Free world can rejoice in Israel’s triumph over evil”, 17/1), the news emerges of a disgraceful anti-Semitic attack on his former home. The anti-Semitic, hate-filled, vandals are beneath contempt.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Insurance cost rising

The Los Angeles fires serve as a grim reminder of how extreme weather events can affect anyone, anywhere.

This means that Australian insurance policyholders will continue to face significantly rising premiums.

As reported in your paper (“LA bushfires spark insurance hike warning”, 14/1), climate change has led to a big increase in insurance losses in Australia over the past five years compared with the previous 30 years. I hope that the growing financial toll of climate change will convince sceptics that action is needed.

Anne Ammann, Dargan, NSW

Inequitable pay

Underpinning the mass resignation of public hospital staff psychiatrists is the inequitable hybrid model for paying staff specialists in NSW (“Mother and baby units are already closing beds as hospitals process psychiatry resignations”, 16/1).

NSW Health pays a base salary about two-thirds of that in Victoria and Queensland and then provides five options for private practice earnings to enhance final income, thereby cost shifting to the commonwealth. At the lowest level (level 1) the final income is 120 per cent of base salary; at level 4 it is 150 per cent; and 175 per cent at level 5.

Specialists in fields such as radiology and pathology and those with high billing procedures such as in surgery, cardiology and gastroenterology can easily achieve levels 4 and 5, while specialists in fields where private billing relies on consultation, such as psychiatry, geriatrics and many others, struggle to get above level 1 despite the same level of extensive training, dedication and expertise.

Psychiatrists are just the first to say “enough is enough”, not because of money but because the NSW model has led to a large number of vacancies. These vacancies have made the job untenable for those who remain and unsafe for their patients.

Staff specialists, of which I was one for 40 years, work for a salary in the public hospital system, despite higher-paying options in private practice, for reasons almost entirely altruistic.

The decision to resign and leave patients without care will be heartbreaking for those who do but the inequity of the NSW salary model is a bitter pill they have had to swallow for far too long.

The pay parity with other states that the psychiatrists seek would need to be applied to all other staff specialists, across many fields, stuck on level 1, an extra 25 per cent or current level 4 equivalent for all.

The current model, with a reduced base salary, also reduces the state’s contribution to superannuation, which would increase for all and which NSW Health would have to find. These costs could be offset in substantial part by private practice billings being redirected to the hospital. Other states manage it.

Professor Graeme Stewart, University of Sydney

Dollar’s decline

In 2010, the Australian dollar was on a parity with the US dollar, but now it has slumped to less than two-thirds (“Australia ‘treasure island for buyers’ ”, 17/1). With a federal election about to be called, the government has some explaining to do.

Ken Moore, Chapel Hill, Qld