Banning pie thrower from flying Qantas was an over-reaction

The alleged pie thrower has led a blemish-free life, yet Alan Joyce has judged him unfit to fly with Qantas.

Without condoning the actions of a man who allegedly thrust a pie in the face of Alan Joyce, I wonder at his over-reaction, banning the alleged perpetrator, Tony Overheu, from travelling with Qantas, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific and Emirates.

Overheu has yet to be convicted of any offence, not to mention his otherwise blemish-free life. I note that Joyce has not announced any life ban for criminal members of motorcycle gangs or, indeed, any other criminal known to have travelled with Qantas in order to engage in illegal activities in other cities.

David Long, St Lucia, Qld

Alan Joyce obviously feels hurt after being allegedly “pied” by Tony Overheu. He has pressed charges, and now has instructed his Qantas workforce to deny Overheu air travel for life. While I don’t condone the use of violence on what should be an issue of free speech, I note a remarkable difference between John Howard’s reaction and Joyce’s when someone threw a pair of shoes at the former PM during an ABC Q&A show in 2010.

Howard laughed it off saying to host Tony Jones, who had apologised, “It’s all right, don’t worry. Forget it, forget it.”

If Joyce is hurt, he is well able to use the courts. However his reaction, calling in the Qantas workforce to enforce a ban on Overheu, smacks of the kind of bullying we have come to expect when offended union bosses call in the bruvvers to sort out those who oppose them.

Michael Asten, Hawthorn, Vic

What makes Qantas bosses believe I may choose to fly with them? Don’t they get that pensioners are revolting? As for the next lifetime, I understand I’m booked with another carrier.

Meanwhile, I continue to pray for everyone associating with Qantas. It’s what we fundamentalists do. Pies really are just so yesterday.

Anyway, must go, a huge truckload of remorse has turned up for me to deal with.

Tony Overheu, Willetton, WA

Sharks are on notice

When will Turnbull government ministers stop taking orders from leftist loonies (“Liberals set targets on great white sharks”, 18/5)? One would have thought that when a lovely teenage girl gets her leg bitten off and dies, ministers would show some common sense.

These sharks are just big fish so let’s eat them and we will feel safer in the water. Coastal enterprise will again flourish, there will be more smaller fish to consume and if someone does get bitten it will hopefully be by a small shark.

Marion Townsend, Penrith, NSW

At last — a hint of common sense is about to emerge on the status of great white sharks. I was beginning to wonder how many more people would lose life or limb while using our best tourist attraction, before someone actually realised that humans are more valuable than sharks.

While we are at it, crocodiles should also be in the frame. It beggars belief that this has taken so long to sink into the political brain.

Patricia M. Smith, Mt Martha, Vic

Struggling with Islam

I’ve spent years trying to be a voice of reason, asking for tolerance towards people of the Islamic faith in the hope that gradual assimilation would occur naturally, making Australia a strong, multicultural society.

But sadly, I am beginning to have the uncomfortable feeling that my wish is naive and possibly one sided. The debacle of the demand for a screening curtain for Muslim women at a Sydney public swimming pool is a bridge too far. These religious demands will only increase.

The answer from all tiers of government must be a resounding but polite no. If migrants find 21st Australian culture is not compatible with their Islamic faith, I would suggest Indonesia, or countries such as Saudi Arabia, are more appropriate for their belief systems

Greg Ross, Eden Hill, WA

Its easy to frown on Islam as if Muslims are going through dark ages. But Islam itself teaches the most balanced and beautiful philosophy about life, society and human rights. The letter (18/5) quoting Boko Haram, Islamic State and Taliban as Islamic specimens is as if the IRA and witch hunting are examples of Christianity.

Quoting ill-understood Islam only promotes ignorance, which perhaps is good only if that is the goal. But Islam gives women respect, dignity and a broad spectrum of rights.

Paradise is under the feet of your mothers, says the prophet. Seeking knowledge is compulsory for men and women. A third of the Koran exhorts Muslims to ponder, learn and increase knowledge. Islam gives women all their rights as a package. Is that a bad deal?

Munawar Rana, Walkerville, SA