Economic forces restrict young mothers’ childcare choices

Judith Sloan highlights troubling trends: mothers of babies and young children are returning to paid work earlier than in past decades (“Childcare a far cry from the feminist dream”, 15/7).

Economic pressures – housing, cost of living and an unsympathetic tax system – have made it difficult for many to choose full-time care for their children.

However, Sloan’s claim that women’s choices are being eroded overlooks a key point. From the 1970s, feminist groups such as the Women’s Electoral Lobby focused on women’s economic independence, education and workforce participation. Support for women choosing to raise children full time was minimal. I saw this first-hand during my time with the Women’s Action Alliance, which did advocate for genuine choice. Since the 1970s, mothers choosing full-time care have received little support. Today, financial pressure and tax policy make that choice even harder. Yet I suspect many in the feminist movement are content that paid employment has become the norm, but true choice remains elusive.

Karin Abrams, Beecroft, NSW

Climate responsibility

Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney’s reasonable decision not to hold the Australian government responsible for protecting the Torres Strait Islands against rising sea levels seems not to have dissuaded some of the islanders’ representatives from blaming us for their problems (“Bench warfare on climate change policy”, 16/7). World sea levels have been rising steadily since the end of the last ice age at an average annual rate of 5mm to 6mm. Our nation’s trivial contributions to world greenhouse gas emissions play no role in these changes.

Paul Prociv, Mount Mellum, Qld

Law’s frailties

It’s so good we have the relentless Janet Albrechtsen to keep us from imagining we’re going nuts should it even escape out of firmly bitten-down lips to utter a whisper of dissent (“Law’s golden principles lost to activist utopia”, 16/7). I believe many of us are conditioned to treat judges, in particular, as if they were infallible gods, untouched by any human frailty. It’s only if you come within their judicial orbit, and find their imagined wisdom is as random as it is with any other group, that the light is seen – and it’s often clouded.

Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield, NSW

Ukraine’s hope

The commentary piece by Mark Edele is thought-provoking (“Trump delivers the goods, Europe picks up the tab”, 16/7).

It includes the observation that “Ukraine is the largest country in Europe, except for Russia”, so “Putin’s soldiers won’t be marching on Kyiv any time soon”. I am prompted to think about what will come after the inevitable end of the war.

Although easily outnumbered by Russia’s 144 million population, Ukraine, with roughly 38 million, compares favourably with the populations of Germany (83 million), France and the UK (both roughly 68 million), and Italy (58 million). All of the latter have ageing economies with significant economic, social and cultural problems.

Despite the death toll of the war, and the significant expenses of post-war rebuilding, Ukraine can be expected to emerge with a population united by the struggle (and united in hatred of Russia) and an economy invigorated by post-war economic aid from other Western nations to achieve the type of economic miracle experienced by West Germany post-World War II.

It can be expected to rapidly become one of the success stories of Europe.

Terence Jessop, Killcare Heights, NSW

Revitalise cricket

In no way can the Australia men’s Test match cricket team, despite comfortably winning a three-Test match series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, afford to take underperforming batsmen from that series into a jam-packed schedule of games against the likes of South Africa in Australia in August, tour New Zealand in October, and then play India on home soil in October-November before England arrives here for an Ashes tournament soon after that. Up- and-coming batsmen and bowlers should be seriously looked at to revitalise an obviously ageing Australian Test match team.

Eric Palm, Gympie, Qld

What an amazing game cricket is. A single player sometimes can score over 300 runs. Then, a whole team manages only 27.

Michael Butt, Tewantin, Qld

Smoke signals

Chris Uhlmann’s excellent article on smokers (“Driving smokers into the arms of criminals”, 12-13/7) is evidence that we are being governed according to the script of Yes Minister.

The ever-increasing number of bureaucrats employed is merely a smokescreen.

Kristeen Berry, Kalamunda, WA