Faith-based schools have the right to teach values by example

No religious school should teach discrimination against any person, whether it be racial, religious or sexual (“Schools fear Labor show of bad faith”, 18/3).

However, a faith-based school should be entitled to teach by example the values and ethos for which parents pay to have their children educated at these schools. Employing secular teachers who practise the same values as the school provides role models for its students.

The teachers at such schools should be an example to their pupils of the synthesis of the school’s religious beliefs with the secular world.

The opportunity to do this should not be denied any faith-based school.

David Freilich, Menora, WA

I don’t understand why church schools cannot employ those whom they prefer (“New round of culture wars over freedoms”, 20/3). When I applied for employment with the NSW Department of Education, I had to demonstrate my commitment to the principles and values of public education in that state. Sauce for the goose?

Charles Campbell, Dubbo, NSW

UNRWA funding

Paul Kelly’s comprehensive analysis of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East raises an obvious question: if the evidence linking this agency to Hamas and the promotion of violence against Israel is so substantial, why has our government rushed to resume handing over our taxpayer dollars (“Labor’s UNRWA gamble tests party’s integrity, reputation”, 20/3)?

It can’t claim ignorance on this issue as the facts about UNRWA have been accumulating for years, so we can only conclude that this is the next step in Labor’s deliberate shift away from supporting traditional allies and Western values. Is it just another sign of a government that doesn’t understand Australia?

Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic

Contrary to the claims in your article (“Northern Gaza on brink of ‘catastrophic’ famine: UN” 20/3, Israel is not blocking aid from entering Gaza.

In fact, Israel says an average of 126 aid trucks a day have entered Gaza this month, compared with a daily average of 70 carrying food before the war.

The problem is that the agencies that normally deliver aid in war zones are struggling to do so in Gaza, and Gazans themselves report that Hamas is stealing more than half of it.

Stephen Lazar, Elwood, Vic

Rudd has the edge

It is amusing to read of Donald Trump’s view of Kevin Rudd.

As to “not the brightest bulb”, at least Rudd is fluent in two languages, English and Mandarin, whereas Trump struggles with one. Trump also considers Rudd as “nasty” and would refuse to work with him.

On this premise, it should be noted very few politicians would work together. Trump should leave the criticism of Rudd to Australians. We have already had plenty of practice doing that.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

Olympic renovations

With its decision to promote renovating QEII stadium for the 2032 Olympics, the Miles government is going from bad to worse. (“Coates kept Games shock up his sleeve”, 20/3)

This stadium has been a white elephant since the Broncos moved to Suncorp 20 years ago. It makes no sense to spend $1.6bn on an upgrade for it to revert to a white elephant afterwards.

Its main use these days is to use the carpark for commuters travelling into the city by bus and is usually full, causing problems for commuters while renovations are in progress and during the Games.

R. Watson, Sunnybank Hills, Qld

A great thank you to the Premier for not building another, bigger, white elephant stadium in a pristine green space near the centre of the city.

These stadiums are empty most of the time, so refurbishing existing structures and not destroying green space and a heritage-listed school takes courage with all the knockers, and a lot of common sense – a rare commodity these days.

David Wood, Bulimba, Qld

Limit immigration

It’s time we had a referendum on immigration (“Home builds slump despite migrant surge”, 19/3). I think most Australians would strongly support a constitutional amendment that limited immigration numbers to an absolute maximum of 0.5 per cent of the population.

That would mean, with our current population of 27 million (which we’ve reached many years ahead of forecast), immigration would be limited to 135,000 a year.

That should easily be sufficient to meet any genuine skill shortages, and make it clear to industries that they need to think long term and train Australians for the skills they need.

Burt Bosma, Surrey Hills, Vic