Incentives get the vote, leaving the nation’s welfare far behind

It appears to me that politicians these days use the promise of incentives to garner our vote, rather than policy that reflects vision, integrity and the welfare of the nation. Given the inherent narcissism of much of the population, it’s little wonder that the incentives win over a critical percentage of the voters, allowing the party offering the most incentives and having the least regard for the welfare of Australia to gain power.

Greg Williams, Bicton, WA

At a moment in history when recognition of national identity and values was never needed more, voters in the US seized the opportunity to vote for family and country.

There is every reason to believe that Australians face a similar decision in this federal election.

When unprecedented levels of immigration challenge the attainment of a family home, when bloated government bureaucracies consume funds needed for defence and when energy policy is directed by ideology, a reassessment of our direction is surely needed.

It is perhaps wishful to seek divine guidance, but it is very needed at this juncture in history.

Vicki Sanderson, Cremorne, NSW

Prosperity declining

Adam Creighton’s column (“A second-rate elite is torching our nation’s prosperity”, 2/5) should be compulsory reading for all Australians.

His take on things that have happened in his four years in the US make very sober reading and prompted me to reflect on my 43 years’ experience here since migrating from Britain in 1982.

Some five years ago on one of my return visits I caught up with a former colleague who, like me, started with a major audit firm and moved on to expanded roles and leadership positions.

On that visit, he said to me: “Don’t ever think of coming back to the UK, it’s nothing like the country it was in your day.”

Needless to say, in a recent internet exchange I was able to tell him that Australia is nothing like it was in the 1980s. Unfortunately both countries are a part of Western society that is largely on the decline and increasingly at risk of warfare with China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and their allies. More to the point, our armed forces seem to be not well-armed or forceful.

Robin Billen, Noosaville, Qld

Adam Creighton’s article was the most disturbing thing I have read for some time.

Like the frog in water slowly coming to the boil, I guess the loss of Australia’s freethinking and happy way of life has been a gradual decline that has built up unnoticed.

I had assumed that increasing societal division would be worse in the US than here, but apparently not. The negative impact on people and the economy over the past few years is worse than we might have noticed while living here.

Andrew Weeks, Hawthorndene, SA

Confused teachers

Noel Pearson has criticised the mandatory teaching of Indigenous issues in every school subject (“Pearson calls for new curriculum”, 1/5). He gives an example from the current national curriculum of what can confuse teachers: “including maths lessons incorporating Aboriginal dance and basket-weaving”.

As someone with a degree in mathematics and who for 14 years made my living from basket-weaving, I can understand his consternation. I have only a little knowledge of Aboriginal dance but know that for the very great part, attempting to incorporate basket-making into the teaching of mathematics might promote a little humour but mostly confusion for teachers and students.

Pearson’s call that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture should be explicitly taught at school – just not in every subject area – is commendable. Equally important is his recommendation of explicit instruction across all subject areas.

Such methods can better help the focus of teachers and students and likely reduce a response of boredom (at best) that I imagine could be that of many to the current mixed messages in the national curriculum.

Peter Quin, Cygnet, Tas

Review the NDIS

Judith Sloan’s compelling analysis of the Coalition’s plans for the budget is consistent with her usual deft and critical approach to matters financial (“Opposition costings unveiled … but is this a joke? Am I being pranked”, 2/5). It makes particular reference to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and states that on its current trajectory it is unsustainable. David Murray’s report is also revealing (“Disability provider fails to pay staff”, 2/5).

What is becoming obvious is that the NDIS seems to be more about enriching providers than catering to the needs of the disabled. Its structure makes it vulnerable to exploitation, and if the Coalition wishes to improve the bottom line it needs to implement a thorough and fundamental review of the design and functional efficiency of the NDIS.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA