Time to puncture the empty words holding back ‘closing the gap’

For far too long government has wrung its hands and been unable to bring effective relief to those of our fellow citizens who are disadvantaged and living in shameful and isolated conditions. It is entirely inadequate to rely on existing mechanisms to remedy these deficiencies. They have failed in the past and there is no indication why it will be any different in the future. In her column, Janet Albrechtsen shows why this is so and suggests a way forward (“RAP over the knuckles for reconciliation frauds”, 16/10).

Albrechtsen makes clear the important distinctions between reconciliation and Closing the Gap, which are sometimes blurred. As she points out, reconciliation demands special rights for Indigenous people in its name, while Closing the Gap demands equal opportunities for every Australian. The former serves selected groups while the latter is universal. As Albrechtsen asks, how will the gap be closed? That’s precisely the question asked by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who seeks to audit past measures so past failures in this respect will not be repeated.

Albrechtsen argues the Albanese government is in hiding; it talks about reconciliation and closing the gap but is doing neither. It refuses to take the advice of Senator Price and conduct a thorough audit of all programs and policies to determine what works, what fails and why. We are all complicit in this and through our parliament must ensure that the nation’s present inertia in this respect is swiftly replaced by active and practical measures that ensure the gap is closed sooner rather than later – and forever. It can be done, as Senator Price continues to assert. She should be given a chance to show that assertion is the way forward.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW

Honest history

While there’s no denying that some deplorable things happened under colonialism, our institutions may need a more balanced perspective on the legacy of colonisation (“Colonial history and the past’s new moral reckoning”, 16/10). As with all controversial issues, we should ensure that such sensitive topics are taught in an unbiased manner. Schoolteachers, university lecturers, curriculum designers and textbook authors should present the issue in such a way that it would be difficult for students to determine what personal stance they – their educators – take on the matter. This would help to ensure the subject is presented with a fair and balanced perspective.

Michael Westacott, Cairns, Qld

In quoting Nigel Biggar, Paul Kelly neatly skewers the modern-day white guilt narrative of British colonial slavery that infects academia and the public education system throughout our Western world. With “truth telling” all the rage in our Australian teaching institutions in the rush to promote First Nations history, Biggar nails it when he says the only justification for truth-telling is being truthful. Biggar’s book Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning offers an inconvenient truth about slavery that should be applied to Australia’s guilt-ridden colonial historical narrative being taught to our children. For that reason it should be required study in schools and universities. But don’t hold your breath. The big problem is the current woke narrative is so firmly entrenched in our teaching institutions that actually being truthful about our history is not fashionable and has become far too hard.

John Bell, Heidelberg Heights, Vic

Foreign realities

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has an oversimplified approach to solving problems in the Middle East. A ceasefire and a two-state solution are totally unrealistic and overlook the significance Iran is having on its proxies, which are out to destroy Israel and wipe it off the map. Wong does not appreciate that most Arab countries are quietly hoping for a regime change in Iran and victory for Israel that safeguards their own states.

Furthermore, demands by Palestinians for the right of return, East Jerusalem as its capital and a return of the Golan Heights are impossible demands that would undermine the security of Israel. Perhaps Wong could be reminded that it was the UN that created the modern state of Israel by an overwhelming vote and partition was offered to the Arabs who declined it – not once but on further subsequent occasions.

Randall Whyte, Sherwood, Qld

Union betrayal

It beggars belief that unions are sitting on their hands while the housing crisis hurts its members. With more than a million Australians, many of whom are union members, unable to afford decent food, let alone buy their first house, the unions have nothing to say about the billions of dollars in taxpayer money given via negative gearing and capital gains discounts to wealthy Australians. Labor and the Coalition don’t care about this gross discrim­ination against union members and the unions also have nothing to say.

Jon Jovanovic, Lenah Valley, Tas