Vote no to keep treating all Australians the same

Full marks to The Australian for its efforts in the last few months to raise public interest in the issue of a separate Indigenous voice to parliament. The articles have always offered balance and opportunity for the airing of opposing opinions.

The contrast could not be more defined than in the opinion pieces of Nyunggai Warren Mundine (“Referendum a vote for what we support, not oppose”, 15-16/10) and Paul Kildea (“Nation must cast off the long shadow of past polls”, 15-16/10). Mundine stated his case clearly in 10 numbered points, citing his extensive experience as an Aboriginal leader and observations as an active advocate for the improvement of conditions for Aboriginal people as citizens of Australia.

Mundine’s final thrust was a cracker: in 1967 Australians voted vehemently yes to a Constitution that treated all Australians the same. Now the voice advocates want us to repeal that democratic decision and treat some Australians differently. Truth, in a nutshell.

Robin Southey, Port Fairy, Vic

Help for teachers

As a retired teacher there are two observations I wish to make (“Reclaim the curriculum”, 15-16/10). The first is that there used to be curriculum support advisers in state departments of education who acted as a nexus between teachers and the curriculum. The second is that professional teacher associations provided curriculum resource materials for their members. There are no longer adviser positions and professional teacher associations, which rely on volunteers, receive little government support. Teachers, particularly those at primary school level, are overwhelmed by curriculum demands and need help in interpreting the curriculum structure. Teacher professional associations contain expertise in subject matter and should be supported and promoted by education providers in all sectors.

Caroline Brooks, Indooroopilly, Qld

Adelaide boring?

Alexander Downer claims those wishing to protect Adelaide’s architectural heritage and parklands “want to turn Adelaide into a museum” (“Downer v ‘squeaky wheelers’ in fight for hometown’s future”, 15-16/10). This line is reminiscent of Tim Marcus Clark, who shortly before bringing the SA State Bank to collapse with debts of over $2bn, proclaimed its counterparts sought “to keep Adelaide under a glass dome”.

In point of fact, central Adelaide now looks much the same as any other Australian capital city, thanks to the continued proliferation of high-rise multi-storey buildings throughout the CBD. Whether this has made for a more attractive, interesting and sustainable townscape is another matter.

Wilfrid Prest, Adelaide, SA

Contrary to what Alexander Downer thinks, people who oppose loss of heritage and open green space are generally not anti-development. There has been significant appropriate high-rise development in Adelaide in the past 15 years. Unfortunately, most are hotels or apartments for international students and locals, not corporate headquarters. That (and the loss of manufacturing) is the reason for the brain drain. Companies will be welcomed with open arms to build offices and factories at the numerous available sites outside Adelaide’s unique parklands.

Peter Klaosen, Adelaide, SA

Tax reform due

Three key points raised in Peter van Onselen’s article (“Tax reform the first step to budget repair”, 15-16/10) are: 1) The tax system is not fit for purpose; 2) The Channel 9 survey revealed “Australians don’t want higher taxes, they want less spending”, and; 3) With an ageing population, the burden of taxation will fall too heavily on generations at working age.

At least Josh Frydenberg attempted to start the process of tax reform. Jim Chalmers, you are on notice.

Peter Fuhrmann, Watermans Bay, WA

Mothers at home

A question I would like to put to the researchers and authors quoted by Helen Trinca (“Are grandparents as child carers good for the economy?” 15-16/10) is: Does anyone ever bother to do any research into what is the best outcome for our children, rather than the economy, if they are placed in daycare?

Maybe children become better citizens with fewer mental and behavioural problems if they are brought up in a loving, calm family atmosphere, cared for by their own mother or father, perhaps with some help from loving grandparents.

If women feel that they are going to lose their mojo by having a family, why don’t they just keep working and not bother having children?

I do wish governments would stop trying to make women feel guilty about being caring mothers in order to surreptitiously extract more tax.

Deirdre Graham, Moss Vale, NSW