The way we have allowed our housing market to develop means that most of our new our homes are extraordinarily close together (“Ban kids from social, but what will they do outside?”, September 14). They are designed to look inwards; there is no scope for seeing wider horizons. And with this comes a tendency for a narrowness of imagination and vision. This means that Daisy Turnbull’s point is well made. Where are the backyards to play in? Where are the creeks to dam? Where are the places to cycle to? It would be nice to think we can turn this around, but for many this will not be possible. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
Childrens’ playground
Children’s playgroundCredit: Joe Armao
Daisy Turnbull manages to capture the plight of many of our children and their use of free time. Those fortunate enough to have backyards, the beach or parks within safe walking distance hold some advantages, but free access to activities for all are still needed. Even in the overpopulated Manhattan free basketball/handball/tennis courts are easily accessible, there are small parks on many corners to sit, read and play, pools built into both rivers (and a new one planned for East River) the massive Central Park harbours a zoo, ice skating in season, safe walking/running facilities and various ponds to occupy the young.
Sydney and many regional areas offer very little for family play or childhood/adolescent recreation facilities. In this country we should have the space to ensure our children and young adults have free facilities to enjoy and grow, otherwise they will look to electronic devices and a virtual world to inhabit. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
I have huge sympathy with Daisy Turnbull’s article. Back in the 1950s I (and everyone else) made my own way to and from school. At weekends and holidays my mates and I were free to roam the streets, parks and anywhere else we could get into. We had a lot of fun, and nothing bad ever happened. My own children had a few more restrictions but generally managed to circumvent them. But now the thought of our grandchildren going out into the street without an adult is simply inconceivable. Yet our streets are safer now than then. Give our kids back their freedom and they won’t need social media. Guy Cox, Dee Why
Scott-free
Kathryn Campbell’s insistence that she is a robo-debt scapegoat, despite having breached the public service code multiple times, reinforces the public perception that those in powerful positions often evade responsibility for their actions (“‘Furious tirade’: Shorten slams robo-debt public servant’s claims she was a ‘scapegoat’”, September 14). The Coalition-era scheme, overseen by ministers including Scott Morrison and Alan Tudge, unlawfully targeted almost half a million Australians, some committing suicide as a result. Yet there have been few serious consequences (reprimands, fines and demotions to a few) and not a skerrick of remorse from any of them. And certainly no responsibility taken by the former government. The National Anti-Corruption Commission in this case has failed its duty. Alison Stewart, Riverview
The National Anti-Corruption Commission and robo-debtCredit: Illustration: Alan Moir
Yes, the senior public servants implemented the disgraceful robo-debt scheme, but what about their political “masters” who were responsible for initiating and oversight of this unlawful and inhuman bastardry? Oh that’s right, Scott Morrison and Alan Tudge apologised for “the hurt and harm” caused by their cruel and irresponsible policy. So that’s all right then, isn’t it? Rob Phillips, North Epping
Saturday’s Herald reported some public servants could be held responsible for robo-debt. This is a case of shooting the messenger. Since Howard removed the protection of public servants by allowing the government to dismiss them, they have faced pressure from government ministers. We should be punishing the Liberal ministers who implemented robo-debt and not public servants. Ministers need to accept their responsibility and suffer consequences or similar failures will be faced in the future. Barry O’Connell, Old Toongabbie
Strong deterrent
Much has been made of the 32-year jail sentence given to the driver in the bus crash that killed 10 people (Letters, September 14). While the sentence may seem appropriate, one wonders if this is so, considering that the vile robo-debt scheme caused similar deaths, but the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. Bus drivers are required to be held responsible for their crimes in court, while politicians, yet again, remain at liberty. Justice? What a farce. Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale
Every so often a moment arrives when the justice system opens its sleeping eyes and delivers a sentence that is a true deterrent. The sentence of 32 years to the drug-affected bus driver who caused the Hunter Valley tragedy may seem excessive, but in the past drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol who have killed people have been issued sentences of around two to five years non- parole while the deceased persons family suffer a life sentence. The appropriate incarceration term may lie somewhere in the middle. It is probably excessive for the first transgressor. However, dramatic sentences serve a purpose. That purpose is a deterrence.
I was a first responder for 40 years and have seen the devastation caused by individuals who avoid responsibility and drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I reserve my sympathy for the victims, not the perpetrators, and believe that the long sentence is worth it if even one life is saved by a potential drugged or drunk driver thinking twice. Mike Keene, Mollymook Beach
Medal travesty
Like Janet Scilly, I am totally opposed to taking medals from military personnel who fought in Afghanistan (Letters, September 14). These persons risked their lives in serving their country by fighting a war against a guerrilla enemy who did not wear uniforms and used every dirty trick in the book. They earned their medals. We need to remember that war (especially a guerrilla war) is not a sporting contest. We also need to face the fact that our involvement in Afghanistan was a bad mistake. Alan Templeman, Wyoming
Defence Minister Richard Marles has stripped distinguished service medals from commanding officers who held senior roles during the war in Afghanistan.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Defence Minister Richard Marles has jumped the gun stripping distinguished service medals from some defence force officers who served in Afghanistan during the period that was investigated by the Brereton inquiry. No charges have been laid against anyone and it will be quite a long time before anyone is charged and put before the courts. Stripping those officers of their medals is saying they are guilty of not performing duties properly, yet they have not been found guilty by a court of law.
Just because Marles is the Defence Minister it does not give him the right to summarily make a judgment call without those officers having their legal right to defend themselves in a court of law. The prime minister should step in and reverse this erroneous decision made by a person who has never been in armed conflict. And to make the decision a few days after the report into Defence Force suicide shows a lack of empathy. A great way to treat those who put their lives at risk for Australia in Afghanistan. Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry (Tas)
Fighting in a war is unlike sitting comfortably at a desk in Parliament House.
Richard Arndell, Avoca Beach
Liberal entitlement
Seems like John Howard has let the cat out of the bag when he says the Liberal Party’s most important goal “is the defeat of the Albanese Labor government” (“Howard backs federal takeover of NSW Liberals”, September 14). Nothing about developing policies to improve the country, just regaining their “rightful” place in power. Says it all, especially when they have engaged a committee on aged white men (no “pesky” women) to oversee the restructure. Richard Watson, Pyrmont
Less is best
You have to wonder how a fall in the Chinese population to 525 million by 2100 could be construed as a crisis (“Ticking demographic timebomb”, September 14). The economic problems caused by reduced populations everywhere are insignificant compared with the current levels of environmental destruction. A reduced global population is a solution, not a problem. Ronald Watts, Newcastle
Aged care outcry
The proposed funding changes for aged care will likely precipitate an outcry from the so-called self-funded retiree group who will be asked to pay more (“Billions to keep Boomers at home, but half will pay more for aged care”, September 13). This terminology is somewhat of a misnomer, however. Many retirees have ended up in this fortunate position due either to receiving generous tax concessions on their superannuation contributions, through being members of early super schemes that continue to be funded by the Australian Government Future Fund, or because they have used negative gearing and capital gains tax exemptions and invested in real estate. In short, they are the recipients of generous government assistance very often on a par with that received by those on an age pension and are frequently afforded a better lifestyle. That they pay more can only be seen as fair and just. Louise Dolan, Birchgrove
Something smells off
It’s distressing to read that there is the smell of political interference with the Bureau of Meteorology before the last election (“Internal documents show BoM escalated questions on climate and floods”, September 14). BoM is a scientific body on which all of Australia depends for scientifically reliable advice. It reminds us of interference by four ministers in the previous government with the research grant process, where eminent scientists decide which applications for research grants will make the cut. A situation where politicians can interfere if they don’t like the decisions made in scientific areas reeks of Trumpism, with his “alternative facts”. The current government has gone some way to prevent this happening in the future. It’s also noteworthy that it’s the investigative journalism of the Herald that has brought this BoM problem to our notice.
Gary Barnes, Mosman
Lismore floodsCredit: Elise Derwin
Going Dutch
Dutch schooling is based on laws of equality and religious freedom (Letters, September 14). Consequently, they have three types of schooling: state, religious and special. All equally state-funded, with extra funding for special assistance where needed by students. None are private nor equivalent to the Australian concept of wealthy private schools. Local councils, not known for extravagance, provide school buildings and an outdoor area, so no Olympic pools or special sport fields. There are no school uniforms, students use their own bicycles for most school excursions, and for sport they join myriad thriving local clubs.
Education in the Netherlands is meant to be affordable for both the government and Dutch parents, as well as effective for students. The whole flexible education system itself is worthy of study. It provides readiness for higher education, as well as making a 16-year-old school-leaver job-ready. Barbera Moret, Urunga
Mr Hastie omits to mention that although many countries fund private schools, the oddity in Australia is that our private schools charge fees on top of the government contribution. In the Dutch vocational education and training sector, as well as higher education, tuition fees are set by law. Students pay their fees directly to their respective educational institutions. No tuition fees are charged for primary and secondary schools. Alister Sharp, Hunters Hill
David Hastie is right when he says government funding of private schools is not the cause of underfunding of public schools. Government costs would increase if students attending private schools switched to public schools. However, many other countries that have government funding of private schools do so on the basis that those schools are not permitted to charge student fees. Apart from underfunding public schools, a key issue in Australia is that government provides funding for private schools that spend up to three times the per-student cost of public schools. Government funding to these schools is an unnecessary, unproductive and unfair use of taxpayers’ money. David Hind, Neutral Bay
To play devil’s advocate in the public-versus-private schools debate, why is no one complaining about the people who can afford private health insurance having more timely access to so-called elective treatment and a choice of doctors, while also have the option of “going public”? Seems like a similar issue to me. Randi Svensen, Wyong
Play the (royal) ball
The King’s coming visit was always going to be a touchstone for some good old republican banter, so Malcolm Knox’s piece comes as no surprise (“It’s the monarchy that should go walkabout”, September 14). However, he makes the same mistake as all the others – attacking the man and not the ball. I’m not interested in the failings or otherwise of the royal family or their long-forgotten forebears. What I’m interested in is what sort of alternative government is proposed, so I can give it my full consideration. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth
The Queen meets well-wishers in Canberra in 2001.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Donald, duck
Did Kamala Harris give the best side-eye to Donald Trump since Grace Tames’ to Scott Morrison (Letters, September 14)? Judith Allison, Bexley
Donald Trump needs to talk to our local butchers – some of them sell bags of “Dogs Bones” at $5. Gets rid of a few of ’em, too. Haven’t started on cats as yet, though. Don Nealon, Taree
So sorry to hear of the Letters editor’s dislike of the Oxford comma. Sometimes they are necessary. For example, Trump may have read a perfectly innocent sentence that was missing one: “I like cooking, dogs and cats”. Mary Anne Kennan, Burwood
Apologies, dear editor, but if anyone forms a Society for the Protection of the Oxford Comma, they can count on my full support. Denis Martin, Annandale
Bad programming
Like your correspondent, I am also a victim of the arbitrary cancellation of a gold-standard program, AIM/WAVES, which has been very successful for 40 years at keeping seniors out of hospital (Letters, September 14). The program has been run by South East Area Health Service and concentrates on balance, muscle strength and bone density. At a time when all research shows that this sort of program, which has also led to great community connections for old people, is essential and a much cheaper option than hospitalisation, the cancellation beggars belief. It would be good to hear from the bureaucrat who made this decision, whether or not it has been approved by Health Minister Ryan Park. One suspects this is not the case, and the speed of execution would mean the oldies would “cop it sweet”. I’m afraid we will not do that and will continue to make representations to the appropriate people until we get the decision reversed. Lynne Poleson, Kingsford
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