I will never forget the cold-blooded execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, young Australians sacrificed on the altar of Indonesian domestic politics in 2015 by then-Indonesian president Joko Widodo (The Herald’s View, November 25). Although Michaelia Cash has hit the headlines with an impassioned denunciation of the Bali Nine and the Australian government’s pleas to have them return home, her red-hot disdain ignores that these Australians have already paid for their crime with 19 years of harsh incarceration, which is tantamount to a life sentence in Australia. Whatever the outcome for the surviving members, I lost trust in Indonesia and its willingness to treat Australians fairly long ago. My tourist dollars go elsewhere. Irene Buckler, Glenwood
Previous Australian governments had raised the fate of the Bali Nine over the years.Credit: Composite: Nathan Perri
I heartily commend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his efforts in negotiating a possible deal to return the remaining Bali Nine to Australia to complete their sentences. I cannot imagine that an Indonesian prison would be an experience to be relished and their return before Christmas would be a godsend for their loved ones as well. We all make mistakes, sometimes serious ones, but we all deserve a second chance. It compensates just a little for the despondent day I spent nearly 20 years ago when the alleged ringleaders were executed and petitions and entreaties proved to no avail. Mercy and compassion are too rare a commodity in today’s mean-spirited world. Thank you, prime minister. Bernard Moylan, Bronte
Scott Rush’s father, Lee, had suspected that his son was about to do something stupid and tipped off the Australian Federal Police, expecting them to intervene. Instead, the AFP informed the Indonesian authorities, who arrested Scott and others on arrival in Bali. I have never forgotten former commissioner Mick Keelty’s lame defence. Needless to say, the organisers were never found.
David Farrell, Erskineville
Why is the government spending so much time and energy, not to mention taxpayer money, on repatriation of criminals from Indonesia? Sean Turnell and Cheng Lei committed no crime and were unjustly imprisoned by hostile governments. It was essential that Australia stood up for its citizens in those circumstances. The Bali Nine, however, were caught red-handed smuggling drugs and should therefore be subject to the full force of Indonesian law.
Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt
Why is our government trying to bring a bunch of convicted heroin smugglers into Australia? They never cared what their activity meant for human life. Let them serve their time in Indonesia as a message to all. And politically, surely Albo has more important matters than these drug traffickers. Steven Lee, Faulconbridge
Children go hungry
It’s a travesty that in large parts of Sydney and NSW, more than 20 per cent of children are living in poverty. It reflects an appalling failure of past and present government policy (“Child poverty on rise in NSW and costing the state hard”, November 25). Attacking inequality and lessening poverty should be the top priority of government. Instead, it would seem that the levels of inequality and poverty are increasing. The wealth of Australia’s richest 200 individuals increased by 11 per cent in the year ending May 2024, from $563 billion to $624.9 billion. In contrast, the latest Foodbank Hunger Report concluded that just under one in five Australian households experienced severe food insecurity in the past year. Alan Morris, Eastlakes
Bob Hawke in the 1987 election campaign, when he pledged no child would live in poverty by 1990.Credit: Fairfax Media
Your paper’s headlines about university fees and child poverty highlight a sad truth. Clearly, university fees, especially for humanities and social sciences courses, are outrageous, as is the rate of child poverty. Both are shameful and discriminatory. As Gough Whitlam’s 1972 political campaign slogan shouted, “it’s time”. Those beneficiaries with a conscience sitting in parliament know what must be done. Accessible education benefits all and goes a long way to preventing or reducing poverty for kids and families. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon
Politics over policy
Labor is playing very hard politics over housing, not because the Greens policies of massively increasing social and affordable housing are not good, but because Labor sees an opportunity to reduce the Greens’ influence (“Labor targets Greens over bills”, November 25). While Labor has a much greater ability to marginalise the Greens in the propaganda war, and have legislation that will act to entrench the two-party system of Labor and the Coalition, perhaps some of Labor’s wiser heads may consider that the ALP received a fraction less than one-third of the primary vote at the last election, and good policy is much more likely to win them supporters than cynical politics. Colin Hesse, Nowra
Many people who want equality in society, and better climate and environmental outcomes, must regard the Greens as a group of obstructionists acting as a cheer squad for Peter Dutton who can jump from yay to nay on any topic whenever the political winds might blow favourably. Donald Hawes, Peel
As a former Labor voter, then more recently a Greens voter, I am so disappointed in both these parties for failing to compromise on action to make Australia a better place. I never expect any better from the Coalition and simply watch as its moral compass spins off the dial. Nowadays, I look to David Pocock, Barbara Pocock and the teal independents for future hope. What a pity not one of them lives in my Grayndler electorate. Howard Charles, Glebe
And I’d always believed that Labor’s real enemy was the Liberal Party. Peter Mahoney, Oatley
Captive audience
If sacked ABC morning radio presenter Sarah Macdonald got Ray Hadley’s morning gig on commercial radio 2GB, I am sure her loyal listeners would not follow her (Letters, November 25). Life moves on for radio audiences. So when normal programming resumes in February 2025, ABC listeners will still tune in to the ABC. They have nowhere else to go for news, current affairs and entertainment consistent with their beliefs and values. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach
I wholly support Jenna Price’s protests about the ABC’s treatment of Sarah Macdonald. Sarah is smart and informed, warm and lively. The ABC seems sadly ill advised to let such a treasure go. The same with The Drum, much missed for its brilliant presenters such as Julia Baird. Now we get endless reruns of Hard Quiz and a cooking show. My partner and I turn to the 6.30pm SBS News and often don’t return to the ABC. If the powers that be at the ABC are aiming to wrest a younger audience away from their phones and social media, they are unlikely to succeed. They are simply losing their traditional audience. Anne Whitehead, Dulwich Hill
Fake news
Labor’s misinformation bill deserved to be dropped as it was fundamentally flawed by affecting only social media (“Some Coalition MPs have cold feet on the social media ban. Dutton will stare them down”, November 25). In my many years of following politics and current affairs, I have witnessed gross misinformation emanating from traditional news sites, especially ones controlled by an ageing American. Until all media is covered, the exercise is pointless. Graeme Finn, Earlwood
Dreaming of a dark Christmas
It is curious that Sean Kelly, in summarising the causes of Scott Morrison’s political demise, should invoke the political appeal of “boredom” (“Election battlelines are being drawn - and not by Albanese”, November 25). In September, 2019, Chris Uhlmann wrote of Morrison’s appeal: “I suspect the silent majority is actually enjoying the sound of silence out of Canberra.” The re-election of Trump does not indicate, at least in the US, any appetite for boredom. If Australia were to follow suit, and Dutton appears attracted to that notion, a steady course may no longer hold appeal for some. All ills can be falsely blamed on the incumbent and alternatives (nuclear being the clearest example) held up as solutions. The opposition opposes, blames and dog-whistles, demonises refugees and blames renewables for high energy prices. No government can remain “boring” in the face of these divisive, over-simplistic tactics. No matter how sensible Labor’s policies, they can no longer assume these, by themselves, will garner support. There are disruptive forces at work which need to be energetically exposed as empty, if not harmful, promises. Fiona Colin, Malvern East (Vic)
Albo and Peter Dutton are neck and neck in the opinion polls. Credit: Joe Benke
Green vision
I wish I shared Ross Gittins’ faith in our two major parties’ ability to direct our economy towards producing “green” exports (“Playing role in saving the planet could make us rich”, November 25). I fear dark-money funded groups such as Advance Australia, as well as lobby groups such as the Australian Energy Producers, would not be happy to see such a transition. And they have the selfishness, money and influence needed to see it doesn’t happen – unless our leaders grow a spine and a heart. Lesley Walker, Northcote (Vic)
No Ross, this will not do. Gittins points out that we have abundant, cheap renewable energy – utilising it to make green products to export to the world could be a winner. Gittins also notes that nuclear is likely to be a minor energy player in the future and only if heavily subsidised by the government. None of this narrative will suit Dutton’s relentlessly negative doom and gloom story about renewables, let alone his shining nuclear pipe dream. He would prefer more fact-free, hyperbolic scaremongering. Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic)
Ross Gittins once again clarifies the opaque. Australia is in such an advantageous position in the green future. But one of the worst Trump legacies is the rebuttal and derision of science. What we need are leaders, not politicians, visionaries not lobbyists, statesmen not party hacks. Are there any in our parliament? Rowan Godwin, Rozelle
Tradie shortage
Construction chief Joe Bartolo’s case against government infrastructure projects will win plaudits from anyone lost or just delayed on Acciona’s nightmare misnamed Warringah “expressway” project (“Is infrastructure demand stealing tradies from housing? This CEO says yes”, November 25). But a far more immediate solution to the case of the missing tradies surely lies in the renovation industry. Change the planning laws to stop it dead and thousands of people employed in knocking down and rebuilding perfectly adequate housing could be redeployed to new, green site house-building. Jeremy Eccles, Clifton Gardens
Head dress
John Whiteing asserts that the style of keffiyeh worn by a student at his graduation is associated with Hamas and Hezbollah, but most people associate it with Palestine, not terrorism (Letters, November 25). Similarly, when I see a kippah being worn, I think Jewish, not militant Zionist extremism. Shaun Davies, St Peters
People should wear what they like so long as they otherwise behave themselves. I am deeply offended by some insignia and apparel, but at least if people identify themselves as offensive we don’t have to guess who and where they are. Even masks worn by neo-Nazis let us know that dangerous people do inhabit our society. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
Respect each other
As a former leader of the Jewish community, I related to Aftab Malik’s column (“Islamophobia’s a threat to all of us”, November 25). Both Islamophobia and antisemitism have surged to alarming levels during the past year, creating division and polarisation, fear and distress among many law-abiding Australians. This is not what multiculturalism should look like. It falls to each of us to return the pendulum to the centre. To do what we do with respect and care. For all. Vic Alhadeff, Kirribilli
Sexual assault
I think I am in an informed position to comment on Josh Szeps’ unwanted attention from Alan Jones (Letters, November 25). Fifty-five years ago, when I was nine years old, I was assaulted by an older student at a Catholic boarding school. It was not something “to laugh off” as Szeps suggests, or a “playful” or “excessively romantic” experience as he describes. It was unwanted, disturbing and traumatic to this day. Three years ago, I was selected for jury duty in a case involving four alleged sexual assault charges. The Crown prosecutor explained to the jury the level of proof required to convince us that each charge met the definition of assault, including lack of consent. The law in NSW is now very clear on what constitutes sexual assault. I wonder if Josh Szeps would have the same view of Alan Jones’ unwanted attention if he had sat on the same jury as me? While Szeps may think it is possible to trivialise his experiences with Alan Jones, I know it is not possible to lock away the trauma of sexual assault forever. Nor does the young woman for whom my fellow jurors and I were unable to deliver justice. Brian Leahy, Wentworth Falls
As an 82-year-old gay man, it’s difficult to read Josh Szeps’ defence of Alan Jones without feeling disappointment. Szeps was a confident, educated, out young gay man building a career and, apparently, prepared to tolerate Jones’ predatory behaviour in the interests of his ambition. That, clearly, is not the case for the majority of Jones’ alleged victims, and certainly not for that vulnerable young employee who was only 17 at the time of those encounters with Jones. In his apologia for that behaviour, Szeps makes no reference to the claims that Jones had used his power for sexual gratification, by groping and indecently assaulting young men, including one of his producers, without their consent. Many young, gay men who would look to Szeps as a role model must share my sense of disappointment. Philip Thorniley, Broughton Vale
Never look back
We have driven our electric car for nearly three years and cannot imagine returning to the life of a petrol/diesel driver (Letters, November 25). Particular joys are the much cheaper servicing and the much cheaper fuel. We have been blown away by the generosity and of fellow electric drivers and the good manners of those waiting to charge. I fear that letters of complaint about learning to adapt one’s style during the first electric road trip give comfort to those who would delay and disrupt phasing in electric cars. My advice is to download every possible provider’s app before starting out as the NBN is abysmal in many regional areas, and it may be very slow at the site of the charger. Use Plugshare or similar to map out a charger-friendly route. Smile every time you drive past the prices outside a service station – and enjoy your journey. Marjorie Sutcliffe, The Rocks
Good riddance
Alan Marel suggests that on May 18, 2029 the voters of Warringah might celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tony Abbott losing his seat in Parliament (Letters, November 25). That is far too long to wait. Out here in Calare I celebrate Abbott’s well-earned exit from Parliament each and every time I hear his name mentioned. John Payne, Kelso
Outgoing member for Warringah Tony Abbott delivers concession speech after his loss to independent Zali Steggall. Credit: ninevms
Alan Marel’s reflections on dates with destiny bring to mind a certain federal election those few years back, when I picked up my Herald that Saturday morning, and being at the age I am, read the death notices at breakfast before going out to vote. The first name listed was Abbott. Think I may have kept that page for posterity. Ken Finlayson, East Corrimal
Walk the dog
Thank you, Rosemary (Letters, November 25). I generally disagree with your ideas, but they do spur me to divert my angst to achieve greater speed on my early-morning dog walk. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
Brain teaser
David Astle (DA) writes that the Herald’s puzzle editor, Lynne Cairncross, picked him up on a definition in one of his draft cryptic crosswords. Well done, Lynne! Now please get him to make them just a little less confounding. Ian Aldridge, Goulburn
Quiet carriage
The Japanese are not the only people to behave courteously when using their mobiles (Letters, November 25). One of the joys of travelling by train recently in Europe was the fact that when passengers wanted to use their mobiles they moved to the vestibule at the end of the carriage so no one was disturbed. Bliss!
Phyllis Codd, Bellingen
I, too, wish we could introduce Japanese mobile etiquette and manners here. My recent trip in a designated “quiet carriage” was anything but. The best-behaved fellow traveller was someone’s dog, which acted impeccably during the two-and-a-half-hour trip and earned a pat from the ticket inspector. Maureen Ryan, Hamilton East
Natural selection
I made an unbeaten 74 in the under 14Bs in 1987 (“Australia v India updates: Australia stares down heavy home defeat as veterans face the music”, smh.com.au, November 25). I’m a left-handed batter, have opening experience and am making myself available for the Adelaide Test. I’ll pay my own way to the ground and don’t require accommodation. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA)
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