Matt GoldingCredit:.
Some opposition please
Parnell Palme McGuinness (Comment, 26/3) questions if the federal government is making too many decisions too fast and not fostering debate. On some issues like AUKUS she’s right, but she has ignored that we do not have an effective opposition willing to engage in robust policy discussion and push the government to make their policies better.
Instead, the Coalition is discouraging debate through their actions. They refuse to engage on how to make the safeguard mechanism better, a policy they initiated, are sowing seeds of doubt about the Voice rather than saying whether they support it, and when Labor floated a modest change to superannuation recently, they howled it down and started a scare campaign.
It’s hard to see how we can have genuine, nuanced debate on important issues like the Voice and climate unless the Coalition starts offering alternative policies, fresh ideas, and sound suggestions for improving legislation.
Matilda Bowra, Fitzroy North
Take the GP on the road
If it is good enough to spread the Commonwealth Games to various cities in Victoria, then why not give them the grand prix on rotation.
The temporary infrastructure in Albert Park could easily be transported to regional centres and they would get the benefit of all those tourists, and new roads as well for the race. Too bad about the total disruption to local sports, the disruption to the residents for four months of set-up and pull-down of the infrastructure. Despite the net loss to the state budget for sponsoring the grand prix, the so-called “benefits” should be shared by all Victorians.
Greg Byrne, Port Melbourne
No celebrations here
How can it be that in 2023 we still host a grand prix in Melbourne? Not only does it cause significant disruption and loss of amenity for those who live nearby. Not only does it cost Victoria at least $50 million to host it. But in the very week that the latest IPCC report warned us in powerful language of the worsening climate catastrophe, a grand prix is the very antithesis of what we need. It is an outrageous celebration of the fossil-fuel culture which is killing us all.
Richard Barnes, Canterbury
Renewable persuasion
Amy Hiller (Letters, 26/3) wrote “a line in the sand on fossil-fuel investment must be drawn”. I agree in principle, but a barrier rather more substantial than a line in the sand is needed to halt the predations and emissions of the fossil-fuel industry. A “line in the sand” will disappear with the next high tide, the next wave, or even the next ripple.
We must persuade the fossil-fuel industry and their finance-industry mates to acknowledge reality and shift their attention to renewable energy: the power of the future.
Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin, ACT
Reform aged care
The area of reform where the nation is moving too fast for the prime minister (″Is the PM moving too fast for the nation?″, 26/3) is the one nobody wants to think and talk about, and that is the urgent need for aged care reform.
The Boomers are on the brink of suffering first-hand the indignity and neglect of the current substandard aged care system. Their adult kids are on the brink of having to reduce both income earning and attending to the needs of younger dependents, to deal with the aged care problem.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
Remove the masks
Everyone has the right to free speech and to demonstrate peacefully in support of their cause, whatever it may be; it’s part of our democracy. However, the Nazis who protested on the mainland and in Hobart cannot be sure of their conviction to the cause of Nazism because they were too afraid to show their faces, possibly in case family and friends recognised them. Surely, being prepared to be recognised at demonstrations is a sign of confidence in their cause. If you are sure of your convictions, don’t hide behind scarves and masks; let the rest of us see who has these extreme ideological notions.
Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry, Tas
Rethink gearing
One of the main arguments proffered for negative gearing is that there would not be enough rental properties if it was removed. Given that so many of these properties are no longer available for renting because the owners have moved to the B&B market, should we have a more serious look at whether negative gearing should apply to these properties?
Graeme Gardner, Reservoir
Hair today, gone …
Memo to Donald Trump: high-maintenance hairstyles are unsuited to custodial environments.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills
The unhappy prints
Donald Trump won’t need to be fingerprinted when he is processed early next week. His fingerprints are all over the insurrection that occurred with the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
Scooters need rego
E-scooters can travel at up to 60km/h (one in Queensland was clocked at 90km/h), so why aren’t they treated the same as other motorised vehicles with registration and insurance? Rego could be by means of a smart chip on the scooter that could be detected by police and third-party insurance should be compulsory.
Doug Springall, Yarragon
Ban gambling ads
When tobacco was recognised as a serious health risk, cigarette advertising and display was banned. Gambling is undeniably a serious health risk. I don’t think it’s possible to prohibit gambling, but it is absolutely possible to prohibit gambling advertising. Why has it not been banned?
Terry Black, Black Rock
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