All are welcome to Govern
Last week, the Parliament defeated two pieces of legislation (11/2) that showed the governments’ penchant for subjugating to sectional interests.
The government must govern for all Australians. It is not easy to do so, but any legislation should follow that principle. They should strive for a fair, inclusive society and not one that causes pain or hardship and further marginalizes people by its actions.
Anne Lyon, Camberwell
You can check-in time wastage
We need to understand the potential uses of QR codes at shops and supermarkets if we want to continue using them. Although it was useful in the past, it is now a waste.
Julian Guy, Mount Eliza
No tracing, no use
Can someone from the government tell me what QR codes are being used for if they are not being used anymore for contact tracing? It is not a useful exercise, similar to the COVIDSAFE application. It seems pointless, except for the requirement to show your vaccination status in certain circumstances. This can be done in different ways.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
The evil next to you
The Age 12/2 report Nazis nextdoor (The Age 12/2), and Mike Burgess ASIOs director general asking what motivates young people towards Nazism are disturbing. While the Nazis did terrible things to European Jewry and other non Aryan groups, it should be well-known. However, it is not enough to dissuade young people from Nazism. It is this banality, hatred, and evil that is most troubling.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
Cashed-out logic
Another election is approaching and Attorney General Michaelia Cash makes another completely unfounded claim. It was Labor that took our utes away in 2019 as part of a scare campaign against electric cars. Last week, single-sex schools were unable to accommodate transgender students because they did not have toilets. Is it really possible to believe that these schools only employ single-sex teachers, and that the school does not have toilets for parents of both genders who might visit? It is sad that someone supposedly intelligent can be seen spewing such nonsense.
Brian Glass, Montrose
To the gunships
Given the dire situation of the Coalition government and the upcoming federal election, can Prime Minister Scott Morrison deploy the ADF in Ukraine anytime soon? Declare war against China John Howard was a fan of this tactic in 2003.
Elaine Hill, Warrnambool
The shorter, the better
It is possible that the Coalitions’ plan to have Federal parliament sit for only 10 days during the first six months this year could prove to be a smart calculation.
It won’t need any more weeks like this one in Canberra. What happened only showed the lack leadership, lackluster policy agenda and internal leakage that was likely caused by desperation over the possibility of an election loss.
Kate McCaig in Surrey Hills
Some require patience
Anthony Albanese, Labor leader, tells anti-vaccine protesters that they should go home. Scott Morrison tells them that they should blame the state premiers. A change in national leadership is urgently needed. The next election is likely to be held in three months. You will need patience.
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool
Reforms are urgently required
Jon Faine (Comment 13/2) asks us why we don’t seem to be able move forward with judicial reform.
Part of the reason lies in the way politicians argue that any change would see us softening on criminals, which attracts support from the public.
There is little hope of changing the circumstances for those convicted of crimes if we can lock people who are genuine refugees up for years.
I know the frustrations of prison chaplains over the absurdity of the system.
Radical reform is necessary if we want to be a civil society.
Graham Reynolds, Soldiers Hill
Remember the history
Russia could invade Ukraine in a matter of days (13/2). We suffer from historical amnesia again. Let’s recall the concern US President John F. Kennedy had in 1962 about Cuba accepting Russian missiles and joining NATO. He didn’t want Russian missiles at America’s doorstep. After a compromise was reached, Cuba was not given Russian missiles, and America withdrew its missiles form Turkey. Remember that James Baker, the then American secretary-of-state, stated that NATO would not expand to Eastern Europe. It seems Russia doesn’t want NATO at its doorstep.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading
Go to the source
Concerning concerns about a third runway at Melbourne Airport, it would be more beneficial to address the problem at source to the benefit of all. The world needs quieter aircraft.
The US government imposed noise and smoke restrictions on commercial aircraft about 50 years ago. The majority of large-sized aircraft at the time were American-made. This meant that the new quieter aircraft were automatically imposed upon the whole world.
The US is less open to regulatory changes than China and the EU. Airbus is located in the EU, and China plans on building large commercial aircraft.
The industry has already reduced aircraft noise and can continue to do so if it is requested by the world.
Mark Freeman, Macleod
Training in aged care
Australian aged care standards are not going to improve if more money is spent and more staff are added to the existing system.
Geriatric care is similar to paediatric care. It requires specialist knowledge, which can only be acquired through extensive education and training.
To be able to provide care for your teeth, nails, skin, eyes, cognitive, and other allied health needs, you will need to have a different and more comprehensive knowledge and expertise than what is required for adults who aren’t yet affected by the ageing ravages and declines of the last stages of life.
Australia will fail to provide high-quality aged care services until the training required for professional aged care workers is more comprehensive, specialized and informed by medical research.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
Authenticity lost
Authentic leaders don’t need miracles. They have a vision, a purpose and a plan. Authentic leaders face and tackle crises. They don’t blame others. Authentic leaders are not known for pulling political stunts, such as washing a young woman’s hair in a salon, riding in a Bathurst supercar, or playing the ukulele around the table for a curated television interview. Authentic leaders do not need to be empathy consultants or curry favor with anti vaxxers. Authentic leaders are able to believe and show that they have the hose for all.
Susan Constable, Elwood
Love your neighbour
Growing up, I was taught that to be a Christian meant to live Christlike. If you believe the story, then you will see that Jesus did not discriminate in who He walked with, ate with, or blessed. His maxim was love thy neighbor.
Marion Pritchard, Ringwood North
No ukes
Scott Morrison may have set an own goal by allowing himself to be film playing the ukulele. I doubt I was. Only one person remembered his vacation in Hawaii.
Gaye Boswell, Wantirna South
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian holidays, and now the Ukulele. It will end where? Aloha could be translated to hello or goodbye.
Richard Opat, Elsternwick
I now see why the PM went to Hawaii. Silly me. He learned to play the ukulele. Can’t wait to see his hula-hula.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
The Prime Ministers 60 Minutes Show will have the exact same impact as Bill Shortens daily jogging regimen before the last election.
Ian Hetherington and Moama
Is the barrel large enough to hold all the pork or the ukuleles in?
Rosemary Lithgow Maryborough
You might like to try your hand at a real guitar, Prime Minster, and some real policies.
Bernd Rieve Brighton
Scott Morrison’s ukulele-playing stunt was just as disgusting as his hair-washing routine. This man is supposed be the Prime Minister for Australia.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Sorry Geoff Lipton (Letters 12/2), respect must be earned and, from where I sit Scott Morrison has done absolutely no during his prime ministership that would have earned any.
Glenn Murphy, Hampton Park
Stephen Jones MP for Australian Father of The Year
Linda Driscoll, Armadale
If China’s candidate is Anthony Albanese then Peter Dutton should be the member of the CIA.
Matthew Kelly, Upwey
Since the 1950s, the religious right has enjoyed too much political power. So much for separating religion from politics.
Michael McKenna, Warragul
Finally
Workers use their own means to get a rise, not unions (9/2). It is precisely what conservative governments want, with real wages in decline.
Peter Baddeley (Portland)
