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Credit: Illustration: Andrew Dyson
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Generational divide
I can’t help but react to the article by Ross Gittins’ claim that most Boomers have done pretty well (“Boomers should get the final bill”, 14/6). My husband and I are in our 70s, both retired after working and paying taxes for 50+ years. Yes we are comfortable now but mainly because we paid off our home with a 20-year mortgage, we had one car, we created a budget and lived within it, we survived on one wage when our family arrived and then educated three children.
We never went out for meals and I used the lay-by system to purchase clothes. I am afraid that I am getting tired of everything being blamed on the Baby Boomers. We are where we are because we planned carefully and never lived beyond our means. Is this what it means to be called privileged?
Julie Ottobre, Sorrento
We shouldn’t leave the bill for our children
Ross Gittins, thank you. From this relatively well-off baby boomer I absolutely agree with you. We Boomers should be putting our money into the coffers to cover for our aged care. Why should the young ones be paying for us, when they are paying off a mortgage and bringing up children?
Patricia Rivett, Ferntree Gully
The topic we don’t want to broach
While whimsy pervades Ross Gittins’ aged care piece, the reality is the wealthy who can afford to pay more are currently heavily subsidised by the federal government. Unfortunately, many of us do not take interest in how the system operates until we become personally involved. Yes, wealthy Baby Boomers should pay for the cost of the last stage of “their highly privileged lives”. Trouble is, too many Baby Boomers will worry about what inheritance they will leave their millennial offspring. All generations should have this conversation with each other: alas, it’s a topic none of us wants to broach until it’s inevitable.
Sally Davis, Malvern East
The one word missing
I am a great admirer of Ross Gittins. As a “non economist” I look to him for clear, concise explanations of where the economy is at. I usually say “Yes, yes, yes,” when I read his articles. However, I do have a quibble with some of his comments about us Baby Boomers. I don’t object to him bagging us in a humorous way, and he makes lots of sense. However, his article re aged care ‘Boomers should get the final bill’ has a vital word missing from the headline – “male”. Many male boomers enjoy all the benefits that he outlines, but is a very different scenario for many female Boomers. Indeed women over 65 are the group most likely to become homeless at this time, due to historical (and current) discrimination against women.
Cheryl Day, Beaumaris
Bring back confidence
The unusually large proportion of the population that is from the Baby Boomer generation has prompted a discussion about aged-care reform, but it is not the reason for reform.
Any levy introduced to cover the cost of high quality healthcare in old age, would work just like the current Medicare levy covers the cost of high quality healthcare in the decades prior to old age. But its purpose would not be simply to cover the cost of care for people who are currently old, but to guarantee for each person paying the levy that, in the event of them one day becoming old enough to need it, they would receive high quality aged care.
This could address the current quite justified national fear of being “carted off” to spend the last stage of the lifespan in the current system of cheapest and easiest possible aged storage to feed provider profits. We would instead have a national confidence that the health care providing for the last stage of our lifespans would be as knowledgeable, expert and effective in maximising quality of life, as for the decades prior.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
THE FORUM
Caught up
Is the Victorian government going to hand out free wildlife rescue and rehabilitation kits to school children along with the rods and tackle? (“Free Fishing rods for private schools is a hook critics say is out of line”, 13/6). Fishing line and barbed hooks account for dozens of wildlife entanglements and non-target species “hookings” every month in Victoria. Much tackle is un-retrievable as line and hooks are caught high in branches over water or broken off under water, thereby remaining a lethal threat for years. Typically it is volunteer wildlife rescuers, not Victorian Fisheries staff, who come to the aid of distressed entangled or hooked animals. The restriction and discouragement of fishing, rather than its promotion, would be more in line with the wildlife and animal welfare interests modern children and adults have today.
Lawrence Pope, North Carlton
Spiritual journey
Correspondents with doubts about whether children will use their free fishing rods should have faith, (Letters, 14/6). Fishing gives kids permission to remain silent and observe for hours on end. The sun, moon and tides, what the seagulls are up to, the wind on the water and waves – it verges on meditation. And when they finally catch that first fish, they will instinctively recognise cruelty and that’ll the end of it.
Ronald Elliott, Sandringham
Start a trend
Your correspondent made an interesting comment about the state government ultimately raising money through fishing licences. As a grandmother with a fishing-obsessed grandson aged 14, we both applied for licences and found they were free. Perhaps more grandparents could take time off to go fishin’ with their grandchildren?
Judith Hudson, Elwood
Get the kids outside
The state government’s pledge to hand out fishing rods to school children is a great idea as it will help prevent and combat Screen Dependency Disorder. A growing body of evidence shows that screens can be addictive and lead to isolation, depression and anxiety.
Ian Cameron, Chelsea
Screens must be limited
I am not that old that I cannot well remember trying to placate a toddler climbing over my head at meetings, in church or at a cafe. And I admit I, like many, have a virtual umbilical cord to my phone, and jump at a ping.
Yet, I feel we have given up when I read statements like “there’s no way of stopping screens. They’re going to end up on them anyway” (“Swallow guilt over table tablets”, 13/6). It is untrue that “today’s parenting requires more engagement”. Engagement and involvement are a piece of string. There have always been parents more and less involved in their children’s activities. Some actively involved, others only physically present.
As a secondary English teacher, I worry about the oral and written literacy of children who have far less interaction and conversation with parents and instead are given a screen. A device stops awareness with the outside world, with other people and with what is going on around them.
Parenting is tough. But we all need to limit and deal with our screen addiction, particularly for children.
Mary-Jane Boughen, Murrumbeena
Keep it down
If parents choose to allow their kids to have tablets while dining out, that’s fine by me — provided that the device is on mute or that they are wearing headphones. It seems to be the new normal for people to play video on their device out loud in public, oblivious to the fact that they’re disturbing those around them.
Erin Byrnes, Glen Iris
How effective?
Good article by Liam Mannix on air purifiers in schools (“Value of school air purifiers not clear”, 14/6). The whole expensive program was implemented without any reasonable evaluation. As Mannix points out there is little evidence to show that these air purifiers are effective in the school setting.
Such purifiers are only usually effective in cases where air can be passed through the filters in significant volumes compared to the volumes of the rooms and the number of people in the room. As an example, a purifier would work well in a bedroom where there are only one or two people and a relatively small volume. In a large room (like a classroom) with many people, a purifier cannot typically filter significant amounts of air.
Shaun Quinn, Yarrawonga
Don’t blacklist a culture
There is something wrong about Eat, Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert withdrawing her new novel because it is set in Russia (“Author pulls new novel set in Russia after backlash”, 14/6). It suggests the actions of a current Russian dictator must lead to the elimination of all references to that country’s culture.
Should we now eschew Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, et al? Much of the great music and literature that originated in Russia was produced by creators who often were in direct conflict with the then current regime, whether that regime was Tsarist, Communist or Putinist.
Beethoven was not banned during World War II, despite his German origins.
Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley
Illogical alternative
The Age editorial, “Make dementia part of euthanasia review” (14/6) is timely. A person must have control over the process of their death. It is for this reason that personal capacity is at the heart of the current Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation in Victoria; a candidate must have the capacity to request the drug involved and have the capacity to self administer the drug. It follows logically that a person with a diagnosis of dementia should be offered entry to the VAD process. The individual then has the power to make his/her decision when to ingest the drug. The alternative approach, to wait until the person no longer has the capacity to request or administer the drug, opposes the wishes of the person, is illogical and is wasteful of physical and emotional resources.
Maurie Trewhella, Hoppers Crossing
Precedent set
Canada already allows a person with dementia to use VAD. Dementia has met the criteria since their system commenced in June 2016. Their criteria is that “death is reasonably foreseeable”. Canada does not require a prognosis of six or 12 months. Dementia is a terminal illness and a person with dementia is therefore eligible.
In March 2021, after a long public inquiry, amendments were made and the “waiver of final consent” was introduced. The waiver means that once you are assessed as eligible, and while you still have decision making capacity, you can make an agreement with your doctor for the procedure on a particular date. When it arrives, you can change your mind or set another date.
The cultural, social and political similarities between Canada and Australia means we can also make it safe for people with dementia to use VAD.
Anne Bunning, Adelaide SA
Not fit to represent
The possibility of Donald Trump, a know misogynist, bully, narcissist and liar, to mention only a few of his weaknesses, and who is also indicted for an alleged capital offence can, apparently, still represent the Republican Party as their candidate for the next US presidential election. Trump has already proven he is not fit for any office, let alone the highest office in the land. His “ringmaster skills” are tiresome, his easily impressionable supporters are in high numbers, and often dangerous as we all know; with the clear evidence surrounding the capital riots of January 6. How is it that the party of Lincoln can abide this dangerous fool?
Keith Brown, Southbank
Turning lives around
Re: “Liberal MP questions tough-on-crime policies” (14/6), it was encouraging to read of the support within the ranks of the Liberal Party to invest in people “not prisons”, with an emphasis on rehabilitation. This is especially important with respect to young people who have fallen foul of the law. A high proportion of them have mental health problems or cognitive impairment, in conjunction with a range of social disadvantages. And while their adolescent brains will not be fully developed until they are in their 20s, with faulty judgment and self-control risk factors for offending, it means, on the other hand, that they are have a greater chance of benefiting from rehabilitation. Support is key to change.
Jennie Stuart, Balwyn
Reasons to lock in change
Your correspondent (Letters, 14/6) implies they will blame Anthony Albanese if the Voice referendum fails – saying the prime minister should introduce a Voice via legislation. A “reading of the tea leaves” suggests that, at the moment, the Albanese government is likely to win at least one more term in office, however, inevitably, the Liberals, supported by the Nationals, many of whom are vehemently opposed to a Voice, will at some point be elected. Such is the nature of our democracy. The Voice legislation can, and probably will immediately be repealed, leaving our First Nations people once more without a voice. Who will your correspondent blame then?
Jo Bond, South Melbourne
No going back
Re the letters headline “Does Peter Dutton comprehend the damage of his doubts?” (14/6), I would like to turn the question around. Do those advocating a Yes vote comprehend the potentially irreversible damage of altering the Constitution in a manner the proponents are not willing to define? I am all for solutions, and even an imperfect (but improvable) solution; but this tips us over the edge into a nightmare with no option to go back when we discover that this solution is not viable.
Geoff Boer, Cape Paterson
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
Trump indictment
Maybe Mr Trump, if he becomes the US president for a second time, will become famous for his special striped suit.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North
Trump, the master of deflection.
Lou Ferrari, Richmond
The Voice
If the words that are causing all the anguish, “and the executive government”, are removed, then I expect Peter Dutton will find something else to focus on to continue his No campaign.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
Could the Yes team present a short informative series of TV/social media advertisements explaining exactly how the Yes vote advances/benefits our First Nations people. In a practical sense, how and what are the gains, and at what cost?
Frances Vearing, Bentleigh
Voters should ignore people like Lidia Thorpe and Peter Dutton who are only trying to “muddy the waters”. There is too much debate about a simple question.
Marion White, Hawthorn
Free fishing rods
If you give a child a fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach a child to fish, you feed them for a lifetime. Great idea, Dan.
Kathy Diviny, Coburg
Free fishing rods for school kids? How about supplying the bait, too.
Peter Caffin, North Ringwood
Furthermore
Why do I need to be responsible and use a paid-up myki card when two thirds of travellers do not touch on? Fines would easily pay for more inspectors to catch these travel cheaters.
Sue Sweetland, Melbourne
Re “Joyce on magical mystery tour to reshape his legacy” (14/6), many passengers and staff wish Alan Joyce would take the same magical mystery tour he sent their baggage and jobs on.
Peter Thomas, Pascoe Vale
In light of the recent accident, dash cams should be mandatory in all buses.
Doug Springall, Yarragon
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