Credit:Illustration: Matt Golding
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Dangerous move to right
I hope the religious right amongst the state Liberals is successful in lurching the party further to the right (The Age, 25/2). Already bereft of reason and logic, it seems this group’s memories of recent elections have disappeared. If these Liberals are successful, their party will be diminished further until it resembles a fringe party splitting votes with One Nation.
Jayson Argall, Northcote
Ugly, ruined suburbs
Hooray, an architect to fill the shoes of Robin Boyd perhaps – “We ruin suburbia with houses twice as big on half the block” (Comment, 24/2). The silence of the architecture and planning professions is deafening as the unsustainable Australian ugliness sprawls across the landscape, surrounding towns and cities. Solutions next, please, Tone Wheeler.
Angela Munro, Carlton
Please, end the shooting
Why, when there are laws to protect precious wildlife, do we argue about changing an outdated and barbaric one that encourages the massacre of native ducks during hunting season in Victoria – “Hunting season shortened” (The Age, 25/2)?
Megan Ballinger, Strangways
The Voice is no trap
No, Sussan Ley. Anthony Albanese is not using the Voice to parliament referendum to lay a political trap for the opposition (The Age, 24/2). The Voice comes from diverse First Nation groups, all of whom you deeply insult with your crass distortion of the genesis of its noble goals.
Graeme Brewer, Port Melbourne
Let’s shun the plastic
Re “Coles, Woolworths offer to take plastic” (The Age, 24/2). It would make more sense if they and their suppliers reduced unnecessary plastic packaging, rather than stockpiling tonnes of soft plastic and dumping it in landfill.
Also, they should stop offering plastic bags for fruit and vegetables. Instead, mesh and recyclable bags could be available at checkouts, free of charge, if you are a member of a supermarket’s loyalty program. Perhaps this would encourage consumers to be more responsible as well.
Even in my local greengrocer, sadly I am often the only person who uses mesh or green bags for my fruit and vegetables.
Valerie Lester, Blackburn South
Loss of good service
Parnell Palme McGuinness is not “a lone voice” suffering shoddy service (Sunday Age, 19/2) – think of the rapacious banks, airlines, telcos, even government services etc.
Let us hope that Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ interest in “values-based capitalism” will extend beyond enforcing corporates to engage in the great challenges of clean energy, affordable housing, aged care, etc, and include requirements for basic customer service.
This includes provision for phone contact (preferably in Australia), minimum wait times and deadlines for the resolution of issues. These are basic, good corporate values which have been discarded to enhance profits.
Peter Thomson, Brunswick
Standing up to Russia
Vladimir Putin’s recent speech (The Age, 23/2) gave cold comfort to Ukraine and any hope that an end to Russia’s aggression would happen soon. Fed by a massive propaganda machine and relying on a subservient media, many Russians are unaware of the scope of Russia’s destruction of Ukraine and Putin enjoys widespread support.
It is time for us and other like minded countries to take tougher action. Banning Russia and Belarus from the Paris Olympic Games would be a first step. This should be followed by a ban on international travel by Russians and Belarusians. This would show the Russians our resolve to end this blood bath.
Hans Pieterse, Narre Warren North
Rip roaring grannies
My research into images of the elderly in picture story books shows that young children’s negative attitudes towards ageing are formed before they can read. But with good teachers in the early years and careful selection of books, attitudes can be changed.
We have moved from from “Once upon a time there was a little, old lady” to “My granny rides a motorcycle”. Australian children’s books are admired world-wide. Let’s encourage authors and illustrators in the effort to counter all forms of intolerance, including ageism, sexism and racism.
Joan Waters, Blackburn
End the super greed
If I had more than a few million dollars in superannuation, I would be ashamed to be taking advantage of the current system. I am retired on much less than this, and surviving OK, and I applaud Labor’s intention to have a limit on the superannuation of millionaires. It is a shame the opposition cannot see that the benefits would be for Australia as a whole.
Mark Johnston, Williamstown
A fair go for the teals
An interesting article about how Monique Ryan, the teal independent is locked in mediation with her staffer, Sally Rugg, over allegations that she expected Rugg to work “unreasonable hours” (Talking Point, 25/2). I hope the result will be a doubling of advisers for independents so that all teals benefit – and the country will benefit from better legislation.
Howard Brownscombe, Brighton
Beer with an extra tang
As a young, sensitive, Australian infantryman in the 1960s, I can recall several occasions where we drank beer from our army issue boots. The taste probably left a lot to be desired, but at least the boots were clean. I would be interested to hear if our Korean War and World War II predecessors did the same thing.
Alan Whitcombe, Stony Creek
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