Matt GoldingCredit:.
I’m delighted to see that the federal government has endorsed increased pensioner participation in the workforce. And Christine Baker (Letters, 1/9) is bang on about nurses needing mentoring while training. But mentoring should take place in every industry. If we want to increase productivity, passing on hard-won skills and experience from older members of society is a no-brainer. There is a goldmine of knowledge out there. In my experience, the young love to learn, and the old(er) love to teach. Put that together and you have an instant recipe for increased productivity. Everybody wins.
Margaret Steel, Eltham
Live, not survive
Wow an additional $4000 a year – that’s if a pensioner is able to work even more than what they can manage now. How about raising the pension to a liveable level not the survival level it is now?
Veronica Dingle, Brighton
History lessons
It is a puerile argument by Vladimir Putin to claim that Ukraine is not a legitimate nation because it did not exist before the establishment of the Soviet Union. Go back far enough and no nation existed.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick
Universal care
Thank you Jane Caro for your article ″Brave new world″ (Sunday Life, 28/8), and for articulating something I have been musing over but dismissed as wishful thinking. As entrenched ″old world″ systems and perspectives are challenged (patriarchal entitlement, unequal distribution of wealth, fear of the ″other″ eg, asylum seekers, trickle-down economics) through grassroot and political movements, concepts such as equity, equality and accessibility for all are finally given the possibility of finding air and genuine consideration.
I am hopeful that Australian society can move from individualistic self-interest towards this broader understanding of social and ecological responsibility, of supporting those who are struggling through voting for more equitable distribution of resources, and accepting that each of us individually can make a positive difference to others through choosing to consider the broader implications of our
actions.
Brenda McKinty, Oakleigh East
Lost track of time
Peter Dutton considers that ″the government″ should have lifted the migrant intake ″sooner″ (2/9). Until about five minutes ago, Mr Dutton, you were the government.
Tony Haydon, Springvale
It’s un-Australian
I’m pleased that Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has intervened in the AFL broadcast rights fiasco. It would be un-Australian for AFL games not to be accessible on free-to-air TV. Footy is the game of the common man. To turn it into a rich man’s sport would be a kick in the face to fans who have supported the AFL over the years. AFL games must remain on free-to-air TV. Rupert Murdoch already controls too much of our media, we don’t want an American citizen controlling our footy as well. I hope the AFL listens to its fans.
Margaret Ludowyk,
Brunswick
Contradictions at play
The article ″Minister’s tone at odds with climate need″ (29/8) highlights a destructive contradiction. Labor came to power with a resolve and with clear support from the electorate and from crossbench members to take urgent and effective action on climate change. Some of its action has been in accord with this, and well done.
But Resources Minister Madeleine King has reverted to the previous government’s gobbledegook, giving government support to further gas exploration and to the discredited technology of carbon capture and storage. Australia does not need more gas; we have plenty but most is exported, creating huge profits for the fortunate mining companies who clearly enjoy this arrangement.
The International Energy Agency has stated that there must be no new oil or gas infrastructure if we are to hold global warming to the goal Australia has committed to. The government stands accused of gross hypocrisy – it is not possible to both decarbonise and pursue more gas extraction. Greenwashing indeed.
Peter Moore, Clifton Hill
Hole in argument
Of duck hunting, Daniel Andrews says, “Some of us play golf. Some people go shooting. That’s a choice they are free to make”, (″Labor in a flap on duck hunting, internal pressure mounts to ban shooting season″, 3/9). I play golf and despite some unpredictable wayward shots there is never any intention to kill, hurt or maim any creature.
Hunting is entirely different, the only intention is to kill, hurt or maim defenceless creatures who have no say in the matter. Comparing hunting and golf is an entirely false equivalence.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Follow Howard’s way
When John Howard reversed his “never ever” position on a GST he took the changed position to an election. I’m no fan of Howard or the GST but he did the right thing in putting his government on the line in order to bring in a policy he believed in.
Anthony Albanese and Labor should do the same. They should use this term to develop a comprehensive tax reform policy that ensures that the deficit gets reduced, quality services are provided and revenue is fairly and efficiently collected. Then take that to the election. The stage three tax cuts are poor policy but we need to indulge them for one year at a cost of $16billion. Though it is Scott Morrison’s policy at fault here, it is Albanese’s integrity that is on trial and integrity was the key issue at the 2021 election.
Graeme Henchel, Yarra Glen
Enjoy, old bean
I must look that miserable that when I’m presented with my coffee (Letters, 3/9), I’m regularly instructed to ″enjoy″.
Paul Custance, Highett
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