Upfront.Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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It is a pity that the parliamentary debate around the Voice is increasingly being subsumed by political point-scoring. Given that the federal opposition, in effect, has opted out of a profound moral discussion that addresses the historic transgenerational trauma of Indigenous people, arguments about the minutiae of crime prevention grants in 2019 during Peter Dutton’s tenure as home affairs minister (8/8) can only assist his determination to politicise what should be a process of meaningful reconciliation and constitutional enshrinement. Clearly, the Coalition benefits from any discussion where it can indulge in denialism and obfuscation.
Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza
It’s a voice, not the voice
It’s ″a″ voice, not ″the″ voice. It’s not claiming exclusivity, as some misleading No advocates would have us think. In the Uluru Statement, Indigenous Australians asked for ″a″ voice so that they could speak regularly and formally to the government of the day, together with non-Indigenous voices (Indigenous Australians know they’re not the only Australians who have concerns and who love this country), on issues that affect them and be respectfully, attentively, seriously listened to, but with no power or right to insist that their view prevails.
Is it too much to ask that governments should finally really listen to Indigenous Australians on issues that affect them?
David Anderson, Point Lonsdale
We don’t need to build this reputation
A lot has been written about what the Voice will do for Aboriginal people. But what will it do for the rest of us? It will stop us developing a reputation as the white racists of the Pacific – the kind of reputation that white South Africans enjoyed in the 1960s. We non-Aboriginal people owe it to ourselves to acknowledge our First Australians and start a serious process of redressing the shameful systemic disadvantage. Only by doing that can we lift up our heads as part of a fair-minded democratic nation.
Jane Miller, North Carlton
Albanese is making errors
″Labor has seized on the documents to attack Dutton″ (The Age, 8/8). This is where Anthony Albanese – as head of the Yes campaign – is getting it wrong, along with all his other promises that his government’s term of office will be a more polite and respectful one ″politically″; in reality, he simply isn’t cutting the mustard with these undertakings. Seriously, should Australians vote Yes to a change in the Constitution because Labor has revealed Peter Dutton to be an ungenerous former minister? This is party politics 101 and portrays Albanese as a tired and increasingly desperate Labor apparatchik, in a referendum where the nation is entitled to be voting for freshness and renewal, not just redemption. Tragically, I think Albanese is on course for constitutional disappointment. And in the wash-up, if he is judged as being hoist by his own petard, he will frankly have little to complain about.
John Skaro, Malvern
If my hairdresser doesn’t know ...
I think it’s time that Anthony Albanese brought in the big guns. I asked my hairdresser recently whether he’d thought much about the referendum and he, an intelligent man who runs a very successful business, had little idea what I was talking about. If he represents your ordinary Australian, we’re in real trouble. Not everyone reads The Age and watches the ABC.
It’s time the main communicators stopped using words like platitudes in their speeches. I can guarantee that most listeners have no idea what it means. It’s time to get rid of the whining, droning voices that have been lecturing us, it seems like, forever. Bring out the young ones: the pop stars, the famous sportspeople, anyone who is popular and well-known to the public.
Sue Tuckerman, Kew
FORUM
Compassionate insurance
The article outlining the upcoming parliamentary inquiry into the insurance industry (The Age, 8/8) raises hopes that something will be done about those who are left unable to afford adequate insurance in these times of increasing natural disasters.
One area that should be examined is the feasibility of charging companies that persist in pursuing high carbon emitting practices a levy to subsidise insurance premiums for the most vulnerable. Many companies are reaping the rewards of high fossil fuel prices, ignoring the fact that they are contributing to global warming and therefore exacerbating the incidences of natural disasters which in turn inflate insurance costs.
No one should have their lives ruined because they have the bad luck of losing their house due to fire, flood, earthquake or extreme weather event. Adequate insurance should be the right of everyone regardless of their economic circumstances.
Graeme Lechte, Brunswick West
Modes of survival
Regarding superannuation, your correspondent (Letters, 6/8) states, ″we need to provide ‘survival’ insurance to maintain the standard of life for people who make a big contribution to their own care″. Surely we first need to provide ″survival″ insurance to those who have none. Or are we just another entrenched-privilege society?
Jeff McCormack,
Javoricko, Czech Republic
No holiday, please
I was surprised by my enthusiasm for a women’s soccer game, but it’s been a joy to watch the Matildas. But, oh, Anthony Albanese, don’t spoil it all. I’m beginning to hope the Matildas don’t win if Albanese suggests a public holiday. No. Please, no. I won’t even be able to enjoy a cafe coffee, as ″public holiday rates″ mean my local can’t afford to open.
Pam Cupper, Dimboola
Repeated failures
The saying goes that ″the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result″. What we have been doing for Indigenous Australians has been basically the same thing for decades and it’s been failing for decades.
Should we vote No to keep doing the same thing over and over again? Or should we try a fresh approach and allow Indigenous Australians to suggest new and more effective ways to assist them?
Doug Steley, Heyfield
Exercise in damage
Plenty of people who are concerned about conditions in Indigenous communities have also raised legitimate concerns about the possible impact of a successful Voice referendum. In my view, they have been adequately addressed – in particular, the furphy that the Voice would undermine the authority of parliament. Peter Dutton’s No campaign is a cynical, clever, well-researched exercise; ″if you don’t know, vote no″ could have been written by advisers to big tobacco with similar intent. It is harder to address because it has little to do with the pros and cons of the referendum, and more to do with damaging Anthony Albanese. If the referendum gets up – and I hope it does – the margin will not be huge. Dutton has already succeeded in dividing Australia.
Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
Here’s the mail ...
Has Australia Post considered that the reason for its declining or even non-existent profits this year might be because of its declining level of service (“Protesters stamp feet as another post office axed”, 5/8)? Letters that once upon a time were delivered the next day in the same suburb might arrive a week later after a scenic tour around the country. Postal deliveries that once occurred twice daily now sometimes happen only thrice weekly. If we could rely on Australia Post to actually provide a regular and reliable service, then surely usage and profits would increase.
Julie Moffat, St Leonards
... It’s not good
I agree with your correspondent (Letters, 8/8) – the alternative post offices suggested by Australia Post are not always convenient.
Post boxes are also closing without any notice and you are expected to carry a smartphone to find the next closest, as demonstrated by the notice on a post box saying that there was a temporary closure and providing a QR code instead of the location. This occurred in Gilbert Road, Reservoir, when the newsagent closed, what a coincidence.
My morning walk extended another one to two kilometres – lucky that I am not one of the many elderly people in the area recovering from hip surgery or other impediments.
One of my elderly former neighbours approached the postie to complain and the postie volunteered to take any outward mail when dropping off the inward mail. Alas, what happened to the postie’s whistle signalling that you had mail? Obviously not part of Australia Post’s service charter.
Wilma Hills, Echuca
All a bit rich
Donald Trump’s gratuitous and mocking comments about the US women’s World Cup players, including Megan Rapinoe’s dyed hair, are a bit rich coming from someone whose own thatch is “prematurely orange”.
Peter Russo, West Brunswick
Best keep mum
Donald Trump would do well to heed the maxim: ″Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.″
Matt Dunn, Leongatha
Service? Don’t bank on it
Further to your correspondent’s despair at NAB’s branch closure (Letters, 8/8), ANZ closed all branches on the Mornington Peninsula other than Mornington or Frankston, the former 40 kilometres from Rye, the latter 50 kilometres from Rye. It is particularly frustrating when, having travelled 50 kilometres, you find that the one ATM which accepts coins is out of order.
The usual political refrain of “cross the road and change banks” doesn’t hold water when our banks operate as an oligarchy. And it’s not because we, the customer, have voted with our feet and only want to use electronic banking. We still want a decent level of customer service from our bank.
Rob Smith, Rye
Don’t pooh-pooh idea
We had a Moonee Valley creek clean-up last Sunday and among the 58 kilograms of rubbish was about a kilo of full dog poo bags. Yes, we sort and count the rubbish as part of a Melbourne water audit. Please don’t just fill them and throw them away.
Tom Danby, Coburg North
Large v small cars
The article ‴Auto-besity’ a health risk for everyone″ (5/8) quotes a federal Department of Infrastructure spokesperson saying that road vehicle standards ensured all vehicles including the new generation RAM and Ford F-series utes were safe for local driving conditions. ″Driving conditions″ are not the only relevant issue.
Last week in my mechanic’s workshop two vehicles were on adjacent hoists. One was a massive Toyota HiLux twin cab. The other was a Fiat 500.
I suggested that he line up the front of the HiLux with the driver’s door of the Fiat. Substitute any huge ute for the HiLux and any other small or ″micro″ car and you get the picture. Add driver attitude and you have a disaster in the making. What next? Mandating full-face crash helmets for the drivers of small cars?
Helen Moss, Croydon
Greatly missed
I am saddened by the death of former letters editor Peter Anthony. He rang me once and I was impressed that he would bother to ring me, a mere letter writer. He will be greatly missed.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East
Brilliant farewell
Jewel Topsfield’s memoriam to the “comma mechanic”, Peter Anthony, was brilliant (“Wild, honourable and loved: The Age farewells its man of letters”, 8/8). Anthony was many things to many people. Not least of which, to his prolific letter writers like myself with a lot to say, but within the prescribed word count by the ″word maestro″.
Indeed, I concur with fellow letter writer Margaret Callinan that “Peter made you feel like a person and not just some nutcase who writes letters to the editor” (ie for very good reason!) because of his passion for people. Over and above his passion for language.
Heart-felt condolence to Peter’s surviving family and friends.
Jelena Rosic, Mornington
Gentleman, scholar
Vale Peter Anthony: muso, foodie, lover of life, and formerly dedicated letters editor. A comma mechanic who serviced many of our letters over the years. I was fortunate enough to meet him, only once, last year – a visit he took with his customary good humour and a welcome smile. A gentleman and a scholar to the end, I dare say. Blessings on your journey, friend.
Michael Adam Puck, Maffra
A big life, not long enough
I am sad to hear that Peter Anthony has died, at the age of 63. Jewel Topsfield wrote a beautiful article in February about a lunch she had with Peter. Diagnosed with terminal gastric cancer, his sense of humour and worldly outlook seemed undiminished. I’m so sorry for his family and friends. And for him of course.
The few conversations I had with him have stayed with me. In what must be a high-pressure job, his approach was always so personable. He would ring if he wanted to ″check″ facts (I instantly knew I’d made an error) or grammar (he was fastidious) or meaning (if he was diplomatically checking whether he had understood correctly, you knew it wasn’t quite right).
It was all done with humour, warmth and openness. You were simply discussing a small matter of a letter to the editor, but a bigger conversation could have opened out at any moment. He lived a big life. Not long enough.
Fiona Colin,
Malvern East
AND ANOTHER THING
Sport
Shine on you crazy Diamonds! The Australian women’s netball team has won the world championships.
Robin Jensen, Castlemaine
Dutton
Peter Dutton provides all the reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people need a constitutionally enshrined Voice in parliament; which is, to prevent politicians like Dutton to act on matters concerning their welfare.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
It appears Peter Dutton has been saying no for quite some time – especially when it comes to grants for Indigenous communities.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
“If we vote no, we’ll never ever know″ – an alternate Yes campaign slogan?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
Furthermore
Working for one of the big four consultancy firms should disqualify a person from employment in the public service for at least five years.
John Walsh, Watsonia
Whistleblowers should not just be protected, they should be rewarded.
Roger Christiansz, Wheelers Hill
The behaviour of politicians in parliament is appalling and disrespectful to the people who elect them. If my children behaved in such a way there would be consequences.
Christine Hammett, Richmond
A post office missing in a street called Post Office Place? Something’s amiss (5/8).
Tris Raouf, Hadfield
Good idea re lines on footpaths (Letters, 8/8). Perhaps an arrow on each side pointing in different directions would be good. I spend a lot of time dodging other pedestrians, especially when they are looking at their phones.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East
Re graffiti, one of the best comments I have ever seen was on a church noticeboard in Hawthorn. “What would you do if Jesus came to Hawthorn?” And someone wrote: “Move Peter Hudson to centre half forward.″
Neil Chambers, Black Rock