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Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
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Poles apart
What sort of culture have we developed when 57 per cent of consumers aged 18-34 suggest it is justifiable (“Hard times shift views”, 7/10) to take an item without paying for it? In my time that was deemed stealing.
Brian Marshall, Ashburton
Who bears the blame?
Blaming then deputy premier Jacinta Allan for significant cost overruns on major infrastructure projects (Editorial, 7/10) is a bit like blaming a home owner for a blowout in the cost of a home renovation or rebuild project. The project may be running over budget for a number of reasons, many of which have little or nothing to do with the home owner themselves.
Garry Meller, Bentleigh
Rather miffed
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton has referred to the Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, as “a very angry person”. He seems to think this is a bad thing. Minister O’Neil can of course defend herself, but as far as I’m concerned, if she is angry, her anger is absolutely justified, given the appalling state of the department when she took office. I’m pretty angry about it, too, and I’m just a voter.
Juliet Flesch, Kew
Planes, trains and boats
Planes and boats – obviously walking and chewing gum was a bit tricky for Peter Dutton.
Joan Segrave, Healesville
Repairing divisions
Dyson’s cartoon (Saturday Age, 7/10) illustrates the awful division I see around the referendum. For example, a friend of mine in outer Melbourne had his Yes corflute overwritten with the word “No”. After repairing it, his sign was stolen. He put up three new signs, and they all went. He tried again, with the same outcome.
Today, I noticed that all the Yes signs in a leafy inner suburb were lying in tatters. Where is this behaviour coming from? It is perplexing that such a modest proposal to simply listen to Australia’s First Nations people is generating such anger, and I worry about how it will be resolved whatever the vote.
Ian Penrose, Kew
Fear of change
Thank you Peter Hartcher for outlining how our collective anxieties and biases are being manipulated into opposition to the Voice (“A frightened nation? Yes or No”, 7/10). As Hartcher says, we are being asked to support an advisory body that will recognise Indigenous Australians in our Constitution. In opposition to this reasonable request, many No campaigners are using distortion, misinformation and exaggeration to tap into our collective timidity and fear of change. Those promoting opposition to the Voice seem to believe that, as with other defeated referendums, things will return to normal after October 14.
On the contrary, in my view, a clear message will have been sent to Indigenous Australians and the rest of the world that we are not generous enough to improve the lot of first Australians. As a consequence, we may face uncertainty and more direct action aimed at forcing change upon us.
James Young, Mt Eliza
Careful approach
Waleed Aly states that the leader of the opposition owes us an alternative on the Voice. This is an attempt at diverting attention away from the deficiencies of the Yes campaign.
The Coalition has never taken a lead role in campaigning for No – Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Warren Mundine have done a great job, without “help” from Canberra’s heavy hitters. Indeed, the Coalition are under no obligation constitutionally or morally to provide bipartisan support to the adventurism of the ALP. I am no fan of the Coalition, but their gradualist approach did not fail in Indigenous affairs. This is why Warren Mundine noted in his recent speech to the National Press Club that many Indigenous Australians are doing just fine.
Alun Breward, Malvern East
What do we know?
There are things we No, there are things we don’t No. There are also the known unNo’s.
If you don’t No, or you know you don’t No, there is an answer. Yes. A simple Yes. Yes we can. That is what I know.
Tim Goddard, Barwon Heads
Proof is in the flooding
I don’t think modelling with the Maribyrnong flood wall (“Inquiry urges overhaul of Maribyrnong flood alerts”, 7/10) is required. Everyone has seen what happens with it. Some more closely than others.
Craig Tucker, Newport
Vivid message
Your correspondent (Letters, 6/10) was eminently correct in his estimation of the magnetic effect of the 1970s series When the Boat Comes In had in representing the working-class voice in its never-ending battle with capital. If ever there was a time it should be shown again it’s now. It was one of the most memorable shows of the 1970s and its lead character Jack Ford is a name etched in the memory of people at that time. Restaurants were singularly empty on the nights it was on.
Tony Davidson, Glen Waverley
Quiet departure
Wow, those three MCC members sanctioned for their behaviour at Lords (“MCC expels member for Ashes fracas”, 7/10) certainly made such a cacophony of noise I would have sworn there were more than three people making it.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
Local action
I am saddened at the news – yet again – of the closure of childcare and kindergarten services, this time in Glen Eira and Knox City councils (“Childcare chaos as centres face closure”, 6/10). There was a similar occurrence in the then City of Kew in the early 1980s. The community investigated the circumstances and it was apparent that census data had indicated an increase in the population in families of “child bearing age”. There was no excuse for the lack of forward planning in the family and community services area. Councils did not, and do not, prioritise service to their community.
I encourage residents to seek a “seat at the table” in the next local government election.
Maree Williams, Kew
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