Albanese may have a tough job changing the culture of parliament, but anything has to be better than the abuse of power, disrespect and mean-spiritedness of the Morrison government. There is every reason to be optimistic. Graham Lum, North Rocks
We are told the new government will hit the ground running. A few of us would prefer it hit the ground thinking. Bill Deane, Chapman (ACT)
All decent contests among hotheads can be seen as fair fights or unfair fights, depending on whom you support. A decent democracy quietly and cool-headedly ensures its ethics and the rules it makes result in justice and equality for all. Hot heads have little respect for decency. Joy Cooksey, Harrington
In my experience, Labor’s health policy still works well two months on. I continue to wake up each day feeling less stressed. Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights
Onus on us to clean up our mess
I live on the third floor of a unit block (Letters, July 15). When I look out of our window, almost every morning I am struck by the pall of grey cloud that hangs over the whole city. There is a clear line showing where it begins in the sky and ends somewhere down among the buildings on the horizon. This is pollution and all who see it should be concerned. Yet, the current and immediate past federal governments have seen fit to continue to open new coal mines. We continue to drive petrol cars. We continue to fly in planes that further pollute the atmosphere. We are all guilty of leaving the problem for someone else to deal with. This cannot continue if we want to leave to future generations a planet they can breathe in. Joanna van Kool, Crows Nest
The more things change: 50 years ago, we were warned what would happen by the publication of the book Limits to Growth, based on an early computer analysis of where the planet was heading. The book predicted “global collapse” some time this century. Later updates by the original authors and other academics have confirmed this prediction. If we don’t rein in population growth and per capita economic growth, it appears collapse is inevitable. Richard Edmonds, Morisset
For a long time now, I have been hearing stories of how we, humans, a pest species, will eventually poison the planet. I don’t think so; an exhausted Earth will simply kick us off, take a million-year breather and start again in a new, more benevolent direction. John Constable, Balmain
Population control
Yet another two species have diminished by more than 90 per cent recently (“Rain, development threaten two species”, July 25). Humans are the only species to have had such a profound impact on the planet and yet we are the only species that can do something about it. Rather than one day possibly facing the same calamitous decline, humans still have the luxury to nurture our numbers to a level of sustainability. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Heads you lose
I recall a Sydney to Broken Bay trip aboard the South Steyne ferry back in the ’60s (“Cracks and buckling on new ferries ’will worsen‴ , July 25). The vessel was hit by a powerful southerly buster and thumped from one wave crest to the next with rear props rattling in the air and the vessel heaving, as were most of the passengers. The report of possible structural faults on the Emerald Class ferries may mean they may be safe only on the Sydney to Parramatta run and not across the open waters between the North and South heads. Ken Osborne, Bowraville
How long before our most recent overseas-sourced ferries carry a disclaimer advising passengers they travel at their own risk? Mind you, an entrepreneurial government such as this one could simply offer, “The thrill of a lifetime: face the challenge of crossing to Manly – will you survive? Bets taken.” Might be worth a quid or two in the state coffers. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Scooter fears
As an older, dedicated daily park walker, I read with fear and trepidation that electric scooters are being trialled for 16-year-olds plus to ride in public parks (“Stokes kick-starts e-scooter trials in western parklands”, July 25). Dogs, prams, children plus irresponsible cyclists on shared cycle tracks can already be a dangerous mix. Adding a speeding scooter is a bad accident waiting to happen. Who will monitor 10km/h on shared paths? Will it be the same people who are policing mandated masks on public transport? Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick
Poverty payments
The extension of the $750 COVID-19 payment and the continued discussion of sick leave for casual workers highlights the impossibility for most people to be able to live on the well-below poverty level JobSeeker payments or the slightly higher pension payments (“Sick pay for casuals ‘giving up’: minister”, July 25). Graeme Finn, Summer Hill
Most workers would be “better off overall” if their wages were above the CPI and above the rate of inflation. Their increased spending, not on superyachts and European vacations but on food, health, housing and general living expenses, stimulates their local economies and benefits society from the bottom up. The “trickle-down effect” is not working. Michael Wheatley, Rock Forest
Save the grandparents
There will surely be a dearth of grandparents in the future (Letters, July 25) as statistics show that 95 per cent of COVID-19 deaths are people over the age of 65. Their contribution to society and the upcoming generations seems to have been placed behind that of economics and people’s freedom to choose not to take the most basic of precautions in wearing a mask. This simple procedure has been shown to bring COVID-19 numbers down by huge numbers, not only saving precious grandparents but also the economy by keeping workers healthy and able to contribute. Joy Paterson, Mount Annan
When a six-year-old granddaughter says, “Skyping is fake because my hand cannot touch you”, one realises how deep a grandchild’s emotional attachment can be. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal
Wondrous Wendy
Wendy Whiteley is indeed a national treasure with her latest endowment (“Whiteley gift for young female artists, ’whose time has come‴ , July 25). Her encouragement to future female artists is an extraordinary gift and a heart-warming contribution. Vicky Marquis, Glebe
Splendour in the mud
I am so impressed with our younger generation at the Splendour in the Grass festival (“Bigger isn’t better for festival run by industry headliner”, July 25) mostly laughing through appalling conditions, looking happy and accepting. Imagine if it was the older generation? We would be whining, complaining, suing, or even writing to the Herald. Robyn Hansen, Pennant Hills
Rule of crumbed
Whether we call the disgrace a parmi or a parma (Letters, July 25), let’s agree it’s a waste of a good schnitty.
Peter Fyfe, Enmore
Text without context
Your correspondent (Letters, July 25) suggests a properly indexed Bible for quotes supporting virtually any position. The attraction of all religious texts is that for centuries people have done that, without needing any index. I concede, though, an index would help do it faster. Eric Hunter, Cook (ACT)
Root and branch
Yes, Northern Beaches, I do feel your outrage at the proposed removal of nine trees (‴Loud minority’ knocks wheels off council’s cycleway plan”, July 25). Just drive to Cammeray Park to see the treeless moonscape created for the Western Harbour Tunnel. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Government sparks fresh battle after scrapping building watchdog’s ‘ridiculous’ powers
From SGRGSB 243: ″No government entity should be politicised. We need fair regulations for both sides. We have seen productivity go up but wages have not increased in line with that rise, only the wages of chief executives etc have risen. We certainly do need more oversight of the construction industry, as evidenced by the shoddy work on apartment buildings and such.″
- To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email [email protected]. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
Albanese may have a tough job changing the culture of parliament, but anything has to be better than the abuse of power, disrespect and mean-spiritedness of the Morrison government. There is every reason to be optimistic. Graham Lum, North Rocks
We are told the new government will hit the ground running. A few of us would prefer it hit the ground thinking. Bill Deane, Chapman (ACT)
All decent contests among hotheads can be seen as fair fights or unfair fights, depending on whom you support. A decent democracy quietly and cool-headedly ensures its ethics and the rules it makes result in justice and equality for all. Hot heads have little respect for decency. Joy Cooksey, Harrington
In my experience, Labor’s health policy still works well two months on. I continue to wake up each day feeling less stressed. Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights
Onus on us to clean up our mess
I live on the third floor of a unit block (Letters, July 15). When I look out of our window, almost every morning I am struck by the pall of grey cloud that hangs over the whole city. There is a clear line showing where it begins in the sky and ends somewhere down among the buildings on the horizon. This is pollution and all who see it should be concerned. Yet, the current and immediate past federal governments have seen fit to continue to open new coal mines. We continue to drive petrol cars. We continue to fly in planes that further pollute the atmosphere. We are all guilty of leaving the problem for someone else to deal with. This cannot continue if we want to leave to future generations a planet they can breathe in. Joanna van Kool, Crows Nest
The more things change: 50 years ago, we were warned what would happen by the publication of the book Limits to Growth, based on an early computer analysis of where the planet was heading. The book predicted “global collapse” some time this century. Later updates by the original authors and other academics have confirmed this prediction. If we don’t rein in population growth and per capita economic growth, it appears collapse is inevitable. Richard Edmonds, Morisset
For a long time now, I have been hearing stories of how we, humans, a pest species, will eventually poison the planet. I don’t think so; an exhausted Earth will simply kick us off, take a million-year breather and start again in a new, more benevolent direction. John Constable, Balmain
Population control
Yet another two species have diminished by more than 90 per cent recently (“Rain, development threaten two species”, July 25). Humans are the only species to have had such a profound impact on the planet and yet we are the only species that can do something about it. Rather than one day possibly facing the same calamitous decline, humans still have the luxury to nurture our numbers to a level of sustainability. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Heads you lose
I recall a Sydney to Broken Bay trip aboard the South Steyne ferry back in the ’60s (“Cracks and buckling on new ferries ’will worsen‴ , July 25). The vessel was hit by a powerful southerly buster and thumped from one wave crest to the next with rear props rattling in the air and the vessel heaving, as were most of the passengers. The report of possible structural faults on the Emerald Class ferries may mean they may be safe only on the Sydney to Parramatta run and not across the open waters between the North and South heads. Ken Osborne, Bowraville
How long before our most recent overseas-sourced ferries carry a disclaimer advising passengers they travel at their own risk? Mind you, an entrepreneurial government such as this one could simply offer, “The thrill of a lifetime: face the challenge of crossing to Manly – will you survive? Bets taken.” Might be worth a quid or two in the state coffers. Nola Tucker, Kiama
Scooter fears
As an older, dedicated daily park walker, I read with fear and trepidation that electric scooters are being trialled for 16-year-olds plus to ride in public parks (“Stokes kick-starts e-scooter trials in western parklands”, July 25). Dogs, prams, children plus irresponsible cyclists on shared cycle tracks can already be a dangerous mix. Adding a speeding scooter is a bad accident waiting to happen. Who will monitor 10km/h on shared paths? Will it be the same people who are policing mandated masks on public transport? Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick
Poverty payments
The extension of the $750 COVID-19 payment and the continued discussion of sick leave for casual workers highlights the impossibility for most people to be able to live on the well-below poverty level JobSeeker payments or the slightly higher pension payments (“Sick pay for casuals ‘giving up’: minister”, July 25). Graeme Finn, Summer Hill
Most workers would be “better off overall” if their wages were above the CPI and above the rate of inflation. Their increased spending, not on superyachts and European vacations but on food, health, housing and general living expenses, stimulates their local economies and benefits society from the bottom up. The “trickle-down effect” is not working. Michael Wheatley, Rock Forest
Save the grandparents
There will surely be a dearth of grandparents in the future (Letters, July 25) as statistics show that 95 per cent of COVID-19 deaths are people over the age of 65. Their contribution to society and the upcoming generations seems to have been placed behind that of economics and people’s freedom to choose not to take the most basic of precautions in wearing a mask. This simple procedure has been shown to bring COVID-19 numbers down by huge numbers, not only saving precious grandparents but also the economy by keeping workers healthy and able to contribute. Joy Paterson, Mount Annan
When a six-year-old granddaughter says, “Skyping is fake because my hand cannot touch you”, one realises how deep a grandchild’s emotional attachment can be. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal
Wondrous Wendy
Wendy Whiteley is indeed a national treasure with her latest endowment (“Whiteley gift for young female artists, ’whose time has come‴ , July 25). Her encouragement to future female artists is an extraordinary gift and a heart-warming contribution. Vicky Marquis, Glebe
Splendour in the mud
I am so impressed with our younger generation at the Splendour in the Grass festival (“Bigger isn’t better for festival run by industry headliner”, July 25) mostly laughing through appalling conditions, looking happy and accepting. Imagine if it was the older generation? We would be whining, complaining, suing, or even writing to the Herald. Robyn Hansen, Pennant Hills
Rule of crumbed
Whether we call the disgrace a parmi or a parma (Letters, July 25), let’s agree it’s a waste of a good schnitty.
Peter Fyfe, Enmore
Text without context
Your correspondent (Letters, July 25) suggests a properly indexed Bible for quotes supporting virtually any position. The attraction of all religious texts is that for centuries people have done that, without needing any index. I concede, though, an index would help do it faster. Eric Hunter, Cook (ACT)
Root and branch
Yes, Northern Beaches, I do feel your outrage at the proposed removal of nine trees (‴Loud minority’ knocks wheels off council’s cycleway plan”, July 25). Just drive to Cammeray Park to see the treeless moonscape created for the Western Harbour Tunnel. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Government sparks fresh battle after scrapping building watchdog’s ‘ridiculous’ powers
From SGRGSB 243: ″No government entity should be politicised. We need fair regulations for both sides. We have seen productivity go up but wages have not increased in line with that rise, only the wages of chief executives etc have risen. We certainly do need more oversight of the construction industry, as evidenced by the shoddy work on apartment buildings and such.″
- To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email [email protected]. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.