LETTERS
Illustration: John Shakespeare
For Labor to capitulate on the carbon tax would be both ecologically irresponsible and politically foolish (''Labor's carbon backflip'', October 29). Does Bill Shorten really think that Tony Abbott will cower in the face of such wimpy pragmatism? No, he will be thrilled to have the first big win of his troubled government handed to him.
Instead of promoting its own policy, which is actually reducing emissions without damaging the economy, Labor will be confirming every stereotype about their own untrustworthiness.
Green-tending Labor voters will be rightly horrified, undecided voters will pay no attention to their tortured logic and Coalition voters, climate change deniers and coalminers will be dancing in the streets with Abbott.
Alan Miller Hornsby
Am I the only one who hasn't forgotten that Labor went to the 2013 election with a policy to end the fixed price on carbon pollution (the so-called ''carbon tax'') and move to a floating price (an emissions trading scheme) a year earlier than planned?
Tuesday's Herald seems to be reporting this as a revelation, even though it's been on the table for three months.
Ben Stevens Leichhardt
Wouldn't a really smart Labor Party introduce its own bill into federal Parliament to move immediately from a carbon tax to a trading scheme rather than assisting the Abbott government to introduce a direct-action scheme condemned by almost every economist who's been asked about it?
Norm Neill Darlinghurst
Yet again Labor, having promised to look to the future, feels compelled to dance to Tony Abbott's bleats. To think these people want to be an alternative government.
Neville Brown Croydon
Imagine what Julia Gillard is thinking today with the possibility of the ALP scrapping the carbon tax. For two years she was subject to the worst kind of vilification, from the opposition, shock jocks, the media and the public and all for what?
If Shorten et al believe they should repent and fall into line with Abbott, why didn't they protest when it came before cabinet?
The ALP throughout Australia has lost its way and its spine as we see in its decimation in NSW and Queensland as well as federally. So what does it stand for?
At the next election what will be the ALP's position on a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme? Is it all too hard?
Robert Pallister Punchbowl
Labor has now had time to consider its position. One thing you don't do to the Australian electorate is go to an election on a major issue, lose and then refuse to allow the electorate to have what it voted for.
The Coalition quickly recognised this and waved through changes to the Work Choices legislation. Anything else is political suicide in an electorate that is unforgiving of parties that don't listen.
Gary Bigelow Oatlands
Sometimes Labor appears to operate in a vacuum. When Kevin Rudd was replaced by Julia Gillard the public were left confused by what was a completely unexpected outcome. And the opposition was left to fill in the information gaps.
Now, it appears, the party is about to do the same thing with the carbon tax.
If, as has been reported, Labor abandons it in favour of some strategic political outcome it will once again leave the public with a ''huh?'' moment. It would do so at its cost.
Ted Keating Tallai
Axing the Carbon Tax: The Movie stars Tony Abbott accompanied by a funeral dirge soundtrack. Supporting actors, including Bill Shorten, never really impress. This remake of the previous disaster story starring Kevin Rudd shows a total lack of any coherent direction. One star.
Alan Carruthers Artarmon
It seems only right that having been buried by the Australian voters, the Labor Party should bury its carbon tax. That should mask some of the stink.
David Sayers Gwandalan
Does the Labor Party believe in anything any more - other than self interest?
Stephen Thomas Wahroonga
'Social justice' tariffs will help level the playing field
Your editorial omits one salient factor: Australia's standard of living (''Future of manufacturing should be built on new ideas, not handouts'', October 29). It is this factor that puts us at a disadvantage in the global trading economy.
This is exploited by ''free trade'' nations that do nothing to overcome the very low standard of living endured by their citizens - thereby providing cheap labour for their manufacturing industries, so they can export cheaper goods.
Tariffs are not a bad means by which to redress the imbalance. Tariffs are seen as regressive and antiquated, but what of the ''sweat shop'' conditions imposed on overseas workers?
Perhaps tariffs could be remodelled as ''return tariffs'' or ''social justice contributions'', whereby the amount collected through these tariffs by Australia is returned to the country of origin of the goods, to be distributed to workers as additional wages. That way, Australian industries can again begin to compete on equal terms, and at the same the overseas workers are properly compensated for their work.
Either that, or Australia calls for a review of the distortion and unfair advantage that the so-called free-trading nations are perpetrating under the guise of free-trade principles. Surely such practices are akin, in effect, to currency value manipulation?
Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga
Results don't justify screening smokers
Lung cancer is the largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia, even though it is only the fifth most common cancer (''Screening smokers could double rate of survival'', October 29). We need to do better for lung cancer patients. However, a screening program of heavy smokers which produces 95 per cent false positives should never be considered. Members of the public would never subject themselves to such a stressful experience. Even the now-discredited prostate screening campaign had a lower rate than that.
Ian Shepherd Elizabeth Bay
If my friend, who never smoked in his life, had been screened because he worked as a prison guard in a smoking-allowed workplace he probably would not have died from lung cancer nearly three years ago, aged 45, leaving a wife and family. Screen the vulnerable non-smokers (workers, families of smokers) whose lives are at risk from the carcinogens in second-hand tobacco smoke.
Margaret Hogge Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia, Haymarket
Planning laws too big a hurdle for most people
Marcus Ray (Letters, October 29) assures us the Planning Bill provides local communities unprecedented opportunities to have a say on planning decisions. What he does not tell us is how mum and dad residents will find the time or energy in their busy working and parenting lives to sit at the planning table and study state and regional strategic plans or thrash out building codes. Nor does he admit that the words ''consult with the community'' have taken on a whole new meaning post Part 3A. They now mean ''we will sit you down in a big room and tell you what is going to happen''.
Renata Bali Strathfield South
So Marcus Ray would have us believe there's nothing to worry about in the proposed planning reforms. I assume that's why the Urban Taskforce, Property Council of Australia, Urban Development Institute and other fellow travellers are such enthusiastic supporters.
Keith Parsons Newcastle
In good company
Vic Alhadeff has Martin Luther King on his side, as in the latter's words: ''It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless.'' (''Change law - punish those who incite racial violence'', October 29).
Ron Perrett Armidale
Not a woman's world
As the mother of a four-year-old daughter I lament the world that she will face as a teenager and adult (''Hair-brained critics offer stars free advice'', October 29). I was saddened to read that Lisa Wilkinson and Annabel Crabb have faced criticism for the clothing and make-up that they have worn.
I aim to teach my daughter to be resilient, to stand proud and to do her best. If she also has to face comments such as these and be subjected to such behaviour, may she do so with the same aplomb and grace as these women.
Elizabeth Sayers Dundas Valley
Real estate for beginners
Now that five-year-olds are snapping up Potts Point real estate, what's next (''Meet Dean, the five-year-old first home buyer'', October 29)? Four-year-olds pouncing on Point Piper, three-year-olds waltzing into Watsons Bay or one-year-olds wading into Woolwich? C'mon kids buy now - while stocks last.
Nick Franklin Katoomba
Lopsided recognition of those who shine
Lou Reed dead at 71 (''A life walked on the wild side'', October 29). I'm still alive at 73 but I must have had my head in the sand for many decades because I don't know anything about Lou Reed. I'm equally sure he knew absolutely nothing about me, despite my very modest contributions to our knowledge of science and, more recently, history.
But it struck me the media thought Lou Reed's death was a far more important story than the long-overdue recognition of Ruth Bishop, a leading member of the team that discovered rotavirus and, as a consequence, brought such an improvement to the health and life of so many children (''Pioneer in fight against child virus wins top science prize'', smh.com.au, October 29). Am I alone in thinking that the way we value members of our society is somewhat distorted?
Tony Dawson Port Macquarie
A lot of the 30,000 early fans of the Velvets who started a band also started using heroin. I'm sure Lou would have preferred it wasn't so. Perhaps that was why he was so grumpy later in life. What a waste of your best years.
Ian McNeil Ainslie (ACT)
Battle with no victory
While rejoicing that our military will be leaving Afghanistan soon, as your article says, we have not won the war and ''the Taliban is expected to assume a dominant role'' (''Long war ends with hope, says Abbott'', October 29).
Sadly, this must mean the liberation of women achieved during the allies' presence, will cease. They will be banned from school and public life, as before, and, as far as they are concerned, all the effort, loss of life, etc. will be for nothing; what a waste.
Kevin Orr Blakehurst
How sad that, after such a long war on terror, our senior politicians still have to creep into Afghanistan like thieves in the night, terrified of terrorists.
Was it all worth it, Howard? Rudd? Gillard? Achievements? Killed one terrorist, spawned thousands more.
Allan Walker Grays Point
Not a porky, after all
Kevin Bacon from Alexandria is found in country Victoria, more than 500 kilometres from home (''The Grounds pets Kevin Bacon and Bradley the lamb found in country Victoria'', smh.com.au, October 29). Pigs really do fly!
Megan Brock Summer Hill
Religion has no place in war memorial
That the Prime Minister is able to intervene to brand a dead soldier to his religious cause is a tragedy ('''Known Unto God' to remain at Tomb of Unknown Soldier at War Memorial'', October 29).
It politicises what should be a unifying memorial and alienates all non-religious Australians. Charles Bean knew these men and he knew the memorial should be free of religious and other symbolism in order that the sacrifice of all soldiers be honoured equally.
Lawrence Clarke Mt Ousley
Some relief on Rudd
National Labor Party secretary George Wright announced to the National Press Club that Bill Shorten will lead Labor to the next election ''no ifs, no buts'' (''Coalition election campaign had discipline and we didn't: Labor'', smh.com.au, October 29). Does that mean we can stop worrying about Kevin Rudd's remarks in his concession speech after the last election when the former prime minister said: ''You won't be hearing from me for some time''?
Peter Breen East Sydney
Loaded question
When attending an Obeid-related eatery I don't suppose it'd be very fruitful to ask if a complimentary copy of the Herald is available for a quick perusal of what's in the news in Sydney, would it (''Obeid used officials to make millions for his family'', October 29)?
Col Shephard Yamba
Dinner date
Just an afterthought. Has anyone checked with Peta Credlin to see if Mike Carlton's invite to Tony Abbott's nosh-up was lost in the mail (''Guess who's coming to dinner? Abbott's round table'', October 26-27)?
Mark Ryding Banora Point
Prince of cicadas
Having experienced an idyllic north shore childhood, albeit shared only with green grocers (not even a yella mundie in sight), I have to admit that, as a 50-something, finding a black prince cicada in the mountains on Monday made my day. But I just can't remember - who was I meant to sell it to for a penny?
Jennie Curtin Blackheath
Just browsing thanks
Did the survey on time wasted at work on projects that are binned or not used also determine how much time is wasted on personal activities, web browsing and writing letters to the editor (''Time wasting on the job all part of a day's work'', October 29)?
Paula Wilson Surry Hills
