Illustration: Bruce Petty.
The Andrews government: Failing when it comes to anti-corruption
It was disappointing to see The Age did not include anti-corruption measures in the 12-month scorecard on Victoria's Labor government (28/11). Despite many examples of dodgy practice in issues such as planning and political donations, and despite its many grand promises while in opposition, the Andrews government has failed to act on giving Victoria a genuine anti-corruption authority with power to initiate investigations on reasonable grounds and to follow the money. Despite serious concerns about the lack of investigative powers as expressed by the Auditor-General, senior judiciary and the former opposition leader, nothing has changed. As for the scorecard – Andrews government action on corruption: 0/10.
Colin James, Toolamba
Putting roads and rail before people
The performance ranking of Labor's first term did not cover housing. More particularly, public housing. There has been no improvement or plans to reduce the waiting list of people requiring public housing. When in opposition, Housing Minister Martin Foley conducted scare campaigns in forums of public housing tenants suggesting the Liberals would sell off properties. He has recently stated that transferring public housing to community housing is an option. He is willing to transfer a state-owned asset, which will increase rent and possibly risk evictions of the most vulnerable in society. Is this the best this Labor government can offer us? No new state housing infrastructure? It seems rail/road crossings are more important than housing stressed people.
Robert Newey, Port Melbourne
Keeping its promises
Your editorial criticises the Andrews government for cancelling the East West Link contract ("A competent start, now for second gear", 28/11): "The cancellation has cost about $650million so far – funds that could have been used to hire more teachers, rebuild run-down schools, or expand hospitals ..." The only way that this $650 million could have been spent on anything other than the road was for the Napthine government to delay signing of the contract until after the election. Once the contract was signed, along with the secret side letter guaranteeing payment even if the contract was found to be unlawful, then whatever money that had already paid to the consortium, became irretrievable. If the road went ahead, then the money was not going to spent on anything else. And if the road was cancelled, then moneys already paid were lost, thanks to the Napthine government. Criticising Labor for keeping its promises is an interesting take on "keeping the government honest".
Paul Kennelly, Caulfield North
Taking a wrong turn
Honestly, what planet does Daniel Andrews think he is living on? To claim as a "major achievement" the cancellation of the East West Link project is just ludicrous. The fellow spent more than $600 million to stop a roadway that even blind Freddy knows will have to be built one day.
Barrie Dempster, Balwyn
Practise what you preach, Mr Andrews
Congratulations to the Andrews government on its first year. The various articles in Saturday's Age summed it up pretty well. I did have a bit of a chuckle at the irony of the Premier declaring that voters want mature discussion, not ideology ("A year in, Andrews is a premier with a mission"). Just like the "mature discussion" he gave us about the East West Link: "It's a dud", endlessly repeated.
Ian McKendy, Kew East
Gender judgment
Several years ago, when my son was at kinder, the time came for dress-ups day. One little boy came dressed as a "ballerina" – tutu and tiara worn proudly. Another little boy came as a "fairy" – complete with glittery pink wings and wand. A third gorgeous boy came as a "mum" – wearing a skirt and pushing his pram with his dolly.
The unedifying discomfort and outright horror of many of the kinder parents and grandparents was palpable. Complaints of the inappropriateness and potential pathology of such egregious transgressions against traditional gender roles and identity were received by our kinder committee. Suggestions that the parents of these children should be "spoken to" were made. I am glad, Ian Hudson (Letters, 27/11), the Greens have the 21st-century nous to dredge up the "old chestnut of gender and toys" again – for the sake of children and adults.
Michelle Goldsmith, Eaglehawk
Stuck with 'pushy' label
Nassim Khadem argues that all the onus should not be on the employer with regards to the gender pay gap ("Women, want a pay rise? Push for it", Comment, 27/11). However, many would suggest that when women try this approach, and thousands do, the result is often not a a pay rise but a rise in discrimination. Women are labelled pushy or too outspoken, wanting to be like a man, not being feminine enough, acting beyond their status, as having "balls", as wanting to wear the trousers or being too ambitious; all negative responses unlikely to achieve the desired result. However, when men push for promotion or pay rises, being ambitious or forthright is seen in a positive light. Unlike Khadem, I see most of the onus being on the employer.
Jenny Callaghan, Hawthorn
Unjust analogy
I find the comparison of domestic violence to a women's UFC match disturbing and unjust to the victims of domestic violence (Letters, 28/11). The differences are many and obvious, but I will list a few. Domestic violence victims do not choose to enter their scene of conflict, do not do so thinking they can win, have not trained and prepared themselves as best they can for the fight, cannot tap out to stop the fight at any time or have a referee to stop the fight for them.
Phil Bennett, Brunswick
Stop the patronising
On Saturday, we had the "shy smiles" of Muslim women learning IT to help and protect their children ("Mothers up the ante in IS web war", 28/11). Last year, we had the "shy smiles" of grandmothers at "Grandmothers against the Detention of Refugee Children" rally. (I was there, and the speakers were strong and confident, not shy.) Phrases such as "shy smiles" suggest a stereotype of women that is redundant, unnecessary and disempowering. As a community, we are beginning to give serious thought towards the gender-based inequalities that underpin violence towards women and children. Surely, respect through language that is non-patronising is an important place to start, for both men and women. I cannot imagine a journalist reporting on the "shy smiles" of men.
Sharon Donoghue, Blackburn
Hooked on revenue
Good luck to the anti-gambling vigilantes who are trying to highlight the damage pokies do to families ("Anti-pokies group targets AFL clubs", 28/11). Be warned, though, that you are up against a powerful group who are now addicted to sucking as much money as possible out of those who, in most cases, can least afford it.
The amount of money lost on poker machines at these clubs each year is utterly staggering, with more than $22million lost last year at Hawthorn's venues alone. This from the club that, ironically, proclaims itself "the family club". Poker machines create nothing, but destroy so much. Graham Richardson says the mob will always work it out. Well, everyone has worked it out; we just can't doing anything about it.
Neale Meagher, Canterbury
A dose of spin
I'm not sure what planet Elizabeth Farrelly is on in her praise of Malcolm Turnbull ("Why Malcolm Turnbull will be our longest-serving PM since Robert Menzies", Comment, 25/11). When speaking of mental illness, his hesitant, corporate jargon-type stumblings about "mental wealth" and "human capital", were clumsy and grossly inadequate, and sounded insincere. What about helping to relieve suffering, improve human fulfilment or build a happier society? But I guess if you continually stress how "exciting" life is, and how "agile" we must be, there won't be much understanding of those in real pain, only wanting support and a fair go.
Darryl Cloonan, Ballarat
Repeat message
The falsehood that "stop the boats" was to save lives has been proven to be the ultimate lie. A boat gets within metres of Christmas Island and we hear nothing about it for a few days. Then we find out the boat was scuttled and the refugees transferred to other vessels and sent back to Indonesia – unconscionable ("Indonesia anger at boat push-back", 28/11). Malcolm Turnbull is proving to be full of nice words, but when it comes to reality, he is no different from his predecessor.
Glenn Murphy, Hampton Park
Enriching culture
I remember the racial and religious fears whipped up with the removal of the white Australian policy. The immigration of people of different cultures/religions would destroy our way of life, take your job, serve as a fifth column, etc. Now Australians eagerly tuck into their pho, pizza, souvlaki, kebab, curry, etc. All these culinary delights are now considered important integral parts of our culture. Food is just a small example of the richness and enhancement that other cultures bring to Australia. So if you fear Muslims, remember the past. Their culture is old and respectful towards others and, like those before them, they will enhance and enrich our society.
Gregory Clark, Woodend
Supplying ammunition
Most people are born into a religious culture and die in it. Few adopt a religion or ditch it for theological reasons – study of scriptures, etc. If our aim is to minimise the damage done by violent Islamists, it makes no sense to delve into the ancient Koran and dig out gory extracts with which to denigrate Islam. This only helps the warmongers to eventually enlist hapless, peace-loving Muslims to "fight for their faith". That's the very plan we're up against.
Many religions have gory bits in their old scriptures. Most followers draw on their religion simply to maintain peace and serenity through the ups and downs of their own lives. Our best hope is to isolate the terrorists and oppose their campaign as an attack on civilisation – not on the grounds that we oppose their religion.
Philip O'Carroll, Fitzroy North
An affront to faith
Ian Robinson (Letters, 28/11) says people of faith "make this unfounded claim to knowledge they do not possess". This typifies a condescending arrogance among some atheists who lay claim to superior knowledge. Is Mr Robinson seriously telling the many millions of Christians worldwide that their transforming and sustaining faith in Christ is delusional? That heroes of the faith such as Wilberforce, Schweitzer, King, Tutu, Romero and countless others were inspired by a proven falsehood? A similar demeaning disparagement is shown by those who equate faith in God to an infantile belief in a tooth fairy or Easter bunny (Letters, 27/11). The difference could not be more stark.
Rowan Forster, Surrey Hills
Enlightening festival
The origin of Christmas is not Christianity (Letters, 27/11), but a pagan Yuletide festival celebrating the winter solstice – the rebirth of the sun. Christianity subsumed it into its calendar, making Christ's birth as close as possible to December 22-23, because the people wouldn't accept losing their festival of light. Christianity tried to ban music, Yule logs, gift giving etc. So you see, it is truly a secular celebration. Bring on Jingle Bells.
Suzanne Ingleton, Castlemaine
Our truly 'black' day
How many American traditions do we have to incorporate into Australian life? The recent addition of Halloween, with its trick or treating, and now "Black Friday", a shopping frenzy the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday. Black Friday should mean only one thing to Victorians. On January 13, 1939, 2million hectares of our state burnt. More than 1000 homes were destroyed and 71 lives lost. What's next, a public holiday on July 4? Isn't it time we stopped importing other countries' cultural events?
Tony Burns, Heidelberg Heights
Similarly different
Having reluctantly accepted that the current language tide dictates it is appropriate to say "different to", I have embarked upon a campaign to have "similar from" just as widely acknowledged.
Russell Jackson, Newtown
AND ANOTHER THING ...
Victoria
Perhaps some of the money that goes to elite private schools with landscaped gardens could be given to Footscray Primary for its oval ("Asbestos forces students off oval", 26/11).
Pauline Ashton, Maribyrnong
After Victoria losing three car manufacturers in three years, here in Sydney, we're surprised Premier Dan Andrews isn't trying to encourage more prayer in schools.
Matt Andrews, Newtown, NSW
Politics
Turnbull may have shuffled Abbott, Abetz and Andrews to the bottom of the deck, but he is still stuck with Pyne, Hunt and Brandis in his hand.
John Walsh, Watsonia
Guess what, Ian Hudson (Letters, 27/11), it is because we had an inquiry into gender stereotypes and toys 50years ago and nothing's changed that we need another one.
Elaine Golding, Norwood, SA
Labor's nativity play this year might be in doubt given its dilemma relative to the role of Messiah.
Max Horton, Clarence Park, SA
Traditional Pastafarians do support the primacy of spaghetti (Letters, 28/11), however they regard spirals, tubes, noodles et al as equals in the colander (if a little odd).
John Simmonds, Collingwood
The world
US President Barack Obama says the Paris climate summit is a massive rebuke to Islamic State. I like Vladimir Putin's rebuke much better.
Jack Sonnemann, Lucaston, Tas
I agree that this barbaric Islamic State must be defeated. So when do we start bombing Saudi Arabia ("Artist sentenced to death for atheism", 26/11)?
Phil Bodel, Ocean Grove
The sudden invasion of Black Friday advertising has made it, indeed, a Black Friday.
John Ogge, Highett
The last word
Please, wife of Brian, end this tea towel saga once and for all. Where were they?
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East
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