Letters | Letters to the Editor

The Age Letters

MAY 27

Federal politics: Slanging match over black holes is pointless

10:40 AM The "your black hole is much bigger than mine" slanging match goes over my head. To me, the question is: "would you prefer a world-class health and education system that embraces even the most disadvantaged Australians, or a somewhat smaller budget 'black hole"'? I'd choose the former in a heartbeat. The former provides immediate, substantial and ongoing quality-of-life improvements to myself, my family and future generations. By contrast where are the tangible, real life benefits of a lower deficit? I can detect little if any difference in my quality of life now as compared with the case a few years ago when the budget was in surplus. There is no sign of the sky falling in. And if it does, it will be because of climate change, and not a politically constructed scare mantra.

MAY 26

The Bookhouse: The mindless pettiness of Port Phillip council

Port Phillip's order for the closure of the bookshop Bookhouse makes me feel more than ever that living in Port Phillip is like living in 14th-century Hamelin ("You wouldn't read about it", 25/5). There (Browning tells us), the good burghers had to buy gowns lined with ermine for councillors who were dolts. In Port Phillip we have a mayor who has just announced rate increases that will average 14 per cent for freestanding houses. This in a municipality that has suffered the long-running Triangle debacle, the increasing sleaziness of Fitzroy Street, the virtual surrender of Acland Street to Public Transport Victoria and now the mindless pettiness of the order to close a well-loved bookshop. Are we due for a Pied Piper in Port Phillip?

MAY 25

Protect public access to lovely part of Yarra river

Congratulations to Adam Carey for his excellent coverage of the replacement of the bike ramp at Walmer Street, Abbotsford

MAY 24

Federal politics: Hopes undone as hacks cleave to narrow path

Malcolm Turnbull is failing to fulfil the electorate's high expectations.

MAY 23

NBN 'lite' is destined to be obsolete

Readers discuss the Australian Federal Police's raids on Labor offices.

MAY 22

Federal politics: Turnbull casts aside dignified leadership

I have been a keen observer of Australian politics for 50 years since arriving as a migrant from Brazil. In the 1970s I was involved in the Liberal Party, a member of the state executive and a candidate in the state seat of Richmond in 1973. Gough Whitlam's dismissal in 1975 caused me to shift from the Liberal Party left to non-active support for left-of-centre policies.

MAY 20

So many have made new lives from nothing

Readers discuss the Immigration Minister's claim that refugees would be ''illiterate and innumerate'' and a ''huge cost'' on Australian taxpayers.

MAY 20

Federal Coalition: Lure of the Lodge too strong for flexible PM

Readers think Malcolm Turnbull has morphed into Tony Abbott since ascending to power.

MAY 19

Refugees: The contribution over decades has been huge

The minister's comments are disgraceful ("Peter Dutton says 'illiterate and innumerate' refugees would take Australian jobs", 18/5). Instead, immigrants over a long period have in fact been creators of work.

MAY 18

The environment: Advocacy-based groups have been targeted

The federal government's inquiry into the Register of Environmental Organisations quietly released some alarming recommendations last week.

MAY 17

Dairy industry: Market turmoil caused by poor governance

Dairy farmers are used to, and accept, seasonal and price volatility. The current turmoil is instead about the information provided to farmers by those they trusted further up the chain within the milk companies, particularly Murray Goulburn.

MAY 16

It's time to end this rort for the wealthy

Readers discuss negative gearing, some saying it only benefits real estate agents and the well off.

MAY 15

Federal politics: When did trickle-down theory become reliable?

Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison claim their budget clearly sets out a plan. I'd like to see it.

MAY 14

Education: Poorly planned and implemented programs

Readers discuss educational issues, including declining school standards and the shortage of specialist teachers.

MAY13

Superannuation: Monitoring new policy will be a nightmare

The PM and Treasurer can't count. Vastly more than 1 per cent of the population will be affected by the changes to superannuation.

MAY 12

Federal politics: The choice facing voters is really quite stark

On week one of the federal election campaign, some readers have made up their minds.

MAY 11

Federal politics: Real-life cost of policy highlights hard heart

Duncan Storrar's question on Q&A; exposed all that is wrong with Australian politics (The Age, 10/5).

MAY 10

Malcolm Turnbull: Power for its own sake the mark of a narcissist

The great legacy of the Turnbull government will be in the renovation of The Lodge, and for that history will thank his wife.

MAY 09

Faster, quicker, better – but only for the elite

Readers are concerned about our increasingly two-tiered society. They cite faster processing at airports for those who pay, ''poor doors'' in apartment blocks, parents employing experts to find them the ''best schools'' and Australia Post's introduction of a priority mail service.

MAY 8

Asylum seekers: The politics of fear corrodes public sphere

In waging wars against Iraq and Afghanistan, Australia must accept the people who flee these conflicts.

MAY 7

The budget: Tax cuts for rich, but no relief for warming globe

Are all Australians mean and nasty, as the federal budget implied?

MAY 6

Asylum seekers: Accept responsibility for Middle East mayhem

Jonathan Holmes fails to mention that Australia is a contributor to the situations from which refugees are fleeing.

MAY 5

The budget: Is it too much to expect some genuine policies?

This is an election budget. Wait for the real hit in 2017 if Mr Turnbull is returned.

MAY 4

Discrimination likely to become more prevalent

Due to pressures to improve performance and compete with other schools, it is hardly surprising that some principals have been engaging in ‘‘social selection’’.

MAY 3

Malcolm Turnbull: Common sense cannot replace tough analysis

I suppose we should be relieved that, in addition to agility and flexibility, Mr Turnbull is applying common sense to the Coalition's decision-making.

MAY 2

Kidman & Co: How can foreigners put our interests first?

Yes, we want investment, but investment shouldn't involve foreign ownership.

APRIL 30

Asylum seekers: Huge savings to be made by closing down camps

Just days before the Coalition delivers its annual litany on the need for spending restraint, it appears hell-bent on ignoring the opportunity the PNG court ruling has given it to demonstrate some nimbleness.