Letters
July 10
Pushy parents damage children, teachers alike
9:00 PM The research indicates that pushy parents do damage to their children by causing them to feel depressed and anxious.
JULY 9
Don't punish the many for the deeds of a few
It is unjust to punish the majority of trainers for the cruelty of a minority. Instead, we should have frequent inspections of training tracks to stop cruel practices.
JULY 9
Postscript: Turnbull's turncoats foretold election woe
If you were looking for a sign that last weekend's election was going to be tighter and messier than many pundits expected, you could have found it on the Herald Letters page.
JULY 8
Howard and Blair should now apologise
So the Chilcot enquiry has found that Britain's decision to invade Iraq in 2003 was "without proper justification" and "based upon flawed intelligence".
JULY 7
Turnbull's contrition sounds mechanical
Malcolm Turnbull is like a wind-up toy. His pre-election pronouncements amounted to little more than two repetitive phrases.
JULY 6
It's right for Hanson to be in the Senate
The role of our Parliament is to provide broad representation for the views of the electorate
JULY 6
Go for less infighting, stable leadership
If the Liberal-National Party were to form a minority government, it would mean valuable governing time would be wasted on internal problems.
JULY 5
Time to embrace our multi-party system
We'd have so much more stability in Parliament if the moderates in both major parties were talking together and with centre parties about working for the common good for Australians.
JULY 4
Voters' message: give us good government
Australia has voted for real political change, not the simplistic notion of whether Liberal or Labor "win".
LETTERS EXTRA
Voters wanted the real Malcolm Turnbull
The electorate has demonstrated that it rejects conservatism and wants a modern man in the lodge.
July 3
There's an art to city-making
Spending $12.6 million for outsourcing consultants in order to manage community relations and spruik the benefits of Sydney Metro, highlights the absence of a clear, transparent process for public engagement.
JULY 2
Devious and hollow Coalition is a long way from social reform
How can the Herald ("Turnbull Coalition offers economic, social reform", July 1) possibly run a headline that declares that the Turnbull Coalition offers social reform?
JULY 1
Jobson Grothe: RIP
Great news, reports Chris Moe of Bensville. "We are pleased to announce the wedding of Jobson Grothe and Ophelia Parrakelia on July 2.
JULY 1
It's clear: Labor good; Liberal average
Messrs Geddes and Webb leapt to the defence of the LNP's fiscal credentials and bagged those of the ALP. Their theses were clear: Labor bad, Liberal good; however, their evidence was weak.
JUNE 30
Morrison's welfare savings don't add up
If Scott Morrison already knows how much he can save from welfare rorts, why hasn't this been jumped on earlier?
JUNE 29
Stop playing blame game on apprenticeships
The Gillard government introduced the contestable funding model for vocational education. This was either naive or stupid.
JUNE 28
Minority parties keep government accountable
The election is like a wedding reception. The menu looks good but we all know we will either get the chicken or the fish and both will be disappointing.
JUNE 27
Australians must not do a Brexit and vote on fear
Brexit has become Malcolm Turnbull's Tampa.
JUNE 25
Brexit: Britannia waives the rules
A growing disquiet in Western democracies illustrated by the Brexit movement in Britain and the Trump phenomenon in the US are expressions of growing discontent.
JUNE 25
POSTSCRIPT
Due to an overwhelming number of letters from readers on same-sex marriage this week, here is a peek into out postbag to have an understanding on the potential downside of the coalition's planned plebiscite.
JUNE 24
Plebiscite 'a free kick for all bigots'
If Peter Waterhouse's argument (Letters, June 23) is about preserving the "covenant" of marriage, perhaps he should look into its history.
Plebiscite will bring out bigots
Well done, Peter Waterhouse (Letters, June 23) in your devious attempt to present a "measured and respectful response" to same-sex marriage.
JUNE 23
Why Scott Morrison can't understand Penny Wong's pain
Senator Penny Wong's brutally honest personal concerns regarding a proposed plebiscite, deserve a measured and respectful response from someone who intends to vote against amending the Marriage Act.
JUNE 22
Scott Morrison can't know Penny Wong's pain
I share Wendy Quiggin's fear that Scott Morrison may become Prime Minister by 2018 (Letters, June 22).
JUNE 22
Turnbull one among equals or the boss?
Malcolm Turnbull can't have it both ways. Either he is a leader who can give an "iron-clad commitment" (his statement on Medicare) or he is "a leader among equals" and must adhere to what the party wants, even if he disagrees (his statement on a plebiscite).
JUNE 21
Medicare focus no mere scare tactic
Under a Turnbull government, bulk-billing will soon be a thing of the past for most patients. A high percentage of GPs are already preparing to raise their fees in anticipation of a re-elected Coalition, which will continue the freeze on Medicare rebates until July 2018.
JUNE 20
Exposure of Exclusive Brethren this election
It takes courage to expose scandals, particularly involving allegations of sexual abuse, which continue to be white-washed by powerful religious organisations such as the Exclusive Brethren. Michael Bachelard is to be congratulated for holding no punches in his article ("Secrets of the Brethren", June 18-19).
JUNE 19
Weighty matter for young players
Andrew Hornery gives voice to the feelings I have had since seeing Channel Nine's promotional ads for its new reality show The Briefcase. What next? Human sacrifice for the entertainment of the masses?
JUNE 18
State your case but do not inflame hatred
Not since the rise of Fascism in the 1930s have the voices of hatred been so prevalent. ("British MP Jo Cox dies after being shot by man reportedly shouting 'Britain First'", June 17).
