I watched Pauline Hanson's maiden speech in the Senate ("Greens turn their backs on Hanson's fiery speech", 15/9). I was appalled by her smugness, ignorance, racist bigotry and abysmal understanding of economics and world diplomacy.
She only got one thing correct: Australia is a secular nation. But, no, Senator Hanson, Australia may have a predominantly Christian majority (of many beliefs and denominations), but it is not a "Christian country". Perhaps you should brush up on the Australian constitution. Section 116 precludes the commonwealth of Australia (that is, federal parliament) from making laws for establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance, or prohibiting the free exercise of any religion.
And one might also add that your views are not in keeping with Christian values.
Harry Kowalski, Ivanhoe
There are good, and bad, people everywhere
Pauline Hanson says: "Our leaders continue to tell us to be tolerant and to embrace the good Muslims. But how should we tell the difference? There is no sign saying "good Muslim" or "bad Muslim". Senator, you know who is a good or bad Muslim is the same way you know who is a good or bad Christian, Jew, Buddhist or atheist.
Keri Chater, Williamstown
The reality is we are a multicultural country
Senator Pauline Hanson, in case you have not noticed, the Australian way of life is multiculturalism. It has been like that for many, many years, and it has served us well. If you cannot commit to that, than you should "go back to where you (or your ancestors) came from".
Dieter Liebrich, Kingsville
Danger in making Hanson a hate figure
I am not a partisan of Pauline Hanson, nor do I share all her views on immigration. I acknowledge that the Islamic religion, at home and abroad, is a protected entity, immune to rational criticism which can only be in breach of the sacred cliches of multiculturalism and diversity so beloved of the Coalition and the Labor Party parrots.
The departure by the Greens from the Senate during Senator Hanson's maiden speech exposed them as self-righteous, liberal bigots who are prepared to grant others perfect freedom to agree with them. The more that the Greens and others of their left ilk act to make Pauline Hanson a national hate figure, the more electoral support she will surely gather. The risible opinions of the Greens deserve only derision.
Naturally the ALP and Coalition senators stayed during Senator Hanson's speech. She represents the only thing they adulate: electoral success. And she and the other small-party and independent MPs represent a threat to their long hegemony in the enjoyment of the spoils of office.
Frank Carleton, Longwarry
Please accept our apologies for racist words
To our neighbours: I am so sorry that the leader of One Nation, Pauline Hanson, made such a racist speech in Parliament. Last time it was the folk from Asia on whom she vented her spleen. Her next speech may well be about the Martians who do not fit into this "Australian society".
Judy Osmers, Pascoe Vale
People's right to put opposing views
Shouldn't someone tell the Greens that the definition of a bigot is someone who finds other people's views intolerable?
Jack Sonnemann, Lucaston, Tas
Win-win solution...
A gun amnesty (The Age, 14/9) would boost our prime minister's ailing leadership. After all, John Howard's gun controls are still widely praised. Perhaps Malcolm Turnbull could go further, combining innovative thinking with budget repair: ban all guns from suburban homes.
Also, why not store guns securely at gun clubs, authorised depots or police stations? Shooters could access their guns as needed, on a check-in, check-out basis. Extended access hours could be provided at peak times such as hunting seasons. Expect an outcry from suburban shooters (a vocal but small group of voters) whose convenience may be slightly hampered. But think of the immediate reduction in domestic violence, gun crime and terrorism. Think of greater police safety and huge savings in police investigation budgets.
Joan Reilly, Surrey Hills
...or wishful thinking?
Often criminals have paid thousands of dollars to source illegal weapons and engaged in violent gang warfare over drugs, prostitution, car theft and hired muscle. Now the government hopes they will be overcome with feelings of guilt and remorse and hand in their illegal guns. Does it also hope they will join a monastery to redeem themselves?
Troy Hammersmith, Port Melbourne
Protect the animals
Who supplied the greyhounds that were used in horror experiments at Monash University (The Age, 12/9)? How many were purchased? Would they happen to be "wastage" from the racing industry (greyhounds which were too slow for racing)? And what other animals that we do not hear about are used in experiments? It is time for full public consultation before live beings are put through experiments in which they have no say.
Mara Hayler, Darley
A lost opportunity
Victoria is awash with water. Day after day, the rain has filled our dams. Grain growers are expecting record crops and irrigators are delighted. And every day billions of litres of fresh river water pours into the sea. During the drought, there was a golden opportunity to build more dams – another Snowy River Scheme to not only give us more water that our growing population needs, but also provide clean-energy power and water for irrigation.
Instead we got a desalination plant that has cost us a king's ransom and will, until it rots away, be a massive drain on the state's revenue. In the unlikely event that it will ever be turned on, more brown coal will need to be burned to power it. A golden opportunity has been lost. Well done, Labor.
Murray Stapleton, Darraweit Guim
Dangerous crossings
My wife and I moved to Bonbeach six months ago and it has taken us this long – by observing the long-time residents – to feel completely confident when we use the many level crossings here. What are the road rules?
John Sherlock, Bonbeach
Why the empty man...
The Age asks "when will the real Malcolm stand up?" (Editorial, 15/9). I hate to blow your pipe dream but this is the real Malcolm. One would be naive to think there was any conviction in him. His performance as opposition leader should have been enough for anyone to see that he had no conviction other than the need to be prime minister. The real Malcolm is the same "salesman" he has always been.
Chris Pettifer, Hughesdale
...must do something
For one year now, Malcolm Turnbull has been thinking. Thinking about climate change, Australia becoming a republic, how to appease the right wing of his own party, and marriage equality. Mr Turnbull, for the sake of the nation, heed the words of Hawthorn coach John Kennedy during his famous half-time address to his players in the 1975 VFL grand final: "Don't think, don't hope, do".
Craig Jory, Glenroy, NSW
A test of leadership
He would probably become the most unpopular member ever of his own party. But if he were to cross the floor and enable marriage equality for thousands of Australians, he would go down in history as a champion of the discriminated against,, a friend of oppressed minorities, and a man of conviction and leadership. It might even get our prime minister re-elected in a landslide.
Stephen James, Port Melbourne
Cross-party agreement
To oppose same-sex marriage is discrimination. There is no need for a plebiscite or a conscience vote on it. Instead, why can't members of parliament pass legislation to allow it – without argument? This would save time and a lot of money. Once upon a time black and white couples were not allowed to marry, nor were women allowed to vote, but we finally woke up to the reality of those inequalities and addressed discrimination.
Lish Carroll, Montmorency
Life is hard enough
I am shocked at the thought of $170million being spent on the plebiscite, including money being given to pro and anti groups to persuade people to vote a certain way. As a Christian, I do not want churches to receive money to attack people when life is hard enough. I have not met anyone who wants to run a campaign against people who are of age and able to make an informed decision on who they marry.
All I would ask is please do not expect marriage celebrants who have issues with marrying same-sex couples to be legally bound to perform the ceremony. Also, make any same-sex education in schools optional rather than compulsory. That money should be used to tackle Aboriginal health and social issues, not divide the country more than we need.
Tom Collins, Thornton
Equal coverage, please
I am disappointed in the Age's coverage of the Paralympics. During the Olympics last month, you headlined the top medal count and gave a more in-depth coverage. Does this mean you value our Paralympians less? It would be great to see the medal tally on your front page.
Kay Davis, Coburg North
Deadly 'serious art'
Having just digested Robert Nelson's piece, "Painting is dead, long live painting" (Arts, 13/9), it is clear to me that much of contemporary art practice is a closed, airless shop, with curators, critics and practitioners locked in mournful embrace. As a devoted amateur of painting, drawing and printmaking, I fall below Nelson's horizon. However, not to worry. His statement "figurative painters seldom look at things curiously or draw from life" has the ring of a universal truth, but actually is easily challenged. Possibly he mixes with a joyless coterie estranged from the delights of exercising one's craft and having little to say about life and the human condition. It is not painting that is dead. We should be more worried about the vitality of much that is dished up as "contemporary, serious art".
Phil Kreveld, Caulfield
Keeping them honest
Most political parties appear to be addicted to donations, but for a democracy such donations are fraught with danger. Perhaps a body that is independent of government (in the same way the judiciary is) should be established to receive donations over, say $500, and distribute them according to the donors' wishes. Penalties for disclosure of donors should be severe and donations outside this system should be confiscated and heavy penalties invoked. This might lessen the opportunity for the quid pro quo arrangements that we all fear.
Tony Devereux, Nunawading
Made in Australia
Instead of giving China the contract for our defence uniforms, why not reinstate the old Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory that was situated in Brunswick many years ago? It produced all the military uniforms that were required.
Treasurer Scott Morrison says it would cost three times as much to make these items in Australia. If he weighs up how much money would be put back into the economy through increased employment, the workers spending their wages and the manufacture of the necessary materials in Australia, surely it would more than outstrip the initial outlay. Or, is that too much for the government to understand? At least Malcolm Turnbull's little mate, Jobson Growth, would be gainfully employed.
John Cain, McCrae
Best behaviour, boys
It looks like Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt thinks it is important to win a Davis Cup tie, even if it is at the cost of being embarrassed by the possible bad behaviour of our "tennis brats". Perhaps it is because Hewitt displayed shades of that in his early career. Hopefully, the players will grow out of it like he did.
David Ginsbourg, Bentleigh East
AND ANOTHER THING
Plebiscite
Cowardly Turnbull will waste $170million on a plebiscite because his party's right-wing won't let him introduce legislation which most of Parliament would support.
Robert Ness, Middle Park
I'm happy to support a plebiscite – on ex-MPs' obscene superannuation. Let's make that a referendum.
Pamela Pilgrim, Highett
If the government persists with a plebiscite, it should include issues such as euthanasia, offshore detention and negative gearing.
Stephen Cross, Campbells Creek
We could have saved $170million and all the aggro by including the plebiscite question in the census.
Paul Crompton, Cheltenham
Stop pretending it's 1953. Stop acting like you're still in opposition. Change the law and get on with important stuff.
John Laurie, Newport
The public only needs to look at Malcolm Turnbull's party to see how divisive a plebiscite will be.
Kevin Ward, Preston
This is a decision for the people alone. Shorten is inflaming the debate by politicising it.
Mal Alexander, Vermont
Politics
Defence uniforms from China? Jobson Growth will head over there with the local equivalent of a 457 visa.
Geoff Schmidt, Fitzroy North
So we cannot afford to keep a permanent presence on Macquarie Island. Perhaps we could offer it to China on a 99-year lease.
Trevor Kerr, Blackburn
Malcolm Turnbull, from strong as a mallee bull to malleable in 365 days.
James Gaffey, Ivanhoe East
Budget "repair" is budget despair for the poor.
Jane Kenway, Elwood
Furthermore
I dream of a world free of religion – and the AFL. Utopia.
Francis McCarthy, Wedderburn