Concern has been raised that the proposed plebiscite will unleash hatred and bigotry by those who oppose gay marriage. However, a fair bit of that is actually coming from those who favour gay marriage and unleashed on those who don't. Bill Shorten has said: "I don't want to give the haters ... to ... make life harder for LGBTI people." Adam Bandt has denounced Lyle Shelton of the Australian Christian Lobby as a "bigot", while Crikey's Bernard Keane has vilified Shelton as a "nauseating piece of filth". Many decent people believe traditional marriage and family values are vital to societal stability, and that same-sex relationships are not equal to traditional marriage. These people are not "haters" or "bigots".
A meeting of the ACL had to be cancelled because of physical threats to guests and staff. David van Gend from Australian Marriage Forum had the word "bigot" painted on the wall of his medical practice, and a printer refused to print a book he had written. Who is showing intolerance and bigotry? Where is the outrage from "liberals" and defenders of free speech that people cannot meet to hear about a matter of public interest without fear of physical violence?
Andrew Price, Balwyn
Unable to argue the case
How surprising that John Smyth, of Children's Future, was unavailable for comment ("Liberal Party members behind same-sex marriage misinformation campaigns", 23/9). Surely anyone desperate to "safeguard marriage for future generations" would jump at the chance to have their views published by one of Australia's largest media companies. But perhaps his resistance stems from the fact that he'd have to explain the inaccuracies in the anonymous pamphlets. The publication includes an image of Nelson Mandela, a man who ensured the equality of gay South Africans was enshrined in the country's bill of rights. A section also suggests a positive correlation between a "yes" vote and the compulsory embedding of the Safe Schools program in the curriculum of all schools. Yet this program has always been voluntary. As the Safe Schools Coalition states: "Principals are best placed to make professional judgments about their school context and needs."
Kate Gotlib, Richmond
Overwhelming support for Canberra vote
Research from the University of Melbourne suggests just one electorate is opposed to same-sex marriage while the ABC's Vote Compass survey found only a third of voters were opposed. Other research indicates the leaders of the three major parties are in favour, a majority of parliamentarians are in favour and a majority of Australians are in favour, so why do we need a plebiscite? There is enough evidence for our elected representatives to do what is expected of them and get it over with. Please Malcolm show the conviction of your opinion and lead a vote in Canberra.
Greg Sturges, Maiden Gully
Aussies want it so get on with it now
Senator Brandis threatens the LGBTI community with further delays to effect marriage equality, while reputable research shows Australians are overwhelmingly in favour of it. The fact that rural MPs are less likely to back change is a sad statement about the continuing discrimination that persists against LGBTI young people and adults in these areas.
Already, as a same-sex attracted woman in a long-term relationship, I have been distressed by the negative "debate" on this subject. Just stop the bully tactics and give all consenting adults the same opportunity to have a state-recognised marriage if they so wish. Heterosexuals did not have to justify their rights to divorce by facing a plebiscite. The parliament of the day voted. Get on with it now.
Philippa Harrison, Somers
THE FORUM
Free to offend
I should be outraged that The Australian's cartoonist Bill Leak depicted me (gay guy and advocate) as a Nazi – the group that routinely rounded up and exterminated most of the known homosexual men in Germany.
All this comes at a time when our nation is about to enter a "respectful" debate on the granting of civil rights to gay people. However if anything at least he is consistent. He showed extreme courage and solidarity towards his cartoonist brothers at Charlie Hebdo by publishing a depiction of Mohammed and Jesus, "Let us pray", last year. So although offended and supportive of the protests surrounding this latest cartoon, I am also grateful that we live in a truly free and libertarian society.
Alastair Mckenzie, Omeo
Spot the difference
Sam Dastyari overspends on his travel plans and gets a Chinese benefactor to pick up the $1600 tab. He repays the amount but loses his position in shadow cabinet. WA Liberal Steve Irons bills taxpayers (us) $2000 to attend his own wedding, gets caught out, puts it down to an audit error, repays the amount and that is the end of the matter. The PM and other leading Liberals called for Dastyari's head; I hope they do the same for Irons.
Hans Pieterse, Narre Warren North
MPs fool the system
If you're unemployed and apply for the taxpayer-funded Newstart allowance you will need to fill out an application form that enforces a strict set of rules so you don't get one cent more than you are entitled to. And if you do try to fool the system, you will be shown no mercy.
Meanwhile, if you are a politician the rules for the reimbursement of taxpayer-funded travel expenses are so conveniently ambiguous MPs are able to fool the system and claim for more than they are ethically entitled to. Membership of the political class has its benefits.
Paul Miller, Box Hill South
On the side of tyrants
Barbara Chapman (Letters, 20/9) drew attention to the fact that the Ethiopian regime's brutal repression enjoys the acquiescence, if not active support, of Western governments. Unfortunately, however, such acquiescence is typical of current US and Western policies, as exemplified in the provision of military aid to the al-Sissi dictatorship in Egypt, while opposition figures disappear and suspected critics languish in overcrowded prisons.
Worst of all, perhaps, is the American backing for the murderous Saudi military campaign in Yemen, which may be creating the world's most serious humanitarian crisis. Reports from human rights organisations tell of repeated attacks on civilian targets and the use of hunger as a weapon, leading some US senators to call for a suspension of military aid to the Saudi regime.
It is sometimes argued that considerations of "realpolitik" justify assistance even to obnoxious allies. This may, however, be a short-sighted version of realism. The history of past US relations with Iran surely points to the perils of over-identification with torturers and tyrants.
John Chiddick, Hawthorn East
Porous borders
All this talk about strong borders: does that mean we will stop selling utility assets to foreign-owned companies and foreign governments? Or secure the borders to stop offshoring the manufacturing of defence force uniforms and other such items? What about securing the borders against foreign companies that operate with impunity and pay no tax though they gouge big parasitic profits from our economy? I guess the Liberal/National parties see some borders as being more equal than others.
Conrad Corry, Fairfield
Much truth in jest
What a portentous image of the Manus and Nauru death camps from Wizard of Id (26/9): "I don't think we're getting outta here," say prisoners on a carpet of bones. When will Australians rise up in anger and compassion for these innocent people without hope?
Revd. Neil Tolliday, Werribee
The day the music died
This week's visit to the Maribyrnong detention centre presented yet another new rule of entry – no ukeleles allowed in. When we asked why, we were told they could easily be used as a weapon. So that put paid to us bringing a bit of musical joy to the asylum seeker detainees. Each week, it seems, a new and strange rule is presented to us when we visit – increasingly harsh treatment of those who have committed no crime but are left languishing in soul-destroying conditions.
Helen Stagoll, Alphington
PM's puppet masters
We keep hearing about the "Liberal right" but are never told whose names are on the list that controls Mr Turnbull. Is it 10, 20, 30 or 40 per cent of government members or just a half dozen with loud voices? Please publish the names of those who are pulling the strings.
Trevor Ashman, Melbourne
Experts on Gonski
How might problems be solved in the national education system? One way is to establish a panel of well-credentialled experts to examine the issues and come up with solutions and recommend suitable remedies for government to apply. Hence the Gonski review; so far, so good. But then when the remedies don't suit ministers, Christopher Pyne and Simon Birmingham, who are not educational experts, pretend they know more than the experts on the panel and start off down the road to blame and distraction.
Peter Crocker, Pascoe Vale
Funding is skewed
Education Minister Simon Birmingham is right about one thing. School funding needs an overhaul, but not in the way he claims. Government funding should be used to bring up all public schools to a minimum standard and only then should any of our taxes be spent on already well-resourced private schools. "Student need" should be assessed based on Naplan results and real student disadvantage, and not the current system of using the average income of a student's postcode. This system means funds are skewed towards private schools for extravagant projects while public school students miss out.
Margaret Ludowyk, Brunswick
Howard fails history
During his ABC documentary on Robert Menzies, John Howard again claimed that Menzies introduced free university education. Mr Howard says he paid for his first year of university in the 1950s and then won a Commonwealth scholarship, making the remainder of his degree free. Menzies introduced commonwealth scholarships but they were available to less than half the people wanting to attend university. Using this logic, a private school education is also free as private schools provide scholarships for some students. Mr Howard, university fees were abolished by Gough Whitlam.
Tony Devereux, Nunawading
Can't have it both ways
So the Hazelwood power station is to close, with the loss of 1000 jobs. We can't have it both ways. Either we put up with filthy coal emissions and the associated jobs or we take steps to rid ourselves of this climate change-inducing, antiquated generator. Get the "sacked" workers building wind turbines or installing solar panels. Problem solved.
Craig Cahill, Blessington, Tas
Unhealthy dynasty
Some 69 candidates are standing for Nillumbik Shire elections – must be a record for the council. What's more striking is that two separate families, the Kleins and the Egans, have at least six family members standing ("Family united in bid for council", 26/9). Most are standing outside of the ward in which they live, and tend strongly towards pro-development.
In a democratic contest anybody is entitled to stand as a candidate. However, it would surely be problematic if a majority of councillors came from one or both families. What a family affair, and it could even herald the start of a dynasty for the council.
Voters should think carefully about this before casting their votes. They should also think very seriously about whether they want Nillumbik to remain the "lungs of Melbourne" or become just another piece of overdeveloped suburbia. Diversity is a key to democracy.
Greg Bailey, St Andrews
Fulfil site promises
Palace Cinemas plans to open a 15-screen complex on Pentridge site (The Age, 24/9). Never mind this latest dreamy development, most of us are still waiting for the long-promised museum at Pentridge. In the planning process, developers promise to build community and heritage facilities and then pay lip service to said promises.
How about the government demands full completion of promises of past projects before approving yet more?
Madonna Grehan, Thornbury
The vulgar mile
Auction results from the weekend tell us another home has been bought for a record price on Mont Albert Road's "Golden Mile", with demolition its likely fate. This once beautiful part of Melbourne hasn't been "golden" for a long time. "The Vulgar Mile" would be a more apt description.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn
AND ANOTHER THING...
Politics
Liberal education strategy 101: disguise a funding cut by changing the funding model.
Greg Curtin, Blackburn South
Given the disgracefully shabby treatment of the Gonski report, why would any civic-minded business leader now ever take on such a task?
Tony Lenten, Glen Waverley
So Mr Turnbull thinks Kevin Rudd and Labor are to blame for asylum seekers being stuck on Manus and Nauru. So why punish the innocents?
Brenda Todd, East Brighton
Perhaps the government could consult ACOSS to understand the true plight of the needy instead of contracting PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Daryl Goldie, Camperdown
Since when has "it's Coalition policy" been a reason for implementing anything? For all the reasons stated countless times already: no plebiscite, a free parliamentary vote now.
Richard Moore, Melbourne
"How Green was my (Latrobe) valley." Thanks to Richard Llewellyn.
John Cummings, Anglesea
A beautiful 1882 building to be removed to build a small shopping plaza. Just what we need.
Suzanne Palmer-Holton, Seaford
Sport
The Bulldogs' victory was a triumph for community values from a traditional football club over an AFL confection of corporate greed.
John Ashton, Healesville
To the AFL, corporate groups and Eddie, president of my beloved club: please donate your ticket allocation to allow Bulldogs' fans to be at the 'G on Saturday.
Wendy John, Malvern
Beware the wounded dog.
Lucia Craney, Mooroolbark
Just imagine: an AFL grand final won by a Sydney team and an NRL grand final won by a Melbourne team on the same weekend.
John Bone, Eltham
What a relief. We could have had an all-Sydney grand final, and there's only one prospect worse than that – an all-Adelaide grand final.
Tony O'Brien, South Melbourne