The Four Corners report into children detained on Nauru put faces to the individuals whose lives are being debased for the purpose of political gain. I am horrified to be represented by politicians who show no humanity towards them. Shame on those who stood by and allowed this to continue, or were leaders when horrendous decisions were made about these people. Bring them here. Many, many people are willing to help another human being. I am one of them.
Rebecca Heine, Forest Hill
Would our leaders do this to their children?
The incarceration of children can only be described as torture. Politicians who are participating in this crime against innocent seekers of shelter should reflect on whether they could do this to their own children. I struggle to comprehend how a wealthy country can be so cruel as to lock up children, slowly strip them of hope and then proudly declare that they will never enter Australia. All for cheap electoral advantage. In the future, we will look back on this as one of the most shameful episodes in our history. John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Scott Morrison, Tony Abbott and now Malcolm Turnbull are active players in the race to the bottom where asylum seekers are concerned. While none of these men will be tried for crimes against humanity, none should have the words "honourable member" put in front of their parliamentary titles. They are anything but honourable.
Simon Collings, Barwon Heads
Turnbull and Shorten should be ashamed
How can we claim to be human while we allow our government to treat people this way? I suppose that after seeing scenes such as this for years, I should be suffering from overload and ignoring them. Maybe this is what our government hopes I will do. However, I hope that I continue to feel pain when I see what is being done "in my name". I feel shame and anger that this continues. Shame, Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten.
Don Gingrich, Ringwood
The children who are slowly losing hope
Malcolm Turnbull, how can you not be moved by the plight of the children held in Nauru? Your comment that the Nauruan government is responsible for their care is unbelievable. It is struggling to look after its own people, let alone protect and integrate the refugees into its society. New Zealand made an offer to take refugees but you refused this. Please reopen communications with NZ to rehome the children before any chance of their leading useful and happy lives is lost.
Joan Barnett, Sandringham
Disturbing, disgraceful and so much worse
Four Corners began with the warning, "Some viewers may find the contents disturbing". The word should have been "disgraceful". How our politicians, in particular Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Dutton, can pass this off as "the responsibility of the Nauruan government" is beyond comprehension. No doubt the old furphy of an ABC "beat-up" will surface. However, that would require ignoring the sincerity and compassion of the teachers and other professionals who were interviewed. Their comments only reinforced the accounts given to me by one of their colleagues who also taught on Nauru. On reflection, the word "disgraceful" is inadequate.
Ken Finley, Mount Martha
Who do I believe? Amnesty, without a doubt.
Amnesty International is to be congratulated on its investigation into the plight of children on Nauru.How dare Malcolm Turnbull question such an ethical organisation
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East
Three golden rules
Amnesty International, the world's largest human rights organisation, has released a scathing report on the way asylum seekers are treated in our detention centres. Of course, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton denies it all. Surprise, surprise. (I wonder if he has watched the documentary, Chasing Asylum.)
Amnesty International maintains there are three key considerations when dealing with asylum seekers. Every person has the right to seek a better life in another country. If they are put into a detention camp, they should be treated humanely and with respect and their case dealt with as quickly as possible (not detained indefinitely). No one should be sent back to a country (e.g. Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Syria) where their life could be in danger. Does Mr Dutton take any of these three considerations into account?
David Ginsbourg, Bentleigh East
Our national shame
The anger I feel towards Australia's refugee policies pales into insignificance compared with the mental anguish suffered by the children who are in detention. These abhorrent incarcerations must end before any further harm is entrenched. These children will never fully recover from their experiences. As with the treatment of Indigenous Australians, it is another indelible stain on Australia.
Virginia Schneiders, Mount Dandenong
Trump's endorsement?
If we believe that the only way to secure our borders is to torture proven refugees, then we need to redefine the Australian character. We no longer believe in treating people as individuals, we are no longer tolerant or brave, and we no longer have any morality. All we have is a policy, supported by both major parties, which is costing us $400,00 per refugee per year. (We do not even believe we should spend our money for good rather than for evil.) We have lost our way and our moral compass. I would not be surprised if Donald Trump migrated to Australia after his presidential campaign fails. His chances of becoming prime minister must be pretty good.
Peter Ramadge, Newport
Bring them to Australia
How can Australia persecute and damage, physically and mentally, children who have sought our help to escape rape, physical threat and loss of homes? After about 1000 days on Nauru, deprived of any meaningful, safe education and any hope of normal life, these children are seriously depressed. When will our politicians come to their senses and bring them to Australia?
We must acknowledge our responsibilities to refugees.
Gael Barrett, Balwyn North
Is this our country?
When reading reports of refugees who are suffering under our detention regimes, we are offered the assistance of Lifeline or beyondblue (The Age, 18/10). Our officials "who work with objectionable material or witness vicarious trauma" will be offered resilience courses to alleviate their mental stress. Peter Dutton has assured us that our government provides "all the necessary support" for our detainees. What kind of country have we become?
Eve Addis, Blackburn
Building a replica
Whoever organised this act of vandalism – the illegal demolition of Carlton's historic Corkman Irish Pub, which was protected by a heritage overlay (The Age, 18/10) – should be forced to build an identical replacement, matching every detail of the facade. The hotel's internal detail should be in accordance with planning and building regulations.
Roderick White, Daylesford
Protect our hoodies
A purpose-built sand track for racehorses away from the beach in Belfast Coastal Reserve is a win-win solution for horses, riders, beach users and hooded plovers – "Racing carnival poses an unexpected environmental threat" (Comment, 18/10).
The nationally threatened "hoodies" cannot wait for politicians and industry. It is their breeding season and they need help now. They nest in front of sand dunes and are rapidly disappearing from our coastline, an unintended consequence of Australia's love affair with the beach. Our Beach-nesting Birds program works with thousands of volunteers and local communities to protect hoodies. With careful management, people and hoodies can share our beautiful beaches. But hoodies cannot co-exist with racehorses churning up the beach, destroying habitat and crushing their nests.
Paul Sullivan, BirdLife Australia, Carlton
Win-win for ex-pollies
So, after being rejected by the voters at elections, ex-politicians can collect a pension (and in some cases, possibly benefits) that border on the obscene and then double dip by getting a plum job with a politician mate with an over-the-top salary (The Age, 18/10). And all this is funded by the poor taxpayer. No wonder so many of us are disappointed with both the major parties.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
Stay tough on gun laws
Liberal Democratic Party senator David Leyonhjelm says he will not vote to reinstate the government's construction industry watchdog unless Malcolm Turnbull agrees to allow the controversial Adler lever-action shotgun to be imported into Australia. No, no, no. Mr Turnbull must not allow Senator Leyonhjelm to use the dilution of our gun laws as a political bargaining tool. That would be a betrayal of those who lost their lives in the Port Arthur massacre.
Roberta Wetherall, Donvale
Stay true to Left values
What kind of ALP Left is it, which through its spurious "stability agreement" with the Right, means it remains silent, while the Right endorses a questionable Senate candidate linked to the disgraced Health Employees (now Workers) Union and the notorious Kathy Jackson, without our members having a say?
Nothing is more guaranteed to create instability than such a decision. Judging by the media reports (The Age, 18/10), this instability is already occurring. This is certainly not the Left I want to be part of. The sooner we abolish all permanent factions and introduce the novel idea of democracy so the members take control of such decisions, the better. To me, this is central to Left values and objectives.
Max Ogden, Fitzroy North
Celebs shouldn't cry
Thank-you, Wendy Squires (Comment, 17/10). I am glad it is not just me who thinks it is a bit rich when celebrities shamelessly court publicity ad nauseam for personal gain (often exploiting their children in the process, who do not get any say in the matter), and then moan that they never get any privacy.
John Howes, Rowville
Clean up the force
Police investigating police will never achieve proper scrutiny of police (The Age, 18/10). The reasons include: management wanting to control the image of Victoria Police; police who work as internal investigators risking being bullied when they leave internal investigations; and police being tipped off or helped due to the "mateship" idea.
Police officers also have sympathy for their colleagues who go outside the law because they know that dealing with difficult people is hard work.
Victoria needs to commit to enhancing the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and end police investigating police if it wants to achieve more accountability. Unfortunately, politicians loathe accountability.
Douglas Potter, Surrey Hills
Wealthy want more
How have things changed so much that, these days, many wealthy Baby Boomers think it is smart and acceptable to take as much welfare (and avoid paying as much tax) as they can, as long as it is legal? I am a Baby Boomer, but I feel the same as my parents did – if you can support yourself, then you should leave welfare for those who need it. I do not pay tax to support the wealthy. All seniors' "perks", including Seniors' Cards, should be means tested.
Carolyn King, Malvern East
At last, good news
It was wonderful that two-thirds of page three was committed to Bridie Smith's fascinating article on peptides in the Tasmanian devil genome being synthesised for use against drug-resistant bacteria (The Age, 17/10). Superbugs – and antibiotic resistance – are the second-biggest existential threat to our species after global warming. It is nice to read some hopeful news written in a way which respects the reader's intelligence.
Dylan Bailey, Ormond
One unhappy Hawk ...
Hey, Clarko. First Crimmins medallist Sam Mitchell goes and now Jordan Lewis, who finished second. Should Shaun Burgoyne, who finished third, be worried? We were a happy team at Hawthorn. I hope you know what you are doing. As a long-standing Hawks member, I'm devastated.
Alan Muir, Surrey Hills
... and another one
Hawthorn Football Club, how could you? This is not some listed company for the board to receive bonuses on the number of employees who are dismissed.
Jenni King, Camberwell
AND ANOTHER THING
Asylum seekers
Mr Turnbull, as long the your government allows the shameful treatment of children, I have no wish to be part of your Team Australia.
Annie Wilson, Inverloch
Bright, innocent girls and boys, the new Nauruan phosphate heap.
Don Stewart, Port Fairy
Marooning asylum seekers offshore is immoral and heartbreaking. Let's end this injustice.
Gwenda Davey, Burwood East
When, if ever, will our government stop the policy of indefinite torture of asylum seekers?
Rob Mathew, Yarraville
Malcolm, those children are gifts to Australia. Wipe your crocodile tears and bring them here.
Pamela Jonas, Kew
It will be an exciting time to be Australian when those responsible for the torture of children are behind bars.
Remy Favre, Malvern East
I had a dream last night. Two children looked at me through a wire fence. It is still with me.
Marianne Wagner, Viewbank
Thank you to Save The Children workers who are helping these beautiful, intelligent children.
Peng Ee, Castle Cove, NSW
Furthermore
To despairing Hawthorn supporters: chill out, Tyrone is on the way.
Neil Hudson, Kew
Jordan Lewis knows his history. After the Bulldogs won its last flag, Melbourne took the next three. Go Dees.
Kevin Mills, Montmorency
Can we have a plebiscite on daylight saving. It starts too early. The mornings are very chilly in October.
Jo Prendergast, Sandringham
When will the next superfood with milk from free-range Tasmanian devils appear on the shelves?
Ian Powell, Glen Waverley