ASYLUM-SEEKER POLICY
To propose laws to ban all asylum seekers who come by boat, including those on Manus Island and Nauru, from ever setting foot in Australia (The Age, 31/10) is an exercise in vindictiveness. The plan should be shunned. It lacks any sense of decency and compassion for those detainees who are currently the responsibility of our government. Malcolm Turnbull says it sends "the strongest message". The message it sends is that the government has lost its moral compass.
Peter Stratford, Clifton Hill
Why I'm no longer proud to be an Australian
"There has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian", according to Malcolm Turnbull. And if you are not an Australian and you come to our shores seeking protection, there has never been a more terrifying time. To sacrifice the lives of other people in order to send a "message" is inhumane. I used to feel lucky to be an Australian. Now I feel ashamed.
Joel Oakley, Lower Templestowe
It's time for Labor to stand up and be counted
I remember when the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa picked up asylum seekers from a sinking boat and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley decided it was too difficult to stand up to the Howard government. Labor lost its moral compass at that point. Does it have the moral compass now to stop the disgusting legislation announced by the government?
Joan Lynn, Williamstown
The bipartisan policy to gain racist votes
The government's latest edict is the culmination of a policy of dog-whistling racism which has been consistent ever since the Tampa affair. It has been about converting xenophobia in the community into racist votes at the ballot box. The shame is that Labor, after constant haranguing from Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison with their "stop the boats" mantra, realised it would be wiped out at the 2013 election if it did not go down the same immoral path – that is, permanent offshore processing and using the punishment of innocent asylum seekers as a deterrent to those who came by sea. The "stop the boats" policy was not about "stopping the drownings". It was really about border defence and gaining the racist vote.
John Uren, Blackburn
When times are tough, try refugee bashing
The polls are turning sour and there is unrest within the Coalition. The same-sex marriage plebiscite is headed for the dustbin. The Attorney-General is continuing to embarrass and the union-bashing bills seems to be floundering. The attack on welfare cheats is not working out. Not much is happening on the terrorist front. What can be done to distract the electorate from looking at the government's deplorable economic record? Let's trot out asylum-seeker bashing. This will keep Pauline Hanson happy and engage Labor in some soul searching. Most importantly, it will distract and confuse the electorate. After all, this approach has worked for the past 15years.
Graeme Henchel, Yarra Glen
We are failing our international obligations
At a time of unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with the world experiencing massive waves of people fleeing war and persecution, the Turnbull government's response is to "close the door". Alone of developed nations, we are the leaners, not the lifters. We are failing our international obligations as part of the global community. Shame, Mr Turnbull, shame.
Caroline Miley, Heidelberg
PM's lack of decency
The Prime Minister, who seemed to be a decent person, is now doing the bidding of the Coalition's worst elements. In 1954, in the United States, Senator Joe McCarthy conducted his witch hunt (the "Army-McCarthy hearings"). This followed years when he and others had vilified hundreds, maybe thousands, of decent people. In this case, he focused on what he thought was communist infiltration of the American army. When the counsel for the army was harangued, he replied: "Senator, you've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir?" I say the same thing to Mr Turnbull.
Peter Tibbles, Elsternwick
Life without hope
Sixty years ago, when I was young, I wondered how German citizens could not be so outraged as to stop the cruel ways the Nazis treated persons they regarded as undesirables. Some Australians are acting in a similar way by not being sufficiently outraged at how politicians are mistreating refugees. Plans to ban their entry into our country appal me. The detention centre entry signs should derive from Dante's Inferno: "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here".
Ian Higgins, Mornington
No justice for refugees
In most cases, people who have been found guilty of murder and jailed are able to re-enter society once they have served their sentence. Refugees, who only want to save a life, their own, will never be able to settle here, or even visit, according to the government's latest proposal. Where is the justice and humanity?
Mary Hoffmann, Richmond
One party on asylum
Boat journeys would not be necessary if Australia worked with other nations and international agencies to process asylum claims quickly in those places to which people first flee from wars, persecution and discrimination. However, both major parties have used the policy of cruel, indefinite detention on Manus Island and Nauru. It is telling that One Nation applauds the government's latest harsh action. It is becoming harder to distinguish the two major parties and One Nation on refugee policy.
Andrew Trembath, Blackburn
Not an easy ride
Ros Collins (Letters, 31/10) makes an observation about the inadequacies of a shared pedestrian/cyclist path in Elwood. This is an infrastructure problem, not the fault of any one group of users. If it is safe to do so, and there is a parallel road, most cyclists will use the road rather than a shared path. It is no "short cut" when you must share the path with dogs not on leashes, unsupervised children and angry, elderly citizens.
Dave Barter, Hawthorn
Revering an empty Cup
I am not sure what the Cup Day holiday stands for. One issue is the abuse of animals for the sake of enjoyment. Gambling is rife within our society. It needs to be regulated and people need to be educated on the risk. We should not have a day which encourages it. The incessant drinking at the Cup ensures males are fighting or acting in a misogynistic manner. Couldn't we have a public holiday for something of substance? For example, Indigenous Australians, refugees or another minority that we exploit and disregard. How about a day of mourning for a ruined planet? I guess those things are irrelevant when men in funny shirts ride horses for the sake of money.
Martin Demosthenous, Footscray
Pokies, a loser's game
Pokies machine manufacturers assure players they will get "a theoretical return of 85 per cent". I am surprised many players believe this means that if they enter a venue with $100, they will leave it with $85 ("Women sues over pokies 'deception"', 26/10). It simply means that with each $1 bet, a player will, on average, lose 15 cents a game. If he has $100 and plays 100 games, he will lose, on average, $15. If he has $100 and plays 400 games, his loss will be be, on average, $60. This assumes he has not already lost his entire $100, which is quite likely to happen. Using probability theory, it can be worked out that there is a 95per cent probability the player's capital after 100 games will be between $65 and $105. After 400 games it will be between $0 and $80. With more and more games played, he is almost certain to lose it all.
Dr Ravi Phatarfod, school of mathematical sciences, Monash University
A win-win payment
So some new mothers have joined the Coalition's "leaners" and "double dippers". They accessed paid parental leave that was designed to provide a basic minimum support and also supplement industry schemes. Could someone send Social Services Minister Christian Porter to Scandinavia or Germany so he can see how it can be done to benefit both the economy and the wellbeing of mothers and babies? And while he is there, ask him to check out the provision of childcare and early childhood development programs.
Anne Sgro, Coburg North
My perfect "marriage"
From my boyhood and as a teenager, I wanted to be celibate. I am now over 80 and as I look back, I see that most of those years were spent not with religious but with married people. So I have nothing but admiration for the married life.
As I read Tom Kenneally's article ("From a church mired, a Catholic hero inspires", Insight, 29/10) and his brash definition of celibacy as "abstention from marriage", I saw this was my chance to air my views (without any hard feelings to Tom).
For me, celibacy is not just something to bear, but something to meditate upon and thank God for. It is a marriage with God who is as much feminine as masculine. Ordinary marriage is ultimately a marriage with God, though done through a human partner. Celibacy is a more direct partnering with God whom we "see" in His (Her) creation. For those who have been blessed with the mysterious, wonderful knowledge of God, to be called to be his unique partner makes them dizzy with joy.
Father Albert Said, Kew
Robb-ing democracy
Former trade minister Andrew Robb's has been appointed as an "economic consultant" with the Chinese company that has a 99-year lease of the Darwin Port. Little wonder the global phenomenon of Brexit, Trumpism and our own domestic Hansonism. As Platos's Republic discusses, "An oligarchy is said to be that in which the few and the wealthy, and a democracy that in which the many and the poor, are the rulers". The influence that business has on our legislators degrades democracy and leaves no place for the environment.
Damien Peters, Brighton
Minister creates job
During negotiations over the free trade agreement with China, Andrew Robb did say that jobs would be created in Australia. I know of only one so far, his.
Ian Anderson, Ascot Vale
Travelling to China
Andrew Robb argued forcibly for the leasing of Darwin Harbour to his future employers and he was largely responsible for the Chinese Free Trade Agreement that hurried our motor industry out of the country. Will he use the free travel perks of his taxpayer-paid parliamentary pension to travel to and from China?
John Ackerman, Keilor East
What's not risky?
Presumably James Ogilvie (Letters 31/10), who seems to consider a 1 in 500,000 chance of injury or death on an amusement park ride to be unacceptable, never enters a motor vehicle. About 1200 of 24million Australians died in motor vehicle accidents last year. This is a one in 20,000 chance. Life cannot be totally without risk.
Nick Barton, Hillside
Our right to choose
We are very concerned about the reported emphasis on quantity over quality in moving 105,000 Victorians with a disability to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Saturday Age, 29/10). People with disability and their unpaid, mostly family, carers are anxious about these reforms. Many assessments are reportedly phone-based, which may limit the partnership when decisions are made and could lead to poor quality plans.
The NDIS is a new era for people with a disability to lead lives of their choice, select services they need and decide who delivers them. We call on the National Disability Insurance Agency to ensure that choice and control for participants is not undermined by speeding up assessments to meet targets.
Caroline Mulcahy,
Carers Victoria, Footscray
Was it Ted or Patch?
I enjoyed Jim Pavlidis' cartoon of a dog doing what it does best to a car's wheels (Letters, 28/10). Victorian MP Steve Herbert's government car was being put to better use than it has been of late.
David Price, Camberwell
Desperate for praise?
We used to get announcements when there was a problem, such as a train that was cancelled or running late. Now Metro tells us when the system is running properly as if it deserves a pat on the back for doing its job. Why is it necessary to announce: "We are currently running a good service on the Belgrave line"? Isn't a reliable service what we pay for when we buy our tickets? Or is "a good service" the new anomaly and a bad service the norm?
Andrew Pilskalns, Ferntree Gully
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
Jack Sonnemann (31/10), it's OK to believe Bill Clinton's accusers as long as you remember he's not running for president.
Jill Rosenberg, Caulfield South
No, Simon Birmingham, art is not a "lifestyle choice". It's a work choice.
Paul Wells, Preston
I'm disappointed Andrews hasn't acted on Steve Herbert. Such MPs aren't doing Labor any favours.
Jack Ginger, Caulfield South
Did Herbert's dogs, Ted and Patch, meet Johnny Depp's dogs, Pistol and Boo? They probably had a great yap session.
Barbara Abell, Ringwood North
I heard Turnbull talking about the importance of water infrastructure. Another issue he won't do anything about.
Phil Bennett, Brunswick
Asylum seekers
How low can Australia sink? A Hansonesque political move.
Linda Mackie, Collingwood
Hanson is elated Turnbull has taken a leaf out of One Nation's book. Land of a fair go?
Kaye Jones, Nagambie
Opponents can take consolation from Pamela Curr's comment: "They don't want to come here." (31/10)
Bill Pell, Emerald
Every day this, and previous governments, make me more ashamed to be Australian.
Greg Hill, Monbulk
The government's cruelty shames caring people. And Labor, the "caring" party, will fall in.
Mick Webster, Chiltern
Melbourne
Remember, Robert Doyle, the Queen Vic Market isn't broken. Please don't break it.
Rod Watson, Brighton East
Prayers for the safety of the Melbourne Cup jockeys? I pray for the safety of the horses.
Valerie Seal, Fitzroy North
Has anyone else noticed that many cars don't stop at tram stops?
Steve Haylock, Mount Waverley