Comment

Letters to the Editor

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Advance Australia Not So Fair

I'm wondering which of our current values Andrew Laming thinks we should sing about ("MP calls for new national anthem verse to reflect values", April 26). It might be hard to wax lyrical about our treatment of asylum seekers, the reduction in foreign aid or the growing divide between rich and poor, for example. We could sing the praises of patients forgoing good healthcare so as to fund tax cuts to big business and the massive increase in defence spending. The last line could be one of hope for a future, where all politicians are actually honourable and trustworthy; although that might be getting into the realm of flying pigs. Graham Lum North Rocks

Pollies' self-interest over property prices

Illustration by Cathy Wilcox.

By now it must be evident to everyone that our democracy has failed, given that our nation's politicians are incapable of addressing the housing affordability crisis by virtue of their monstrous conflict of interest ("Houses of Parliament: MPs on top in property game", April 22-23). That these very same real estate speculators have the effrontery to lecture Australians on what our nation's values should be is not only the height of conceit, but damning evidence of their collective sophistry. If ever the phrase "a pox on all your houses" was appropriate, this is surely the time.

Pignominy risked

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Surely experiments in burying pigs could have taken place in a remote location rather than risk upsetting some with a present or future connection with burials at Rookwood.

My mate represents the best of Aussies values, and he's house trained too

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I think my best mate ticks all the boxes for what represents Australian values ("Australian values testing starts at home", Letters, April 21). He was born in the outer western suburbs of Sydney, with a working class background going back many generations. He is passionate about all water and ball sports, fiercely loyal to friends and family, and loves a barbie.

Australian values testing starts at home

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis

I was born in Australia, as were my parents and their parents before them. When my grandfathers fought in World War II, I suspect they did so at least partially in defence of a clearly understood set of Australian values. These were the same values I was taught at home and at school. 

Well-travelled Millennials failing to save

Illustration: Ron Tandberg

So it seems the real problem with housing affordability is that the Millennials' parents are selfish and vote for the wrong side of politics ("Locked out: Nation in grips of housing affordability crisis" April 17). Codswallop!

Qatar shows way

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The Australian public is not being fairly compensated for the extraction of a finite resource, which is being depleted while corporations are making huge profits.

Young Nats ignite a tremble in the vacuum

SMH Letters

The Turnbull government must be shaking in its shoes on hearing that the Young Nationals, through their support for a carbon trading scheme, are now effectively backing renewables.  ("Young Nationals back emission trading scheme", April 11). The policy vacuum in Canberra is becoming clearer by the day: no recognition that "black coal Morrison" and friends' promotion of coal to India is out of step with India's move to cleaner energy; fearfully tiptoeing away from previously toying with the idea of an emissions intensity scheme for energy generators; sidling away from Labor's policy on negative gearing; floundering around trying to find budget savings – "Is Abbott's work for the dole scheme fit to ditch?" Oh yes, "Policy Vacuum" is the new normal in the conservative realm – just take a look at the US!

A loving last act

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How sad to read of the thousands of unclaimed boxes of remains stored at crematoriums and funeral homes ("Dust to dust: ashes of loved ones remain", April 2).

Attitude to Assad is as chilling as the acts

Illustration: Alan Moir

"Quite frankly there are worse people and you simply don't know what you'd get if he were to be replaced," is as chilling a thought as the actual release of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.

No need to lie when half a truth will do

SMH Letters

While Coalition politicians repeat the mantra that Australia has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, Australian "mum and dad" investors are enjoying an effective corporate tax rate of zero, due to dividend imputation. This is obviously the lowest in the world.