When a fatwa was issued on the life of Salman Rushdie for blaspheming against Muslims (following the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses), he was threatened, hounded and harassed for many years. I, along with other Australians, was shocked and saw it as an act of religious extremism in stark contrast with our Western values of tolerance and freedom of speech. Now, 30 years later, I am again shocked by the harsh and threatening responses of several politicians towards Yassmin Abdel-Magied for her Facebook post on Anzac Day – "Lest we forget (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine)".
Nationals MP George Christensen tweeted: "Yassmin should no longer (be) on the public broadcaster's tax-funded payroll. Self-deportation should also be considered." Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce warned that the ABC might have its funding reviewed because of this issue and said, "You can't just sweep it under the carpet". What, in principle, are the differences between these two events?
![Illustration: Jim Pavlidis](/web/20170509035736im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/u/1/e/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvtcs4.png/1493305552114.jpg)
Sandra Peeters, Ventnor
A vicious attack by elderly, white men
As the daughter of a World War II soldier, I am unable to understand the objections to Yassmin Abdel-Magied's post. Judging from the reactions of Liberals such as Eric Abetz, it seems the post provided opportunities for: elderly white males to criticise a young, non-Anglo female; use it as a vehicle to criticise the ABC, so hated by right-wing politicians; and distract from acknowledging the terrible treatment of refugees and Australia's responsibility, jointly with the United States, for the catastrophes in the Middle East. I do not imagine there will ever be acknowledgement that refugees are the product of actions taken by John Howard and George Bush, and, therefore, it is our responsibility to treat them humanely.
Maureen Peck, White Hills
Highlighting the atrocity of all wars
I am disgusted at the level of abuse, indignation and hypocrisy directed towards Yassmin Abdel-Magied over her supposed "hijacking" of Anzac Day. I fail to see how her post was offensive to anyone. All she did was draw attention to other victims of war and our shameful treatment of refugees. She was not disrespecting our Diggers in any way. She has since apologised and withdrawn her post. Why should she have to have done this?
What is wrong with drawing attention to the atrocity of war in any part of the world? Sadly, I know the answer. It is another excuse by the conservative right to "Muslim bash", which feeds into their divisive agenda just as Donald Trump fed, played and divided for his racist agenda. I am guessing that those who are most outraged also had an issue with Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and defended the right to freedom of speech.
Daughn McGuinness, Forest Hill
No one can dictate the meaning of words
My sign for the recent Palm Sunday rally for refugees had three words: Lest we forget. I had no idea this phrase was copyrighted. Is it? For me, it conveyed succinctly the messages that I wanted to send: let us not forget the children on Nauru: my fear of the rising nationalism that my father fought against in World War II; and a reminder that Peter Dutton and Malcolm Turnbull represent us and we need to let them know what we think.
This country's conservative right cannot dictate to us the meaning of words. My grandchildren will interpret those three words – Lest we forget – in the context of their own lives and, just maybe, with some consideration of what their great-grandparents fought for all those years ago. How will the children on Nauru interpret them when finally they are free?
Margaret Maguire, Coburg
THE FORUM
Double-edged sword
The hysterical cries from those who defend the content of Yassmin Abdel-Magied's Facebook post miss one point: free speech has consequences. Friends support you, some people distance themselves and, when done in a public forum, some people even have the unmitigated gall to criticise your contemptuous and hateful remarks while exercising their freedom to speak out. Oh, the humanity.
Juan Dominguez, Lysterfield
Matter of respect
There is essentially nothing wrong with what Yassmin Abdel-Magied posted. In fact, I agree with it. As they say though, timing is everything and her 15 minutes of fame was done at the poorest of opportunities. Just a little respect, Ms Abdel-Magied, otherwise where would we be?
Michael Carver, Glen Iris
Land of opportunity
I am coming increasingly disillusioned with hearing criticism of Australian values. We emigrated here with our three children more than 40years ago. We arrived without much money, but with a good education and a determination to work hard and make a good life. And what did we find? A country that welcomed us and gave us the opportunity to do just that. People were helpful and friendly when they realised we were here not to take or to criticise Australia, but to contribute as much as we could. This is how it should be. The world has changed since the 1970s and Australia with it, but people should count themselves lucky to live here. We do.
Jean Higgins, Mornington
My NBN nightmare
Welcome to the new world. The National Broad Network is here. We will disconnect your phone at the appointed date and you will have to pay somebody to reconnect it. If it is not working, it is your fault: either you have screwed up the connections or your equipment is out off date.
Telephone Telstra's office in India: no help. Go to a Telstra retail outlet and are told, "We are not technically qualified to assist, maybe your equipment is out of date". Get a new phone and more problems. Five days, hundreds of dollars spent and still no service. Is this what Australian technology has become?
Stan Cholaj, Beaumaris
Talking about rape
There has been much outrage about the graphic representation and glorification of teenager Hannah Baker's suicide in the TV series 13 Reasons Why (Comment, 26/4). While the show has been criticised for this, there has been little media attention on one of its darkest undertones – rape. 13 Reasons Why seamlessly sends important messages about consent that young adults should be talking about.
As a year 12 student, I believe schools should screen relevant episodes as part of their personal development programs. This would provide a springboard for discussion about how individuals behave and their impact on others.
Sarah Hearn, Glen Iris
Trust them? No way.
During Ireland's potato famine in the 19th century, absentee landlords exported food crops for profit while the locals starved. There was no shortage of food, just more profit to be made elsewhere. Now in Australia, gas companies (often owned by overseas interests) are doing the same thing with gas supplies (The Age, 27/4).
So where is this "corporate social responsibility" they keep talking about, given that the Prime Minister has promised tough new export restrictions on east coast suppliers? It is probably in the same place as the corporate social responsibility of the finance sector that has made it clear "a royal commission is not needed, we can self-regulate".
Richard Jamonts, Williamstown
Take a tough stance
What exactly is Prime Minister's "cheap gas plan"? He has had meetings with the gas companies, in which he asked for remedies for the domestic shortfall in supply and price spikes during peak periods, and been "underwhelmed" by their efforts.
He also warned gas industry chiefs in March that he was prepared to invoke the "enormous powers" the Commonwealth has in controlling exports. Does this power equate to the proverbial wet lettuce leaf? In the meantime, domestic consumers and businesses will wait until mid-winter to see if there is a supply shortfall. And there is more blame on the states to allow access to more onshore gas. Malcolm Turnbull will be enjoying his solar rooftop and batteries.
Beverley McIntyre, Camberwell
Aussies are the losers
What a strange title, the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax. I rent an apartment. When I leave, the owner still has an apartment. It is an ongoing, appreciating asset. But when the foreign-owned companies have finished "renting" Australia's gas reserves and leave these shores, there will be little gas left. And apparently the vast amount of profits made will also have gone with them.
Andrew Moffat, Williamstown
Prone to non-truths
It has been confirmed that Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has been diagnosed with "loose factual tongue disease". It is often seen in politicians who need to have the facts match their political need, regardless of the actual truth. The side effect of this disease is fake news.
Jane Cheong, Elwood
Towards disarmament
Provocation by the US with nuclear-armed carriers in Korean waters and threat of pre-emptive action may well drive an unpredictable Kim Jong-un into using his nuclear weapons or smuggling them out to a terrorist group. There is no alternative to diplomacy and soft power, since the stakes are far too high.
While coercing other nations to be non-nuclear, the US has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in upgrading its nuclear arsenal. Complete nuclear disarmament seems feasible if we look at how the US' laudable decision in the early 1970s to give up biological weapons led to a convention banning their use. The least the big nuclear powers can do today is halt further development and deployment of nuclear weapons and reduce their arsenals in exchange for non-proliferation by smaller nuclear nations. Australia should facilitate this and not join hands with the US in sabre-rattling.
Trichur Vidyasagar, Kew East
Is it more of the same?
Malcolm Turnbull spent Anzac Day in the Middle East, fulsomely praising the efforts of our soldiers there. Meanwhile, Bill Shorten was in Papua New Guinea doing his best to honour our World War II heroes. However, there was no sign of either gentlemen last June when the mortal remains of 20 Vietnam War Diggers were delivered to Richmond Air Base during a moving service. Have we witnessed, this Anzac Day, a change of heart with these two politicians, or is it more hypocrisy, cynicism and insincerity?
Mick Phillips, West Brunswick
A plea for leadership
Malcolm Turnbull appears in the media, dressed to the nines in military regalia (The Age, 26/4). What a shame he will not pose, knee-deep, in the ocean on a drowning Pacific Island, ornext to a pile of rubble from a demolished coal power station, or proudly next to a large-scale battery in South Australia. These locations could be spun to advertise an awareness of climate change. But Mr Turnbull is, effectively, a climate change denier because he thinks he would be deposed if he admitted that action was sorely needed. What a shame we have a poseur as our leader in these testing times.
Jill Dumsday, Ashburton
Masters of mangling
At last some good news: Channel Nine has been urged to axe the cricket broadcasts (The Age, 26/4). Hooray. We will then be spared the rambling commentary of boastful backslapping and the mangling of the English language. Gems such as, "he hit the ball laconically" and "Test cricket is quite well renumerated these days". How I won't miss them.
Rob Willis, Wheelers Hill
Protect the elderly
The Aged Care Complaints Commissioner's call for transparency from providers (The Age, 26/4) is most welcome. However, the complaints scheme limps along on a softly-softly, mediation model after the focus on investigation was removed by parliament in 2011. Penalties are unheard of. Compounding the weakness are the Aged Care Act's "protected information" clauses. Providers can hide behind this to limit transparency and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency regulator is able to keep secret the crucial reports on its unannounced audits. The Law Reform Commission has recommended mandatory reporting of incidents but not of identifying offenders or imposing penalties. For success, the complaints commissioner will need help from Federal Parliament. Given its track record, that seems unlikely.
Carol Williams, Elder Care Watch, Blackburn
Bring back the master
In view of the Australian Olympic Committee drama, I am surprised nobody has suggested resurrecting the man who knows more about Australian and international Olympic wheeling and dealing than most others: Kevan Gosper.
Patrick Lyons, Melbourne
AND ANOTHER THING
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Politics
MPs voting on the requirement that citizenship applicants must achieve a Band 6.0 proficiency in English should have to achieve a 7.0.
Roger Connell, Chelsea Heights
Is Trump meeting Turnbull our "just desserts"? The fruitcake and the souffle.
Steve Skurnik, Bentleigh
If violent offenders are held in the same detention facility, isn't there a risk of creating a new violent gang?
Maurice Morgan, Balwyn
The world is in another nasty mess. Perhaps World War III will fix it.
Paul Drakeford, Kew
Peter, tell us about the Manus incident. We promise not to tell anyone.
Lawry Mahon, Port Fairy
Abdel-Magied's post was disgraceful. Let's hope everyone realises she is unAustralian and we see less of her in the media.
Paul Sheehan, Port Melbourne
Economics
If Mick Gatto pays less than a third of his tax bill, can we do the same? No wonder our infrastructure and public services are underfunded.
Peta Colebatch, Swan Reach
Releasing more land will help house affordability – but perhaps not in Toorak, Brighton, Kew etc.
John Groom, Bentleigh
The answer to housing affordability? End foreign non-resident ownership.
Lindsay Donahoo, Wattle Glen
Australian values: multinational gas companies don't pay royalties and taxes.
Scott Ramsay, Strathdale
Sport
Coates and Tancred have reached their use-by dates.
Christine Hammett, Richmond
Will a meldonium-free Sharapova reduce the volume of her screeches and grunts?
John Bastiras, Elsternwick
Australia will surely be favourite for a gold medal in bullying .
Bryan Fraser, St Kilda