To Westpac chairman, Lindsay Maxsted, let me say "Welcome to the real world" (Bank tax will set 'a terrible precedent'..."May 13-14). When he complains that – and I quote him in full so that there can be no misunderstandings – "So what is the basis here? An alleged capacity to pay, so the more successful you are, the more you grow, the more people you employ, the more that I can randomly tax you because you are seen to be successful. That doesn't seem to be very good policy". Well golly gee, Mr Chairman: take a good look around you, get your bloated self out of that ivory tower in Kent Street and try to understand how PAYE tax works. The more you are paid – hence the more "successful" you are seen to be – the more tax you pay. I don't know the official name for this "not very good policy" is but I know it as tiered tax brackets; it's when you earn more than a set amount, you pay more of a percentage of your earnings as tax. And this person is the chairman of our second-largest bank who is apparently unaware, ignorant even, of this fundamental policy, which has been around seemingly forever. Poor Westpac, as Australia's oldest public company it deserves better.
Brian Pymont Frenchs Forest
![Illustration: Cathy Wilcox](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/h/l/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw4iry.png/1494809103181.jpg)
Bank executive are increasing bank profits and boosting their bonuses by sacking staff, reducing services and gouging customers, according to Darcy Hardy, while Jim Henderson bemoans the privatising of the Commonwealth Bank, which once provided a human face to banking and a stabilising influence upon the privately owned banks (Letters, May 13-14). Meanwhile customers are bemoaning the exorbitant and still-rising cost of electricity, which has more to do with the bizarre electricity "market", where numerous private companies own bits and pieces of the publicly constructed electricity generation and distribution network, than the cost of gas. Why, oh why, did governments get out of providing basic community services?
Ian Falconer Turramurra
![Australian Banking Association CEO Anna Bligh.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/k/3/6/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw4iry.png/1494760155059.jpg)
An entitled attitude
What fruit is borne of the coupling of entitlement and individualism? Look no further than one Elizabeth Farrelly ("You can't cross a picket line you were never behind", May 13-14). Among her justifications for refusing to support her striking Fairfax colleagues was the extraordinary complaint that – despite proudly refusing to join during nearly 30 years writing for the SMH – she had "never once had a murmur from the union" when she suffered a pay cut. Imagine that, an organisation not helping someone who actively refuses to join it. Ms Farrelly should remember that while acting as an individual is a choice, only the truly entitled refuse to accept that it comes with a price.
Tim Vollmer Kingswood
Elizabeth Farrelly says she believes in the common good but more than belief is needed. Unions have provided the action that is necessary to achieve the common good. Unions saved The Rocks and other treasures that Elizabeth's words have lyrically and passionately defended. Ask the ladies who sought the help of Jack Mundey, what saved Kelly's Bush. I might not boycott Elizabeth's column but her words that once enthused me about saving Sydney's common goods will now have lost something.
![Former BLF boss and green ban man Jack Mundey being carried from a protest at The Rocks in the early seventies.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/4/q/t/9/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw4iry.png/1494760155059.jpg)
Reg Wilding Wollongong
As a Herald letter-writer I "went on strike" in solidarity with Fairfax journalists and editors. But I wish to thank Elizabeth Farrelly for another level-headed, pertinent and well-argued piece in the service of a constant greater than us all.
![One of the reasons drone rules were relaxed is that CASA simply cannot monitor every privately operated drone.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/t/c/i/b/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gw4iry.png/1494760155059.jpg)
Meredith Williams Dee Why
City's heart crushed by political and personal greed
I live in Coogee. Last year my neighbour's house increased in value by $206,000, the Coogee average. He paid no tax on this amount.
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: 'Former Australian of The Year' finalist Eman Sharobeem arrives at the ICAC offices where ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/3/9/q/9/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gw4iry.png/1494760155059.jpg)
In the same period, my net income was $180,000. I am now to pay tax of $89,100 on that amount, leaving me with $90,900.
Is there anyone yet to grasp the enormity of this inequity? I work full time, for $89,100. My neighbour does absolutely nothing, and receives $206,000.
!['Fake news': Gerry Harvey slams talk of a recession in retail.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170517092803im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/3/e/y/4/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gw4iry.png/1494760155059.jpg)
No, it is not supply and demand ("Billion-dollar windfall for Berejiklian", May 13-14). No, it is not his better management. No, it is not free-market forces. It is a government with only one source of income forcing those who do not own homes to pay enormous sums of money to those who do own homes.
The consequences to society of such an assault by its government upon a significant portion of its citizens cannot be over-estimated. Those consequences are yet to be reaped in full, but they will be.
Traumatised by this deliberate stealing from the poor to give to the rich are the 32 per cent of people who rent, anyone under the age of 30 who will never own a house, the tradespeople and front-line services forced to live on the outskirts of the city, the unemployed, under-employed, the single mothers and the middle-class income earners who can barely meet their exorbitant rents.
The NSW and federal governments have turned one of the great cities of the world into a merciless financial instrument, with the greed and distorted entitlement which that guarantees. The heart of this great city is being crushed underneath the weight of political and personal greed. Soon it will only be occupied by those who benefit from, and encourage, this rape and pillage of the other 32 per cent of its citizens.
John Harrison Coogee
Community should have a say
That Inner West Council apparently sees "merit" in more complying development against which local residents and councils cannot object would indeed most likely lead to "considerable community dissatisfaction" ("Councils marshal against cookie cutters", SMH, May 13 2017).
Let us perhaps start the dissatisfaction with the fact that this "merit" may have been found by the leadership of a council appointed by the state government rather than elected by the people. Who do they speak for?
Then let's go to the forthcoming local government elections the state government is kindly allowing us to have in September (a year late).
What will be left for councils to decide when everything it seems has been decided by the state government? No doubt developers think this is a marvellous situation, but one may wonder then who do governments govern for? Is is the developers, or is it just possible the community should have a say.
Colin Hesse Marrickville
Can the centre hold?
Peter Hartcher raises an interesting point about populism in his analysis of Malcolm Turnbull's budget ("A budget designed to fend off Trumpism", May 13-14). If indeed the Coalition is seen as 'Labor-lite', how will that affect the major parties?
Cory Bernardi has already folded his tent and set up elsewhere; will Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz and like-minded cronies be far behind? The advent of Emmanuel Macron as a centrist in France does not augur well for the Coalition.
There, many conservatives have moved far to the right with Marine le Pen while here, the Pauline Hanson Party and Family First attract the more disaffected to their ranks. Interesting times, indeed.
Nola Tucker Kiama
The dangers of automation
Reading in tandem the two articles in Saturday's Herald ("The untold story of QF72: What happens when 'psycho' automation leaves pilots powerless?'", May 13-14) and ("Massive international cyber attack hits computers across Europe, Asia and Russia" May 13-14), the next question to ask is: how safe from such attacks would be the proposed driverless trains for the North West Link and "revamped" Bankstown Line?
Could the situation occur where trains loaded with passengers (or "customers") are stalled between stations in a tunnel with no way to move them?
You have to wonder if automation can go too far.
Bruce Stafford Tascott
Sharobeem not credible
Are Eman Sharobeem's incredible denials of wrongdoing, in spite of clear evidence to the contrary ("The handyman, the honeymoon and the $9000 bill", May 13-14), an example of the power of 'saving face'? If so, long live honesty and straight talking.
Heather Johnson West Pennant Hills
Human fetuses are not cattle
I won't spend time grieving over the killing of calves, Jenny Moxham (Letters, May 13-14), provided it is done in a humane way. But we should grieve over the thousands of babies aborted every year and the subsequent pain and regret many women feel years later for having denied the baby they once carried the chance of life.
Nan Howard Camden
Something wrong with this picture
Looking at the picture of the construction worker in ("Stamp duty windfall hits record levels as Berejiklian tackles crisis", May 13-14) I hope he has regular skin cancer check-ups. He has his broad-brimmed hat, but the singlet should be replaced by a long-sleeve cotton shirt, and don't forget the sunscreen and water. Maybe the Cancer Council and Worksafe NSW could use this as advertising on "What's wrong with this picture".
Robert Pallister Punchbowl
Drones should be registered
As the news of pesky drones invading our privacy and nearly causing accidents ("Driver warns of drones after one hits his car", May 12) I wonder at the difficulty in solving this problem. It is 2017, isn't it? Is there nothing to link the purchase of a drone to the customer?
Can there not be a simple registration, as per mobile phones? As per our pets? A visible number and a magnetic chip? Then again, MH370 is still missing, so maybe the answer is no.
Diane Prior Northbridge
Abuse not acceptable
Henk Verhoeven (Letters, May 13-14) seems to not understand the definition of freedom of speech. Alan Joyce has a right to speak out on any issue, especially a civil rights issue that impacts negatively on him and his family. Henk also has a right to speak out an any issue but he has no right to verbally abuse, harass or intimidate women attending abortion clinics.
They do not equate to the same thing and Henk should educate himself on the difference.
Brendan Crotty Lorne
Rules of dress sense
Plastered prominently on page three of The Herald's Business section is a photo of Gerry Harvey wearing a bright blue check shirt with a red striped tie which sent shivers up my spine. ("Recession is 'fake news' says Harvey", May 13-14).
Even though I've been retired from the shirt trade for over 20 years I am still very offended to see some of our top business leaders ignoring a very simple basic rule of dress sense. And that is: When wearing a fancy shirt (stripe, check or print) always wear a plain tie. If you want to wear a fancy tie you must wear a plain shirt ... much more soothing to the eye.
I would have thought some of the many people in his organisation would have told him that.
Morris Argy Lane Cove
Abortion clinic picket abuse of freedom
Just like Alan Joyce and Henk Verhoeven (Letters, May 12) I too worry about our right to freedom of speech
With the right to freedom of speech we should also take on the responsibility of making sure that we express ourselves in the appropriate forum and in a dignified manner.
As an atheist I have strong reservations about the teachings and practices of many organised religions. But I would have a big problem with picketing regular church, mosque or temple-goers at their place of worship. I would see such an act as provocative.
Similarly, I acknowledge Mr Verhoeven's right to have a different view on abortion to me and his right to be able to express his opinion. However, his desire to picket abortion clinics and approach women who attend them is not a case for freedom of speech. It is plain and simple a desire to harass women who have likely struggled to a difficult decision and to force his narrow world view on others while they are vulnerable.
Paul Gittings Lilyfield
Pack bags face music
I am pleased to see that Cardinal Pell is now well enough to not only travel internationally, but to also manage his own baggage! Could the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse please be reopened so that he can face the music at home, in front of those who suffered.
Bronwyn Scott Croydon