It is reassuring to find that decency and compassion are alive and well in Victoria ('State to help asylum seekers in dire straits', The Age, 9/9). The 400 people brought here from detention on medical grounds, are only a fraction of others in dire straits who are probably mentally damaged for life, as a result of treatment meted out and sanctioned by Peter Dutton and others.
Claire Nailer, East Doncaster
![Illustration: Matt Golding.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170912063000im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/e/g/v/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyefhh.png/1505087187524.jpg)
If we can feed them, we can let them stay
When I read the details of what would be offered to the asylum seekers and compared it to the Liberal government's inhumane policies, I was overjoyed; that is, until I read that he was not prepared "to stand by and let these families starve while they wait to leave Australia". Surely the Premier is not putting in place his support package as only a temporary measure, so the asylum seekers "don't starve on the streets"? This is the perfect time for a decision to let them stay, for the Labor Party to have the courage and vision to see it's the right thing to do.
Lilli Lipa, Ashburton
It's a good move, but it's also a sweetener
The government's providing of $600,000 for asylum seekers seems more like a political sweetener than an act of kindness.
The government refuses to release the critical review of traffic predictions for the West Gate Tunnel despite Daniel Andrews criticising the Napthine government for doing the same thing with East West Link traffic predictions.
In addition, despite Andrews' promise to "rebuild TAFE" the Victorian TAFE industry has turned its back on the government after it sought to increase the workload of its teachers by 20 per cent, expand their hours without penalty rates and continue hard-balling the Australian Education Union in negotiations.
These are crucial issues, but instead of tackling them, the government has sought to shift attention by throwing a mere $600,000 at asylum seekers. While I believe the funding is money well-spent, it reeks of Andrews playing politics and using asylum seekers as his "get out of jail free"card.
Max Resic, Brunswick
Heartened to be a Victorian
Daniel Andrews and the Victorian government have made a principled stand. I have felt sullied and diminished by the increasing persecution of refugees by Mr Dutton et al in my name and in the name of every citizen of this country.
This hapless group of people have done nothing wrong or illegal, but simply seek our protection.
I am ashamed to be an Australian at this point in time, but I am very heartened to be a Victorian.
Ruja Varon, Malvern
Can this really be how most feel?
Now that the asylum-seeker tragedy has dragged out as long as it has, I am reluctantly and sadly coming to the conclusion that the cruel and vindictive treatment of them from both sides of politics can only be because this is how the majority of Australian voters feel they deserve to be treated.
Anthony Hitchman, St Andrews
Appearing tough is not a virtue
The human suffering of asylum seekers and the financial costs mean nothing to politicians while "appearing tough" is considered a political virtue.
Kate Kennedy, Coburg
FORUM
Every day a victory
Since my own diagnosis at age 59 with an aggressive prostate cancer in 2009, I have been struck by the formulation that upon dying someone "has lost their battle with cancer". Connie Johnson's brave approach to creating hope and funding research for cancer sufferers has crystallised for me the inappropriateness of this phrase. Her capacity to live to the fullest through her various cancer diagnoses is testament to a victory, not to a lost battle. She lived with cancer and she achieved a great deal in her shortlife.
People often live more fully when diagnosed with an incurable disease. My specialist told me that my treatments would prevent me from working again. Since the diagnosis I have worked almost full-time, including 20 arduous work-related overseas trips; obtained a master's degree in counselling and started dance classes.
Connie Johnson might have died, but every day she won her battle. At the end of the day, the battle we wage is with ourselves, to live life as fully as possible, despite the adversity that we encounter in life.
Roger Frankel, Kew
No protection
I am weary of people like Eric Abetz arguing that heterosexual marriage protects women and children. Is he aware of the number of women who are killed by their partners each week/year, the number of children abused in these unions? Does he know what the statistics are for marriages lasting beyond 10 years? Please, don't insult us with platitudes about how necessary it is to guard this institution at the exclusion of all others. Any relationship needs work. Sexual orientation doesn't change that.
Dianne Powell, Fairfield
Wrong, just wrong
Wolfgang and Nigel are voting "no" for the children (Letters, 9/9).
Sorry guys but you are answering the wrong question. Children will continue to grow up in all different sorts of families regardless of how we define marriage. Not changing the Marriage Act will just mean that less children grow up in a family where their parents are married. It won't change who their parents actually are.
Allison Christians, Footscray
Sky won't fall
I support freedom of religion and access to marriage for those brave enough to publicly avow their love. In our secular, pluralist culture no religion has the right to tell others how to live. Civil marriage is a civil matter.
We agnostics are sick of religionists telling us what to do.
Relax archbishops and ex-PMs, the sky won't fall on your heads.
David Mackay, Macleod
Positive results
We are asked to say "no" to protect children from same-sex parents as if it is not already happening. Some people seem to not understand that children have already been, and continue to be, successfully raised in unmarried same-sex parent families for many years. The only effect on these children of "allowing" marriage will be positive – or do we continue to tell them there is something wrong with their life? It seems to me that it is the "no" choice that continues some form of stigma on the very children they say they are protecting.
Keith Wilson, Rye
Change the date
Our political leaders argue stridently that Australia Day unites Australians, while ignoring the fact that its present date excludes some of our fellow citizens. It doesn't take much imagination to see why some don't have much to celebrate on January 26, but if you need an empathy infusion, go and see the marvellous Bangarra Dance Theatre's Bennelong.
A reader suggested September 1 as an alternative date – a non-controversial, optimistic time of year. Why not just change the date? It would reinforce our style of democracy and our desire for an inclusive society, where the majority rules but the needs of minorities are respected. Who would lose by changing the date of Australia Day?
Chris Pearson, St Kilda East
Cost of gambling
An eloquent, heartfelt article from Michael Bird ('Gambling reform could save families', The Age, 9/9.
Dr Bird marshalled a telling argument against the terrible costs of gambling addiction to society. It threw light on the power of the gambling lobby and its insidious impact on our polity and family life. It was a compassionate plea for government reform informed by personal experience from childhood of the devastation gambling addiction can cause. We tolerate this situation at our peril.
Carolyn Ilsley, Brunswick East
Pavement speedsters
Following the article ('Speed row hits the footpath', The Age, 9/9) regarding the possibility of speed limits for mobility vehicles and payments, I'd be highly supportive. I work on Station Street, Fairfield, where we have a couple of hoons in such vehicles who move down the pavements, often at inappropriate speeds. People coming out of shops have little time to take evasive action. The vehicles do seem to stop quickly but the drivers need good reaction times, which isn't always the case. I reckon that 6 km/h is too fast on a pavement. Even a pedestrian walking at 6 km/h could be a liability on a busy pavement let alone an electric vehicle with a passenger.
Richard Speight, Heidelberg
Just ignore him
In 1914, self-important, flag-waving, jingoistic, war-mongering old men led millions to a meaningless death. We must not be so foolish as to repeat this fateful error. Kim Jong-un may be delusional and evil, who treats his people with contempt, but just so long as he plays with his weapons in North Korea, he is no threat to the rest of the world.
Surely, one day, the people of North Korea will see through his self-serving propaganda. Perhaps what he craves most is international notoriety and relevance; we should give him neither and we should stop this apparent slide into war.
Alan Whittaker, Kew East
Ill-suited to the task
What a pity Malcolm Turnbull's language doesn't match his elegant suits and general sartorial splendour. Describing the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as "so hopeless he couldn't find his backside with two hands" is decidedly more bargain basement than Savile Row.
Chris Palfreyman, Malvern
Well done, Victoria
The recent decision by the federal government to transfer some asylum seekers to final departure visas, cut off their income payments and force them to vacate their accommodation is further punishment and yet another attempt to force these people back to the offshore prison camps or back to the dangerous conditions they were originally attempting to escape.
The Andrews government is to be congratulated on its decision to assist these legitimate asylum seekers with funds, accommodation and case worker support. At last a spark of humanity in contrast to Peter Dutton's miserable morass of punishing cruelties.
Peter Meadley, Ballarat
Storm of evidence
John Vidovich (Letters, 9/9) suggests that the bumper snow season is "bad news" for climate alarmists. Really? Can I suggest that the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the Caribbean might be "bad" news for climate-change deniers but it's tragic for the residents affected.
Simon McInnes, Boolarra
Myanmar questions
If the leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, alleges that the Rohingya minority are not being persecuted, why does she not allow independent UN observers to enter the area? What has she got to hide?
David Ginsbourg, East Bentleigh
To be, or not, a town
San Remo is not a "hamlet" (The Age Commercial Real Estate 9/9).
With a permanent population of more than 1200, it has two pubs, two churches, a primary school, an Italian restaurant, two fish and chip shops, cafes, hairdressers, supermarket, bakeries, a butcher shop, post office/newsagency and fire station (thank you CFA).
Latterly, a sculpture of a pelican made, in part, from recycled cutlery, has taken up residence by the jetty; a hub of piscatorial activity. A memorial cairn on the foreshore honours professional fishermen lost at sea. The town also hosts its own Anzac and Remembrance Day commemorations.
And, when the long day is done, eternal rest can be had in a ruggedly beautiful hilltop cemetery with a stunning view!
Hamlet indeed.
Jane Ross, San Remo
History failure
I doubt if Peter Dutton has any sense of history ('Failing a test of decency, from Kisch to Dutton', The Age, 9/9). He might find out about the fascist movement if he did get around to history and how close he is to it.
Patricia Rayner, Somers
Raw emotion
Go Tigers!
Joe Garra, Werribee South
AND ANOTHER THING
The survey
Given that this $122 million survey is largely imposed on us by career politicians, I suggest a second question. "Should all elected politicians be limited to two terms at the trough?"
John Bye, Elwood
The fact that we need laws to prevent the survey from getting nasty, is proof enough that it's going to get nasty.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
Yes, please.
Toni Howell, Box Hill North
If two people, irrespective of their gender, yearn to marry, whose business is it but theirs? The law should allow them to do so and the rest of us should just butt out.
Ross Corben, Knoxfield
The vote you have when you're not having a vote, from the government you have when you're not having a government.
Scott Poynting, Newtown, NSW
Furthermore
Just as well the French didn't prevail, otherwise they may have conducted nuclear tests in the middle of our country.
George Migios, Box Hill
None of the countries involved in the dual citizenship bunfight has asked for the return of its citizens. Why?
Peter McNicol, Masefield
What is nature telling us all? It's a growing message we can't afford to ignore.
Stan Marks, Caulfield
"Wellbeing on the slide as gap between rich and poor widens", (The Age, 9/9). How will ScoMo explain this?
Phil Alexander, Eltham
The Roar is back!
Paul Murchison, Kingsbury
The Nationals have just voted for more hurricanes. How bizarre.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
Does Malcolm Turnbull seriously expect power suppliers to inform me how I can pay less?
Graeme Lee, Fitzroy