Foot in mouth Shorten a Labor election liability

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Foot in mouth Shorten a Labor election liability

Illustration: Alan Moir

Illustration: Alan Moir

David Crowe is probably right when he says that Bill Shorten's leadership will not be challenged as a result of his incredible gaffe on taxing small businesses ("Captain's call has Shorten all at sea'', June 29). However, this blunder, together with his ill-thought-out pronouncement of removing the refunds of imputed tax credits, demonstrate to the electorate that the man has a tendency to act before he thinks.

In the case of the removal of tax credits he did not consider the effect this policy would have on pensioners who relied on return of tax credits to boost their meagre incomes. Belatedly he gave exemption to those on Centrelink pensions, but he still has ignored thousands of self-funded retirees on small pensions who rely on such a boost to their incomes.

Many, probably many more than Labor realise, would lose more than 20 per cent of their incomes. That represents a large constituency who will not vote for the ALP in the next election. Combined with possibly disenfranchised small business owners, Shorten could be in for a considerable shock at election time. - Brian O'Donnell, Burradoo

Catherine McGregor's summation of the problems being faced by the Labor leadership is both incisive and depressing ("Albanese has laid bare his ambitions", June 29). Albo is obviously a good bloke with a sharp political mind but he will never be approved as an alternative PM by voters. As Shorten continues on his steady path to snatch defeat, the only chance Labor has of reversing the trend is a popular and competent Tanya Plibersek, possibly supported by an equally talented Penny Wong. As a team, they would walk in the next election.

So it was extremely dispiriting to read McGregor's statement that the right-wing Labor machine would never give these women the green light. Once again with Labor, narrow dogma trumps sweet reason; and it seems Australia will remain condemned to the dysfunction and one-eyed ideology of this Turnbull government. - Bert Candy, Glenvale (Qld)

Given that Albo was the popular choice in the last Labor leadership contest, it is apparent that he is neither inarticulate nor lacking in telegenic appeal, as McGregor suggested. His support for Souths shows he can handle the vicissitudes of any contest. - Maureen Moss, Beecroft

Given the rules of the Federal ALP have been amended, thereby making it harder to change the leader, perhaps voters will have to take matters into their own hands at the ballot box and make sure Bill Shorten is given the sack there. - Maureen King, Lane Cove

Shorten v Turnbull. A choice between an ex-union boss or a self-made man (Letters, June 29). Maybe. But also, a choice between an advocate for workers' rights or an ex-banker. - John Truman, St Leonards

Crimes of farce and injustice

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Is seems that telling the truth has become a crime ("Pair who exposed bugging of East Timor charged", June 29).

Julian Assange is now in his eighth year of detention - with no indication that our government will give him any protection. One of his crime's was to tell the truth and expose war crimes committed in Iraq.

Lawyer Bernard Collaery has been charged.

Lawyer Bernard Collaery has been charged.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Witness K and his lawyer now face criminal prosecution, because the truth about the Australian government's illegal actions in East Timor were revealed.

We have to ask ourselves the question: is this the path that leads to a Police State? - Nick Deane, Marrickville

Is this the rightful pursuit of justice when a government behaves unscrupulously and the people who act morally by exposing this inappropriate behaviour are charged?

National security was never on the line, just an attempt by a rich nation to take advantage of a poor nation when valuable resources were at stake. These men should be commended for exposing this questionable behaviour rather than charged. One is reminder of the adage, evil triumphs when good men do nothing. - Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt

So what are the charges? Ethical conduct? This was not a national security issue. The bugging was an illegal activity intended to gain an unfair advantage in negotiations with a vulnerable fledgling government and an agent with a conscience took it to the watchdog.

This is the kind of farce and injustice we generally associate with authoritarian regimes. - James Buckman, Enmore

I am not sure the public agrees with the government's definition of terrorism in this case, it looks more like state intimidation of critics. I weep for our dwindling Australian democracy. - Ailie Bruins, New Town (Tas)

And we have the hide to criticise China. - Paul Tocchini, Manly

A class team

I grew up in the1950s and remember how devastated I was when our John Landy was beaten by England's Roger Bannister over a mile (Letters, June 29).

As an Aussie, like all my schoolboy mates, we were in it to win it. Unlike some of the letter writers I'm proud of our Aussie soccer team and the way they played. They are a class team. They lack a Ronaldo (and who doesn't) and from what I see in the juniors around here we'll have one soon. - Anthony Horan, Campbelltown

How refreshing to read the expensive full-page apology from Optus in Friday's Herald. I'm eagerly looking forward to similar atonements from local, state and federal government, energy providers, the big four banks, franchise head offices, reality TV show producers, Cricket Australia and the Sydney Vivid organisers. I can provide a longer list if necessary. - Greg Cantori, Kareela

For one fleeting moment when I turned the first page, I thought I saw an apology to Australia from the Socceroos. - David Reid, Artarmon

More good journalists

Privatise the ABC? I don't think so. We need more journalists of the calibre of Liz Jackson, not fewer ("Walkley winning journalist dies", June 29). - John de Bres, Rose Bay

Sexism is reason for criticism of Zelic's pronunciations

Roqayah Chamseddine's opinion piece was illuminating and touching ("Zelic's pronunciations were not lost on me", June 29).

Long recognised as a doyen of rugby union commentary, Gordon Bray continues to make Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Argentine, Afrikaans, French, Italian, and even Irish, Scottish and Welsh players' names sound the way they would be pronounced in their home towns.

Mind you, Gordon had a great mentor; my father, Martin Royal, of ABC football commentary fame, during the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Lucy Zelic was unfairly abused for pronouncing players' names correctly.

Lucy Zelic, with Craig Foster, addresses criticism over her pronunciations.

Lucy Zelic, with Craig Foster, addresses criticism over her pronunciations.Credit: SBS

I know my dad was never abused because he insisted on pronouncing non-Anglo names correctly. And, as far as I know, neither was his protégé, Gordon Bray. Perhaps, sadly, that was and is because they are both males. - Andy Royal, Spring Terrace

Lucy Zelic has done a great job pronouncing names during the World Cup. This shows a healthy respect for other cultures.

While on this topic, could I ask Michael Tomalaris to take lessons in French pronunciation as we approach the Tour de France. He needs to make an effort to get it right. In previous years his pronunciation has not been up to scratch. - Gideon Goosen, Lapstone

I have one issue with Lucy Zelic. Who will delight me at 5.30pm each night once the World Cup is over? - Tony Nicod, Collaroy

I'm not convinced that mispronouncing names is a cultural thing. My third generation Australian surname is pronounced Karmen, Kirkmand or Keymin.

I wonder if this is a result of the common, but often undiagnosed hearing loss experienced by many people today. Coupled with the speed at which so many of us speak, some sounds are very difficult to interpret correctly. - Anne Kirman, Kellyville

Oh how I wish Lucy Zelic had been an announcer when I was a kid. I got sick of saying, "Just call me George." - George Manojlovic, Mangerton

Leyonhjelm debases free speech

David Leyonhjelm has just taken free speech to another level with his throwaway line ​towards Sarah Hanson-Young ("'Stop shagging men': Sarah Hanson-Young accuses David Leyonhjelm", smh.com.au, June 28). I think the old response, that if you continue on with this nasty way of talking I will wash your mouth out with soap is appropriate. - Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

Sarah Hanson-Young says David Leyonhjelm hurled sexist abuse at her during a debate on violence against women.

Sarah Hanson-Young says David Leyonhjelm hurled sexist abuse at her during a debate on violence against women.Credit: Fairfax Media

Police bias lets murderers off

In his piece about the multiple murders of gay men in Sydney during the 1980s, Nicholas Stewart states that, "the homophobic bias within parts of the NSW Police Force meant matters weren't adequately investigated" (''Murderers are still walking among us", June 28) .

I've recently been listening to local true crime podcasts concerning this very same era. One centres on the death and likely murder of an Aboriginal lad in Tamworth, and the other canvasses the disappearance and probable murder of a northern beaches nurse.

Just as in the cases of the gay killings throughout the eastern suburbs, the inference has been that police bias resulted in hopelessly substandard investigations.

So if NSW police back during the 1980s weren't interested in cases involving gay, Indigenous or middle-class female victims, what exactly were they doing with their time? - Andrew Stark, East Gosford

Hypocrisy is toxic

Is it irony or hypocrisy that Australia can't seem to ban the PFAS group of toxins on home soil, but can participate with the Hague's Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical weapons to prohibit the global spread of chemical weapons ("Minister passes the buck on toxins", June 29)? Just asking. - Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi

New gallery will destroy parkland needlessly

While it is heartening to read that philanthropic support has been pledged to fund a proposed new Sydney Modern Art Gallery, it is tragic that the intended site and design of the gallery are so intrusive and so destructive of our beloved Sydney Domain ("Art gallery receives philanthropic boost from million-dollar club", June 28). The new building is proposed to sprawl across precious landscaped public parkland adjacent to the existing gallery when there are far better options.

There is growing frustration among many well-informed citizens of our city who love both our gallery and our Domain about why their protests have been disregarded when, with sensitive relocation, our concerns could so readily be resolved. - Peter Webber, Neutral Bay

A stadium is for sport not beer

Andrew Webster almost nailed it about the need for a stadium knock down ("Crushing disappointment: Test farce showed Allianz just can't handle the strain", June 29).

The stadium, he writes, "...doesn't have enough point-of-sale outlets, not enough turnstiles, not enough toilets, not enough space to hold enough kegs of beer to ensure the bars don't run out before kick-off as some did on Saturday night."

Perhaps the reason people were held up was not the lack of turnstiles but their inability to use the ground properly. There might be nothing wrong with the stadium. If the managing trust had used some grey matter in the past, changes could have gradually been made to avoid these issues arising.

While no doubt tongue-in-cheek (one hopes), the last part of Andrew Webster's criticism does make it sound like the only reason to attend the stadium is for a pre-match drink and feed. No wonder the toilets have queues. - Robin Humphrey, Springwood

Minister shuns public over transport

I dare say Transport Minister Andrew Constance wouldn't be seen dead on public transport, except for photo opportunities ("Train prototype comes flush with features", June 28).

As a regular train traveller from Newcastle I would like him to explain why these trains aren't being manufactured in the Hunter instead of South Korea.

And perhaps he could also explain why, for well over three years, the Grand Concourse at Central Station has been without any restaurants, retail outlets and bars, except for a newsagency and a pop-up coffee stand that shuts at night. Not very grand. - Keith Parsons, Newcastle

Plastic alternatives

With all the attention being given to one-use plastic bags I can remember when they first came into use in the 50s when our mothers used to wash and hang them on the line to dry for re-use ("'It's been a challenge': Woolies capitulates on plastic bags", smh.com.au, June 29). They were regarded as a luxury. How the times have changed. - Nedra Orme, Neutral Bay

For those who need plastic or paper to dispose of food scraps, get a worm farm or compost bin (Letters, June 26). I've lived in my unit for 16 years and got a worm farm the week I moved in. I haven't thrown any food waste into the garbage bins in all that time. It's not that hard. - Pamela Irving, Narrabeen

In South Korea, almost all supermarkets offer free reusable carton boxes to carry their groceries. They also offer free sticky tape facilities to seal off boxes. But in Australia we are just a nation of whingers, not helpful ideas. - Mokhles K Sidden, South Strathfield

Heritage interpretation

Why all the fuss over the dodgy makeover of the 500-year-old Spanish statue ("Botched repair turns St George into Tintin", June 28)? Developers, and the NSW government, do this to our old buildings all the time. It is "heritage interpretation". - Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park

Postscript

Emboldened by reference to his letter in last week's Postscript, Ian Falconer of Turramurra has come up with another suggestion.

He is calling on Herald letter writers to stage a (bloodless) coup of the federal government.

"And we already have sufficient letter writers to form a cabinet," he says. He nominates the following regulars to take up portfolios: Peter Skrzynecki as Minister for the Arts, Robyn Dalziell as Minister for Women and Other Minorities, Nicholas Cowdery as Minister for Justice, Col Shephard as Minister for Sport, David Hill as Minister for Transport, and Joan Brown as Minister for Rural Affairs. He believes "regulars Janice Creenaune would make a marvellous Minister for Education, and Reverend Dr Vincent Zankin a compassionate Minister for Religion". We await further nominations.

Richard Woolcott of Potts Point was "outraged by the smug pomposity" displayed by John Balazs of Randwick last week, when he thanked the "kindly souls in the senate" for understanding how difficult it is to live on a combined income of $400,000.

John boasted the tax cuts would help him fly to Paris first class and consume 47 more bottles of expensive champagne. "Many citizens like me condemn drunkenness and shall not be laughing all the way to to the bank," Richard says.

Bruce Hulbert of Lilyfield was disappointed the Letters co-editor "considers some of her contributors to be nothing more than whingers and curmudgeons", while Henry Brender of Double Bay is calling for change: "Thirty-one letters today all negative. Doesn't anyone like anything?".

Similarly, Meredith Williams of Dee Why doesn't believe Curmudgeons' Corner to be a good idea. "It seems to me there is enough griping and competition on the Letters pages already. Any chance of an occasional section devoted to positives, gratitude and good news?"

Now there's an idea.

Pat Stringa, Letters co-editor

To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au

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