Vanstone’s ‘textbook’ bias taints defence of minister

Not once did Vanstone condemn the man whom Higgins claims raped her. He barely got a mention and his alleged criminal behaviour was treated as a mere by-product of the “heady mix” of factors in the “high-pressure” working lives of young political staffers. – Adrian Connelly, Springwood

Vanstone’s assessment feels cynical. Ms Higgins’ account of the heartless and premeditated methods used by her alleged attacker is ignored by Vanstone whose sympathies appear to lie only with Linda Reynolds. Describing Penny Wong’s response to Brittany Higgins as “a clever tactic” and “conspicuous compassion at its worst” is mind-blowing. How will we ever get out of this mess when an intelligent woman who has experienced this culture has this response? – Jennifer Harrison, Milsons Point

Vanstone’s veiled victim-blaming of Higgins and her strident defence of Reynolds actions is shameful. No mention of the alleged perpetrator. I can hardly contain my rage. – Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay

To suggest some fault on the part of the victim while ignoring the alleged perpetrator (who has apparently been identified by at least two other women) is an absolute travesty and an unfortunate hangover of past misogynistic views. – Pam Hawkins, Lakemba

A conviction rate of one in ten seems to be enough to convince Vanstone that “we have clear rules and a process to ascertain the facts” in cases of sexual assault? – Charmain Brinks, Newcastle

Illustration by John ShakespeareCredit:Sydney Morning Herald

Your editorial (“Leaders must call out harassment, listen to victims”, February 22) is timely, sound advice. Journalists who engage in reporting that is unkind and detrimental to victims could also be called out. A case in point is Vanstone’s article. Although her comments are sprinkled with seemingly appropriate observations, she ultimately comes down on the side of her political tribe, rather than the victim. – Harry Polley, Dural

I don’t often agree with Vanstone but her observation that she would rather not employ staff who used her office as Reynolds’ office was used is, sadly, only too pertinent. There is also the matter of security which must have been very lax if our national Parliament House allowed people to wander around at night. It seems the whole question of behaviour and expectations need to be overhauled and repaired if we are to have a government that we can trust to do the right thing. – Nola Tucker, Kiama

Vanstone has ironically answered her own query as to why Higgins may have chosen not to lay charges at the outset, ie the potential for being labelled a “possible powderkeg”. How much powder in the keg came from the perpetrator of the alleged rape? – Diana Learoyd, Artarmon

Of all the jabs against the PM, this one stings

Much as I disagree with Scott Morrison’s views on most things, I find it hard to criticise his decision to “have the first jab” of the COVID-19 vaccine (Letters, February 22). Honestly, we are becoming a nation of pathetic but vicious whingers who will attack him whatever he does or doesn’t do. The PM of a country has the first jab to show it’s safe and to ostensibly portray leadership which we say is mostly lacking (myself included). Let’s leave it at that this time. – Judy Finch, Cedar Party

Tough gig being a Prime Minister. You’re either criticised for jumping the queue or for failing to lead from the front. Personally, I’ve always thought a good leader leads by example. “Do as I do” is a lot more impressive than “Do as I say”. – Nick Westerink, Weetangera (ACT)

The PM’s early vaccination, like that of ministers and key political personnel, is justified. It will be a problem for the Coalition, however, if Jenny, the girls, family, friends and political donors are called forward in the queue. – Howard Charles, Glebe

Leadership does sometimes need to be upfront. I know several people, all good Australian citizens, who are reluctant to have the vaccine, but who have said: “I’ll have it once I see Scott Morrison taking it.” Now he has taken it, then they will take it, to everyone’s benefit. – Richard Griffiths, Allambie Heights

I suspect that those denouncing Morrison as queue jumping by being amongst the first to have the jab are the same people who would denounce him as failing to set the right example in the face of anti-vax hysteria if he had not. – Gary Ireland, Camden

The PM says (“Vaccine likely to reopen state borders”, February 22) “today is the beginning of a big game-changer” in relation to the rollout of the vaccine. I had no idea you can have a small game-changer. – Jack Dikian, Mosman

Reading of the wastage of a precious one dose out of six per vial of the Pfizer vaccine due to the government’s failure to order enough dead space syringes – necessary to fully utilise all doses in the vials – is disappointing to say the very least (“Syringe shortage to waste 7000 doses”, February 19). – Louise Dolan, Birchgrove

While I support those wanting the COVID-19 vaccine, I oppose “back-door” coercion through restrictions on travel, jobs and public events for those who abstain. We may well see the restrictions impinge on businesses’ bottom lines while abstainer-friendly companies and events flourish. – Diane Davie, Rose Bay

Double agenda on social housing

There’s the NSW Housing Minister, looking so serious, apparently thinking of all those poor people needing social housing (“Minister, council bicker over delays”, February 22). Perhaps the real thought bubble is about those poor developers, who’ve had a slack time lately. And why should Sydney City Council want them to think about such things as sustainability and social housing requirements – or even structural stability or sheer ugliness – when there is a “development spend of $2 billion” to be scooped up? – Donald Hawes, Peel

We read that the NSW government aims to build 341 social housing dwellings and replace 922 places that are no longer fit for purpose. That’s 1263 dwellings. The cost is said to be $2 billion. That translates into a cost per dwelling of $1,583,531. Can this be explained? – Tom Mangan, Woy Woy Bay

Co-ed, true education

The schools your correspondent mentions are single-sex schools (Letters, February 22). Therein lies the problem. All the teaching of respect within a classroom matters not if young people don’t get to put it into practice, under the guidance of teachers and openly in front of their peers. Single sex- schools do not reflect secular life and will only lead to anomalies of behaviour. It’s time to dispense with this outmoded tradition. – Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi

Good old co-educational public schools are the “School of Life”. They are places where young men and women can learn about each other in an incremental way. Recent reported behaviour from young men cooped up in an all-male environment would be soon slammed down by their female peers in a coed environment. Young men have a much better chance to learn respect when working and socialising in the same environment as fellow female students (and vice versa). – George Graham, Byron Bay

Cormann emissions

It seems that Mathias Cormann must have had a personal revelation as he was travelling around Europe and South America in the equivalent of his own private carrier, an air force jet, in pursuit of a top job in Europe ( “US should back Cormann bid: expert”, February 22). Suddenly he is an enthusiastic supporter of climate change policy. Pity about the carbon emissions. – Jan Boyd, Sylvania

If Cormann has a “credible plan to tackle climate change” he managed to keep it a secret during his entire political career here. – Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West

Vigilance saves village

Some suburbs have all the luck, eh? (“Birchgrove: The inner west suburb with harbourside charm”, Domain, February 20-21). Good management and constant fighting against overdevelopment more like. If it were not for the active vigilance of Birchgrove’s long-term residents’ insistence on heritage preservation and good town planning, the place would have been lost to many various spivs and developers who over the years have eyed off our former industrial sites, proposing to replace them with seas of characterless, over-scaled apartment buildings. Luck only goes so far. – Benjamin Rushton, Birchgrove

Danger to naitves

Barry Laing raises the rights of children in inner-west parks “people before pets” (Letters, February 22). Our native animals should also be given consideration. Many dog owners ignore the “on-leash” controls in Callan, Mort Bay and Ballast Point parks, despite there being an “off-leash” area in Mort Bay Park. The result is many native animals are killed or injured by dog attacks, requiring assistance from vets and wildlife organisations. – Lyn Fowler, Birchgrove

Shoot the messenger

In 2016, the state government vowed that it would be “business as usual” for residents in newly merged council areas. That’s certainly not the case for us unfortunates living in Georges River Council. Not only are we facing a hefty 5.8 per cent rates increase over five years but our council is preferring to play shoot the messenger over a leak to the media, rather than examine how developers were able to escape paying contributions amounting to $4 million (“Media leak to be investigated by watchdog”, February 22). – Peter Mahoney, Oatley

Beyond dollar value

I have been a volunteer with the Intellectual Disability Support Service for 15 years (“Disability advocates fear end of aid”, February 22). During that time, I have supported people with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system, and on matters related to the care and protection of young children. Not only do volunteers support the person with cognitive impairment, they also provide invaluable knowledge and assistance about their client to others involved in the legal process. From sheriffs to legal aid solicitors, magistrates and custody managers, our work in the courts and police stations of NSW is well-known and highly regarded. The clients I meet are extraordinary in so many ways, far too many struggling to survive a life that was in the making before they were even born. Unfortunately, the Attorney-General, who is currently evaluating a report on the Justice Advocacy Service, will be unable to calculate the value of the JAS in dollars because it is an invaluable resource to so many. – Elizabeth Starr, Abbotsford

Parramatta Plan B

There is a Plan B for Willow Grove. Keep it where it belongs, rather than spending a huge sum on the destructive proposal to move it brick by brick (Letters, February 22). Make it the place where museum visitors are introduced to Parramatta’s history. Retain more of St Georges Terrace than the facade, and make it the place where school groups are welcomed and debriefed, with rooms available for other uses outside school hours. Then demolish the office building between these two heritage sites, to open up sightlines and access from Phillip St. The government gave up on this option when the owners pulled out of negotiations. But hey, the government is very happy to buy up houses for facilities like carparks, so why not force the sale of this commercial building? – Debbie Rudder, Maroubra

We all scream …

Für Elise (Letters, February 22)? Didn’t Mr Whippy play Greensleeves? – Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

Richard Glover brought back so many memories (“A ding dong over home deliveries”, February 20-21). The most vivid was the arrival of the baker in his horse-drawn cart. With his basket over his arm, he would run to our front door, open the leather flap and the heavenly scent of recently baked bread would arise. The loaf was still warm and Mum would cut off the corner crusts for us kids. Bliss! – Joan Dalgleish, Ballina

Direct lineage

Oh, now I see! This must be the fund where the $78 million NBN bonus bonanza comes from (“Secret government review hid $10b in NBN savings”, February 22). – Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

What would Jenny do?

In days gone by, every self-respecting newspaper or magazine had a Dorothy Dix type column. Let’s start one here. Call it “Ask Jenny”. – Garry Donnelly, Repton

Top tennis taggers

Australian Open tennis is over. What thrills! Congratulations to the commentators who had to get their tongues around surnames such as Tsitsipas, Ruusuvuori, Vondrousova, Pavlyuchenkova, Schemiedlova and Uytvanck. And people complain that my surname is difficult to pronounce! – Kersi Meher-Homji, St Ives

The digital view

Online comment from the story that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
“Albanese courts Christian groups in social justice pitch”
From Madridman: To say this will bring the ALP to the centre seems to deny the fact that religions are conservative.