Porter puts the integrity of public office at stake

Mental scars of sexual assault last a lifetime

Thank you Genevieve Milton for sharing your own story (“Nothing ‘historical’ about my ruined life‘,’ March 4). We do weep for you and all the others who have survived (or ultimately not survived) sexual assault. We can hope that finally telling your story brings some measure of agency and healing. But it is heartbreaking to think of all the women who feel their lives have been ruined – often by a single incident – and long afterwards continue to suffer in silence. The “walking wounded” among us who appear OK, but aren’t. Graphic evidence can be seen in the legacy of self-harm among girls and even mature women. Many doctors are aware of this, and that it becomes another source of shame. But probably most men don’t really understand that experiencing utter violation just once as a young woman can last a lifetime. The casual attitude to sexual gratification displayed by abusers, who leave ruined lives in their wake, is truly astounding. Margaret Johnston, Paddington

There are young men who dress up attractively, go out for the evening, stay out after midnight, consume a lot of alcohol but sadly become a targets for predatory men who think it is acceptable to king hit a complete stranger (“Defence chief Angus Campbell tells cadets to avoid being ‘prey’ to predators”, smh.com.au, March 3). Did these these young men naively put themselves in a vulnerable position and “ask for it”? Could it be considered that the perpetrators were unable to control their violent tendencies? Of course not. All our society is outraged by that behaviour, know it is an abhorrent crime. No one debates whether the victim played a role in causing the crime. Rape is no different. Heather Lindsay, Woonona

We have to take the world as we find it. Not how we wish it to be. Attitudes need to change and anyone committing an assault should be pursued to the full extent of the law. However, it is not “victim blaming” to warn potential victims that they are at higher risk of being assaulted in certain situations. Pretending that is not the case is a disservice to potential victims. Bill Bowman, Rhodes

Did #MeToo even happen? Madeleine Turkington, Kenthurst

I always thought that once COVID-19 became controlled, climate change would become the new battleground. But you courageous women have dashed my thoughts. You are more than welcome to dominate the debate about how we men dominate you. Things can only change if you drive them. Good luck to all complainants and the our Australian of the Year. Something tells me it is your time. John Rome, Mt Lawley

We expats are now exiles

Dear Scott Morrison and colleagues, I understand your reasons for extending the international travel ban until June (“‘Heartache’ for stranded Australians as border ban extended until June”, smh.com.au, March 3). However, with many citizens stranded overseas having flights cancelled due to limited quarantine spaces, please can you help Austraians and consider the following: Why not charge the same fees ($4000 per couple) to monitor, tag and quarantine people in there own homes for 14 days? Following travel approval last year for a family illness, then bereavement, our desire for return has been hijacked by increased flight costs, transit country closures, and cancellations. Our latest return flight date has no guarantee we’ll be flying home. Please kindly make some changes that make it a certainty. Paul Trout, Surbiton (UK)

We all want to be famous. Andy Warhol promised “in the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes”. The international travel ban will now last 15 months. For 15 months, our Chief Medical Officer will have been famous for keeping family members and loved ones apart. He has never enjoyed so much fame. Of course rich people and the famous are unaffected by this travel ban but ordinary people like me who haven’t seen their partners for a whole year must pay for that fame. He defends his position. He’s advising Greg Hunt to protect us. There’s new variants he says, more infectious. How long will ordinary, healthy people have to pay with their mental health for the CMO’s period of fame and the Minister’s mismanagement of this disease? Mark Cox, Kanahooka

When I first travelled outside Australia, in those halcyon pre-internet-and-mobile-phone days, a smallpox vaccination was mandatory. Along with our passport we carried a card confirming our vaccine status. Some 10 years later the vaccinations were no longer necessary, as that insidious disease, fatal to 30 per cent of those who contracted it, had been eradicated by this global vaccination program. Rose Fox, Byron Bay

Tell him he’s dreamin’

The former member for Wagga Wagga would be right at home in the role of Steve Kerrigan in a remake of The Castle (“MP’s dusty old shack on shiny new highway”, March 4). The mere mention of the former MP, reminds me of Steve’s brother Dale’s classic remark: “Steve is also an ideas man. That’s why Dad calls him the ideas man.” Col Shephard, Yamba

Hey Daryl, I too like your idea of turning your derelict shacks near Ivanhoe into real money spinners. Potential Airbnb customers must be delighted. Rustic charm nestled into the rugged Australian bush. Embrace the life of the early Australian pioneers. Affordable prices and only a few hundred metres from the Cobb Highway. And yes Daryl, bold initiatives like this do take time but that’s what makes Australia great, eh? Peter Singer, Arrawarra Headland

Price ruse

Predictions that labour shortages will cause price rises for fruit and vegetables are quite understandable but don’t factor in the pernicious influence of the price manipulations of the supermarket chains (“Farmers put economic growth on the menu but fruit and vegetable price hikes expected”, March 4). Farmers aren’t in a level playing field for selling their produce. It’s well known that the big four supermarkets constantly force farmers to accept low farm gate prices, while saying that shelf price increases for consumers are due to shortages of fruit and vegetables. Supermarkets profit, farmers have to take the same old base rates offered. We have no accountability mechanism like a Prices Justification Tribunal any more, to stop this apparent manipulation. Where are the politicians’ voices to bring a real market back for food production, instead of the current cash cow system for supermarket shareholders? Barry Laing, Castle Cove

Overlooked tsunami

Jessica Irvine fails to identify the federal government’s ongoing inaction on climate change is the big weakness that needs to be addressed (“The long and winding road up” , March 4). A legislated net zero emissions by 2050 commitment with a framework and policy incentives is the strong signal investors need to ramp up our renewables transition in housing, transport, agriculture and industry.
This will keep Australia competitive in a global market and generate literally millions of jobs. By standing on the shore and jumping the waves of the pandemic, the government ignores the relative tsunami of impact that climate change poses to us all. Maree Nutt, Newport

Darwin-win

The 42 per cent of US Republicans who refuse to take the COVID vaccine are probably the same group who don’t believe in evolution (“Republicans ‘most wary’ of getting jab”, March 4). If they learnt about Darwin’s theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest, they might just change their minds. Han Yang, North Turramurra

You must be choking

I am really concerned for the number of letter writers who nearly choke on their morning cereal while reading the Herald (Letters, March 4). Might I suggest they have something other than cereal for breakfast, but if they must, read the Herald either before or after the cereal, but not the two together. Della Strathen, Bowral

State of Grace

Drawing on her hideous personal experiences and those of thousands of others, Grace Tame’s insightful, candid and constructive address on Wednesday to the National Press Club impressed far more than anything our chief lawmaker managed to cobble together in his statement (“Rape ‘happens everywhere’, says Tame”, March 4). May Grace Tame go far in public life . Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)

I suspect there was hardly a dry eye in the house when Tame spoke articulately and courageously at the Press Club. This extraordinary young woman is not only a survivor, but a shining light for all of us. She identified hypocrisy in our leaders and unapologetically challenged them to lift their game. Her honesty, integrity and courage make her an ideal Australian of the Year. She will do us proud as a leader in the fight against sexual assault and as an advocate for victims. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Could we have Grace Tame as Australian of the Year forever? She has such a wonderful presence and conveys herself as a thoughtful, honest and articulate woman. She is making a critical difference and making people sit up and take notice and hopefully take action to support each other. Merilyn Mcclung, Forestville

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
The cancel culture that stole Dr Seuss
From The J train: “I’m a believer in the Zeitgeist (spirit of the times). We are too fond of judging things on today’s values. So how far do we go back when we judge an offensive topic? How about we look through the lens of the time and if no offence was meant, then leave it alone. It’s a slippery slope when you apply modern “values” to the past. Anyone care to discuss gladiators in Colosseum, or is that too farback?”