Inquiry an opportunity for some truth-telling

Queen beyond reproach?
In the light of the recent highly publicised Harry and Meghan interview, there has been an outpouring of opinion regarding their call for help/sympathy or grab for cash, depending on your point of view. This has combined with considerable commentary on the status of the royal “Firm” and its supposed shortcomings. This criticism is often deflected away from the Queen, who seems to be widely regarded as having worked hard and devoted her life to duty and service. But this begs the question – of duty to whom and what service exactly? Exactly what does she do for Australia? Can someone explain that to me please.
David Rabl, Ocean Grove

Poor timing
With Meghan and Harry publicly airing the most sensitive of private matters, they are selling their souls to gain the world at the most inopportune time for the royal family. Is this is a tactic to gain money? Why use their previous connection to royalty? Sadly grubby behaviour.
Frances Damon, Tooradin

Harming Commonwealth
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex was not raised in a Commonwealth country and showed in her interview she does not understand the historical import of the British monarchy and how damaging her accusations about racism are. Historically the world has been controlled and divided by stronger conquering nations, colonies, protectorates, etc. Amazingly, from the jumble of British territories the Commonwealth of Nations, formed in 1926, has survived. This organisation has been able to bring nations together and has done much to combat racism. The 54 member states, almost a third of the world’s population, are members with common values and goals, such as human rights, rule of law, free trade and world peace. The Queen, in the symbolic role as head of the Commonwealth, has served for nearly 70 years and she is admired worldwide. I have no doubt Meghan has struggled with many issues but to publicly smear the monarchy shows a lack of understanding of its importance. That her husband, a member of the royal family, did too – there is no excuse.
Christina Foo, Wahroonga

Royal disgrace
This latest contretemps to hit the Windsor dynasty, after the disgrace of Prince Andrew’s sex life, is the final straw. The English monarchy has been irretrievably damaged by recent events. It’s about time the British people found a new family to represent them, and we found an Australian to represent us.
Brian Sanaghan, West Preston

Easily dismissed
There have been references to the sacking of the Whitlam government by the governor-general (Letters, 10/3). While it’s high time Australia became a republic, the president would have the same power to dismiss governments and call for new elections. Such as happens in Italy and Ireland, for example. So harping on about what happened to Whitlam is irrelevant.
Peter Russell Davies, Broadmeadows

Not a politician
“Why are we ruled by this motley crew?“, your correspondent asks (Letters, 10/3). An Australian head of state is what he and others are asking for. Who is there in Australia for this job? Not a politician. Whatever system we have there will still be a motley crew. We will still have to know our place. So, we might as well keep the system we have, which is working.
Anne Flanagan, Box Hill North

Who do you believe?
Much discussion of the past few weeks covers two dominant and recurring themes. Namely, the enduring struggle of women’s testimonials (of sexual abuse by men known to them) to be believed and the poor leadership shown (by men and certain female leaders) to respond adequately to women’s disclosures of immense psychological harm post-traumatic incident. So, no wonder that many people don’t believe Meghan (“Why don’t people believe Meghan Markle?”, 10/3). She’s up against institutional power of a royal and antecedent kind. That Meghan’s testimony is not believed by many is unremarkable, because her lived reality since marrying Prince Harry is challenging the favoured perception that the “Firm” – the institution of the UK monarchy – wants people to believe. The people who hated Meghan will continue to hate her. But I am inclined to believe her, like all the other brave women sharing their stories of trauma and survival, because it is her story to tell.
Jelena Rosic, Mornington

At arm’s length?
The Prime Minister tries to convince us that he has maintained an arm’s length to the Christian Porter affair, yet his office feels obliged to call the lawyer that has been advising Porter to thank him for his advice? Is this the same Prime Minister’s Office that decided not to tell the PM about an alleged rape in Parliament a few doors down?
Melissa Macrae, North Balwyn

Aged care dilemma
Ross Gittins neatly summarises the dilemma of paying for aged care (“Care fades away on elder abuse”, The Age, 10/3). There is no reason why retirees should not pay tax on their income, including from superannuation, at the same rate as other members of the community. The money in super accounts has already been concessionally taxed during the accumulation phase. And why the horror at the concept of death duties, especially at a modest rate of say 30 per cent on estates of more than $3 million? You can’t enjoy the benefits of wealth once you’re dead and some of that lucre should quite fairly be returned to the society whose rules allowed you to accumulate that wealth in the first place. It’s a competition between greed, incentive and fairness.
Peter Barry, Marysville

Question time
I recently happened upon the TV broadcast of question time in Parliament, and can only agree with Jan Garrard (Letters, 10/3) that it is an “unedifying spectacle”. Even when they are not shouting at each other there is a strange ritualistic kabuki performance on show. First there is “thanking the honourable member for the question”. If it is a Dorothy Dix prompt from their own side, the minister then reminds us how great the government is, and how lucky we are to have them. If it is from the opposition, the response generally skirts around the substance of the question. At the end, the minister expresses thanks to Mr Speaker and resumes their seat to the nods and smiles of assent from their colleagues. What an ineffectual way to conduct the business of government.
Jim Spithill, Ashburton

End climate of fear
I fully endorse the call by the Prime Minister and NSW Premier for a unified, national approach to border closures and lockdowns (“Vaccines must end lockdowns, says PM,” The Age, 10/3.) Businesses can’t operate in a climate of uncertainty and inconsistent procedures and they’ve been severely damaged by sudden announcements of restrictions and lockdowns. Citizens also cannot survive in an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. It was outrageous for the Victorian government to close its border with a few hours’ notice on New Year’s eve. Surely there’s scope for the federal government to be more pro-active and decisive in directing the states and territories to a consistent national approach?
Kevin Burke, Sandringham

Reward success
It is certainly not time to start listening to Scott Morrison regarding border controls and lockdowns. If that had happened this time last year, Australia’s death toll would be incalculable. States and territories, keep your nerve!
Lawry Mahon, Port Fairy

Animal instincts
Poor Major and Champ, ejected from the White House without ever losing an election (“Joe Biden’s dog Major banished from White House after ‘biting incident’,” 10/3). This case shows us that dogs are sensitive to malign spirits inhabiting those hallowed halls. And if any home needs a spiritual cleansing after a dark four years it must be the White House, knowing as we do just what rough beast has slouched its corridors. Fortunately, the place won’t be pet-free. The “first cat” will continue to nonchalantly prowl the place, studiously ignoring the orange horrors that have so terrified its canine compatriots.
Ken Richards, Elwood

Reluctant travellers
Ben Groundwater (Traveller, 10/3) is bemused why Australians are just not demanding their right to be allowed to travel overseas. Maybe it’s because they are rational thinking people who can see that the risk of 14 days of quarantine at either or both ends of the trip is likely and many attractive travel locations have dangerously high levels of COVID-19 infection or are just plain closed until further notice.
Paul Miller, Box Hill South

Gender mix
An important step towards gender equality and respect is to recognise same sex education is past its use by date. My son put it to me simply, miserable in year 10, that same sex education “doesn’t reflect real life”. I listened, and moved him successfully to a coeducational school. How can we foster mutual respect and regard in the workplace when girls and boys are kept apart throughout their schooling, or during the important teenage years when tremendous physical, emotional and personality development occurs?
Anita White, Kew

AND ANOTHER THING…

Daniel Andrews
Dan beat COVID-19 but not the stairs. Get better soon, Dan.
Chris Boon, Nunawading

Dan Andrews again proves he is one of the few political leaders to actually have a spine.
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale

Dear Dan, get well soon. Kind regards.
Dawn Evans, Highton

The royals
Forget city hall. You can’t fight dysfunctional families.
John Rawson, Mernda

If only Wallis Simpson could have whispered some advice to Meghan.
David Francis, Ocean Grove

They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace … Meghan and Harry did it with malice! (Courtesy A.A. Milne)
Myra Fisher, Brighton East

“Recollections may vary”. Is that the royal version of “alternative facts”?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton

There is a big difference between “worrying” and perhaps “wondering”, especially when it comes to a baby-to-be’s skin colour.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne

Lost, an addiction to anything Trump, fuelled during his four years as president. Found, a new addiction with all things Harry and Meghan. Help wanted!
Jessie Mackenzie, Brunswick

Politics
“Vaccines must end lockdowns, says PM” (10/3). Personally, I would prefer to keep listening to the scientists.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” sang the Beatles. Poor old former Nationals leader John Anderson, 64, is only good as “an adviser and mentor” (“Nats veteran Anderson plots return as senator”, 9/3.) Joe Biden is 78 and full-time.
Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell

I wonder how long Greg Hunt had to wait in the emergency department at Frankston Hospital before being admitted.
Greg Lee, Red Hill