Government subsidised half price air fares – so much for climate change. Steve Kinsella, Rozelle
Scott Morrison is going to need a lot more than half-price airline tickets to divert attention from sexual abuse scandals, the malfunctioning of NDIS and the lack of ability to address the deficits in aged care. Mark Porter, New Lambton
Felling trees to combat bushfires is faulty logic
Chopping down millions of trees to protect road access during bushfires, will not only endanger wildlife, but also increase the rate of global warming and increase the frequency of bushfires (“Minister stumps staff with order to chop down millions of trees”, March 11). Madness on so many levels. Elfriede Sangkuhl, Summer Hill
You get rid of trees to eliminate a fire hazard, but then the temperature rises from ill-advised climate change policies which in turn creates more forest fires. Surely there’s some wiser path to follow. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge
If Andrew Constance’s plan to remove tress along state roads had been carried out before the fires of last summer, how many lives would have been saved? I’m guessing the answer is close to zero. Perhaps Constance should stick to other concerns like getting ferries that can fit under bridges and trains that can fit into tunnels. Greg Tozer, Canberra
The handling of Transport Minister Constance’s directive for massive tree-clearing that did not comply with a forest of laws, reveals incompetence at the heart of government. Why wasn’t the Premier notified immediately? Why didn’t the Premier sack Constance for not taking the directive to Cabinet for approval? Why didn’t the Premier have the directive withdrawn immediately upon her department hearing about it? Peter Egan, Artarmon
Less dramatically instant than the rampant destruction of koala habitat by bulldozer and saw, are the effects of the insidious accumulation of CO2 concentrations in our atmosphere (Letters, March 11). This, from growing research, has the potential to turn the gum leaf toxic. No matter the contemporary compromises on which trees stand or fall, the spectre of this future scenario would eclipse all mediocre policies implemented today. The koala is part of the melting iceberg analogy where – along with millions of other species – it forms the bulk of the hidden but diminishing mass of iceberg out of sight to us humans perched on its seemingly supported, safe tip. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Many Australians today regret the dire recent history of Aboriginal people caused by a combination of ignorance and wilful attacks on the part of our European ancestors, individuals and government. The current policies of the Liberal/National government in NSW (accelerated land-clearing, plans to remove trees near highways, water take from rivers, inexorable urban expansion, obliteration by flooding of world heritage land by raising Warragamba and more) show that nothing has changed except now the attack is on the land, natural environment and native creatures. Our descendants will rue. Norman Carter, Roseville Chase
Brave CEO stood up for women
Congratulations to Annette Kimmitt of MinterEllison, and shame on the board for dispensing with her services as chief executive (“Firm’s chief ‘asked to leave’ as Porter, Reynolds pay own fees”, March 11). Given the lip service paid by politicians to the pledge that female victims who report rape will be heard, no woman has difficulty in understanding Kimmitt’s objections in the case of her firm. Her message to members of the male sex of all ages and in all spaces: it’s time to stop messing with women. I, for one, thank her. Ruth Wilson, Edgecliff
It’s not you, it’s Australia
Surely we don’t have to wait until the Queen dies before we get our republic (“Republicans flag renewed push to cut British ties”, March 11). She was described recently as representing us; she may be our head of state but she certainly doesn’t represent us. Every time Australians are directed to the “foreigners” aisle at Heathrow airport that’s made clear. We don’t belong.
It isn’t a choice between the people voting or the Parliament voting for the president that’s the problem. Isn’t it really what the powers of the president would be that’s more important? Elaine Hoyle, Avalon Beach
I love the idea of your correspondent to continue to use the title Governor-General for our future home grown head of state (Letters, March 11). That would be uniquely Australian, and still a nod to the past – a farewell nod. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay
Tall poppies
Some of correspondents suggest that Harry and Meghan’s privileged life, including the lavish royal wedding, renders their claim of injustices and mental anguish unbelievable (Letters, March 11). This is callous and naive, no different to saying perhaps Princess Diana should have simply shut up and enjoyed her fame and fortune happily in the fairytale marriage to Prince Charles.
I suspect the piling on by the conservative British press has less to do with the merits of the complaints but rather the unapologetically progressive political leaning of the Duchess of Sussex, if not her skin colour. Judging by the unprecedented vitriol directed at her, one would think her transgressions must be more outrageous than those of a certain prince who is alleged to have consorted with a paedophile. Han Yang, North Turramurra
The Sussexes v The Palace – what an unedifying battle of the PR machines. Judith Campbell, Drummoyne
Question of innocence
Presumption of innocence – fine (Letters, March 11). Plus, there should be a presumption that crime allegations are thoroughly investigated. Why did the NSW Police stall taking her statement when the rest of the world embraced Zoom? Why did this bright star with such promise self-implode? Anne Matheson, Gordon
On hearing about the suggestion from former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson that the current S-G could hold an independent inquiry into the allegations against Christian Porter, the PM said that Mr Gleeson “hasn’t been a big fan of our government.” Amid all the honest, difficult conversations happening around the country, that one sentence spoke volumes and showed a focus on the politics, to the exclusion of the wellbeing of both Christian Porter and the woman accusing him. Judy Stringer, Newcastle
Profit at all costs
Your piece begs the question; how are wages to grow (“Rates to stay at all time low until wages grow”, March 11)? For various structural reasons, as Philip Lowe nominates, wages haven’t moved in a decade, despite low interest rates and full employment. What action is being taken to produce a different outcome now ?
I was recently talking with the manager of a highly profitable regional pub who can’t get enough staff now the pool of backpackers has dried up. There are plenty of locals, but they prefer day shifts at cafes. He was incredulous at the suggestion to offer an increased wage to make the pub a more attractive option. He’ll wait till borders reopen rather than pay more, a scenario replicated across the country. Employers have become accustomed to having an unlimited source of labour, and the notion of a wage rise as a way to attract workers is a quaint relic of the past.
Numbers therefore, in the form of immigration, are something we can control in terms of allowing local wages to rise. John Howard ramped immigration up precisely to keep a lid on wage rises, with successful results. So a reversal should work. Yet the PM is still using the same old language of mass temporary immigration equals growth. Good luck, Dr Lowe (and the rest of us). Philippa Thomas, Connells Point
Home out of range
The anguish of the young attempting to find housing security in a first home is demonstrably cruel (“Who’ll douse this price bonfire”, March 11 ). Many still burdened with huge HECS debts and large weekly rental payouts; saving for a home deposit appears way out of reach. Add to this the burgeoning house prices in Sydney (and increasingly in regional centres) and the anxiety of the auction setting for our young adults: the cruelty mounts. Our young adults deserve better. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
Padding out the shift
As a junior pharmacy assistant working Saturday mornings, my job was to wrap packs of Modess pads in plain brown paper (Letters, March 11). Each of the four variations were then to be placed on a separate shelves which were discretely labelled. After wrapping so many, I often forgot which pack was which. No doubt this caused some consternation to the local ladies. Janita Rankin, Annandale
Bad old days
In 1981, I applied for the job as manager of a pharmacy. During my interview, I was asked “Do you think you can do this job? You have four young children” (Letters, March 11). When I replied that the previous manager also had four young children when he got the job, the response was “But that was different, he had a wife”. Trish Thatcher, Tea Gardens
I arrived in Australia in 1974 at 28 and saw an ad for the Public Service Test. I was approved to sit for the test which I did with about 100 others. After about three weeks I got a letter that I’d passed, and to go Martin Place Post Office. When I got there a young man asked me whether I’d passed the Higher School Certificate. I said no, I’d passed the Tongan Higher Leaving Certificate with honours. And then he said, “Sorry you can’t work here.” Racism was rampant then. George Wolfgramm, Elizabeth Bay
When I used to tell the school police inquisitors I attended Milton Central they thought I had been educated at a railway station. Michele Thomas, Mollymook Beach
When asked what school had I attended I always answer: Kelsey Grammar. It confuses the hell out of people and they move on. Kenneth Smith, Orange
The digital view
Online comment from one the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Republicans flag new model in renewed push to sever royal ties
From Poddy: ″While I am sick of hearing about the problems with the royals I also was feeling just a sick of the Trump saga. I don’t see a solution. I am leaning towards a republic but while both systems rely on politicians I feel we are doomed.″
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