Fix quarantine system, then resume the flights

Howard Springs: a model for the country to emulate

When will we see some action following the national review of hotel quarantine? I have just completed my two weeks at the Howard Springs quarantine facility following my return from Britain. The facilities, food and staff were excellent.

If we are able to construct something similar at Avalon airport, then let us move ahead quickly. But move forward with all aspects of the Northern Territory model: motel cabins with verandahs and windows that open; under the care of the Australian Medical Assistance Team, supported by the National Critical Care and Trauma Centre; security enforced by the army and federal police; a professional mental health team; a reputable caterer; and the training and employment of local people. Everyone worked exceptionally, so much so that we felt like “guests” in this safe, secure and well-run facility.
Michelle Pugsley, Port Melbourne

Let us show a generosity of spirit to Europe

In view of the desperate need in European countries, the European Commission has blocked the export of vaccines. Let Australia graciously accept this decision. The picture of a safe and healthy Australia jostling in a queue of desperately ill nations and waving “a deal’ is an ugly one. The Australian government has done a wonderful job to put us in this happy position and we are getting, and will get, our jab. I hope that the repeated reason for short-sighted and selfish decisions – “for the good of the Australian people” – does not resonate with most of us.
Tom Sutherland, Port Fairy

How else can we take it except as a “hostile act”?

A message to the Italian government: When Foreign Affairs Minister Luigi Di Maio says the export ban “is not a hostile act towards Australia” (SBS, 6/3), all that means is that it was not hostile to Italy. But it is hostile to us.
Bronwen Bryant, St Kilda West

THE FORUM

Women: hear us roar

Today is International Women’s Day. It is time for every local, state and federal politician, school principal, chief executive officer, business, religious organisation, institution and man to say enough.
Enough arrogance, entitlement, innuendo and personal remarks towards women. Enough locker room humour, intimidation, belittlement, invasion of boundaries and enabling the power imbalances. Sexual assault and rape? I want to know that every man will say “not on my watch”, and do something concrete to ensure equality and respect for all individuals.
Gillian Roberts, Barwon Heads

A political trail blazer

Sam Mostyn asks us to remember the four women leaders “who made history as our 2021 Australians of the Year” (Opinion, 4/3). I trust she has not forgotten one woman who made Australian history almost a century earlier.

On March 12, 1921, Edith Cowan became Australia’s first elected female politician. She represented the Legislative Assembly seat of West Perth, but was defeated after only one term in office. During her time in Parliament, she was maligned and treated with the utmost disrespect because she was a woman.

With the current chaos around women’s issues, here is an opportunity for people of all opinions to pause and reflect on the woman who opened the political door for women. Edith Cowan is more than a face on the $50banknote. She deserves to be remembered on her special anniversary.
Peter Whelan, Gladstone Park

Independent, effective

The compassionate and insightful speech delivered by Grace Tame at the National Press Club was moving, educative and thought provoking. Her response to a question about entering politics, and the look of horror on her face, followed by a series of emphatic “No, definitely not”, said it all. Better to be a strong, independent voice and remain effective, rather than consumed by the “swamp” that is politics, where you inevitably become part of the problem, not the solution.
Philip Seymour, St Kilda

Our national music shame

Disgracefully, many of our much-treasured musicians are living on or below the poverty line, even some who have had big careers for 40 to 50 years. I also know musicians are never in a position to cry poor. The average night’s pay for a band member playing in most pubs has been almost the same for nearly 40 years. But as performance artists, they are not in the position to stir the possum.

Let us use the untimely death of Michael Gudinski (The Age, 3/3) as an opportunity to always treat our cherished music industry fairly. It has been, and still is, an Australian cultural disgrace. The huge number of music fans who donated to the charity, Support Act, during the COVID-driven music industry crisis illustrates I am not the only one with these opinions.
Jennifer Grimwade, Richmond

In the footsteps of Jeff

Jeff Kennett must be rolling with laughter, or at least he should be. After years of people criticising his government for selling off the states’ assets, they find their beloved Daniel Andrews has started doing the same – first the Port of Melbourne, then the Land Titles and Registry office, and now VicRoads’ registry. (The Age, 6/3).

There is, of course, a difference: what the Kennett government sold was mostly tired, rundown and/or surplus to requirement. The Andrews government has started flogging off all the good stuff.
Lance Wilson, Brighton East

More pedestrian crossings

Across Melbourne we are seeing apartment blocks being built on main roads. Often a small grocery store will open at ground level. But no one thinks to put in a pedestrian crossing across these busy roads. So people dash across the road, risking their lives.

A few years ago near where I live, a person tragically died doing this. Locals campaigned and eventually a signalised pedestrian crossing was installed. But just two kilometres away, another grocery store has opened on a main road. There is another accident waiting to happen. I appeal to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety: please make these places safe.
Andrea Bunting, Brunswick

Widen the inquiry

The investigation into the workplaces of Commonwealth parliamentary offices, including the responses to sexual harassment and assault is necessary, by why stop there?

The current culture invites inquiry into ministerial responsibility for whatever is done, or not done, in their departments. For example, when a minister departs from departmental advice, why is there not a written statement explaining why the decision was in the best interests of the community?

When a minister meets a member of the community – business leader, union official, developer or anyone else – why is an officer from his or her department not present to take minutes of the discussion? When egregious errors are made within departments, why is it not obligatory for ministers to resign? The issues with the culture of Parliament are much wider than the serious problems of sexual assault, harassment and bullying.
Ian Pitt, Brighton

Towards true maturity

Duncan Fine (Opinion, 5/3) says the decision to no longer publish several Dr Seuss books is a “sign of a mature society; a modern liberal democracy that values civility as well as freedom of speech; empathy and understanding”. But a truly mature democracy is not a revisionist clean-up of history. Instead, it teaches its children (and its adults) to think critically about racist stereotypes by thinking historically and encouraging debate.

It is a society that celebrates and supports – in meaningful and material ways – writers of difference to speak on mainstream platforms. A society that values freedom of speech and empathy creates spaces for voices that have long been repressed rather than a tokenistic suppression of powerful voices. Sure, it takes more work, but that would be a society committed to actual change.
Lara Stevens, Coburg North

Australians in the dark

It is great that Alan Finkel, who was appointed special adviser on low-emissions technology when his term as chief scientist expired in December, is telling leaders of other countries what our emission reduction strategies and targets are (The Age, 5/3). I just wish somebody would spell it out to us Australians.
John Groom, Bentleigh

The problem with people

Ecologists say that halting land clearing is one of the most important measures to prevent further species losses – “Australia’s wildlife loss widens” (The Age, 4/3). The habitat destruction caused by land clearing, they say, exposes native animals to predators such as cats and foxes. So instead of reducing land clearing and habitat destruction for farming, forestry and housing estates, our governments poison and trap cats, foxes and other creatures and ignore the real culprit – over-population.
Jan Kendall, Mount Martha

It’s time to play hardball

When will the Prime Minister grow a backbone and offer permanent residency to all Myanmar citizens who are in Australia? Former prime minister Bob Hawke cried over the Tiananmen Square slaughter, even without any empathy training. We need to stop making protests and play hardball. We need to withdraw our diplomats and no longer recognise Myanmar as a country. We need to join with as many countries as we can to enforce an arms embargo on it and put sanctions on anyone from the police and military.
Peter Ramadge, Newport

Support for all Victorians

Valerie Gerrand – “Aiming for rejuvenation of mental health services” (Letters, 6/3) – raised excellent points about mental health services in Victoria. Too often the focus for services is just Melbourne; there are people outside of the capital city who require these same services. In many cases, the need to travel great distances only makes things worse for them and then they give up. Proper funding of all services by all levels of government must be addressed immediately.
Stuart Symonds, Bendigo

The benefits of taxation

Why are so many people against paying more taxes but, at the same time, want better services and infrastructure? The money has to come from somewhere and considering that everyone at some point will need aged care, a levy is not such a bad idea. At least the cost would be spread over a large proportion of our population. More taxes equals better services.
Catherine Gerardson, Watsonia North

I’ll be switching off my TV

The relentless hype and speculation about Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Harry and Meghan has bored me to tears. I will not be watching it.
Jean Andrews, Cheltenham

Refugee “outsiders”

John Seal asked “Is Christian charity a matter of ‘heaven helps those that help themselves’?” (Letters, 6/3). Christian charity is actually a loaded phrase.

According to Matthew 15, Jesus’s response to a Gentile woman who asked him to heal her daughter was: “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” and “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs”. The implication is that outsiders are not deserving of charity or compassion. Perhaps that explains the federal government’s treatment of “illegal” refugees.
Brian Kilday, Jeeralang Junction

A warning to the Pies

Leon Davis said it all about Collingwood and its racist past – “Davis’ plea to old club: hear our pain” (Sport, 6/3). If the club’s new leadership does not have the will or capacity to do what needs to be done, this long-time Collingwood member will be bailing out.
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool

AND ANOTHER THING

Consent

Thank you, Grace Tame, for giving us the language and courage to stand up to those who seek to silence, denigrate and control women.
Jodie Brown, Northcote

How many men are racking their brains and wondering: “Was that really consensual?“
Sarah Bone, Wonthaggi

Could Kate Jenkins publish her review of Parliament House’s workplace culture as a podcast? Otherwise the PM may not read it.
Shelley Rowlands, Hawthorn

Australia’s #MeToo moment.
Greg Doueal, Croydon

Politics

Innocent until proven guilty? PM, how about those victims of robo-debt?
Royce Bennett, Baxter

The public seems to be dirty washing and the PM a washing machine who washes, rinses, spins and then repeats.
Daniela Goldie, Camperdown

Is that noise from behind the whiteboard Dutton, rubbing his hands together?
John Bye, Elwood

Would Albanese support an inquiry into allegations against Porter if it included Shorten (6/3)?
Jeremy Browne, Ripponlea

I am one of the “mob” who had hoped for some ethical standards in politics.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East

Parliament is meant to represent the common people. Our MPs represent themselves and their interests.
Tom Stafford, Wheelers Hill

There’s a stench building up around Morrison’s government,
Francis Bainbridge, Fitzroy North

If VicRoads’ registry generates $1.8billion in revenue a year (6/3), why is the state government partly privatising it?
Ross Ogilvie, Woodend

Furthermore

Thank you, Tony Wright (6/3), for championing the cause of the unsupported seamen, both at sea and in port. We rely on them.
Tris Raouf, Hadfield