Simplistic populism won't solve our mental health crisis

Sydney Morning Herald

03-05-2025

Parnell Palme McGuinness seems to have hit a new low with her dismissive and somewhat nonsensical comments regarding government social programs and mental health (' Young voters, stop picking your own pockets ', April 27). Firstly, she seems to forget that money spent by the government on 'housing, more renewable energy ... TAFE and discounted higher education' definitely does have its rewards, both in the present and future, for those who benefit from these initiatives, particularly those who don't come from wealthy families. As for her ignorant comment that the purpose of government mental health programs for people in difficulty is to 'to stop them feeling bad about themselves', I really don't know where to start. What an outrageous, populist and simplistic stance regarding this complex health issue. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
Once again, Parnell McGuiness ignores the elephant in the room. The most significant change of the past 40 years is not the growth in government assistance spending, nor the amount of tax paid to the government. It is the transfer of wealth from workers to wealth holders. In the 1970s, the share of wealth going to profits was about 45 per cent, and the share to wages was about 55 per cent. Thanks to the Liberal policies of suppressing unions and wages, those proportions have swapped. The share of national income available to workers has shrunk, with most of the benefits going to the richest 5 per cent. Superannuation was conceived as a means of spreading the wealth created by listed corporations out to people who would not otherwise be able to buy shares. Thanks to Peter Costello, it has become the biggest rort in existence: half of the tax avoided goes to the top 5 per cent of super balances. Talk about welfare for the rich. But that doesn't take the cake. Also, thanks to Costello, the company tax refund through franking credit payments is now a $6 billion annual present from taxpayers to the richest 10 per cent of tax-free retirees. The concealment of these rorts amounts to a conspiracy of silence by media outlets, which carefully ignore them so they won't upset their advertisers. Gen Z and Millennials should be up in arms about this deliberate robbery of their future by the Liberal Party and its supporters. Alan Stanley, Upper Corindi
Parme McGuinness may be right that Millennials are only diddling themselves by chasing the largesse being thrown their way this election. Their taxes are sadly paying for these political honeypots. If, however, local government over the decades hadn't obscenely squibbed on its duty to provide adequate housing for future generations and thereby deprived this generation of their economic future, Millennials might not find these handouts so seducing in the absence of anything else more meaningful. June Scott, Terrigal
I've had enough of Palme McGuiness defending my fellow Boomers and attacking our younger generations. My generation had it very lucky. We did not cause the luck; we benefited from it. We only need to look at the past two years when property investors (landlords) put rents up as high as they could in a housing supply crisis. Property investors are mostly old; renters are mostly young. My generation profiteered, using the young as our victims. And as the young had to pay increased rents, there was little or nothing to put towards saving for a deposit. Until governments increase the rate of home ownership at the expense of property investments, nothing will change. The list goes on as to how lucky we have been, but an essay I can't write – a letter will have to suffice. John Rome, Mt Lawley
McGuinness, in her article, fails to see the endgame of young people, which, as a Gen X-er, I support. The goal of voting Labor/Greens is precisely to start shifting the tax burden on those who can afford it. Upper-middle-class tax handouts like negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts need to go. This is what the Left will deliver. By voting Labor, young people are investing in their future, which needs a fair tax system. Boris Feigin, Narwee
Extracurricular matters
Parents who commit many thousands of dollars in tutoring fees and encourage their children to spend 'every waking minute' preparing for the selective schools entry test should take a deep breath and think carefully about what constitutes a happy childhood (' Don't blame parents for selective race, ' April 27). It's certainly not about being buried full-time in study material. It's far more important to take part in a range of healthy activities involving sport, music, reading widely and social contacts. Concentrating solely on academic work is a recipe for mental staleness and, at worst, long-term mental problems. Needless to say, the disappointment of missing the selective school cut can be equally destructive. State governments should not be encouraging this manic behaviour. They should be funding public education adequately to give every child equal opportunity in every school. Geoff Harding, Chatswood
When it comes to selective high schools, what is often overlooked is the child's happiness and well-being ('' It's a bit extreme': The tough routine ahead of the selective schools test ', April 27). My child knocked back a selective offer, electing to do their secondary education at the excellent local comprehensive high school. Although it met with shock from family and friends, my child succeeded. John Cotterill, Kingsford
Let's be Frank
Frank Brennan is a brilliant but humble man. I have observed him and listened to him for many years. 5 minutes with Fitz was particularly good this week (' Pope Francis 'gave his life for all' but he failed on one crucial challenge,' April 27). Well done, Fitz. Brennan's answers to the many questions posed were just what I wanted to hear from a leading priest in Australia. I would love to hear these things from a Cardinal, about to help choose the next pope. Francis was refreshing for the church and the world, with his emphasis on pastoral concerns and people generally. He did much for the recognition of women in the church. Hopefully, the new pope will improve on that. Most of the Jesuits I have met have a pastoral emphasis – people over silly rules. That Frank Brennan would list his first pastoral role as being a driver for Mum Shirl and it being a highlight of his career speaks volumes. It's a shame that the people don't have a say in the election of bishops and cardinals in the church. Fr Brennan would poll well. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Small pleasures
I always thought that sausage dogs looked like Dobermans without legs. Valerie may be a Dachshund, but she has the heart of a Doberman (' After 529 days in the wild Valerie's dog days are over ', April 27). In times of war and global instability, it is good to read a story with a happy ending. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury