Roundtable should consider new carbon pricing scheme
Tessa Forshaw, an Australian scientist from Harvard, hits the nail on the head with her dissection of what's missing from the productivity roundtable and what's holding Australia back. It's a risk-adverse mindset (' Australia can't fix productivity without confronting its innovation hesitation', August 19). Our scientists are first-class, but too often have to move to the US or the UK to capitalise on their ideas. And that mindset has a lot to do with politics. The Hawke/ Keating government was not afraid to take risks. Since then, the chaos in Canberra and the Coalition's lost decade have landed us where we are now. Our Labor government has a thumping majority but is afraid to do what obviously needs to be done – because of the way politics works in Canberra. Under these circumstances, how can the populace be anything other than risk-averse? If we can't fix our politics, how can anything else work properly? The ray of hope is that the vote for the major parties continues to fall. Gary Barnes, Mosman
Another topic that deserves discussion at the productivity round table is the multi-billion dollar diesel fuel rebate. Our current system refunds mining companies $495 for every 1000 litres of diesel used off-road. The Safeguard Mechanism penalty, meant to encourage emissions reduction in heavy industries, then charges these industries $5 for the resulting pollution. This is clearly a ridiculous situation, subsiding both pollution and the lame status quo. The productivity roundtable should adopt the Grattan Institute's proposal to wind back this generous diesel rebate, apply an emissions charge instead, and begin the shift to road-user charging. Mark Wills, Northcote (Vic)
Paul Keating once said Ross Gittins was the only economist worth listening to. Personally, I never miss his column. So where is his inclusion in this week's roundtable? Judy Nicholas, Kambah (ACT)
Qantas pays the price
It's encouraging that Justice Michael Lee has not only upheld workers' rights, but also chastised Qantas for its unconscionable behaviour in profiting from the misery of its workers (' Payday for union as Qantas fined $90 million ', August 19). Perhaps the tide has finally turned against the decade-long conservative free-for-all that elevated profit and unethical business practice above workers' rights and drove the imbalance between wage increases and soaring profits. I'd take issue, however, with the suggestion that unions mount 'frivolous' cases. Generally, when a case is brought, it is to pursue fair and proper treatment. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Justice Lee's judgment against Qantas highlights the value of unions. With no government agencies prepared to take on the might of Qantas for its sacking of baggage handlers, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) stepped up all the way to the High Court and won. Former CEO Alan Joyce and his minions engaged in conduct that damaged, both personally and financially, thousands of employees who had given decades of honest and faithful service to Qantas. Who stepped in to seek compensation for these workers; the government? No, it was one of the much-maligned unions that conservatives and the Murdoch press demonise at every opportunity. As a long-term union member I always saw the value of fighting for the rights and entitlements of workers. I applaud the TWU and the entire union movement for their tireless (and undervalued) advocacy on behalf of all Australian workers. Stronger together forever. Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs
The Morrison government gave Qantas about $2.7 billion in assistance during COVID, for which the taxpayer received no equity and lost a mountain of luggage. Last October, the company was fined $100 million for selling tickets for flights it had already decided to cancel. Now they have been fined $90 million for illegally sacking workers. Furthermore, they have killed any aviation competition in the regions by destroying REX through cross-subsidising their routes. Put plainly, the Spirit of Australia has become the Spirit of Mistrust and Exploitation. Malcolm Freak, Armidale
Justice Lee's findings against Qantas and its IR breaches should send a clear warning to the Coalition shadow bench should it seek to water down employees' rights and embolden big business to maximise profits at the expense of workers' hard-fought and won entitlements. Severino Milazzo, Maroubra
Why is ex-Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce not asked to repay some of his massive golden handshake? It was surely his decision to sack staff. Richard Harman, Banora Point
Taco Trump
Peter Hartcher's reference to Donald Trump's 'snivelling display' at his meeting with Vladimir Putin has many echoes of then British PM Neville Chamberlain's grovelling 'pilgrimage' to meet Hitler in 1938 (' How Trump went from American eagle to cooing pigeon ', August 19). Not only did Chamberlain (and France) agree to hand over part of what was then Czechoslovakia to Germany without that country's knowledge or consent, but like Trump's spurious claims of a '10 out of 10' outcome for his Alaska meeting, Chamberlain returned to England waving a piece of paper which he claimed represented 'peace in our time'. It's truly depressing to see the leader of the country that played such an important role in saving the world from Nazi and Japanese domination behaving in such a craven and cowardly manner in the face of a tyrant like Putin. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach
It is all very well for Peter Hartcher to attack Donald Trump for his vacillation and possible motives for his efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine, but the unaddressed question that needs answering is whether the best, if not the only, way to end the war is for the Western democracies to briefly take up arms on the side of Ukraine in defence of the principles of national sovereignty and peaceful co-existence.
Ross Drynan, Lindfield
In his letter, Peter Thornton admires Donald Trump for meeting some of 'the worlds' nastier autocrats' (Letters, August 19). He misses the fact that Trump isn't being altruistic. Rather, he admires them and feels they share something that he doesn't with other leaders. This isn't something for which to offer kudos. Luke Crosthwaite, Surfers Paradise
Netanyahu gone astray
The current diplomatic spat between Israel and Australia has its origins in Benjamin Netanyahu's desperate fight for political and personal survival (' Wong rebukes Israel's move to cancel visas for Australian diplomats ', August 19). As Netanyahu has become progressively alienated from Israel's sensible centre, he has had to reach out to right-wing nutters like Simcha Rothman, who was denied a visa to Australia, to cobble together a governing coalition. A more moderate Israeli regime would have ended the Gaza conflict long ago. The surviving hostages would have been returned, thousands of Palestinians would still be alive and receiving food and medical services, and many Gazan buildings would still be standing. While extremists like Rothman remain in power, the war will continue and former allies such as Australia will cut more of their ties with Israel. If Netanyahu regards Australia's support for peace and humanity as antisemitic, it shows how far he has strayed from the mainstream of civilised behaviour. Mike Reddy, Vincentia
Veteran Middle East peace negotiator (is that an oxymoron?) Aaron David Miller thinks Australia's move to recognise Palestine will only encourage Hamas to hold on (' Stance on Palestine has no impact ', August 19). Naturally, he's supported by the usual pro-Israeli lobbyists. Meanwhile, Egypt and Qatar have negotiated a ceasefire with Hamas, which plainly demonstrates the gulf between rhetoric and reality (' Hamas accepts Arab-mediated ceasefire deal ', August 19). Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
It isn't a surprise that US Middle East adviser Aaron David Miller would declare our stance on Palestine 'has no impact'. It's just another way of creating obstacles to action, like throwing about the term 'antisemitism' at any criticism of Israel and most importantly, the inexcusable actions of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The global coverage of the Harbour Bridge march started more federal government action and caused more international consternation. It may be true that this is not having much impact 'on the ground', but I think the surest option now would be demanding the removal of Netanyahu from office. Enough is enough. Anthony Connolly, Beacon Hill
Kean for change
We owe a lot to Matt Kean for placing the NSW Liberal Party firmly in the climate action camp (' Balancing act: keeping parties cool on climate,' August 19). But with his departure from politics, the job of keeping the party there has been more difficult, given the 'climate wars' that are tearing the federal Coalition apart. In many ways, it's a pity he did not stay on to become opposition leader, but we can't blame him for eschewing this thankless job. He's right where the action is now, and we couldn't ask for a better, more qualified person to be chair of the Climate Change Authority. We should all wish him well. Ken Enderby, Concord
Bridging transport gap
Defecting from the inner west some years ago, the friends I left behind half jokingly called it a bridge too far, and time proved them right. Buses and trains, regular by day, after dark became scarce, unreliable or affected by dreaded trackwork, as if the city wilfully shut itself down. The metro has miraculously changed all that and made Sydney cosmopolitan (' How a year of metro has shaken up the way Sydney moves ', August 19). I now think nothing of seeing a show, and however late it finishes, a train will arrive within minutes, and I'll open my front door half an hour later. That type of service is no bridge at all. Peter Farmer, Northbridge
Unloved tax
Perhaps the best way to judge the potential effectiveness of tax changes to repair the budget bottom line is to look at voters' reactions (' Australians want Albanese to act to fix system – except for one tax,' August 19). The greater the effectiveness, the greater the opposition. The GST is a 'lovely tax' because it is paid continually by everyone, even those who reduce their income tax to zero through negative gearing or retirement with superannuation. No surprise that voters are opposed to an increase, despite it being one of the lowest in the world. There are parallels with the historic carbon tax – very effective in reducing emissions as it was paid by everyone, but tax-hating voters voted it down. It is almost surprising that there is more support for a change to negative gearing and capital gains discounts, however, the unfairness of these in favouring the well-off is a key factor. Geoff Harding, Chatswood
Best defence
After all the speculation about AUKUS, the expectation is that the agreement will be upheld after the Pentagon review by US defence official Elbridge Colby. But is it really in Australia's best interests? Our cities will still be wide open to attack by conventional naval and air forces, as well as by missiles, rockets and drones. Right now, a hostile navy could shell Sydney for half an hour and Australia would have to surrender in the absence of a missile defence system. And we can't count on the US coming in to bail us out. With the government splashing money on anything but defence, we need to spend the AUKUS money not on submarines, but on protecting our cities and deterring aggressors. Paul Everingham, Hamilton
Improving lives
Your article (' The 'miracle nation' at 60: How Singapore thrived against the odds ' August 11) relies heavily on longstanding detractors with well-worn criticisms to paint a skewed picture of Singapore. They claim that middle-class Singaporeans are 'truly squeezed' and that working-class citizens are 'worst affected by social inequality'. The facts say otherwise. The government heavily subsidises housing, healthcare and education, and provides additional support for those with less. Our progressive system of taxes and transfers has reduced both income and wealth inequalities, with the Gini coefficient, which measures income or wealth inequality, now at its lowest in almost two decades. Singaporeans continue to support the People's Action Party government because it has delivered results and improved lives, especially for the lower-income and broad middle. Anil Nayar, Singapore High Commissioner to Australia
Vicious cycles
A friend was walking home on the footpath of an inner Sydney street this week when a delivery e-bike slammed into him and knocked him to the ground. The rider flew off the bike onto his helmetless head and was taken to hospital unconscious. My friend sustained injuries to head, thigh, knee and hands. This street has a dedicated cycleway all the way along it. Passers-by urged my friend to take the bike rider's details for possible litigation, but my friend is aware that the rider is most likely a young migrant worker on a temporary visa with no recourse to any support from his employer, no money of his own and in contravention of the law. When will this delivery industry be properly regulated? When will its employees and pedestrians have proper legal protection? Bikes and cycleways proliferate now in Sydney. I am all for them, but I know when I come to Sydney I need to be very, very careful when walking the streets. Bruce Mcintyre, Armidale
Playing politics
Riley Brown gave it a good stir, but I think the respondents missed the underlying irony (Letters, August 19). The 'identity politics' that so distresses Mr Brown is just a weaponised label invented by conservative culture warriors, outraged at growing societal pressure to be less racist, less misogynist and less inequitable than they'd prefer to be. It attempts to usurp victimhood from the real victims. It's a tactic of distraction. Jeffrey Mellefont, Coogee
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