A meeting between a fine leader and an overstuffed ego
Another topic that deserves discussion at the productivity round table (Letters, 19/8) is the multibillion-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
Audit consumption
We produce things, and consume things. Whereas there is constant talk about how we might increase 'productivity', rarely do we consider the other side of the equation, which one could call 'consumptivity'. How governments spend is well documented, but most expenditure is private. Part of the cost of living so-called 'crisis' is undoubtedly due to the over-consumption of unneeded products, as a result of the ever increasing imposition of the advertising industry. This is leading to more destruction of the environment, plastic waste and pollution. Whether governments should attempt to control private expenditure is politically fraught, though we do impose excise on products such as tobacco and alcohol. Maybe Australia produces enough already; it's just the unfair distribution of what we have that is the problem.
Robert Scopes, Hurstbridge
NDIS failure
Isn't it about time we had common sense and agencies spoke with each other to sort out the complexities of people dying and not being in the wrong place for their needs (' Terry had months to live and wanted to be in palliative care ', 19/8). The NDIS should never have been set up in the private sector, it should have been integrated with the public health and welfare care system, so that better connection took place and the profit motive was destroyed. Instead we hear about other heartbreaking cases like Terry's, and deaths which could have been made far less traumatic for the individual and their families.
Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn
A valid code
There have been two key assumptions made my many about the Bendigo Writers Festival controversy (' Writer boycott proves strangely selective ', Letters, 19/8). First, La Trobe University imposed special conditions on the festival via its code of conduct. It did not – it required the La Trobe sponsored festival events to follow the code as it already applies throughout the university. Second, the code of conduct blocks freedom of speech. It does not. I have been in situations where a code of conduct applies. Robust and sometimes uncomfortable discussions still take place, but in a respectful, non-divisive way. A code of conduct simply asks people to please play nice: respect other people's feelings and experiences and not denigrate them while expressing your own. It asks us to follow the limitations to free speech which already apply throughout civil life. Writers, with their command of language, can use facts and examples in a non-threatening way to make their points. I note too the La Trobe professor who immediately blamed Zionists for applying pressure 'to arts and educational institutions' — apparently in the case of the Bendigo Festival, one letter was sent about one author.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
Demanding support
There is a chilling side to the Bendigo Writers Festival saga (' Letter to Bendigo Writers Festival flagged concern over Palestinian author ', 19/8). Supporters of the participants who withdrew from the festival have pressured those who stayed to also withdraw. For example, the author Samah Sabawi, short-listed for a prime minister's literature prize this year, wrote on social media, 'EVERYONE has an obligation to turn their back to the Bendigo Writers Festival. Any writer or anyone in the industry who plays along pretending business can go on as usual will be tarnished. Your presence is a statement.' Others on social media are building up lists of people who did not withdraw from the festival because, 'It is important for me to know, when buying books, whether or not the author is a genocide/apartheid normaliser, and therefore complicit.' As a former bookstore owner, I find this extreme.
David Marlow, Elwood
Improving lives
Your article (' The 'miracle nation' at 60: How Singapore thrived against the odds ', 11/8), 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
Another slur
Another week and another homophobic slur used by an AFL player to denigrate his opposition (' Rankine called Pie to apologise after alleged homophobic insult... ' 18/8). What is it about some footballers who see being gay as an insult? To any gay footballer reading this, I am so sorry you have to play in such a hostile and unwelcome environment and to the AFL and the clubs you must do better. If anyone wonders why no player has come out? You have your answer, why would they and have who they are, weaponised by an ignorant opposition player.
Samantha Keir, East Brighton
Quick learners
Your correspondent (' Simple solution ', Letters, 18/8) wrote, 'Good luck explaining the [AFL] game to a first-time spectator'. I recently attended a game with a first-time spectator — my visiting Canadian nephew. The night before, he watched a replay of the 2023 grand final, after which he informed me that he 'now understood the rules'. I strongly urged him to use his new knowledge to explain them to the umpires. PS: Happily, Montreal now has at least one dedicated Pies fan spreading the good word.
Dennis Dodd, Shepparton
Subtle control
While Terence Stamp (' Priscilla, Superman actor Terence Stamp dies aged 87 ', 18/8) is more recently known for Superman movies and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, film watchers should have a look at one of his earliest films, The Collector.
Co-star Samantha Eggar was deservedly nominated for an Oscar, but Stamp's subtle, controlled performance of an obsessive killer is not to be missed in the cannon of his work.
Also, let's face it, he was a beauty who never faded. Vale.
Carmel Boyle, Alfredton
Brave new world
Melanie La'Brooy (' Tech lords are promising us utopia. Their brave new world might be a dump ', 18/8) expresses concerns about a future ruled by AI and the problem of job security. I have a story that relates to this concern.
I recently rang Telstra about an ongoing bill issue, and was told by a recorded message that all their operators were busy and I would have an hour's wait, but it would be quicker to go online. So I thought I would give it a try. I then spent the next hour exchanging texts with one or two bots (the 'name' of the bot seemed to change), and was assured that my problem would be acted on.
It wasn't, of course. You would think that Telstra would employ humans to follow up on issues left unresolved by bots.
After the next bill arrived I finally spoke to an excellent human at a Telstra partner shop (Bettatech in Ballarat) who knew exactly what the problem was, and put in a complaint for me. I even got a follow-up call from a Telstra human!
It would be a welcome service if businesses in Australia actually employed Australian workers to answer the phone.
Chris Pearson, Kyneton
AND ANOTHER THING
Heads of state
The world politely rolled out the red carpet as two leading arms dealers and gangsters made decisions for the rest of humanity.
Cherryl Barassi, St Kilda
Melania Trump (' Revealed: Melania Trump's vague letter to Putin about 'children's laughter',' 18/8) is doing a better job for Ukraine than her husband.
Dan Drummond, Leongatha
The AFL
In this extended final AFL round of 10 games, only two are on free-to-air TV. Paywalls rule!
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
I have but one word to describe a footballer getting $2 million a season. Obscene.
Glenn Murphy, Hampton Park
If your correspondent thinks the music is too loud at the MCG, try the SCG. I was there to watch the Swans v Geelong and the volume of the 'music' was so loud you could not converse with the person next to you. Ridiculous.
Mark Hulls, Sandringham
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Furthermore
Dare to struggle, dare to win! Congratulations to the Transport Workers' Union in its win for the Qantas workers (' Qantas fined $90m in landmark ruling that could embolden unions ', 18/8).
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East
The state Liberal Party should listen to Philip Davis (' Liberal boss calls for unity to stem electoral bleeding ', 19/8) and show a united front. United we stand, divided we fall. At this rate they are making sure Labor win in November 2026.
Christine Hammett, Richmond
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