5 days ago
Albanese is in China and Morrison is in his head
A city in decay
My partner and I recently travelled by train from Geelong to Melbourne to enjoy a lunch at Southbank with family. As we walked down Spencer Street to Flinders Street we commented on the state of the footpaths, buildings, overflowing rubbish bins and general filth. More was to come.
Alighting from the tram at Flinders Street station we were disgusted with the exterior condition of the station, the footpath and a toilet facility that was flooded and filthy. More was to come.
After our lunch, we opted to walk along the Yarra and onto Southern Cross station. Empty wine bottles, discarded clothing, and general rubbish lined the walkway. On a trip to India, we were astounded at the amount of discarded rubbish we observed – Melbourne's CBD appears to running a close second. Perhaps we need Donald to ″make Melbourne Great again″.
Heather Rees, Geelong
Youth vote
Changing the voting age so younger members of the population can vote is such a good idea. Let's follow Britain's excellent example, but make it optional for 16 and 17-year-olds whilst maintaining compulsory voting for everyone aged 18 and over. Denying the vote to enthusiastic young people who follow current affairs and politics and have opinions is wrong when apathetic older people who may have little interest are required to vote. Compulsory voting is what makes our democracy, so let's open it up to eager younger people on an optional basis.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights
The way it was
Regarding your correspondent's suggestion that we need a government-owned bank (Letters, 17/7). We had one. It was called the State Savings Bank.
My account began at age six when the nice bank people visited schools and we lined up proudly with our coins and bank books to make our deposits.
When I married 20 years later and went in with name change details, the teller said I needed my husband's written permission to have the account.
Outraged, I changed banks and became active in the fight for women's rights.
Jane Ross, San Remo
Victoria's unknown costs
Everyday Victorians know that we have to budget carefully to cover our food, clothing and other necessities.
Yet, as The Age editorial (16/7) stated, the state government is 'pouring every available dollar of capital expenditure into the Suburban Rail Loop″, even while we feel the cutbacks in health, education and other essential services.
At the same time, secrecy surrounds the planning, funding and lack of development of urgently needed projects. The SRL bores ahead while there are still no Doncaster, airport or Melton rail lines; and now we suddenly hear of the Outer Melbourne Ring Road, which is needed to take thousands of trucks off the local roads.
It is our taxpayer money which is needed for these projects, and as The Age said earlier in the year, secrecy around planning is 'eroding the public's right to know and the fabric of our democracy'. So, what are our government's plans and how do we, the taxpayers, find that money?
Elizabeth Meredith, Surrey Hills
Animal cruelty
Re the ducks of Banyule Creek swimming in a blue soup (″ Workers clean up Banyule Creek after chemical from North East Link works turns it bright blue ″, 17/7), and the alleged poisoning of hundreds of corellas in Springvale South. This suffering is not what most people want to see happen to our native birdlife. We must do better.
Debbie Lustig, Elsternwick
Changing gears
Your correspondent (Letters, 'Slap happy feet', 18/7) correctly points out the safety aspect on choosing one foot for the brake and the other for the accelerator.
As a confirmed manual driver, I use the left foot for the clutch and right foot for brake or accelerator. If I were to press the accelerator accidentally instead of the brake, the most likely consequence would be that the car would stall rather than be involved in a collision.
So my manual gear stick is both a safety feature and an anti-theft device.
Rod Watson, East Brighton
Left or right
Your correspondent (18/7) suggests the left foot for the brake, and says it is an old maxim. Any suggestion to improve road safety should be considered, but is it an old maxim? My recollection of driver training in the 1970s was that it was left foot for the clutch and right foot for the brake and accelerator. The NRMA website unambiguously recommends the right foot for braking and accelerating.
Stephen Minns, South Yarra
Take it from Jodie
I understand our PM wanting to imitate Gough Whitlam on his Great Wall walk (albeit in an unflattering figure-hugging polo shirt), but why on earth was he advertising Hawthorn FC and iiNet on the obligatory panda sanctuary tour? He needs fashion tips from stylish Jodie.
Caroline Leslie, Hawthorn
Fashion statements
Fashion editor Damien Woolnough's scrutiny of Jodie Haydon's clothing (″ Perfect $599 fashion diplomacy from Jodie Haydon ″, 17/7) perpetuates the inherent sexism surrounding women in the public eye. Though favourably examined, the absence of any mention of who dressed the prime minister suggests Haydon's role is one of an accessory and not a human being.
Anders Ross, Heidelberg
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
It would appear the Coalition hasn't learnt anything. All it does is find fault with everything Labor does, instead of working together in this time of world chaos to make Australia an example to the world.
Perry Becker, Bairnsdale
Albanese may be ″following in his footsteps″, but there's no way he could fill Whitlam's boots.
Bryan Lewis, St Helena
Furthermore
It's time for an investigation into the use of chemicals in our environment. The creek in Rosanna turning bright blue must be a wake-up call for all.
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East
Paul O'Halloran's ″ ' My job is to root out dodgy workers. These are the warning signs to look for in childcare ‴, (17/7) is an essential piece in the puzzle of providing safe, high-quality childcare.
Trevor Kerr, Blackburn
A few letters to the editor recently have extolled the virtues of national service, all written with the enthusiasm and fervour only the (seemingly) ineligible possess.
Angus McLeod, Cremorne
If businesses really think that it costs them less to accept cash than cards, why not offer a discount for paying cash instead of imposing a surcharge for cards?
James Proctor, Maiden Gully
With the latest employment figures published, maybe the RBA could convene a special meeting prior to August to reconsider its July rate decision.
Arthur Pritchard, Ascot Vale
Driving positions
Perhaps your correspondent (Letters, 'Slap happy feet', 18/7) can explain which foot is on the clutch pedal if my left foot is on the brake pedal as I try to change down gears in my car? Maybe that is why it is an untaught maxim.
Joanne Wilson, South Melbourne
When I learnt to drive a manual car I used my left foot for the clutch while my right alternated between brake and accelerator. When I graduated to an automatic car my right foot continued to perform the same actions; my left sits idly on the little footrest thoughtfully provided for the purpose.
David Johnston, Healesville
