a day ago
Netanyahu's display is one of cowardice
Hasten slowly on planning
Melbourne's planning rules are undergoing massive change to remove what some see as redundant 'red tape' and to get more houses built in established areas. The lobby groups that promote such changes are misguided in their advocacy for fewer checks and balances as the way to achieve these goals.
We must be wary of the undue impact of people who want fewer rules by taking a populist approach.
Our planning system has evolved to provide certainty for developers and communities alike and is a valued and time-tested cornerstone of guiding Victoria's growth and development. The system should not be eviscerated lightly. If the state government and its cheer squad want to shorten the development approvals process, it should be done by adopting a set of clear, simple, mandatory and agreed-on rules that are developed with input from councils and based on local land and infrastructure capacities, not by opening the gate to wholesale demolition of viable neighbourhoods.
We must avoid the radical changes that are threatening our urban character and reform the current rules to preserve our backyards and our valued amenity. There are smarter ways to say 'yes' to urban densification.
Jim Holdsworth, San Remo
AI is the answer
Is it feasible for councils to run building approvals through AI, where guard rails are programmed into the system, where issues can be addressed in an unbiased way, and a massive amount of data and ethical considerations can be assessed all in a day, then approval can be certified and issued the next day, or reassessment can be looked at if issues arise? Surely, this is optional production.
Cynthia de Little, Glen Iris
Two sets of rules
First, the government cancels the visa of a visiting Israeli politician and then Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong slams the decision by Israel to cancel the visas of Australian representatives in Ramallah, stating that this will isolate Israel further. What a stunning contradiction on her and her government's part, and it just reinforces the fact that there is one set of rules for Israel and another for the rest of the world.
Mike Mack, Kew
Uneasy support
As an Australian Jew who believes in Israel's existence, I would like to assure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Australian government has not betrayed me in its recognition of Palestine.
It is Netanyahu who is betraying me by his policies and actions, which make my ongoing support for a Jewish state so difficult.
Ron Exiner, Clifton Hill
NDIS shortcomings
I was moved by the article about Terry LeRoy (' Terry wanted palliative care, NDIS gave him $518,000 and he died in hospital ', 19/8). It is my greatest fear that my daughter with extremely complex needs is going to end up in a similar situation one day.
Since leaving school, her NDIS plan has not been adequately funded, requiring several 'change of circumstance' applications that are supposed to be actioned in 30 days, but have taken more than 90 days.
Her needs have increased, she has received several new diagnoses in adulthood, and the wonderful Royal Children's Hospital is no longer an option, so we traipse across town to a variety of medical and therapy appointments because there is no adult equivalent to the RCH that can look after all her needs.
The added stress placed on our recently single-parent family, chasing NDIS, gathering reports, providing evidence to try to allow her to live the life she wants, while advocating and dealing with new and complex issues related to her disabilities, is exhausting.
My daughter turns 21 next week and has more life to live, but a life expectancy that doesn't stretch to having access to aged care services. I am looking forward to taking a few hours out to celebrate everything she has achieved, that she has made it to 21 and just be able to be a mum at my kid's party. Then it will be back to the grind, for another 'change of circumstance' application because her funding was inexplicably cut by the NDIS in January and will soon run out.
NDIS waiting times have ballooned, and there needs to be an avenue for dealing with the bureaucracy in urgent cases. Terry's family should have been supported when their son was dying, not dealing with a 'bureaucratic stand-off' that will have added to the trauma of his passing.
Janine Maydom, Black Rock
The ripple effect
We are all defined by the choices we make.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is considering dropping the Liberals' commitment to net zero emissions. They could swap it for a net zero increase in their share of the under-30s vote. Or net zero new donations from folks who aren't fossils or fossil-fuelled. Or, most likely, net zero additional seats.
We are all defined by the choices we make.
Ian Pittman, Glen Iris
Look to the AFLW
The best way for the AFLM to deal with homophobia is to acknowledge that same-sex relationships exist in the AFL just as they do in the broader society. They could look to AFLW to learn how to deal with it.
Martin Crowe, Fitzroy North
A happy alignment?
I'm surprised AFL sponsors are happy to be aligned with the choice of Snoop Dogg at the grand final.
Rosslyn Jennings, North Melbourne
Time of season immaterial
How on earth can the Adelaide Crows argue that homophobia matters less when it comes to someone being rubbed out for the finals series in the case of the situation involving Izak Rankine?
How desperate can their club be to do that?
It is doing untold reputational and brand damage to the Crows and footy generally with this action of not just accepting that what Rankine did matters, and must be sanctioned regardless of when it occurs during the season.
Would they be doing the same if it had been a racist comment? A violent threat? A hit to the head that caused concussion?
There is no discount in September for this kind of behaviour. Be better Crows.
Paul Bugeja, Varsity Lakes
A word list is needed
I think the AFL should provide a list of the words the players are forbidden from using in the heat of the battle.
John Rawson, Mernda
Bombs over Florida
I wonder if anyone has thought to ask President Donald Trump how he would feel if Florida, for instance, was being bombed by someone who wanted to take over the United States. That might help him to understand what is happening in Ukraine.
Maureen Goldie, Blackwood, SA
Ceasefire needed first
It's a no-brainer that a ceasefire is a prerequisite to reaching lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. As Winston Churchill opined, ″You can't negotiate with a tiger when your head is in its jaws.″ Ergo, a ceasefire is demanded.
Richard Pentony, Hawthorn
Makes no sense
Recently, I bought a small item at a local shop. It was $5.50. Good, I said, I have cash for that. I couldn't believe it when the salesperson said: 'I have to charge you 6¢ for a cash transaction (rounded at 5¢ because cents are obsolete).'
I almost laughed. I was so taken aback that for once, I was stumped for words.
Nola Cormick, Albert Park
AND ANOTHER THING
Netanyahu
Criticism by Benjamin Netanyahu is high praise indeed. You must be doing something right, Anthony Albanese.
John Walsh, Watsonia
I, for one, couldn't care less about Benjamin Netanyahu's opinion of Anthony Albanese.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Every time Benjamin Netanyahu vents his rage against Anthony Albanese it brings to mind the stark photographs of the starving Gazan children.
Barrie Bales, Woorinen North
When the leader of a country pulverising an entire people calls you a ″weak politician″, you must be doing something right.
James O'Keefe, Prahran
Anthony Albanese is accused of abandoning Australian Jews by Benjamin Netanyahu. I wonder how the remaining hostages feel about elements of the Israeli leadership right now?
Frank Flynn, Cape Paterson
So what's the next move from Benjamin Netanyahu? Bombing our hospitals and schools.
Paul Caine, Glen Huntly
Sussan Ley is in danger of tripping herself up as she tries to keep a foot in each camp by respecting both Anthony Albanese and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Kay Moulton, Surrey Hills
Trump
The photo of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, both with a smile, says, 'If you can't make it, fake it.'
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
