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Credit: Illustration: Badiucao
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IMMIGRATION
Christine Nixon has highlighted that our economy has become dependent on cheap overseas labour brought into this country through rorting of the immigration system by organised crime networks. Meanwhile Dutton, Morrison and Howard focused on the threat to our borders from a handful of “boats” containing desperate asylum seekers.
Fifteen thousand more asylum seekers – mostly Afghan Shiites escaping Taliban genocide – have waited for resettlement for years in desperate limbo outside our borders. Yet in Victoria, Afghans are now a mainstay of the construction industry labour force and are contributing mightily to resolving the recognised workforce shortfall in construction and agriculture.
Is it beyond the government’s imagination to set up a regional processing centre in Indonesia and rapidly resettle these recognised refugees, at the same time benefiting the economy? Instead it is still implementing a border protection policy that enables exploitation of temporary workers while turning our back on the victims of genocide (and we are signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention).
Miriam Faine, Hawthorn
What of Australia’s interest?
For years, when in office, Morrison and Dutton abused the previous Labor government on borders and how they had “stopped the boats” (“Millions on planes’: Boat focus blinded Home Affairs to real abuses, says Nixon”, 7/10). Many commentators at the time pointed out, to deaf ears, that the number of “refugees” coming by plane dwarfed those coming by boat. Now, that Christine Nixon’s report has officially exposed the LNP for the frauds that they were, what is Peter Dutton’s response? Personal invective ignoring the substance of the report. Dutton again shows he is devoid of anything positive to say in Australia’s interests.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Cruel myth perpetuated
In relation to Christine Nixon’s report, the historic double standard characterisation by Coalition politicians of “boat arrival” refugees as being unscrupulous criminals, in contrast to those purportedly benign types entering the nation by plane, has long been an open scandal. Sadly, the tabloid press, taking its cue from the John Howard era onwards, has perpetrated a cruel myth. In the process, individuals fleeing from heinous regimes such as Iran and Afghanistan have been treated by Australian authorities as an anonymous, undifferentiated mass. Kept for long from public view on distant islands, their tragedies are finally now being given voice. The denialism around historic Indigenous massacres has had its modern parallel in Australia’s malign treatment of those poor souls risking their lives on the open seas in leaky boats.
Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza
‘Tough on security’ a facade
If the boat refugees had come by plane they could have exploited the many loopholes in the Australian immigration system and would have been productive citizens. Instead, they have wasted 10 years of their lives and cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. All because politicians can maintain the facade that they are tough on border security. The “children overboard” lie was part of how we have been conned.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
A rule for one, another for others
It has always been my contention that the focus on stopping what is termed “illegal migrant boats” while millions of people “legally arrive by plane”, and deliberately overstay their visas was an abysmal failure by both Labor and Coalition federal governments, but especially by the latter who have always seemed to take a harder line on non-European and Muslim and Asian asylum seekers.
Eric Palm, Gympie, Qld
THE FORUM
A beacon for all
Congratulations to the Nobel committee for honouring Narges Mohammadi with the Nobel Peace Prize (“Who is Narges Mohammadi?” 8/10). Narges demonstrates extraordinary courage, resilience and a commitment not to be silenced by the Iranian government. Her voice echoes at a time, when in particular, Iranian women are threatened when speaking out and not adhering to a mandated dress code. Narges is a beacon for all women whose voices are silenced, particularly by patriarchy. Those of us who have the freedom of expression have a responsibility to always speak out against inequality and injustice, wherever it is.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading
Tragic histories
The attack on Israel by Hamas, with its massacres and hostage-taking, compressed into the explosion of a few hours, is the outcome of the rage and experience of violence that Palestinians have felt since at least the Nakba of 1948. They have never given up their dream of returning home.
For Israeli Jews and Jews abroad, the attack raises the spectre of centuries of attacks, pogroms and genocide, a spectre that blinds them to the decades-long injustice caused by their country to Palestinians.
Two tragic histories and sets of aspirations clash in one treasured land. Both peoples are incapable of coming to a peaceful resolution. What role can Australia play? Condemning Hamas is not enough as it ignores Israel’s decades-long behaviour towards Palestinians.
In the UN and regional forums, Australia should call for the deployment of a long-term international peacekeeping force, and an international conference to bring this blood-soaked insanity to an end. Whatever the result, both sides will need to swallow their pride.
Larry Stillman, Elwood
Human rights
The world seems to be content to ignore Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian land, and the imposition of ongoing hardship as it ignores and tramples on the basic human rights of Palestinians.
Waging war is seldom the answer, but what else can Palestinians do when faced with decades of oppression which the rest of the world chooses to ignore. Talking doesn’t work if no one listens.
Bob Thomas, Blackburn South
No way to build a city
Two articles in The Age show that Melbourne’s housing crisis is out of control. One describes a proposal to build a block of 24-square-metre units (“Are tiny apartments the answer to housing crisis?” 8/10). They have no balconies, share a communal kitchen, dining area and garden, and are 40 per cent smaller than the minimum size permitted in London.
The other article says the state government’s house building target is beyond the industry’s capacity (“Worker shortage means housing goal ‘not possible’,” 8/10). It is prompting calls to boost immigration of construction workers. Is Melbourne to be filled with dog kennel-like homes, built by workers poached from poorer countries? That is not my vision of this city.
Ian Penrose, Kew
Economic growth
Thank you Ross Gittins (Comment, 4/10) for being courageous enough to out the emperor with no clothes. We have had massive economic and population growth in this country over the last 20 years, but more people than ever are finding it difficult to put a roof over their head, access appropriate medical resources, childcare and other critical services.
Our obsession with growth has resulted in our environment being in tatters, declining productivity, increasing inequality, and human-induced climate change wrecking havoc with us and most other life forms on the planet.
As Ross said, we need economists to come onside ASAP, to come up with sustainable ways to manage our economy so that everyone has an opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from a healthy planet and society.
Jennie Epstein, Little River
Headline a winner
I get a thrill every time I read “Owner-occupiers triumph over investor …” One more person or couple paying for their own mortgage, with eventual full ownership rather than, in retirement, still looking for a rental or maybe not even being able to afford rent in old age.
Housing for homes, not investment opportunities.
Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn
Women’s work
Academic Paul Strangio writes that female leaders are gradually being normalised at the highest level of government, with the assumption that they will be more collaborative and empathetic (“A woman’s way forward’, Sunday Age 8/10).
Our society more commonly uses the perceived greater empathy and conciliatory nature of women to keep vast armies of us in minimally paid, or unpaid volunteer care jobs, resulting in the entrenched normalisation of gender wealth inequality.
Enabling a few women to join the ranks of men at the top of their field does very little to address Australia’s undervaluing of the work which most women undertake, or to address the undervaluing economically of a more considerate, moderate and empathetic approach to work and colleagues.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
Try reading
Regardless of whether one has already decided to vote Yes, or to vote No, or is still undecided, may I suggest that they ignore why Anthony Albanese is promoting the Yes vote, and also ignore why Peter Dutton is pushing the No vote. Likewise, they should ignore why many prominent Indigenous people are favouring the No vote and many other prominent Indigenous people favour the Yes vote.
May I suggest they forget all this and go down to their local library or bookshop and pick up a book or three on Australian history. By that, I mean books that give a true account of how the early settlers treated our Indigenous people, books like Truganini by Cassandra Pybus, David Hunt’s brilliant Girt trilogy – The Unauthorised History of Australia and many others. Read them. The reason why you should vote Yes will be blatantly obvious.
John Cummings, Anglesea
The art of the steal
The figures quoted in “Hard times shift views” (7/10) regarding theft from self-serve checkouts are hardly surprising. In the first place, self-serve checkouts are stealing jobs from staffed registers; secondly, making the customer do the work and not paying them amounts to stealing from the shopper; and thirdly – and most profoundly, our nation is built on theft. The stolen land is still being dug up and sold for private profit of individuals.
A large majority still don’t believe stealing the land was wrong or justifies any recompense – not even a levelling through treaty.
John Laurie, Riddells Creek
All for the taking
Your correspondent asks, “What sort of culture have we developed when 57 per cent of consumers aged 18-34 suggest it is justifiable to take an item without paying for it?” (Letters, 8/10). Perhaps the constant messaging of “You’re worth it”, “It’s your right”, “You deserve it” has birthed a culture of self-justified entitlement.
Deborah Morrison, Malvern East
Stuck in the past
Tony Wright’s poignant tale of flames, family and forest leaves lingering questions in the air (“To burn or not? The oldest riddle of forest”, 7/10). Why, in our vehement battle against bushfires, do we clutch so tightly to the fire management practices from the mid-20th century? Imagine if our medical practices were stuck in the 1950s, neglecting decades of research, technology, and understanding developed since. Would we accept that for our health? Strategic planned or hazard-reduction burning has been a longstanding approach but now is the time to integrate the science into fire management practice. Protecting tree canopy is vital. And using satellite and drone technology to locate and extinguish fires is the new frontier.
Sophie Torney, Kew
Mixed vibes
Boy, aren’t we going to look good on the world stage, letting deceit and lies win over truth and decency if, heaven forbid, the referendum is defeated. Tony Abbott and Peter Dutton urge people not to vote Yes on a (feel good) vibe. But there’s also a vibe in the No camp to which neo-Nazis and other fearful haters are drawn.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
There’s no place like home
Thank you Toto for your article (The Age, 7/10). I hope your master the PM takes note.
I am a rescue greyhound, yes skinny with a long nose. Apparently I broke my leg and so was unable to race. Therefore no use as I wasn’t able to make any money for my owners. Luckily for me I was able to find a foster home, but oh boy I had no idea about traffic, trams, bikes, people or other little yappy doggies . I was scared. But bit by bit my new parents helped me to see that racing wasn’t everything and humans could be kind. I am now going to hopefully my forever home. My name is Cinnamon, although I get called Cindy, as I have gone from rags to riches.
Cinnamon Read/McIntosh, via foster parents Georgie Read and Matthew McIntosh, Canterbury
Poll position
Smart dog, that Toto (7/10). Let’s hope her support for her marginalised greyhound friend brings positive results – starting this Saturday.
Jane Ross, San Remo
AND ANOTHER THING
A no vote only promises my children more of the same tired responses by Government, which even the fiercest critics of the referendum concede just aren’t working.Credit: Chris Hopkins
The Voice
You can’t divide those seeking a genuinely more compassionate, understanding and better Australia. We’re undividable.
Simon Williamson, West Footscray
I just voted. All the detail needed is on the ballot paper.
Hans Paas, Castlemaine
We hear over and over again that we must respect people’s opinions. I can understand that we should respect the person who holds a different opinion but I find it very hard to respect an opinion which is based on ignorance.
Claude Miller, Castlemaine
If you don’t know, surely the right thing to do is to leave your ballot paper blank.
Ralph Frank, Malvern East
The politics of fear is working both here and the US. It’s easier to scare voters to vote against something than winning their vote for a policy.
Pete Sands, Monbulk
My dad often tells me that the kangaroo and emu are on our coat of arms because they can’t go backwards, they must always go forward. The Voice referendum is an opportunity for all of us to move this nation forward.
Craig Tucker, Newport
Furthermore
It always seems to be the ultimate irony that we all want our children to have the best possible teachers so that they achieve good results that will ensure they don’t get into a poorly paid profession like teaching.
Neale Meagher, Malvern
1938 … British PM Chamberlain’s infamous words, “Peace in our time”. T’was not true then and not true now. When will we ever learn?
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
NZ’s Winston Peters calls for a banking inquiry into “Ned Kelly” behaving badly to Kiwi consumers over the ditch (“Ned Kelly behaving badly’ : NZ First’s Winston Peters rallies against Australian business”, 8/10). No doubt, if granted he would call it a “Kangaroo Court”.
Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell
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