Credit: Matt Golding
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THE FORUM
The federal government is effectively treating the 2.6 million Australians drawing the age pension, in whole or in part, with profound contempt.
The age pension is indexed twice a year. From March 20, a miserly $4.60-a-fortnight increase was applied to single pensioners.
The equivalent of a cheaper loaf of bread! An increase of less than 0.5 per cent. A calculated insult. Thanks for nothing.
Federal politicians’ salaries increased by 3 per cent last year following a 4 per cent increase in the previous year. The base salary for MPs increased by $8000 a year or about $310 a fortnight last year. Age pensioners pay the same prices for food, clothing and services as pampered politicians.
Enough is enough. About time that this self-serving government was brought to account.
Michael J. Gamble, Belmont
Save Commonwealth
The suggestion of American “associate membership” of the Commonwealth must be summarily rejected (“US to join the Commonwealth? Trump thinks it ‘sounds good’”, 22/3).
The Commonwealth is one of the few globe-spanning associations which is not dominated by the United States, instead being an equal association of nations. The Commonwealth’s common culture may be taken for granted, but norms in Commonwealth countries broadly differ from those in the United States.
The Commonwealth is an immensely positive association and is based on mutual co-operation, something which the Trump administration has shirked. The approval of Commonwealth governments is, thankfully, necessary for membership. Australia must reject it, as will Canadians.
Will Thorpe, Haberfield NSW
King not a pawn
The United States should join the Commonwealth if it acknowledges Charles as Head of State.
John N. Crossley, Oakleigh
Can we join EU?
Time to take a maple leaf out of the Canadian book and stand up to Trump. In fact, let’s ditch the submarine deal, and based on our regular appearances in Eurovision, apply to join the European Union and then NATO.
Craig Jory, Albury, NSW
Vive La France!
Remember when in the ’60s, France embarked on over three decades of nuclear testing in Australia’s backyard (on and near Mururoa Atoll). We hated them, boycotted them and protested.
Well, it turns out that they built a formidable nuclear weapons system totally separate from America’s arsenal and it seems that it has never looked as useful as it does now with Russia’s Vladimir Putin threatening everyone.
French President Emmanuel Macron is the leader with the will and means to push back hardest against Putin. Thank you, Scott Morrison, for damaging our relationship with Macron.
Dear Monsieur President Macron, sorry about all the fuss about your nuclear testing. We take it all back.
May I say, “Vive La France!”, and by the way, are those diesel/electric submarines still for sale?
Russell Brims, Bentleigh East
Dutton supports Israel
Peter Dutton gave a significant speech at the Lowy Institute on Thursday (“Dutton says he shouldn’t have called Albanese ‘limp-wristed’, 20/3). Among other points, he vowed to strengthen ties with the Netanyahu government and to strive for a free trade agreement with “our trusted partner Israel”. He has previously promised strong support for Israel at the United Nations.
This week, Israel has broken the ceasefire, killing about 500 people, including many children. Israel has cut electricity and, indirectly, water to Gaza. Shell-shocked Gazans are being bombed out of their already destroyed homes.
This leaves voters in no doubt as to the Coalition’s position on Israel. If Australians feel motivated to provide their support for the commission of such atrocities, they should vote for Dutton in the upcoming election.
Paul FitzGerald, Frankston South
Women’s agenda
Perhaps one reason the Coalition has failed to increase the proportion of female candidates in the House of Representatives (“Coalition lags on gender equality”, 22/3) is because most intelligent, capable women avoid the Liberal and National parties because they don’t like what either party stands for.
Phil Alexander, Eltham
Crippled by compromise
As a federal election nears, many people write of their disillusionment with the major parties and support for Independents, including the teals. I am in two minds about that.
My main concerns are how many are likely to get in, and who do they wish to displace. By electing too many, we risk electing a government crippled by the need to compromise.
That has been the fate of Italy. Ever since 1945, it has suffered an average of just over one government a year. Italy is often ungovernable. This has reduced it to mediocrity.
Jim Lamborn, Doncaster
Unbridled race to grow
Our unsustainable level of population growth is adversely affecting the democratic processes of local and state governments (“State accused of gaslighting on consultation for major projects”, 21/3). Residents and local governments are given very little say on how building projects will be developed in their area as heritage is bulldozed, gardens and streetscapes are destroyed to create high-density housing.
The quality of life for current and future generations appears not to be even considered in the race to “grow” as fast as possible.
Jennie Epstein, Little River
Short-sighted policies
The article on our reliance on imported gas (“Imported gas may be only option to plug east-coast supply shortages”, 22/3) is yet another reminder of short-sighted energy policies.
If we take this option, we are sinking billions into fossil-fuel imports that are expensive and ultimately unsustainable.
Why are we continuing to prioritise Band-Aid solutions over long-term energy security?
Julia Paxino, Beaumaris
Focus on what matters
Your image of the floating SpaceX capsule and the dolphin (“In space industry, no one can hear you scream”, 22/3) is so, so poignant. As we look to the heavens, it’s the land and water that really matters.
Barry Greer, Balnarring
Hunting’s many costs
As one of the 99.8 per cent not engaged in duck shooting (Letters 22/3), I don’t want to fund this destruction. But taxpayers shoulder more than a quarter of the state’s hunting costs.
According to the Game Management Authority website, their duck research includes multiple bird counts each year, analysis of the season’s cull, and computer modelling for the next season’s cull. They also put satellite transmitters on ducks, and X-ray ducks to get statistics on embedded shrapnel. Think of the savings if the premier did a U-turn on duck hunting.
Neil Wilkinson, Mont Albert
Toilet trauma
Your correspondent’s understandable frustration with the inaccessibility of the Melbourne Recital Centre’s toilet for those with disabilities (Letters, 22/3) is entirely understandable.
Given that, she should definitely not try to use the public toilets at the Royal Park Public Golf Course. Disability access toilets don’t exist! Despite time pressures, I’m sure the Melbourne City Council will undoubtedly have been planning to eventually make the toilets compliant with the standards enacted in 2010.
Greg Ker, Williamstown
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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.