Faculty behaviour adviser has battle on many fronts

Your correspondent is correct (Letters, September 26), “infinite discussions of the element of a republic … is only a ruse to increase the established order”. And the tactic labored beautifully for John Howard in 1999. A referendum to easily minimize the hyperlink between the governor-general (and state governors) and the English monarch, with no different change, must be voted on first. Debating and agreeing on the small print can then obtain the unhurried focus it deserves. In spite of everything, most of us marry with no pre-nup settlement. Michael Britt, Macmasters Seaside

I agree along with your correspondent that Australians are innately conservative on the subject of constitutional points; our historical past of unsuccessful referendums proves that past doubt. I might have voted sure in 1967, however have reservations in regards to the present proposals, each the Voice and the republic. It was a easy alternative in 1967, one in all equity and equality earlier than the legislation, therefore the robust vote in assist. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose that’s the case this time. The questions earlier than voters in each proposals are whether or not they work for the betterment of the entire nation, or are they purely emotional and symbolic? I’m extra involved about financial enhancements for all Australians, no matter their ethnic origin, and social stability. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

I’ve confidence that almost all of voters would assist a good recognition of our Indigenous residents in a revised Structure however discovering the stability that can give First Nations individuals a big say in nationwide affairs is one other matter. Discovering an answer to realize the assist of a majority of voters in a majority of states is way from a positive factor. Denis Suttling, Newport Seaside

As for who must be our head of state if Australia is to be a republic, it should be somebody neutral with out an agenda or barrow to push, along with a complete understanding of our Structure. Nobody involves thoughts. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill

Tax cuts fly in face of wanted reform

As every day passes, the price of our debt is rising and, as identified by Shane Wright (“Bounce in charges carves $120b gap in funds”, September 26), that price is greater than the price of “childcare subsidies, assist to carers and public colleges mixed”. All of the whereas, PM Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers grit their enamel and demand that the stage three tax cuts will proceed, and the opposition indulges in some fantasy about “re-prioritising spending commitments”, conveniently forgetting its personal profligacy and failures to watch accepted processes when it held the chequebook. The RBA governor clearly set down the choices for the federal government to start to handle our debt, and it’s apparent that every deserves severe consideration. Structural reform will take time. Reducing providers is constrained by years of neglect and inaction, that means the reverse is what’s required in lots of areas. So to have some speedy influence, the federal government should increase extra income. The duty forward of the federal government is to compellingly argue the case for tax reform that can improve income and set us on a path to scale back debt and future funds deficits. Ross Butler, Rodd Level

All Australian taxpayers must be grateful {that a} Joint Home and Senate audit will examine the Coalition’s “waste, rorts” and “dodgy grants” which have left the federal funds a document $1 trillion in debt. For the non “financial girly-men” (and ladies) who may combine up their hundreds of thousands and billions, think about this comparability. A million seconds is 12 days; one billion seconds is 31 years; and one trillion seconds is 31,688 years. The magnitude of the financial gap the earlier authorities has left is unprecedented, and the Coalition can by no means once more declare to be “the higher financial supervisor”. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl

Don’t choose on pickleball, Shane Wright (“Automobile parks and pickleball courts: $7b of Coalition grants in sights”, September 26). Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Australia. It’s attracting all ages from older, retired to middle-aged and teenage gamers. Colleges are introducing it to their sports activities applications. Three or 4 pickleball courts can match within the house of a tennis court docket. It’s straightforward to be taught and it’s straightforward in your joints. I do know what my funds precedence is: a fairer distribution of sources. Extra pickleball courts to maintain us match and wholesome. Beth Hansen, Alstonville

Out of esteem

Transport Minister David Elliott is correct when he waxes lyrical in regards to the majesty of Locomotive 3801 underneath steam (“A ticket to journey on one Aussie icon because it crosses one other”, September 26). However good luck to Ajay Negi and his plans to check steam engineering. Elliott’s authorities is full steam forward dismantling and scattering the Powerhouse, one of many world’s nice industrial heritage museums. What of the museum’s 1785 Boulton and Watt engine and the landmark Steam Revolution exhibition, each run on stay steam? In the meantime, the museum’s signature transport exhibition of trains, planes, cars and far more is being disappeared for frock parades and events. The Powerhouse is being erased, by no means to be skilled by children like Ajay once more. Debbie Rudder, Maroubra

These sufficiently old to recollect the period of steam trains might really feel in another way to the fanatics of right this moment. Sticking your head out the window meant risking a face coated with gritty soot. Males who labored as stokers had the back-breaking activity of feeding the hungry beast. However the passage of time by some means turns negatives into nostalgia. Joan Brown, Orange

Fantastic flood-flouters

I’m a retired SES chief (Letters, September 26). We acquired very irritated at idiots with large 4WDs, displaying off their butchness by driving into deepening water and getting stranded, necessitating a retrieval by us, risking volunteers’ lives and over-worked automobiles. It was tempting to go away them to marinate for fairly some time. Your correspondent suggests, sensibly, that axle top can be a very good measuring stick for the higher restrict of drivable floodwater depth. Nonetheless, one initially drives into shallow water, which then deepens. When you attain axle depth, you must reverse out of the water, very prone to power water into your exhaust system and shut down your engine, until you might be in a guide transmission car and you retain the revs very excessive whereas driving the clutch. A greater resolution was the suggestion of a big fantastic for coming into floodwaters, just like that for lighting a hearth on a complete fireplace ban day. Dave Williams, Port Macquarie

Mantel’s subsequent chapter

It’s attention-grabbing to match and distinction Sean Kelly’s newest column (“An excellent phrase for the write stuff”, September 26) with the obituary for Hilary Mantel (“One of many world’s biggest writers”, September 26). Kelly sees demise making “every of us a factor”. Against this, Mantel believes in an afterlife regardless of being unable to think about the way it may work. I cherished and admired the humility of her reasoning: “The universe isn’t restricted by what I can think about.” Mark Porter, New Lambton

Carry again G&S

I hope new Opera Australia chair Rod Sims will reintroduce Gilbert and Sullivan to the repertoire (“New chair seems past Sydney”, September 26). The lengthy absence of this integral a part of our musical tradition has compelled disenchanted locals to look properly past Sydney to different extra enlightened states, who realise that G&S at all times makes cash and infrequently permits beforehand rusted-on subscribers to introduce youngsters and grandchildren to opera for the firsttime. Invoice Lloyd, Denistone

Reminiscence aide

My system doesn’t require consulting calendars (Letters, September 26). I acquired married the day after my birthday (by no means forgotten), and my son acquired married the day after his birthday. Richard Kirby, Campbelltown

Relating to remembering marriage ceremony anniversaries and birthdays, it might be far more handy in the event that they had been standardised, like horses’ birthdays and Christmas. Tony Hunt, Gordon

Why, certainly?

I recommend your correspondent’s query (Letters, September 26) might have been merely: “Why are the New Zealand All Blacks allowed?” Warwick Farley, Roseville

Make it our personal

In issues of state and plenty of different issues (Letters, September 26), I’ve discovered that one Head is enough. Ivan Head, Burradoo

Absolutely, as a republican nation, we must always embrace cobber, if a male head of state, or cobbette if feminine, and we must always search the recommendation of these of Indigenous heritage as to what an applicable time period can be when we’ve an Indigenous head of state. Merilyn McClung, Forestville

The digital view
On-line remark from one of many tales that attracted essentially the most reader suggestions yesterday on smh.com.au
The medical doctors sleeping underneath desks as a result of they’re too drained to drive
From geoggrey: 80 hour weeks aren’t uncommon in lots of fields, together with my very own. I nonetheless do them many weeks. However I’m not accountable for individuals’s life or demise. The standard of coaching and studying these medical doctors are getting within the 60-Eightieth hours of the week is doubtful anyway. If they’re barely functioning to use the data they’ve, they received’t have the capability to be taught extra. And the senior medical doctors who might educate them aren’t doing the midnight shift, simply different junior medical doctors.

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