Your correspondent is true (Letters, September 26), “countless 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 lower 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 main points can then obtain the unhurried focus it deserves. In any case, most of us marry with out a pre-nup settlement. Michael Britt, Macmasters Seaside

I agree along with your correspondent that Australians are innately conservative relating to constitutional points; our historical past of unsuccessful referendums proves that past doubt. I’d have voted sure in 1967, however have reservations concerning the present proposals, each the Voice and the republic. It was a easy selection in 1967, certainly one of equity and equality earlier than the legislation, therefore the sturdy vote in help. 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 help a good recognition of our Indigenous residents in a revised Structure however discovering the stability that may give First Nations folks a major say in nationwide affairs is one other matter. Discovering an answer to realize the help of a majority of voters in a majority of states is much 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 (“Leap in charges carves $120b gap in price range”, September 26), that value is greater than the price of “childcare subsidies, help to carers and public faculties mixed”. All of the whereas, PM Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers grit their tooth 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 critical 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 quick impression, the federal government should elevate extra income. The duty forward of the federal government is to compellingly argue the case for tax reform that may improve income and set us on a path to cut back debt and future price range 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 price range a report $1 trillion in debt. For the non “financial girly-men” (and girls) who would possibly combine up their tens of millions and billions, take into account 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 decide 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. Faculties are introducing it to their sports activities applications. Three or 4 pickleball courts can match within the area of a tennis court docket. It’s straightforward to be taught and it’s straightforward in your joints. I do know what my price range 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 true when he waxes lyrical concerning the majesty of Locomotive 3801 below steam (“A ticket to trip on one Aussie icon because it crosses one other”, September 26). However good luck to Ajay Negi and his plans to review 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 dwell 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 could really feel in another way to the fanatics of at present. Sticking your head out the window meant risking a face lined with gritty soot. Males who labored as stokers had the back-breaking job of feeding the hungry beast. However the passage of time in some way turns negatives into nostalgia. Joan Brown, Orange

High quality flood-flouters

I’m a retired SES chief (Letters, September 26). We obtained very aggravated at idiots with huge 4WDs, displaying off their butchness by driving into deepening water and getting stranded, necessitating a retrieval by us, risking volunteers’ lives and over-worked autos. It was tempting to depart them to marinate for fairly some time. Your correspondent suggests, sensibly, that axle peak could be 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, it’s a must to reverse out of the water, very prone to drive 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 using the clutch. A greater answer was the suggestion of a big superb for getting into floodwaters, much like that for lighting a fireplace on a complete fireplace ban day. Dave Williams, Port Macquarie

Mantel’s subsequent chapter

It’s fascinating to match and distinction Sean Kelly’s newest column (“A superb phrase for the write stuff”, September 26) with the obituary for Hilary Mantel (“One of many world’s best writers”, September 26). Kelly sees demise making “every of us a factor”. In contrast, Mantel believes in an afterlife regardless of being unable to think about the way it would possibly work. I cherished and admired the humility of her reasoning: “The universe will not be restricted by what I can think about.” Mark Porter, New Lambton

Convey again G&S

I hope new Opera Australia chair Rod Sims will reintroduce Gilbert and Sullivan to the repertoire (“New chair seems to be past Sydney”, September 26). The lengthy absence of this integral a part of our musical tradition has pressured disillusioned locals to look effectively past Sydney to different extra enlightened states, who realise that G&S all the time makes cash and sometimes 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 obtained married the day after my birthday (by no means forgotten), and my son obtained married the day after his birthday. Richard Kirby, Campbelltown

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

Why, certainly?

I counsel 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 adequate. Ivan Head, Burradoo

Certainly, 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 acceptable time period could be when we’ve got an Indigenous head of state. Merilyn McClung, Forestville

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

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