Pressing motion wanted to sort out housing inequality

We’re a reasonably pathetic bunch if we are able to’t discover an Australian who can do a greater job than “King” Charles is prone to do. Let’s begin with the present Australian of the 12 months, Dylan Alcott, or any of his dwelling predecessors. Then there’s a reasonably good listing of high quality Australians who’ve been awarded Orders of Australia (by the Queen, so that they have to be good). Kevin Farrell, Beelbangera

Listed below are two options for titles for the Australian Republic Head of State; “Governor Elder”, which provides a nod to each camps and provides some extent of continuity, and for the complete change, “Esteemed Elder”, an egalitarian “first-among-equals”. Michael Cunningham, Pearl Seaside

Is it really essential to have a president? Title Switzerland’s president? Few folks can as a result of it’s a one-year revolving appointment. In Australia, train of the reserve powers or any constitutional points might be determined by judges of the Excessive Courtroom. Allow us to suppose exterior the field for an apolitical resolution. Graham Millar, Killarney Heights

The monarchy, with assist from our republican prime minister and funding courtesy of the Australian taxpayer, is already planning its subsequent promoting occasion – a go to subsequent yr by the brand new Prince and Princess of Wales. Stand by for the inevitable King Charles parade by our streets to observe. Not a lot likelihood of a change within the polls within the foreseeable future. Rick Johnston, Potts Level

Consultants ignored on drug reform

It’s attention-grabbing the NSW authorities has been enthusiastic in its acceptance of knowledgeable medical recommendation in relation to COVID-related issues however knowledgeable medical recommendation on drug decriminalisation is ignored (“Premier stops wanting drug decriminalisation”, September 22). Why, when the legal guidelines are failing, do politicians suppose they know greater than the consultants? John Croker, Woonona

The premier stated: “Medicine haven’t any place in our society.” The assertion is not only factually incorrect, it’s one other instance of a political mindset that perpetuates the so-called “struggle on medication”.
Medicine have all the time had a spot in society. What’s outlined as illicit has far more to do with social and political norms or agendas than with evidence-based analysis. Medicine akin to alcohol, tobacco and caffeine are, regardless of the proof of their relative toxicity, promoted, taxed and hardly talked about in relation to dialogue of drug legal guidelines. Regardless of the ever-increasing proof supporting decriminalisation, and even legalisation, politicians and police repeat the identical outdated drained and flawed mantra.
Lindsay Smith, Linden

Constructing blocks

Nicely stated by your correspondent (Letters, September 22). Let me add some immortal phrases from Keats: “A factor of magnificence is a pleasure endlessly.” When buildings of earlier eras are destroyed, or let go to rack and spoil, even the not-so-beautiful ones, we lose not solely a few of our historical past however our humanity. Sure, some buildings is perhaps past restore and we have to make room for brand new housing for a rising inhabitants. Nonetheless, this could not come on the expense of demolishing our historical past and turning streets and neighbourhoods into bland city landscapes. It’s neither lovely nor joyful to stroll by such neighbourhoods.Margot Vaccari, Berowra

I agree together with your correspondent. The three-bedroom Battle Service fibro residence of 1953 classic at North Ryde, occupied for 40 years by my household, ought to have been preserved as a slice of our current previous. Paul Keys, Clouds Creek

Alternate resolution

The damaging financial impact of yesterday’s public vacation, together with sickies taken as we speak to create a four-day weekend, may have been prevented. The Nationwide Day of Mourning ought to have been handled as our annual Remembrance Day on November 11, with flags at half-mast, a minute’s silence at 11am and commemorative providers accessible when and the place appropriate for individuals who want to attend them. Alan Slade, Dover Heights

Lack of service

Quite a lot of correspondents (Letters, September 22) wrote in regards to the critical lack of providers as a result of privatisation of as soon as government-operated providers akin to buses, energy, and so on. One evident omission was the privatisation of preschool childcare. Personal firms are actually making giant income from childcare, which push up costs for fogeys. These have been as soon as not-for-profit providers. Till childcare care is faraway from the web of huge enterprise, prices will proceed to extend, wages of staff might be frequently squeezed and providers decreased. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona

Swanning round

Nicely stated, Osman Faruqi (“Being a Swans fan might be isolating and oh so candy”, September 22) however the Swans are greater than “a part of the material of Sydney”. They’re the traditional Aussie underdog – a NSW workforce competing towards the Victorian institution. A few of us are out-of-towners – ex-leagueys who had their native tribal groups ripped from them by the Tremendous League dispute and located a extra thrilling spectacle. There might be an Illawarra Steeler boy sitting within the MCG hoping the crimson and white cygnets will soar as excessive because the exorbitant fares the airways are outrageously charging to get him there. Mike Traynor, Bellambi

Heavy lifting

The naval rankings towing the Queen’s coffin might have a tough job with OH&S implications (Letters, September 22) but it surely palls in contrast with that of the pallbearers. The Queen’s coffin weighed about 300kg, which suggests every of the guardsmen needed to assist a weight of over 37 kilograms. Their job was the equal of every carrying a 12-year-old baby on his shoulders. Ian Falconer, Turramurra

Your correspondent needn’t be overly involved for the effectively–being of those that pulled the gun carriage bearing the Queen’s coffin. People can simply and safely pull about a great deal of 30 per cent or extra of their physique weight, so 142 wholesome males, of 90kg common weight, may simply deal with about 3.83 tonnes or so. The gun carriage weighs some 2.545 tonnes, plus say 200kg for its load, for a complete of solely about 2.745 tonnes. The truth that it wasn’t notably onerous work can be proven by the best way they have been all strolling comfortably bolt upright, and weren’t needing to lean ahead as occurs when one is straining underneath a load. Colin Lamb, Peakhurst

Greater than riches

Australians are very wealthy (“Australians wealthiest folks alive”, September 22)? It prompts the view that it will be higher nonetheless if we have been like Finland, named, for the fifth time, because the happiest nation on the planet (2022 World Happiness Report). Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

One other reminder

Cathy Wilcox (Letters, September 22) sadly reminds us of the pressing want for Makarrata. “Coming collectively after a battle, dealing with the very fact of wrongs and dwelling once more in peace.” Josephine Piper, Miranda

Putin scrutiny

Archbishop Justin Welby’s phrases on the Queen’s funeral ring true in regard to the Putins of our world “those that serve might be liked and remembered when those that cling to energy are lengthy forgotten” (“Putin ramps up struggle strikes after partial loss”, September 22). John Cotterill, Kingsford

Masthead mates

Over time, common writers to the Herald grow to be like an prolonged household, their progress duly famous. “Rosemary O’Brien has moved suburbs!” “Ron Sinclair reckons Eire’s thought of the presidency is the go.” “Con Vaitsas simply had a birthday – how outdated d’ya reckon?” Betsy Brennan, Wahroonga

Lest we neglect

Guaranteeing an annual public vacation on a personally vital anniversary (Letters, September 22) is straightforward: simply get married on Anzac Day. Steve Cornelius, Brookvale

Islands victory

Nicely achieved, Tiwi Islanders (“Courtroom orders Santos to halt fuel drilling”, September 22). Pleasure Cooksey, Harrington

Photo voltaic flexers

Time to emerge from hibernation and benefit from the 12-hours-plus daylight per day, courtesy of the spring equinox. Robyn Stutchbury, Linley Level

The digital view
On-line remark from one of many tales that attracted probably the most reader suggestions yesterday on smh.com.au
The ‘honest go’ has gone and stage one of many revolution has occurred
From Politics and sport don’t combine: “Our coverage of getting housing as an funding reasonably than a house is a significant driver of inequality. Finish all tax breaks on housing could be a begin. Use the cash saved and construct social housing – conventional council homes. Finish sophisticated belief constructions to cover revenue and keep away from tax. Introduce a type of inheritance tax.”

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