Illustration: Cathy WilcoxCredit:
Ross Gittins makes strong arguments for increasing the dole, but I would also like to see him spell out what "full employment" in our economy really means ("Increasing the dole a smart move", July 24).
My understanding is that for our economic system to work optimally, there will always be a cohort of unemployed that is required to keep that system in balance.
Should we not be more generous to those of our unfortunate fellow citizens who are required to be unemployed for the sake of a well-functioning financial system? - Angela Namoi, Crows Nest
Australia is a Commonwealth but we no longer share the common wealth with the unemployed.
We punish them for not working. This is strange when it is government policy to have an unemployment rate.
Illustration: John ShakespeareCredit:
As the economy moves towards full employment, the RBA will raise rates to slow growth and increase unemployment.
If we are expecting some of our fellow Australians to be unemployed for the common good, surely we should pay them fairly.
An increase of $100 per week would improve the economy and greatly benefit those who need it most. - David Addington, Queenscliff
Michael McCormack's rhetoric is symptomatic of the disconnect between our politicians and the reality of life for those struggling to survive on Newstart ("Push to lift Newstart 'erased' before election", July 24).
Very few receive any other assistance and are utterly disillusioned by the experience of rejection, despite applying for countless jobs.
The action of the Morrison government is further evidence of its failure to demonstrate care and compassion for the most vulnerable among us. - Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
The PM is adamant that there will be no increase to the Newstart allowance, which has not seen an increase in real terms since 1994.
He showed greater enthusiasm for ensuring the passing of tax cuts worth $95 billion, clearly benefiting the the top end of town. Could the governments priorities be any clearer? - Michael Healy, East Maitland
I was very disappointed to read that Bradfield's elected representative, Paul Fletcher, intervened to remove a recommendation to increase the Newstart allowance.
The Coalition government seems hell-bent on keeping the less fortunate in their place, while bestowing tax cuts on people who don't need the extra dosh in order to survive. - Michele Rossetto, St Ives
I agree with the Prime Minister that the the best form of welfare is a job, but can he explain how homeless people, on less than $40 a day, can prepare themselves for an interview after a sleepless night on the street? - Tony Brownlow, Glebe
Newstart is not enough to buy my food after I pay all my basic expenses.
It is impossible on Newstart to go to job interviews. Why? I need to have money for the laundromat to make my clothes presentable.
How will I get the cost of travel for an interview? I do have a bike, but most interviews are kilometres away.
I'm sure you'd find it just the same, especially in winter when we need more clothes, ways of keeping warm and a lift in withering confidence. - Christine Perrott, Armidale
PM Johnson gives world ultimate bad hair day
Boris Johnson is British PM. Now we have three world leaders with bad haircuts ("Johnson becomes UK PM at 'pivotal moment in history' ", July 24). - Kim Oates, Mosman
Does this mean that any clown with a ridiculous blond hairdo can get enough votes to become the leader of a nation? - Richard Keyes, Enfield
Johnson's elevation to British PM will mean the leaders of the world's first (USA) and fifth (UK) largest economies will be led by men with long histories of being economical with the truth.
Behind Boris's jolly japes and old Etonian charm is a long history of playing loose with the truth, going right back to when he was sacked as a junior journalist for making up a quote.
His admirer Trump clocks up an average of 12 lies a day.
While certain conservative Australian politicians are welcoming Johnson's elevation as "good for Australia", I suggest the rest of us ensure our lie detectors are in good working order - I think we'll need them. - Nick Franklin, Katoomba
It seems to be the era of celebrity leaders: appearance and personality over substance and performance. - Lyndsay White, South Grafton
Thousands of years of human evolution resulting in world leaders such as Putin, Trump, Jinping and now Johnson. - Graham Taylor, Mona Vale
Now we have two eccentric, larger-than-life free-world leaders. Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. - David Thomson, Port Macquarie
Will Johnson be Britain's Trump card? - Bruce Hanna, Engadine
Perhaps a more appropriate song for "bus driver Boris" to sing, given the Brexit mess, would be We're on the road to nowhere (Letters, July 24). - Bob Guy, Cootamundra
We had Bush, Blair and Howard and raced to a war in the Middle East based on a lie. Now we have new tensions in the Middle East with Iran and we have Trump, Boris and Morrison. What could go wrong? - Robert Antill, Lake Conjola
Johnson said he looked in the mirror that morning and saw ...Trump lite? - Joan Brown, Orange
In future history books, our era will be known as "the age of the buffoons" . As the saying goes: "May you live in interesting times." - John Greenway, Wentworth Falls
Can the world survive a buffoon on either side of the Atlantic? - Stephanie Edwards, Roseville
We're well and truly down the rabbit hole now. - Matt Glendenning, Brooklyn
Who better to assuage public concerns about Russian interference in Western elections than a prime minister called Boris? - Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Diagnosis wrong on private health
The state and federal governments are caught in a very unhealthy cleft stick ("Hunt to launch private health review, as wait times blow out", July 24)
Privatisation often leads to increased costs, as extra profit margin is carved out of revenue.
By reducing public hospitals and promoting the private system, the balance compared with 20 years ago has been upset. While we cannot afford health insurance, we also cannot find a place in a public hospital.
We all pay taxes,which we assume should provide us with a decent health service. When did we hand over a mandate to ideologues intent on creating the equivalent of the US system in Australia? - David Catchlove, Newport
All that money, all those subsidies, all those perennial year on year premium increases way above the inflation rate, all those exclusions, all those gap fees – and still it's not sustainable.
That money would be far better in the public system. And, just a reminder: Medicare is called a safety net for a reason. - Anthony van den Broek, Erskineville
Unconditional love admired
Thank you, Jason Steger, for your thoughtful acknowledgment that our pets also have feelings of both trust and fear ("Being there, ultimate act of love for your pet"', July 24).
I recently was privileged to be at the side of a cousin and her beloved dog at this sad time.
I asked the vet if it was usual to be there when a pet was put down and she said it was always her preference because it is the kindest thing to do. - Elizabeth Darton, Lane Cove West
Joy, and unconditional love – miracles in anyone's language – work both ways for human and dog.
Last Friday, at home, Rex (93), Jill (92) and I farewelled our golden boy, Monty.
I am bereft without the promise of Mont's unrestrained joy, his flapping ears and wild, pumping paws as we charge down the hill; the love I saw as he patiently padded at my father's heels as Dad did "lap" with his walker along the deck.
Like everyone who has ever loved a pet, I miss the unconditional love Monty offered us and we returned. And I am so grateful we could be there for our golden boy as he took his final breath. - Lynne Cook, Mount Ousley
Dinosaur vision depletes the arts
The arts in Australia are treated like the poor kids in the playground ("Artists head to Parliament in quest for funds", July 24).
Everyone feels sorry for them, but not enough to share a sandwich. But the film industry gave Australia a new image on the international stage in the seventies and eighties.
And galleries such as MOMA in Tasmania get tourist dollars from people who otherwise would not be seen dead in an art gallery.
We have poets lining up for a Nobel prize, and dancers who give lessons to the Russians. Yet we can't see beyond the dinosaur vision of sport first and a hundred beers in the corporate box after.
We have to grow up as a nation. It's our artists will lead this country to greatness. - Tim McKenzie, Leichhardt
Smart answers needed on nuclear
I couldn't agree more with your correspondent, Louise Dunbar (Letters, July 24).
We seem to look back in terror at the mere mention of the word "nuclear". It would be extremely helpful if we all had access to an objective review of nuclear power looking at factors such as 21st century technology; construction, maintenance and decommissioning costs; lead time; safety risks and measures; and waste disposal.
It may well be that the benefits of nuclear power are outweighed by the associated risks and costs. - Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest
Could we also include on the spreadsheet information regarding the cost of what do we do if something goes wrong and who will pay for the clean-up? - Merinda Antill, Lake Conjola
Your correspondent seeks a breakdown of costs for implementing nuclear power in Australia. With more than 400 nuclear power stations operating globally, this should be a simple enough task for a government inquiry.
A nuclear reactor that generates 800 megawatts of power can service 600,000 homes, but establishment costs are high and one would take between 10 and 15 years to construct and commission.
On the other hand, a safe modern small modular reactor (SMR) that produces 200 to 300 megawatts and can service a quite large region costs considerably less and can be in operation within three years.
A fully functioning SMR power station would occupy little land compared with solar and wind farms that need huge and costly tracts of land to produce the same levels of power.
On-going operation of a SMR would create 500 to 700 full-time jobs. They re-use fuel and produce very little waste.
We could turn to renewables, but these are costly, and unlikely for decades be able to provide constant low-cost base-line power without coal or nuclear generators. - Brian O'Donnell, Burradoo
Aged care failing employees
It's not surprising to read of overuse of sedation of patients with dementia ("Aged care residents turned into 'zombies', July 24).
The obvious recommendation that a small change in environment would be preferable is unrealistic when an assistant nurse is struggling to provide basic care to 20 patients in their care.
It's not the aged-care workers we should be pointing our fingers at with accusations of neglect and abuse.
It's the politicians and community who fail to advocate for these overworked, underpaid and under-resourced healthcare employees. - Elizabeth Maher, Bangor
A smoking hot idea for city
Everybody has the right to breathe clean air free from toxins ("Butts out as North Sydney bans smoking in its CBD", July 24)
Second-hand tobacco smoke triggers potentially deadly heart and lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
Additionally, with North Sydney CBD as a major hub for schools and transport, we need to de-normalise smoking in children's eyes. There's nothing normal about smoking.
Thank you, North Sydney Council, from the top of our lungs and the bottom of our hearts. - Margaret Hogge, Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia
Advocate for JFK
Your correspondent's inference that the promoter of the moon-landing mission, John Kennedy, was "right-wing" is incorrect (Letters, July 24) JFK was a Democratic Party Congressman then Senator, before becoming President in 1961.
Also, had it not been for the rapid advancements in the broad range of sciences, engineering and technologies achieved by the space program during the 1960s, our marvellous world would be some 20 years behind where we are today. - Peter Allen, Castle Cove
Driven to drink
The Royal Australian College of Physicians has suggested a floor price on alcohol (Letters, July 24).
After a stimulating gin and tonic, this ageing retiree suggests a ceiling price on specialists' fees. - David Calvey, Gosford
How many doctors have an interest in a boutique winery or bespoke distillery? - David Brooker, Ryde
Silent treatment
Oh the irony. The "Communications Minister, did not answer questions" ("Push to lift Newstart 'erased' before poll", July 24). - Paul Sowter, Westleigh
See no evil
I went a step further and gave up watching TV altogether 15 years ago (Letters, July 24). I find the combination of radio, newspaper and a good chat with my son is sufficient. - Meredith Williams, Dee Why
Slice of karma
See George, you can't have your cake and eat it too ("Judge not: MasterChef hosts out over pay", July 24). - Phillip Ennis, Bective
Stationary stop
While enjoying a magnificent Sydney day, crossing Pyrmont Bridge, I was shocked to see an old remnant monorail station near Sussex Street. Who is responsible for Darling Harbour's upkeep? Guess everyone is waiting for more demolitions; it is all Sydney is about these days. - Anthony Pittorino, Darlinghurst
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