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hsews · 6 years

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Hopefully he meant a “better paid job”, otherwise his comment reveals a disturbing attitude that borders on contempt for people who work in the aged-care industry.

In addition, it shows a complete lack of awareness that it is nigh on impossible in the current economic climate for anyone over the age of 45 (let alone 60) to get another job. – Julie Taylor, Epping

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Any “aspirational” 60-year-old person finds it difficult – if not impossible – to find a job, let alone a better one that they may hold or have held. Sixty-year-old aged-care workers aspire to having more shifts, better pay, and full-time or permanent part-time jobs rather than uncertain casual work.

A 60-year-old aged-care worker in Burnie, the subject of the PM’s aspirations, would struggle to find any other job in any part of Tasmania, let alone a better job. Aged care is a good job and would be better with job security, better terms and conditions, including protection against employers reducing staff to save costs. – Megan Stoyles, Aireys Inlet (Vic)

It is beyond belief that the self-proclaimed economic experts in the federal government still cling to the thoroughly discredited old neo-liberal concept of trickle-down economics, which has been demonstrated time after time not to work.

Even Nobel prize winning economists have pilloried it and the reasoning is quite simple, apart from any ethical consideration. If you give extra spending power to the workers, they will spend it – they have to – and thereby stimulate the economy. Give it to the rich and they will just add it to their already large nest egg. – Victor Webster, Balgowlah

The issues at play in parliament at the moment are extremely complex. One would need an economics degree to understand all the ramifications of the tax debate. Yet, just one person who has never put their head in a book, can determine the outcome (“Hanson moves to give PM victory”, June 21).

I propose all persons standing for any parliament in Australia should have at least one university qualification. Parliaments would be filled with a diversity of academic skills for all other parliamentarians to draw on, resulting in better considered outcomes. – Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria

John Byrne suggests that Rupert Murdoch could be a potential buyer of the Liberal Party (Letters, June 21). I thought he already owned it. – John Truman, St Leonards

If a school’s facilities are lacking, it needs money

Yet another complicated way to ascertain who should get what in regard to school funding (“Tax linked to school funding”, Jun 21). I thought all parties agreed on “needs-based” funding, so why don’t we look at a school’s needs to determine who gets what?

Here’s a clue: if a school has an oval that is better maintained than the local professional sport, or two pools, or is thinking of spending $22 million on remodelling its library to look like a Scottish castle, then maybe its funding should be reduced slightly.

If a school has 20 or 30 per cent of its students in demountables, then perhaps its funding should be increased slightly. – Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West

The proposal to determine federal government payments to private schools by the income tax paid by parents provides yet another powerful incentive for wealthy people to do all they can to reduce their income tax to zero.

One can imagine private schools holding seminars advocating the use of family trusts and other devices to reduce tax, along with presentations by accountants – who are expert in tax avoidance – to assist the school in gaining more federal government funding. – Bill Johnstone, Blackheath

The most recent federal government school funding plan does nothing to assist the very real needs in our public schools. There’s a backlog in the maintenance of ageing school buildings; a lack of facilities compared to private schools; and serious overcrowding at public schools, where many experience increasing poverty and rising living costs.

The state government cannot continue to bear the burden of funding for our public schools and their students. It is time the federal government stepped in to protect and assist the education of those in public schools. – Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Hearing voices

Wonderful piece by one of Australia’s National Treasures, Richard Gill (“Perrottet’s $100 music gesture is off key”, June 21). One of the tragedies is the dearth of anyone in federal or state parliaments committed to the arts in general, and music in particular. Where are the Keatings and the Whitlams?

He has not said anything that any parent with a child learning an instrument does not already know. And yet our politicians don’t have a clue. His point about the voice is spot on; it’s cheaper and easier to carry and to use, and can outlive any sporting skills.

Mr Perrottet, listen to the experts. Their voices are worth hearing. – Megwenya Matthews, North Turramurra

Labour leader’s labour

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Photo: AP

Jacinda Ardern in Labour – tell us something new (“New Zealand PM in labour with first child”, June 21). – David Reid, Artarmon

Baby’s free train ride

A train company will offer a French baby born on a train in Paris free rail travel until he is 25 (“Baby born on train to ride for free until he is 25”, June 21).

If that had happened in NSW he would have been fined for not having an Opal card. – Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow

Mixed messages on plastic

On my way out of Woolworths yesterday, replete with cotton shopping bag and warm inner glow, I stopped by at the local chicken shop for a chicken Kiev (“Retailers ditch the plastic”, June 21). It was lovingly placed in a plastic bag, then a paper one, then I was asked whether I wanted a (plastic) carry bag. We still have a way to go. – Graham Meale, Boambee East

Optus becomes Optout

Because of its World Cup failure the embattled telco should rebrand itself “Optout” (“SBS to keep World Cup games as Optus pains deepen”, June 21). And SBS perhaps now stands for “stand-by service”. – Garth Clarke, North Sydney

Church covers up truth again

The church and the wider community desperately needs ourageous leaders like bishop Vincent Long of Parramatta (“Bishop goes out on a limb, citing the Pope”,June 21).

Obviously frustrated by a conservative force within the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference that is obstructing the release of the 1000-page Truth, Justice and Healing Council’s commissioned report, bishop Long has stepped into the spotlight.

He urges that this report, which has has been with the Australian Bishops for three months, be released immediately. Rightly or wrongly the bishops’ conference delay is creating the impression that, once again, our church leaders are trying to cover up unflattering truths to protect the name of the church.

Bishop Long, a refugee and a sexual abuse victim himself, is not going to be alone on that limb. I, too, stand there and I am sure many others will join me. – Des Connolly, Loftus

Parramatta Bishp Vincent Long Van Nguyen.

Photo: Nic Walker

I am a Catholic. I am proud of the service that my church has given and is giving to Australia in the fields of education and healthcare. I am troubled by the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy over many years. I am more troubled by the church’s attempts to cloak these acts and prevent them from gaining the light of day.

It appears that the church is still dragging its feet in coming to terms with this scandalous episode.

The church commissioned a report on responding to the child abuse royal commission. This report was received in March this year. Its contents are being kept under wraps by the hierarchy. Why, I have no idea.

One bishop has broken ranks and called for its public release. He is the bishop of Parramatta Vincent Long Van Nguyen. As a Catholic and Australian I hope that the hierarchy sees the error of its way. – Michael Kennedy, West Pymble

Inconvenience store

While I wish David Jones success with its revamp, I don’t think that having a range of mini-stores inside the Elizabeth Street store will stop the sales slide (“Luxury concept a buoy for flagship store”, June 21).

The advantage of department stores was convenience, having all the product, say pants, in one location, side-by-side for easy comparison.

The establishment of franchised mini-stores removes this convenience as you have to stroll over multiple floors to see the whole range. I suppose $200 million will buy a nice building to wander around. – Stuart Miller, Ashfield

The greater good

John Hewson has delivered a measured and sensible commentary on the degradation of our political system (“Voters are sick of the blame game” June 21).

There has been an unhealthy shift to ideological positions at the expense of what is for the greater good of Australians. I think Hewson is right to cite the selection of future political players from a narrow pool, which does not allow for those individuals with real world experience to participate.

Democracy is about compromise and negotiation and putting personal ideological biases and the vested interests behind what is in the best interests of our nation. – Danielle Ecuyer, Bondi Junction

KPIs first, workers last

Illustration: Matt Golding

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Haven’t heard the federal government jumping up and down about Telstra’s decision to axe 8000 staff (“Jobs cuts part of a wider trend: experts”, June 21). They readily got stuck into AGL and its CEO about its decision to close Liddell. Where’s the minister for work, or the PM?

Hopefully a large number of these workers will find other work, albeit part-time or casual, and will get their lives back together with minimal financial or personal stress. Decisions made by CEO’s and governments impact on people’s lives, people who worked for you or voted for you. – Jeff Russell, Belmont North

Companies keep saying that they have to make cuts in employment and maintenance “in the Interest of shareholders”. Does money really make the world go round? – Vera Yee, Waverton

What should weigh heavily on Andy Penn is his statement that he is slashing the Telstra workforce in the “long-term interests of shareholders and the company” (“Telstra lay-offs ‘weigh heavily’ on chief Penn”, June 21). How have we reached the point where a service provider looks after the company first and the customers and employees last? – Margaret Grove, Abbotsford

So the decision to cut a quarter of the Telstra workforce is weighing heavily on CEO Andy Penn. My heart bleeds for him but I guess as long as the shareholders are happy and he gets his squillion a year, job losses at the working end aren’t really a problem. – Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick

Looks like Andy Penn is well on his way to meeting his KPIs. Wonder what his bonus will be? – Lee-Ann Groblicka, Turramurra

Savings are really budget cuts

The NSW Government is seeking a 3 per cent efficiency dividend from the public service (“Premier defends budget cuts to the public service”, June 21).

Should this be before or after a 3 per cent reduction in the number of politicians and a 3 per cent reduction in parliamentary expenses of the remaining politicians? – Rob Siebert, Skennars Head

I see the government is squeezing the public service even further by increasing the level of so-called “efficiency savings”. These are more like “inefficiency savings” because they usually require diversion of scarce resources in the quest to fit within a slimmer budget. – Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

What the government calls “efficiency savings” are nothing more than budget cuts. When salaries make up 80 per cent of an organisation’s operating costs, this means staff cuts. No spin can change that. Call it what it is. – Patrick McMahon, Beverley Park

Mind your back Malcolm

Chook shop brawls, young Liberals, ultra-conservative old Liberals, Barnaby’s Nationals (“Liberal Party acts on chook shop brawl”, June 21).

I feel sorry for Malcolm Turnbull, a potentially great leader, who is living the words once said by a Maori chief: “When you can feel the spears in your back, you know your people are behind you.”

The biggest loser is the nation. – Graeme Stewart, Double Bay