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I am mystified by the continual reference to the vote on the Voice to parliament as a political matter. What Australians are being asked to address is a question of ethics. It is a question of whether the British conquest of Australia should be formally recognised and the people whose land was seized should have a formal body to advise government on matters that affect them. This is not a party-political matter and it is horrible to watch politicians seeking to make it one.
Juliet Flesch, Kew
We need examples on how it would work
The Yes campaign is destined to fail because far too many people have no idea what the referendum is about. What is needed is easy to understand information on how the Voice would work in a practical sense. Examples would help, such as ″Let’s follow the course of events after the First Nation committee presents a particular concern to the federal parliament″. Thousands of referendum voters get all their information about what’s going on through listening and watching often unreliable commentary. Many people don’t even do that but just rely on their ″couldn’t care less″ peer group. We don’t help people to learn how to drive a car by telling them how to do it; we show them in as practical a way as possible what they need to do.
Peter Dodds, Montmorency
The land of the fair go is in trouble
How will the world view the fact there’s an organised “No” case to the Voice to parliament proposal? Will we still be seen as the land of the fair go? Or perhaps the land where the fair get to say what goes?
Lucy Niu, Mount Waverley
What kind of country do we aspire to be?
David Crowe (Comment, 19/5) writes that the acceptance of the Yes case by the government in the referendum may be a ″gamble″; that years of work may be ″lost″ and that the government could ″end up with nothing″. To me it seems that the gamble would be to look a gift horse in the mouth and with parsimony of spirit saying ″nah″. Years of work have not been lost because we have already heard articulate voices from varied walks of life write on the truths of equality. These words shift the dial in Australia’s thinking, whatever the outcome of the referendum. Further the government won’t end up with nothing because already we have something: the challenge has been set. The government has given us an opportunity to consider what kind of nation we want to be.
In any case, the government is not the arbiter of this, and meanderings into constitutional and political cul de sacs are not the point. The Uluru Statement from the Heart came from concerned citizens outside parliament. Whether the country has as much heart to accept it as the writers had in conceiving it is what the referendum will tell us.
Marguerite Heppell, East Hawthorn
When shall all voices be on equal terms?
Yes, I’ll vote Yes (reluctantly), but would much prefer if ″voice to executive″ was removed, along with ″voice to executive″ for all well-funded groups, unions, industrial lobbies (especially gambling and fossil fuels). These powerful groups can talk to parliamentarians just like individuals like me.
Mick Webster, Chiltern
The flaw in the argument
I find it offensive and racist that the Liberal Party and the No campaign complain that the Voice (as representatives of our Indigenous representatives) should be banned from making representations to the executive. No other groups or people have such limitations placed upon them. Big business and community groups have full access. I am not sure why they are so scared of Indigenous people having the same rights. Aren’t MPs and bureaucrats supposed to be objective.
John Rome, Mt Lawley
FORUM
Painful irony
As I watched the television coverage of the celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage in the Dreamtime game of footy at the MCG, I was struck by a painful irony: how we as a community celebrate Indigenous culture and the contributions of First Nations people in Australian rules football, while also continuing to accept the brutal racial vilification on social media of one of our country’s foremost journalists Stan Grant; for his passionate honesty about our past, his advocacy and desire for genuine equity for our First Nations people.
I wonder how far have we really come as a community in our acceptance of the reality of our past and how much do we really want to create a different future? Grant’s departure from the ABC will be a huge loss for those of us who welcome courageous, critical thinking and debate.
Caroline Bando, Bentleigh
Teach our children well
I have been a school teacher for many years and am heartened by many students who are rightly appalled and in disbelief when they begin to study the effects of colonisation on our First Nations people. While this education is becoming more available it takes non-First Nations people to be brave allies to walk with our First Nations sisters and brothers to support the truth-telling message. We cannot expect and rely on them to carry the burden; it rests on us all to learn and then teach the truth. We teach our kids to stand up for what’s important. It’s time to stand up.
Naomi Trumino, Olinda
Identity v opinion
Not diminishing in any way the repugnance of the racism experienced by Stan Grant while at the ABC, Q&A’s previous solo host, Hamish MacDonald, also left that program after copping extreme social media abuse that he was forced to navigate, alone.
Although there may well be a lack of diverse faces in the ABC’s senior management, that’s certainly not the case when it comes to prominent ABC current affairs programs, such as Q&A and The Drum. Additionally, although personally on the left on most issues, I do believe that these programs far too often prioritise diversity of identity over diversity of opinion and display blatant left-wing bias, which most likely feeds into the vitriol experienced by their hosts.
Geoff Feren, St Kilda East
ABC’s failure
I tuned into the ABC specifically to watch the coronation program. The ABC’s coverage of the Queen’s funeral had been excellent and I was expecting a similar program. I was dismayed to find the preparations showing in the background, with a panel of presenters speaking of events that had nothing to do with the coronation as such, except for the odd aside.
However, my gripe was not with those people. It was solely with the ABC programmers.
Stan Grant is well-informed, especially on the matters close to his heart: his Indigenous people, their dreadful treatment by the “invaders” and their ongoing struggles. He was there to tell their story. That he has since been vilified for what he said by so many people at various levels is absolutely horrifying.
That the ABC did not go in to bat on his behalf is a failure of high magnitude. My husband and I are keen watchers of ABC television.
The ABC needs to advertise its program content clearly and, overwhelmingly, it must fully support its presenters.
Lynn Heath, Doncaster
Different viewpoint
I must be watching a different ABC to the one described by Osman Faruqi (Comment, 21/5). There are many things to dislike about the national broadcaster but it, like SBS, cannot be faulted for its commitment to gender and racial diversity. While the ABC board might not be as diverse as he would like, there are more women and non-Anglo faces and voices on the ABC than ever before. The ABC is light years ahead of its commercial rivals in this regard, so it is hard to see where Faruqi is coming from in his trenchant criticism.
Greg Hardy,
Upper Ferntree Gully
We need his voice
It is heartbreaking to read Stan Grant’s words on his decision to leave the ABC.
I was one of the viewers who found the ABC’s coverage of the coronation troubling. However, Grant’s sincerity and deep conviction were never to be doubted and I have realised that he not only has a point concerning the horrible tyranny of colonisation but has a right to put it. And we would be the better if we listened and took his words to heart.
It is particularly disturbing that Grant felt he had no support from ″our″ ABC. His desperate pain is obvious in every word of his statement and, not only do I feel for him, I want to assure him that many of the ABC viewers are with him and want his voice back again.
Indeed, we need his voice back again.
Miriam Gould, Malvern
Utter despair
When I read that Stan Grant was quitting as host of Q&A under the weight of the vile racist abuse he and his family had suffered I was cast into despair. Homo sapiens is truly a horribly unpleasant species and the sooner we are wiped out by climate change (or anything else) the better. There is no hope for us.
Miranda Jones,
Drummond
No pride here
It is absolutely disgusting to me, and I would think to all decent, fair-minded people, that Stan Grant has been driven to resign from his position by racial abuse. What kind of country have we become? Not one that we can be proud of.
Jan Dwyer, Rosebud
The deep shame
When overseas acquaintances suggested to me that Australia seemed quite a racist country, citing such things as Indigenous incarceration rates and treatment of refugees, I used to acknowledge our shortcomings but argue that a lot of progress had been made towards a multicultural and inclusive society. The Mabo judgment, Kevin Rudd’s apology, anti-discrimination legislation, moves towards a treaty and so on meant, I said, that Australia was righting past wrongs. Racism was in retreat.
Now I think I was wrong.
Vicious racist attitudes are on the march in Australia despite the best efforts of many.
Indigenous disadvantage is entrenched, dog-whistling politicians and commentators have undermined moves towards a national Indigenous Voice, alt-right groups are increasingly strident and now our most esteemed Indigenous journalist has been forced from the airwaves by toxic trolls.
How shameful. How will Australia ever hold its head up in international company? How will we ever become a truly fair and inclusive society?
Mike Smith, Croydon
More help needed
Where are the critical incident teams for dementia care? Why is it that staff are not able to distract, cajole, feel empathy for old people whose ageing brains overcome them?
There are increasing numbers in nursing homes because modern medicine ensures treatments for ailments which just a generation ago would have meant earlier and hopefully more dignified deaths.
At 82, I found myself abnormally angry after only two weeks in respite care, and I am not – yet – in that terrible state of confusion.
The police force is not the appropriate means of support for staff in these situations. They do not have the awareness or understanding to know how to respond.
Geraldine Colson,
Mentone
The anti-feminists
I am a 75-year-old feminist. Since the early 1970s I have been committed to the principle that no one’s life or achievements should be defined by sex or gender.
I am appalled that people who call themselves feminists and others who say they support women are now fighting to restrict us within the social constructs of binary sex and gender.
The anti-trans movement is fundamentally anti-feminist.
Maggie Kirkman,
Melbourne
A strong opposition please
I would like to thank the members of the Victorian Liberal Party at the Bendigo state conference on Saturday who walked out in protest in relation to “the Deeming matter”, for providing evidence of how irrelevant, unrepresentative and unelectable the party has become to the diverse, largely tolerant and respectful Victorian electorate. Democracy depends upon strong, viable opposition parties, capable of keeping the party of government accountable. It’s sadly lacking in Victoria.
Murray Mehmet, Elsternwick
Enlightened care
I recently toured the safe-injecting room at North Richmond. Anyone can book to do this: the tours run at 8am every Friday. The range of services linked to the injecting-room means that housing assistance, needle exchange, dental and medical care can also be tapped into, without the usual hassle.
About 40 per cent of those who drop in are homeless and many have been in prison. It is an enlightened, harm-minimising way to care for those who have taken this road. Melbourne needs several similar facilities.
Jennie Stuart, Balwyn
End the logging
The evidence supporting an end to native forest logging is clear. The industry is a huge carbon emitter, increases the risk of severe bushfires and is already being propped up by taxpayers. The ″unforeseeable circumstances″ that trigger the force majeure to end contractual obligations to Maryvale Mill are in play (″Legal advice casts doubt on logging deal″, 20/5).
So isn’t it time for good public policy from the government to end logging of native forests in 2023? There’s $200 million set aside to exit. The time to do it is now.
Sophie Torney, Kew
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
There doesn’t seem to be much left of the Victorian Liberal Party worth leading (″Pessuto heckled″, 21/5).
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills
Simon Birmingham, vestige of intelligent life in the Liberal Party (Insiders, ABC 21/5). What a relief.
Jan Dwyer, Rosebud
Stan Grant
I am disappointed that Stan Grant has felt obliged to withdraw from hosting Q&A. He has done a sterling job in the face of racist abuse. The ABC’s immediate lack of condemnation of this abuse and subsequent support of Grant was appalling.
Gloria Meltzer, Chewton
Shame on those who lambasted Stan Grant into quitting. SBS, please snap him up now.
Helen Hanrahan, Lower Plenty
Here we go again – the loss of Stan Grant, like so many others, forced to throw in the towel because of racist abuse. It is a sad reflection on a culturally rich and diverse nation.
Martin Hengeveld, Research
Furthermore
Bed wetters unite. Condemn those using this genetic predisposition to denigrate. It is no different from denigrating others based on disability, sexuality or race.
Kevan Richards, Mount Helen
Should we expect protests against Jason Donovan performing in drag in front of children in The Rocky Horror Show? Or is it ″OK″ because he is a straight man?
Dean Michael, Mount Macedon
If we want the Voice to pass simply remove the words ″executive government″.
Dan Drummond, Leongatha
To all with a mullet hairstyle, it is your Australian duty to watch Finding Your Voice to see one of the greatest singers to wear a mullet.
George Stephen, Thornbury
Finally
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. The Age experts have led my beloved Essendon again to victory.
Paul Flowers, Alma
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