VINTAGE WILCOX
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AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY
Time to show we will stand up for our citizens
For almost 10 years we have witnessed the, at times, farcical but ultimately tragic spectacle of the treatment of an Australian citizen holed up in an Ecuadorean embassy and now incarcerated in one of Britain’s harshest prisons. We have witnessed the breaking of a man, physically, mentally and psychologically for allegedly being a party to exposing America’s dirty war secrets, yet with barely a peep of protest from the Australian government. Thus it is heartening to see the chorus of voices here calling for an end to the US’ pursuit of extradition of Julian Assange. The case if heard in the US would serve no purpose except for political grandstanding. It would severely threaten the freedom of investigative journalism everywhere and diminishes the standing of both countries in decrying dictatorships and human rights abuses in other countries. It may ultimately break a man who has already suffered irreparable damage to his physical and mental health.
Chilling images of another Australian citizen, David Hicks shackled and tortured for years and left to languish in Guantanamo Bay, spring to mind. It is time for Australia to make a stand for one of its own and to demonstrate that we protect and support all Australian citizens regardless of background, race or creed.
Anne Moorhouse, Inverloch
Consider also those less fortunate
As Barnaby Joyce, in Washington isolation, reflects on what makes a decent society (“Assange should not be extradited: Joyce”, The Age, 14/12) he might consider matters other than the right to liberty and habeas corpus. Rights to affordable shelter, a sustainable environment, to be free from poverty and to an excellent, equitable education system spring to mind. On these measures Australia does not look like a decent society. Further, stage 3 tax cuts, for example, with about two-thirds going to those who have “been blessed with the greatest luck in the random draw of life” seem inconsistent with Mr Joyce’s apparent values. He legitimately claims consistency in arguing for justice for Julian Assange. Some consistency in considering the plight of Australians “who have been less fortunate” would be timely and refreshing.
Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
US should stop the charade
It seems that Julian Assange is being persecuted because he exposed the “wrong side” viz the US committing murder and human rights violations. Had Assange exposed China with visible proof for the genocide of Uighurs, setup of charges of dissidents or Russia for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 or other war crimes on the Ukrainian front, he may have been applauded and given a ticker tape parade. Instead he exposed the US, and its actions since smack of covering up the truth.
The US should stop the charade, admit wrongdoing and set a better example for the rest of the world. It is high time for the Australian government to confer immunity or a similar vehicle on Assange as a pathway out of jail and Britain.
Despite the article, I won’t hold my breath on Joyce or Morrison doing more than grandstanding a populist cause in a potentially cynical effort to get a few votes.
Trevor Gibbs, Ocean Grove
You can’t have it both ways
You might call me a grumpy old man but in my 67 years my opinion of Australians has dropped to an all-time low.
We want governments to fix all our problems. But whatever you do, don’t tax us. Labor found this out the hard way when it wanted to rid us of tax concessions by way of excess franking credits and increase the level of capital gains tax on the sale of rental properties. Now we are on track to give enormous tax breaks to the wealthy in 2024-25 and the Prime Minister is talking about further tax cuts.
The issue before us is easy, keep more money for yourselves but don’t expect government to help you. You can’t have it both ways.
John Rome, Mount Lawley, WA
THE FORUM
US has its own rules
It was gratifying to hear Barnaby Joyce is opposed to the extradition of Julian Assange to the US. People should be reminded that the then CEO of Union Carbide Company, Warren Anderson faced extradition proceedings in respect of the horrendous Bhopal chemical disaster that killed and maimed thousands in India in the 1980s.
He was granted bail and then fled to the US where US officials dismissed the extradition application as they stated there was insufficient evidence. This was another clear case where the US ignores international rules, regulations and treaties where signing can implicate its citizens. Maybe Barnaby our resident Deputy PM in Washington can remind his closest buddies of this inconsistency as well as his silent boss in Canberra?
Rob Park, Surrey Hills
Super profits concern
Joining the dots between two excellent articles (“Home care hit with $1b admin blowout”, “Why home care sector needs overhaul”, The Age, 13/12) the providers’ admin fee of 25 per cent is augmented by their “take” of more than 50 per cent of their charge for each service provided.
The first article notes that charges are $60 an hour for the most basic services of cleaning, gardening and personal care (showering). The second quotes the hourly wages of $23.67, and a possible increase to $29.58, but it would still leave the provider with a massive margin, even if it did not increase the charge to the Home And Community Care package.
In my family’s case, the provider is taking more than 50 per cent of the amounts charged to the package. Further, there is a lack of transparency, with the family having to request a breakdown of services provided and the charges per service. The client, in their 90s, is not in a position to monitor and keep a record of contact with the provider.
Unfortunately, this excessive overhead issue is also common to NDIS providers, and super profits are also being received by providers in residential aged care, early childhood learning and employment services.
Bruce Parr, Hawthorn
Give to save the planet
Thank you to Alice Clarke for drawing attention to our Christmas gift-giving choices (“Shop small so that your gift choices give twice”, The Age, 13/12). Indeed, supporting small, local businesses who have suffered considerably over the past 21 months is important. Now is also the time to acknowledge that our consumer habits are driving climate change. The production of household goods and services is responsible for a whopping 60 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Further, the richest 1per cent of the global population, many of whom are us Australians, emit more than twice that of the poorest 50 per cent. Every item we buy is made using natural resources and our planet simply cannot sustain our level of consumption and waste.
Christmas is a time for love, connection and giving. Let’s enjoy these things in ways that reduce our consumption, thereby improving global equity and supporting the environment that sustains us.
Amy Hiller, Kew
You asked for it
Lance Ross (Letters, 14/12) asks why cereal manufacturers “only half fill the boxes” and suggests it’s due to manufacturers deceiving consumers. Not so. Cereal is sold by weight, so the box size is less important. The extra box size allows a cushion of air to reduce compaction and subsequent product damage during transit. Different cereals compact and settle differently. Corn flakes, for example, settle more than muesli. Manufacturers could settle the cereal with vibrating machinery, but the machinery and added production costs would increase the cost to consumers. Aren’t you glad you asked?
Robert Lang, Toorak
Ban greyhound racing
In 2015, a Four Corners expose into “blooding” of greyhounds with live rabbits and other animals was followed by an inquiry into the greyhound racing industry, the report of which was so shocking that the NSW government immediately banned the industry. Despite public support for the ban, the government back-flipped, following promises of reforms and false protestations that dog welfare would be vastly improved.
Shipping greyhounds to China has been banned for the past five years due to evidence of their appalling treatment there but, this year, the integrity unit of Greyhound Racing Victoria had to investigate a scheme to fly them to the UK, from where they would be shipped on to China. Where there are animals being exploited for profit, there will be abuse and brutality. It’s time Australia stood up for “man’s best friend” and joined other civilised countries in banning this industry.
Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia
Double standards
With breathtaking hypocrisy the federal government is attempting to force independent candidates to disclose their sources of funding while being totally unconcerned about the Christian Porter slush fund which came from heavens knows where! Nothing to see there, perhaps?
Russell Patterson, Heathmont
Clive, you’re dreaming
I feel I have to tell Clive Palmer he’s dreaming. His plea to join and vote for the United Australia Party with its warm Christmas greeting may appeal to some men and women of Australia, but like most of his and Craig Kelly’s utterances it was long on rhetoric and devoid of policies.
Ross Bardin, Williamstown
What’s in a name?
As a resident of Moreland I would be appalled to think that my municipality was named after a Jamaican slave plantation as some have claimed. While it is true that Dr Farquhar McCrae bought land between Moonee Ponds Creek and Sydney Road and named it Moreland, we have no way of knowing if it was named after a slave plantation.
Evidence suggests that Farquhar did not inherit money from the slave trade as has been claimed. While his grandfather Alexander made a fortune out of sugar plantations his own father William was influenced by Wilberforce and was anti-slavery. As a result William was disinherited. Farquhar’s father left no will.
Instead Farquhar inherited money from his father-in-law which enabled him to buy land which he named Moreland. The name Moreland comes from the Scottish and northern English border regions where Farquhar was born. I like to think that Moreland was named after his birthplace and not after a slave plantation although it is impossible to prove.
At the same time however we must acknowledge the brutal dispossession of land which has caused untold pain and suffering to First Nations Peoples.
Jane Desailly, Brunswick
History’s legacies
Moreland Council in Victoria has decided to change its name because it is apparently derived from a Jamaican slave estate. Will councils such as Moyne, Killarney, Castlemaine and Kilmore also consider changing their names? Slave traders captured people from Wales and forced them to work on Irish farms. One was a child that survived and became St Patrick.
Michael Doyle, Ashburton
Magnificent Mailman
After watching the second series of the excellent ABC drama Total Control, I’d like to know how Deborah Mailman did not win the AACTA Award for best actor.
Her stellar performance as politician Alex Irving was beyond magnificent.
Wendy Daniels, Hawthorn
Don’t forget the musicians
Thank you Andrew Fuhrmann for your extensive and insightful review of The Australian Ballet’s Gala Celebration (“Hope springs in joyful gala”, The Age,13/12). Though it’s always such a shame when Orchestra Victoria isn’t mentioned at all. The ballet is impossible without the incredible music in this program, and as a cellist participating in the return to the theatre, I and my colleagues are thrilled and feeling as celebratory as are the dancers we partner.
We all know the music is integral to the dance, so to leave out any mention of the orchestra is disheartening to this performer.
Tania Hardy-Smith, Mitcham
We still have a choice
“Killer tornadoes wreak disaster” (The Age, 13/12) tells of a devastating event which has changed lives and towns forever. It is not surprising that people are wondering whether climate change played a part in exacerbating the storms.
There is one immutable answer. Yes, climate change did have a role, because the climate has changed. On average the world has already warmed by just over 1 degree (1.4 degrees in Australia). This means that every single weather event occurring anywhere in the world is starting from a different baseline than it would have, had there been no anthropogenic global warming. We have potentially boosted every weather event, but we continue to add fuel to the fire by burning more coal, gas and oil.
Disaster declarations and financial assistance after the fact do not restore the lives lost and families bereft. They are no substitute for doing everything we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now. We must live with the warming which has already accrued, but we have a choice about how much more we allow.
Helen Moss, Croydon
AND ANOTHER THING …
Politics
Government by focus group – so no meddling busybodies to build social housing, improve aged care or protect biodiversity.
Jenny Smithers, Ashburton
Another paid literary masterpiece from Clive and Craig today. I so look forward to seeing their ads – they never fail to entertain.
Fiona White, Alfredton
Special Minister of State Ben Morton is concerned about the source of funding for “Voices of” and Climate 200. Similarly, I am interested in the source of funding for Christian Porter.
Robin Martin, Coburg
Instead of tax cuts for the rich, imagine what we could do for this country with those funds.
Patricia Rivett, Ferntree Gully
How is giving tax cuts to those who do not need it good for the economy while increasing the JobSeeker payment, to those who do need it, is not?
Samantha Keir, East Brighton
Julian Assange
At last, the secret to unlocking Barnaby Joyce’s deepest secrets – lock him in a hotel room for 10 days and he starts to make sense.
Ian Hetherington, Moama
Oh, that Barnaby Joyce would show the same compassion for the refugees we have locked up indefinitely as he does for Julian Assange. Christmas hypocrisy anyone?
Claire Cooper, Maldon
Scott Morrison claims to be a Christian and for most that includes compassion. Julian Assange on your radar yet, PM?
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool
For the first time ever I am thrilled with Barnaby Joyce, with his views on the proposed extradition of Julian Assange.
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East
Furthermore
I can see it now. New name for Moreland: “Greensville”.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South
Don’t worry, Jordan, all will be forgiven by round one (“Grundy backs Pies’ stance on De Goey”, The Age, 14/12).
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
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