Australia is richer for the talents migrants bring

3 months ago 20

Thank you, Jasmine Batra (“Australian-ness should be how we live, not how we look”, November 22), for nailing the fair dinkum Aussie values that we should all share and guard – “mateship and generosity, connection to community, having a fair go and dignity for all types of work”. We have come a long way in my lifetime, from the White Australia Policy to the vibrant multicultural society we have today, and it would be tragic if right-wing ideologues were to succeed in dividing our society along racial lines. We all have an obligation to see this doesn’t happen in our respective spheres. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer

Since 1788, every citizen of Australia, except Indigenous Australians, has come from “somewhere else”, even Pauline. Our forebears had a variety of backgrounds but most came with a view of improving their lot in life, and that was their gift to us. As a result of their early hardship, leadership values were developed, including mateship, generosity, education and a fair go, among others, all shared values, but not uniquely Australian values, I would think. As our migrant intakes continue, it is important that while still maintaining aspects of their background we do need to work together to live harmoniously with shared values, and the most important is respect for one another. Kath Maher, Lidcombe

Prime Minister Ben Chifley greeted arrivals outside Old Parliament House in Canberra in 1947.

There is now much debate on migration but in that debate little recognition of the riches that migration has brought to our country. I recently spent some months in hospital. I was cared for by a variety of professionals: doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, all skilled and caring. The majority were recent migrants or the children of migrants. They came from every continent and their skin colour ranged from English cream to a rich Ugandan black, with all the shades of brown in between. All expressed joy at finding their home in Australia and their developing love for this sunburnt country. They all expressed the Australian value of “a fair go” and assured me that “she’ll be all right, mate”. And it was. As a nation, we are the richer from the talents our migrants bring, and richer too from the variety of cultures they bring to our multicultural nation. John Crowe, Cherrybrook

I have seen and heard Sussan Ley several times in countless interviews in the last week giving her thoughts on immigration and net zero. I have come to the conclusion that her chances of becoming prime minister of this country are about the same as mine are of opening the batting for Australia, my wife winning MasterChef, or Anthony Albanese doing something about tax reform. Phil Peak, Dubbo

The universal social values of dignity, respect and equality rightly assert that “There is only one race. The human race.” Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

While I agree almost entirely with Malcolm Knox (“Hail the beagles and bugles, Oi! Oi! Oi!” , November 22), his mention of “new entrants must be confused … when they try to find a school for their children”, and later, “those values include … belief in education as a pathway to equality” only confirms my belief that equality will come only when all schools are equal (and equally funded). This means we must make all schools government schools (as in Finland, which reportedly, has the best education system in the world) where the “best” school for your child is the nearest school, thus removing the trauma of finding, choosing or paying for a school for their children. Jim Croke, Stanmore

Over the weekend I picked up a couple of great Aussie values. A jar of Vegemite and a slab of beer were both on special at my local supermarket. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

Help to drive your country

When owners of internal combustion engine vehicles fill up their petrol tanks, there are at least three reasons they should feel guilt and shame (“Russian crude ban could raise prices – but only by a fraction”, November 22). Not only are they helping to finance Putin’s aggression in Ukraine by using a product of the fractionation of blood oil, but they are adding to atmospheric pollution on two separate occasions: first, whenever they turn on the ignition key and, second, when crude oil is taken to India and the refined product is brought to Australia by supertankers. These vessels, as a means of propulsion, burn “bunker fuel”, which is the least refined product of crude oil. The products of the combustion of this fuel, besides the usual range of atmospheric pollutants, also pumps out carcinogens like benzene and toluene. Probably best to switch to an EV, if only to ease the burden of guilt. Cornelius van der Weyden, Balmain East

Humble farewell

No state funeral for Clive Small, then (“The policeman who held the thin blue line”, November 22)? Of course not: much too decent, straight and public-service committed. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

Liberal by name

I looked up “liberal” in both my Oxford and Macquarie dictionaries (Letters, November 22), and they agree that it means, among other things, “free from prejudice and bigotry; tolerant, free in giving and open-hearted”. The Oxford also maintains it means “becoming [to] a gentleman”. When I read that Mark Speakman has lost the leadership because he is “too nice”, I wonder what has happened to those ideals and if the party has any plans to reclaim them? Mary Billing, Allambie Heights

I believe your correspondent who claims that among letter-writers here “liberal” has become a swear word has made a slight linguistic error. The problem is the capital “L”, which makes the difference, since for many of us the party name now no longer expresses the traditional meaning of the word. Al Svirskis, Mount Druitt

No, “liberal” is not a swear word. It’s just that the Liberals have forgotten what it means and seem more aligned with “illiberal”. Chris Robinson, Valla Beach

As an ardent Labor supporter, I can recall the ALP being mocked and pilloried after election defeats by multiple Liberal and National politicians gloating over their success. The current situation is just the pendulum swinging in the other direction for a change. However, much as we might now gloat at the Coalition catastrophe, the pendulum will swing back. When it does, the conservatives might find a little humility, rather than a “born to rule” mentality, might be worthwhile. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield

Although a long-term ALP voter, may I assure your correspondent that our ilk does not wish to see the “liberals” expunged. Our Albo might not compare to Sussan or whoever is next in line, but he is a good bloke and he is doing his best. I am sure he would be most disappointed if the opposition and its supporters were to change or be “re-educated”. They are doing a great job in opposition, and long may they remain so. Nola Tucker, Kiama

Call out harassment

I am in total sympathy with Kate Halfpenny’s stories about unwanted sexual advances (“How women, professional or powerless, are humiliated”, November 22) because at that age I had very similar experiences. I looked young for my age, but does that excuse it? Such encounters happen to both sexes, and we need to treat the problem as such. Guy Cox, St Albans

England’s short, sharp defeat is disappointing for Test fans

The humiliation of the English cricket team in two days (“Cricket: The Ashes, Perth Glory”, November 22) is as worrying for the future of the game as it is in acclamation for the performances of Mitchell Starc and Travis Head. “Bazball” is certainly entertaining, but any analysis shows it doesn’t win long form cricket series. A possible hybrid model could be the introduction of three day games of 100 overs daily. Go as hard as you like batting and set up a result for the final day. Players’ remuneration should be incentive to play longer overs in a day. Select a balanced team accordingly. Governing bodies plan and budget for three days. Travelling spectators are not disappointed and financially inconvenienced by early conclusions to games, as in recent series. Not Test cricket, but in these times of change and a desire for gratification and stimulation, a worthy alternative. The real Test would then be the leading teams over a given period contesting the World Test Championship over five days. I saw my first Test at the SCG in February 1969 and go to the Sydney Test every January. I love the format, admire the skill, mental toughness and durability of players and umpires alike, but the Perth game has me despairing. Peter Snowden, Orange

Former Australian cricket player Jack Fingleton defined the tied Test between Australia and the West Indies in December 1960 as “the greatest Test of all”. I vividly recall that day on December 9, but having witnessed this latest superb win by Australia against England, it has to rival the tied Test (“Travis Head’s greatest innings flattened England. It will define this Ashes series”, smh.com.au, November 22). Robyn Lewis, Raglan

Travis, how does it feel to lift the spirit of the whole of Australia? John Duff, Lavender Bay

Travball 1 , Bazball 0. David Grant, Ballina

At the risk of sounding like an old fuddy-duddy, I now yearn for the days when teams regularly scored 400 to 500 runs in the first innings of a Test match. The first Ashes Test was really just two T20 matches. If that is going to be the norm, then just schedule five T20 matches in a row. Then at least we would get some value for money. Pankaj Rao, Merewether

Price of CSIRO cost cuts

Regarding the job losses at CSIRO (Letters, November 22): nothing has changed in the last 26 years. I’ve just found an old letter of mine, published in the Herald in 1999, accusing the three preceding federal governments of losing our best scientists to other countries because of our defunding of universities and the CSIRO. To quote: “Only one minister in all that time understood the need to nourish these institutions … and he was laughed at every time he opened his mouth in parliament.” Again, “Comfortable and relaxed is all we’ll ever be, as our intellectual capital heads off overseas and we go back to mindless activities like chopping down trees, digging up minerals and shearing sheep.” Donald Horne was right to say that “Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second-rate people”; however, that was years ago. Our luck is now running out. Jeannette Tsoulos, West Pymble

Loving farewell

While it’s helpful to give some guidelines before you die as to what type of funeral you want, where you’d like it to be held, and what elements might be included in the service or celebration, it seems like the ultimate in controlling behaviour to plan every detail, expecting those you leave behind to follow your orders (“So long, farewell”, November 22). Funerals are for the living. They provide a framework that helps family and friends celebrate a person who’s been important in their lives. At their best, funerals facilitate a shared goodbye in an environment of love and support. Funeral conventions have relaxed considerably in recent decades. The funerals I’ve conducted have been many and varied, and one of the things I tell the nearest and dearest is that there are no set rules, and many ways to go about honouring the person they loved in an individual, personal way. So, by all means, make your wishes known before you die, and offer some helpful suggestions. But remember, you won’t be there. (Rev) Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills

Power to the Coalition

It’s incontrovertible that Australia needs extra gigawatts of electricity supply by 2035 (“Undermined and underdone: How climate talks bid failed”, November 22). The Coalition seems to be lukewarm on renewables, believing they should only be in “the right places”, with a diminishing number of satisfactory locations and leaving coal, nuclear and gas fired plants to fill the balance. Noting my project delivery background as an infrastructure engineer and willingness to assist the Coalition, I have created for them what I call without modesty Carlo’s Axiom: “You cannot complete a new project unless you have previously commenced that project.” So, the Coalition should tell us how many gigawatts they will deliver from coal, nuclear and gas generation by 2035. To further assist, I provide a hint. The gigawatts output of each energy source is the same. And the cumulative gigawatt output equals the output of each individual source. Unless the Coalition can disprove my axiom, then I respectfully suggest that they use best endeavours to support Labor’s renewables rollout rather than stifling delivery. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)

Aunty knows best

At intervals, we hear calls to defund our national broadcaster. Yet again it is the ABC providing weather and safety upgrades as a cyclone approaches Darwin. What would we do without them at times of adverse weather events, which are predicted to become more frequent as climate change bites? Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt

Hospital parking pain

Why must we pay for parking at a hospital? If staying with a sick child, visiting a family member patient several times a day, attending for multiple tests, procedures and consultations, charges can be up to $9 a half-hour, up to $30 dollars for longer periods. This is a major cost, especially if over an extended period, and surely a real stress. Parking in a hospital should be free, and not an added burden of the sick and their families. Fran Kirby, Castle Hill

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