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Millie Muroi’s suggestion that we should move away from taxing workers and move to a land tax is a good one that was proposed in Ken Henry’s taxation review of 2010 (“Immigration’s a fix, not a panacea”, January 28). After Tony Abbott’s successful campaign to remove the carbon tax, federal governments of both persuasions have not been brave enough to make any major changes to our tax system. The tragedy is that if the carbon tax had not been abolished, we would be raising an additional $70 billion a year. Similarly, the federal government was pressured by mining companies to dilute the effect of the resources rent tax (PRRT) to the extent that it now receives more revenue from HECS fees than the PRRT. With the opposition in chaos and Labor being expected to win at least the next election, surely it is time that our government started implementing some of the serious changes that our system of taxation desperately needs. Peter Nash, Fairlight
As a member of the older generation, I have to agree with Millie Muroi’s assessment of our tax system. We need more workers to build more houses. Limiting immigration limits our supply of builders, plumbers, electricians, etc. But the second point is the need to switch dependence on income tax, which disproportionately affects younger and middle-aged workers, and supplement it with property taxes which spread the burden more fairly. Property owners have prospered with the wild growth in real estate values without contributing to the economy. They should, at least, accept this and pay something back in return. If the argument is that it might force some people to sell, so be it. They can reinvest their unearned profits into smaller housing or an apartment. Something has to give, or we’ll only continue to lose workers to other states or countries. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge
Cap student numbers
Using tertiary education as a direct means of gaining entry to residency and citizenship is clearly wrong (“International student fees hit $850,000”, January 27). All such students, once graduated, should return to their home countries and, if they wish, re-enter Australia by the normal immigration processes. In regard to fees greater than a local student pays, the excess should be totally hypothecated to funding the equivalent of the old Commonwealth Scholarships for local students. In particular, we need to ensure that local students are not crowded out by overseas students, especially where local students don’t achieve very high HSC grades. I know many who were not A-grade students in Year 1 but they matured and became A-grade students by Year 4 and excellent contributors to our society thereafter. Peter Thornton, Killara
Not so safe
Liberal Party official Jason Falinski may well be expected to run for his former seat of Mackellar at the next election (“Nationals face wipeout in Senate warn Liberals”, January 28), but if the Liberals think he’ll win, tell them they’re dreaming. The tide turned on the northern beaches when local GP Dr Sophie Scamps swept to victory on the teal wave in 2022. Given that the Liberal Party had continuously held Mackellar for 73 years, this was indeed a historic win. Falinski would do well not to ignore the significant fact that Scamps was returned as the Mackellar independent MP with an increased majority at the last election. Mackellar constituents had for too long been ignored in this so-called safe Liberal seat, and it’s a safe bet that at the next election voters will remember that Scamps listens to their concerns and delivers on her promises, which are far more closely aligned with local issues about climate action, political integrity and representation than anyone toeing the Liberal Party line could ever be. Joy Nason, Mona Vale
Still the same
Dale Bailey, the positive aspects of Sussan Ley’s abilities that you refer to could have applied equally to Malcolm Turnbull when he was Coalition leader (Letters, January 28). Unfortunately for Malcolm, trust, teamwork, centrist attitudes and nation-advancing policies were in serious deficit among his team. Near eight years on, nothing much has changed. Brian Jones, Leura
Triggering comment
Donald Trump says ICE victim Alex Pretti “certainly should not have been carrying a gun” (“Trump faults Pretti for carrying gun, but says he wants ‘honest’ probe into killing”, January 28). I was immediately reminded of a visit to a crowded music venue in Texas some years ago, where almost every man in the house had a gun visibly bulging out of a pocket or holster. It was clear to me then that carrying a gun was almost de rigeur in some parts of the USA. According to US law, Pretti had every right to carry a gun, as all Americans do, and Trump knows this. I think if you asked most American blokes the famous Mae West question “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?” the answer would always be “Yes, it’s a gun.” Susan Anthony, Cammeray
The sentiment expressed in Cathy Wilcox’s cartoon on Wednesday rang true (Letters, January 28). Unfortunately in this instance, it’s more a case of “you may need a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun, but a good guy with a gun is no match for an army of bad guys with guns.” Peter Bourke, Rockdale
Under the flags
I heartily agree with your correspondents who suggest it’s time we ditch a flag which is no longer represents who we are as a nation (Letters, January 28). However, I don’t agree we need to cast around for a new design. We already have a beautiful flag which pays tribute to our Indigenous citizens, depicts the essence of this country – red earth and big, hot sun – and can’t possibly be confused with any other country’s flag. Yes, the Aboriginal flag which bizarrely is frequently seen on display alongside our “official” flag and the Torres Strait Island flag whenever the prime minister or other government officials hold news conferences. Let’s put a halt to the nonsense of three flags and adopt the one that would surely be a significant gesture of reconciliation and confirmation we have finally cut symbolic ties to “mother England”. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach
I disagree with the view that it is time for a new, more inclusive national flag. The Australian character is well represented in the current version. Twenty-five per cent of the flag features the Union Jack and the rest is devoted to the Southern Cross, a vital navigational tool and seasonal indicator in Aboriginal dreaming stories. It symbolises both the land’s Indigenous heritage and the many immigrants who have navigated to Australia’s shores. Roz Millar, Moss Vale
Clearly I’m not the only one becoming increasingly disaffected with our current national flag. It makes me cringe to see my fellow Australians use it in dishonourable ways, such as draping themselves in it and waving it around while performing racist chants. A new flag might help reset the way we all think and act as Australians. Mary Lawson, Marrickville
We could prevent people using the Australian flag as an instrument of intimidation by making it the law that flags can only be flown on fixed flagpoles, and are illegal to carry in any march or gathering. Mark Anderson, Coogee
Simply remove the Union Jack. We are all, each and every one of us, under the Southern Cross. Kay Violet, Putney
The call for a new national flag is certainly appropriate. As the kangaroo is the one thing about Australia that is known all over the world and is used on all our military assets, it has to be part of our new flag. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer
I so, so agree with Heather Haisman’s suggestion that we adopt a new national anthem. For me, it’s been a toss up between I am Australian and I Still Call Australia Home, but after a long time thinking about it I am Australian wins by a country mile. And while we’re at it, could we please ask for permission to make the Indigenous flag our official national flag? Deni McKenzie, Armidale
No thanks, Heather Haisman. As a national anthem, the song I am Australian has about as much soul-stirring gravitas as an 18th-century minuet. Might as well sing the old Aeroplane Jelly or Vegemite advertising jingles. Adrian Connelly, Springwood
Australia Day conundrum
Correspondents have numerous suggestions about how to solve the Australia Day conundrum (Letters, January 28). The day has always been a contentious subject. According to the Catholic priest and historian Father Edmund Campion, it was born out of controversy and a culture war. The new Australian government declared Empire Day in 1905 on May 24, Queen Victoria’s birthday, and marked the occasion at public schools with the unfurling of the British flag and singing God Save The King. The slogan “Australia for the Empire” irked Catholics, who were predominately Irish migrants and resented Protestant England colonising their former home. Cardinal Patrick Moran lined up with the nationalists and The Bulletin magazine’s motto “Australia for Australians”, and declared May 24 Australia Day. Catholic schoolchildren saluted the Australian flag and sang Father Maurice O’Reilly’s national hymn about “our own dear land, our motherland, Australia”. John Synnott, Enmore
Hot topic
Given the record temperatures recorded across the country on Monday plus the fires and flooding around the states, maybe we should keep the date but change the name to Goodbye Australia Day. John Elder, Brisbane (Qld).
The temperatures seen over South Australia and western Victoria earlier this week were awful, and unliveable in the long term, even the medium term. But consider this; they may look back and realise this was one of the coolest summers in memory. Andrew Taubman, Queens Park
Anti-immigration cure
I think people with anti-immigration sentiments could not have spent time in hospital or rehab. If they had done so, they might change their tune. I have just spent five weeks in hospital and am now in the rehab facility. Very few of the medical staff are Australian-born. They come from places like Nepal, India, the Philippines, Japan and China. Without exception, they are professional in their approach, kind in their manner and always respectful. They provide a vital workforce which is not otherwise available in Australia. These people are very desirable citizens, and we simply cannot and must not shut them out. Elizabeth Williams, Central Coast
Pitched ethnic battles
Entrenched ethnic prejudices are nothing new in Australia. Nor are they confined to antisemitism. I am old enough to remember the fierce battles that often erupted into spiteful brawls on Sydney soccer pitches when we had sides like the Italian Apia Leichhardt; the Jewish Hakoah club; St George Budapest; Prague, founded by Czech Aussies; the Greek Pan Hellenic team and Yugal, mostly composed of folk of Croatian heritage. Some of those match-ups were torrid encounters, both on the paddock and up in the grandstands, as traditional hatreds still simmered 15,000 kilometres from their homelands. Geoff Goodfellow, Moss Vale
Do more about DV
What kind of country do we live in if shark attacks create more public outrage than the often preventable deaths of women due to domestic violence? Jenna Price is correct to ask “where’s the system to assess, to monitor, to manage risk and finally to intervene?” (“Keeping women alive is everybody’s business. Here’s what we must do next”, January 28). Most domestic assaults do not come out of the blue – the predictors are there all along. Furthermore, it is usually only the deaths of women that are reported. There are also thousands of seriously, and sometimes permanently, injured women and children who must try to recover and seek refuge from their abusers. The effects of domestic violence on terrified, traumatised and vulnerable children are well known and often stay with them their whole lives. We absolutely need to do better, and we need to do it now. Sharon Everson, Wyoming
The number of women being abused and murdered is appalling. They are then frequently let down by the system when the perpetrator is released. So often we hear of perpetrators being freed “on appeal”, giving them the opportunity to attack again. It seems the justice process needs to change. My suggestion is for AI to help in the review process. A perpetrator’s history can be reviewed quickly and thoroughly and profiles can be built from victim statements and police records. If there was a database of perpetrator profiles, magistrates could use it to decide whether to grant bail or leave the perpetrator behind bars. K John Hughes, Warriewood
Internet bred rot
Your correspondent who bemoans the loss of Australian culture since the introduction of television in 1956 is on the money (Letters, January 28). The infection was accelerated with the arrival of the internet and is now out of control as several generations appear to have unthinkingly rolled over like obedient puppies to mimic the language and cultural and societal attitudes of Trump’s America. Phil Rodwell, Redfern
Murdoch’s motives
News that the Murdoch empire is to publish a new right-wing paper, the California Post, to gain political favour (“Will Murdoch get rewarded for his expensive gift to Trump?”, January 28) begs the question as to whose interests his Australian newspapers are designed to serve. They are certainly not intended to keep the Australian public properly informed. In fact, quite the opposite. Graeme Finn, Campsie
Bog not blossoms
Your idea of an English spring, Martin Player (Letters, January 28) comes straight from the pages of a Derek Tangye book. It’s pure fantasy, my dear chap, pure fantasy covering up the reality of a freezing, wet bog hole of a country. Julie Robinson, Cardiff
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