Police just can’t win when it comes to public safety

3 months ago 26

Although Sunday’s bridge march was a success, I found the readers’ comments decrying the police response very disappointing (Letters, August 5). What instructions were marchers given by the organisers on how they should return to the city? Did the organisers have an emergency plan if an incident had occurred during the march? What mitigation plan did organisers have when more marchers arrived than they expected? The police (and other emergency services) are always welcomed by the public when there’s a crime, an emergency or injuries, so why criticise them when everything went relatively smoothly and no one was even hurt? Stephen Kirk, Blackbutt

Police keep an eye on protesters at the march across the Harbour Bridge.

It was interesting reading the letters from bridge march participants, who are suddenly all experts on crowd dynamics and safety, complaining about the decision by police to turn back the marchers for safety reasons. It made an interesting contrast to the article by Mila Haghani, an expert on “Urban Risk, Resilience and Mobility”, who took the opposite viewpoint (“The key reason NSW Police told Harbour Bridge protesters to turn around”, August 5). He makes the valid point that if there had been injuries, or worse, then it would be a very different conversation. Would those same correspondents then be complaining that the police did not act sooner? Peter Ware, Cheltenham

I absolutely agree with your readers who took part in the march. The police presence from air and on ground needs a big rethink. I defy anyone to hear a loudhailer message barked out from a low-flying police helicopter – all you can hear are the rotors and distortion as it buzzes around. Most in the crowd found it amusing. Then the appallingly dangerous decision to turn thousands of people marching forwards, back on itself. Madness. Now, call me cynical, but could it have been an attempt to halt marchers who might have kept on moving forwards, right up to the US Consulate in North Sydney? Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne

The behaviour from the mammoth crowd at the march was exemplary, and kudos to the police and organisers. My only criticism is that in hindsight the march should not have been planned from south to north, where the dispersal options were limited to North Sydney station and buses, leading to 200m-long queues. Previous marches have taken place from north to south, which facilitates dispersal of the crowds from the city centre through various options, including multiple platforms at Wynyard. Allwyn D’Souza, Pymble

In 2000, 250,000 people walked across the bridge. In my case, we caught a train to North Sydney, then dispersed into the city. There were no problems as everyone headed in one direction. Admittedly, Sunday’s march had only 24 hours’ notice, but if the politicians had worked with the organisers, and the march did what the Reconciliation March did, there should not have been the problems that seem to have made it very difficult for many people. Sue Milliken, Queens Park

From the frontline

In response to David Ziegler’s claims about the march (Letters, August 5), I say this: David, I was there. I was very aware of the various banners, props and chants by those around me. You mention “hateful” banners displayed that I did not see on the day. I got the strong impression that most people were there for the same reason as me – to stop the killing and starvation of the children and people of this obliterated territory. James Allison, Dover Heights

While I would hope that correspondent David Ziegler was at the march on Sunday to back his outrageous claim that it was a pro-Hamas “march of hate”, I rather doubt his umbrella got wet. David Sargent, Seaton (SA)

Protesters on the Sydney Harbour Bridge share a pro-humanity message.

It would be good if the pro-Israel readers would actually focus on what the Netanyahu government has been doing for nearly two years in the name of self-defence, rather than continually default to the subject of the remaining Israeli hostages. To focus only on what Hamas has done and to ignore what Israel is doing does nothing to further the cause of a just peace. Severino Milazzo, Maroubra Bay

Bigger hunger crisis

I don’t support the Israeli government or its actions, but when will there be a protest walk over the bridge for the world’s largest famine crisis? You know, the one in Sudan, which dwarfs the crisis in Gaza. How many protesters from Sunday know that more than 24 million Sudanese have acute food insecurity and, according to the UN World Food Program, 637,000 face “catastrophic levels of hunger”? Or do we simply not care about those in sub-Sahara Africa? Alex Kemeny, Naremburn

Questions swirl in my mind. Why are we moved by the scale of child starvation caused by conflict in Gaza but seemingly not by the same (maybe larger) situation in Sudan? Do Middle East protagonists have better propaganda machines than their counterparts in Africa? Is it tribal? Too far away? Or is there something darker in our mass psychology? I don’t know. But I lie awake at night troubled by our selective compassion. Brian Haisman, Winmalee

Moral failure

David French is absolutely correct in pointing out that Hamas’ war crimes of indiscriminate murder and hostage taking, and its concealment behind civilian buildings to try and yield as many Palestinian civilian deaths as possible, do not absolve Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu of his moral and legal obligations (“Time for Israel’s friends to intervene”, August 5). As a Jewish Australian I believe it’s all the more incumbent upon the Israeli government to show moral stewardship. Instead, they’re engaging in a race to the bottom with Hamas. David Faktor, Bondi

A man sells bread under the rubble of his Gaza bakery destroyed in an Israeli air raid.

David French describes himself as a “Christian Zionist” who believes the Jewish people should have their own safe, secure homeland. I do not disagree, but Israel has expanded from its original borders and continues to do so to the extent that there is no safe, secure place left for Palestinians. Although Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran have espoused genocidal policies, it is Israel that is committing genocide in Gaza. There is no free pass for any nation regarding human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Complaining that other nations get off lightly is childish and shows no respect for the tens of thousands who have been murdered by the IDF in Gaza. Yes, this is murder; not war, not hostage retrieval. I again agree with the final words of French’s article: “End the famine in Gaza. Drop any talk of annexation. Protect the civilian population.” Though I would add: free Palestine. Geoffrey Dyer, Bundanoon

Security measures

Irish President Michael D. Higgins has called for UN intervention in Gaza to establish and protect a humanitarian corridor for aid. This would require the UN Security Council to authorise collective measures, including military force. However, such proposals can be blocked by the veto power held by the five permanent Security Council members – United States, Britain, France, China and Russia. Although most UN members would support such action, the US would almost certainly use its veto, preventing implementation. This undermines the UN’s founding principle of collective security. The success of a UN-backed intervention was demonstrated in East Timor in 1999, when INTERFET, a multinational force led by Australia, stopped widespread violence by pro-Indonesian militias. With 5500 Australian troops and support from 22 nations, the mission prevented further atrocities and paved the way for East Timor’s independence and democratic transition. Today, the majority of UN member states support restricting or abolishing the veto. The world is bigger than five. Barry York, O’Connor (ACT)

When asked about the horrific situation in Gaza, our prime minister says Australians don’t want to bring these conflicts over here. The trouble is that, every day for nearly two years, the bombing, destruction and dying children are broadcast into living rooms to haunt us, the brutality and cruelty so extreme that we will never forget these scenes. Also, many Australian citizens come from Gaza and nearby countries, and they certainly can’t forget their relatives suffering under Israeli occupation. Our country can no longer be sealed off from the world by leaders who want us to turn a blind eye to mass slaughter and deliberate starvation. Caroline Graham, Cromer

Minns misreads the room

Premier Chris Minns has given a masterclass in how to lose the next state election (“Minns’ stand on the bridge: It’s not open season”, August 5). He is more concerned about the bridge being closed in the future, stating without evidence that the pro-Palestine march “cost the state millions”. I marched and it was extremely peaceful. For the NSW Police to assert without facts it was “perilous” is nonsense. It was multicultural Australia coming together to seek not only justice for Palestinians, but also to mobilise the world to get food into Gaza. The inconvenience of closing the bridge for a few hours was a small price to pay for this. Michael Sergent, Fairy Meadow

I couldn’t agree more, Nicholas Triggs (Letters, August 5). Your assessment of Chris Minns matches mine. After being over-ruled by the judge in relation to the bridge march, he sounded like a petulant child or Donald Trump when he came out on Tuesday threatening laws to ban all protests on “our” bridge. I wonder what all his Labor colleagues, state and federal, who took part in the march, think of his actions? Then we hear him talking about supporting the Shooters and Fishers Party in bringing in laws related to hunting feral animals. NSW Labor needs to rethink their leadership. Mary Lawson, Marrickville

NSW Premier Chris Minns opposed the bridge march.

Having failed to read the room on the proposed Rosehill racecourse sale, Chris Minns bit the dust again on the dire situation in Gaza. He should try his luck on the much-needed gambling reform, notably the crass advertising during prime-time TV. Ray Alexander, Moss Vale

Minns’ whinging does not do him proud. Australians stood up for something on Sunday and he thinks only of the dollars lost – the price and not the value. Anna Searls, Randwick

Tourism cringe

So $130 million has gone into the latest Australian tourism campaign, with some ad execs no doubt feeling pretty pleased at coming up with a “new fresh” concept (“Tourism Australia launches new star-studded campaign”, August 5). But really, it’s not so new or fresh. It all feels like a rehash of the same, old, cliched tropes about Australia – more cringe than cool. The real question I have is for the minsters who signed off on this – with tourism already at all-time highs, why waste so much money in this way? Why not instead invest it in local tourism rather than filling the pockets of ad execs?
Paul Bugeja, Varsity Lakes (Qld)

Despotic Donald

Peter Hartcher has laid bare the inner indignity of the US president (“Trump wants to be sole arbiter of truth ... just like a real dictator”, August 5). Anything Trump cannot control or doesn’t like is instantly decreed fake: fake news, fake weather reports, fake intelligence reports, fake statistics. His life is a bold distortion of reality: fake hairstyle, fake complexion, fake fellowship, fake promises. The list goes on. Credibility is not a virtue that accentuates a strongman. Much less than leading his country from a state of carnage to a “golden age”, America is being dragged down a path to moral decay by a self-serving despot. Mary Carde, Parrearra (Qld)

President Trump’s dictator-like sacking of his official scorekeeper (statistician) for reporting the weakest jobs market in five years is not just about shooting the messenger. Perhaps he would also like to have his own ministry of truth (George Orwell, 1984) to trumpet his MAGA messages. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

Labor laxity

Your front-page story (“Burke’s hard line on visas”, August 5) omits a few pertinent details. At the latest count, there are more than 2.5 million non-permanent visa-holders in Australia, excluding “visitors”. This is 9 per cent of the population, even higher than what Canada has. The reality is that this Labor government has taken immigration visas into uncharted territory with no popular mandate. It took a Rudd to top 300,000 for annual net migration. It took an Albanese to reach 500,000. Stephen Saunders, O’Connor (ACT)

True school success

A recent school report I read about included the comment “better than expected”. Expected by whom? The teacher? What a negative thing to say. I know of one child who is thinking of dropping his favourite subject because of the teacher’s dismissive attitude. He was also advised to take the easier level in English, even though he’d wanted to tackle the more difficult path. Surely, he could have started high then dropped down if he wasn’t coping. It’s heartening to read how Ashfield Boys’ High is reaping benefits from its thoughtful and considered approach (“What really works in raising students’ academic results”, August 5). If students are encouraged to take the subjects they’re interested in, rather than worry about HSC marks, that’s success right there. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove

Heritage left to rot

As your correspondent states, Glenlee at Lugarno, with its extensive Aboriginal, European and natural heritage, is unquestionably worthy of state listing (Letters, August 5). Penny Sharpe, now NSW heritage minister, was in agreement before Labor won the March 2023 election, promising an interim heritage order. However, more than two years later, residents, environmentalists and prominent historians continue to wait in earnest for the minister to fulfil her pledge to secure Glenlee for future generations. Peter Mahoney, Oatley

Parental priorities

Here in leafy Wahroonga, the long-established church shares a suburban street with a modest private school. Traffic signs were recently changed to reduce congestion and assist in student drop-off arrangements, minimising parking spaces for general use. However, after the recent early afternoon funeral service of a much-loved parishioner, concerned school parents have suggested that the church be requested to avoid holding funeral services at times that may inconvenience parental pick-up arrangements for their children. How entitled. Peter Armstrong, Wahroonga

Bring back carrier pigeons, says Craig Moran.

Post haste? Hardly

Seriously – what is going on at Australia Post? The cost to post a standard letter has gone through the roof and the red post-boxes are disappearing by the day. A standard-sized, correctly addressed letter within the metropolitan area just took six days to arrive, and a card (again standard) I posted from Sydney to Mudgee took two weeks. It used to take one or two days. Bring back carrier pigeons. Craig Moran, Blakehurst

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