The Parramatta Road revival just can’t come soon enough

Turning Parramatta Rd into a Yellow Brick Road from the current Brown Brick Road (read air pollution) is a smart, forward-thinking solution to Sydney’s housing problem (“Developers swoop on ‘traffic sewer’. Is $2.8b enough?” , February 2). In 20 years from now, when most polluting fossil fuel vehicles have been crushed, Parramatta Road may well have morphed into the visionary’s desirable boulevard to live. John Swanton, Coogee

One of my earliest memories of reading the Herald was in the early 1950s when President Truman sacked General MacArthur. Since then, it seems, just about every year, a plan to rejuvenate Parramatta Road has been floated. Enough talking, just do it. Brian Collins, Cronulla

Parramatta Road Traffic, boarded up shops and closed retail stores. It is the road to ruin?Louie Douvis

In response to concerns expressed about the loss of low-cost artist studio space as a result of one proposed development along Parramatta Road, the developer says its plans for the Leichhardt site – a seven-storey tower with 82 units – will provide more housing choices in an area where the average weekly rent is more than $900, and house prices are above $2.2 million. Given that claim, it would be interesting to know what mix of dwellings would be included in the project (how many studios and one-bedders compared to three- and four-bedroom pads, for example), and how much they are likely to rent and sell for. I assume they won’t be rented for $500 or $600 a week, or sold for under a million dollars, and so will still largely be out of reach for most low- and middle-income earners. Those details are important because Sydney doesn’t need more housing; it needs more “affordable” housing and to maintain diverse communities. Ross Duncan, Potts Point

At last, we might have a meaningful plan for large-scale housing with the redevelopment of Parramatta Road. There aren’t any NIMBYs living there, are there? Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

I lived in the eastern suburbs of Sydney for 32 years before migrating to Queensland in 2015. What made my blood boil at that time was the number of infrastructure projects proposed by successive NSW state governments and councils that either never came to fruition or took many years to see the light of day. To my mind, the long- talked-about transformation of Parramatta Road, and the extension of the Eastern Suburbs rail line from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach, were two projects that, had they gone ahead years ago, would have dramatically made the Harbour City a better place to live. Eric Palm, Gympie (Qld)

Liberal Party farce

Those with an eye on the history of the Liberal Party (“Supporters of Taylor put Hastie off leadership”, February 2) will remember the 1989 bloodless coup led by the moderates (wets) that resurrected Andrew Peacock at the expense of John Howard, champion of the right (dries). Since that time, the party’s leadership challenges have been much less subtle and have provided fine fare for the media. However, the current stoush, led by the right wing of the party, has descended into high farce as the open wound of disunity is being debrided daily. Gordon Lambert, Kiama Downs

Angus Taylor: is he what we want, what we really, really want?Alex Ellinghausen

Good government requires a great opposition. And we don’t have one. The Nationals are headed for oblivion, no matter what. The Liberals are not much better, but if Angus Taylor becomes their leader, they are doomed too. Sussan Ley is the best of a bad bunch. Here is a pathway for conservative politics to become relevant again. Ley should close that Coalition door, weld it shut and poach any moderate Nationals. Then she can find and run candidates in all regional seats. Maybe Julie Bishop and Josh Frydenberg could be recruited? Teals even? Ley has got two years to prepare, and probably two or three election cycles still in opposition. It’s the conservatives’ only chance to create a centre-right party which might appeal to the rump of Australian voters. Please, we need a decent opposition. Mike Salon, Darlinghurst

Before they find themselves in delight over the current poor form of the Libs and Nats, it’s time for a friendly reminder to exultant contributors that it was a mere few weeks back that the PM was in dire trouble over whether to hold a royal commission. That Albanese appears to have recovered is not due to brilliant politicking, but entirely due to the unmatchable self-destructive ways of a floundering opposition. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Tell Trump ’he’s dreaming’

Anthony Albanese is right to be cautious about any involvement in an international Board of Peace that has Trump’s name attached to it (“PM ponders how to politely decline Trump’s Board of Peace invitation”, February 2). Surely, when Australia’s former foreign ministers Gareth Evans and Alexander Downer advise caution, the PM should take notice. Their words like “fragment”, “undermine” and “plaything” could sit comfortably in any description of Trump’s international adventures. My advice, Albo, on how to respond to Trump’s invitation is to draw inspiration from the words of the great Australian sage Darryl Kerrigan and “Tell him he’s dreaming”. Peter Singer, Hamilton South

Cathy Wilcox

I shouldn’t think it would be difficult for the PM to decline President Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace. Just tell Trump he has a full-time job running his country’s affairs, such as a cost-of- living crisis, rising inflation, a housing crisis, unrest over rising immigration and a recent shooting tragedy. Not to mention an Opposition rump, all of which are identical to those which need attention in the US. And he sees it as his responsibility to stay home and fix them. Easy peasy. Les Sisley, Kelso

Apparently, our prime minister has yet to decide whether to accept Trump’s invitation to a spot on the Board of Peace, and thereby hand over a billion dollars for the privilege. I appreciate that Albanese is a cautious man, but most sentient beings could have made that decision in a picosecond.
Joe Weller, Mittagong

Simple: Peace off. John Elder, Annerley (Qld)

Not Palmer’s pawn

Cashed-up political wannabe Clive Palmer should be hauled before the parliament to explain any truth behind the Epstein file claim that former Trump stalwart Steve Bannon influenced the 2019 federal election (“Bannon’s boast over Palmer ad campaign”, February 2). In light of that claim and despite his own failure at that poll, Palmer’s belief to have swung the result in favour of the Coalition is disturbing. The implication that the Australian electorate was a mere pawn in some grander global plan orchestrated by the Trump lackey is not only insulting, but it also questions the value the MAGA mindset places on what is purported to be a close friend and ally. Doubtless, Palmer, never one to shy from the limelight, would bluster his way through any formal questioning. Still, perhaps lessons could be learnt as the parliament and our security organisations hone their vigilance against this and other increasingly sophisticated attempts at eroding the democratic process. Bradley Wynne, Croydon

One is not surprised to find that the US allegedly tried to interfere in Australia’s 2019 election via Clive Palmer. It is well-documented that the US interferes in other countries’ politics, particularly in South America, for political and financial gain. With Donald Trump at the helm, Anthony Albanese has to be even more cautious in dealing with that country. Josephine Piper, Miranda

Wattle we argue over if not flags?

All this talk about the flag (Letters, February 2) – I don’t really like green and gold, what about a pink flag with seagulls on it? I agree with your correspondent, our current flag has served us well and stands suitably alongside the Aboriginal flag. It would be great if both flags flew proudly on flagpoles and not draped disrespectfully over people and objects. Kath Maher, Lidcombe

The Australian and Aboriginal flags flying high on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Anna Kucera

It is a common theme that we adopt the Aboriginal flag to represent our nation. So not content with stealing their land, we now want their flag as well. And what of the other Indigenous flag – that of the Torres Strait Islander people, who never seem to get a mention? Instead, I suggest going for a blank flag and selling off the advertising space. What could be more representative of contemporary Australia? Malcolm McCallum, Dulwich Hill

The uses and abuses of the Australian flag are bad enough to make one ashamed. However, the ultimate abuse surely was Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Australian flag face mask that he proudly wore, even on overseas visits, during the Covid crisis. Especially so, given there is a government protocol on the use and display of the Australian flag. Carey Buls, Saratoga

A likely consequence of the adoption of a new Australian flag would be that the current flag becomes the symbol of the more extreme right, thus further accentuating the ongoing polarisation of our country. Jim Pollitt, Wahroonga

Any debate about the Australian flag is certain to amplify the differences in the community. Although the Aboriginal flag is colourful, by definition it doesn’t represent the entire population, thus should be disqualified. Someone once said animals don’t belong on national flags and I agree, despite an affection for kangaroos. The Southern Cross should be an integral part of a newly created design, without the Union Jack, and our national colours of green and gold should also be part of the design brief. Surely there are enough talented individuals out there to arrive at something which represents everyone? Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

For many years, British sports fans have chanted “Get our flag off your rag”. My response is “Get the Pommy rag off our flag”. Easy. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow

I love wattle, but it’s regarded as a pest species in many areas of Australia. If officially featured as the emblem on our flag it may rapidly take over the whole flag’s area, drowning out the Southern Cross – more like an example of hegemony than unification. Wattle we do then? Judy Finch, Taree

Your correspondent is incorrect when he (like others before him) asserts that Australians have served under the same flag. In both world wars we fought under the British flag, and in Korea under the American flag; it wasn’t until Vietnam that we served under the Australian flag. Dave Horsfall, North Gosford

Those same arguments about which flag we served under were used against changing from the Royal Navy white ensign that the RAN had flown for 66 years. I served under both, and it was a great occasion when we changed in 1967 in Singapore. Even the RNers thought it was right. Jeff Evans, Cambewarra

Good sports all

Your correspondent (Letters, February 2) conveniently overlooks the fact that while AFL players are rewarded a point for an unsuccessful scoring of a goal, rugby league players get two opportunities to score the maximum six points. After the try, they set up for an uninterrupted kick, with the ball sitting up nicely on a soft rubber tee to get the extra two points. No second chances in the AFL. Greg Preston, Cherrybrook

A correspondent questions why tennis players have to fist pump after making a winning shot. I’d like some psychologist to explain why our big boofy league and rugby players have to receive a reassuring pat on the back or even a hug from their teammates when they make a mistake. Have they been brought up in such a bubble that they can’t handle making an error? My heart bleeds for them. Tony Denzel, Bonny Hills

Your correspondent implies some sort of rampant sexism when tennis players address the crowd as “you guys”. While “guy” is technically masculine, “you guys” is as gender-neutral as “mankind”. And as for fist-pumping after winning a point, surely it’s a far more natural reaction than whatever it was Lleyton Hewitt used to do while screaming “C’mon!” Col Burns, Lugarno

The tennis might be over, but there’s still plenty of quality sport to be had. You’ve got the Nats v the Libs or the Libs v the Nats, the Libs v the Libs and the Nats v the Nats. On a lesser note, the Winter Olympics are coming soon. A virtual smorgasbord. Michael Deeth, Como West

I think King Charles is quite a decent chap and I have always admired his tree-hugging proclivities, but I am sick to death of the Barmy Army singing “God save YOUR gracious King”. It is spoiling my enjoyment of our dominance in the Ashes Tests and it has to stop. Roll on the republic. Coral Button, North Epping

Assisted dying

I will be turning 85 soon and that has turned my thoughts to dying. I do not want to end up bedridden day and night, having to be toileted, bathed, dressed and fed. Before this eventuates I wish to avail myself of voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Unfortunately, the current regulations do not permit this. Hence, one is forced to face that dreaded eventuality. It is time for our politicians to change this situation. If this opportunity was given to those who wanted it, a side benefit would free up hospital beds and free up nursing home places for those who desire such an end. Barry O’Connell, Old Toongabbie

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