Illustration by Cathy Wilcox.Credit:Fairfax Media
Since private schools were warned that over-funding would have to be repaid over a 10-year period, they could have chosen to prepare for these changes in their school budgets instead of crying poor now (“Principals fear rises may exclude middle-class families”, June 6). The article bemoans the difficulty some families may have in exercising their “right” to choose a better school. There is not one mention of working-class families, or even most middle-class families, whose choice might start with a school with decent toilets so that their child can study and learn in comfort and good health. The critical school choice is the choice governments make not to provide genuine,
quality education for every child, while pampering the wealthy. The government choice to allow a significant portion of the population to be ill-equipped for the world they are going to live in ignores the impact on the future of Australia as a nation. - Judith Wheeldon, Roseville Chase
Illustration by John Shakespeare.Credit:Fairfax Media
How encouraging. Can I even hope that there will be a return of middle-class families to their local public school bringing back the student diversity they once enjoyed? Could it be that private schools go back to being schools for the rich only and keep their elitist values where they belong? Could it be that Catholic schools get increased enrolments of students who are actually Catholic? I won’t allow myself to get too excited as I am yet to see what strategies the independent and Catholic sector lobbyists use to try to compromise the government and keep their special funding deals alive. I’m watching with a tiny glimpse of hope for true needs-based school funding. I think this Labor government with the courageous Jason Clare leading education may just make it happen. - - Christine May, South Durras
The best way to peg private school fees would be if the principals and their administration choose not to increase them. They could reduce spending to a level that is appropriate to their federal government funding and tighten their purse strings as public schools do year after year. No more Olympic pools, sports fields, gymnasiums, grand halls, massive libraries and higher wages. - Mark Nugent, Lugarno
Private school principals need to get their collective heads out of the sandpit. During COVID, most received millions more than needed and have refused to return the funds, even with another seven years of guaranteed government over funding. Now with an elected Labor government, they are trying on an emotional plea of a fairer education for all. The only thing keeping middle-class families out of private schools are the principals themselves. - Michael Blissenden, Dural
There’s no question that having to give up something you’ve always had and been able to do, and being forced to operate in a different way is hard. Just ask workers whose real wages have fallen dramatically over the past decade. The notion that middle-class parents will no longer be able to afford private schooling is a deliberate ploy by some private schools to garner support for continued funding. The real issue here is that public schools are underfunded compared to private schools and that that wrong needs to be made right. - Lyn Savage, Coogee
Private schools will get between 2 and 5 per cent more government money than their entitlement while public schools will get between 5 and 9 per cent less than theirs over the next five years, yet private schools claim they are “grappling” with their “losses”. And this doesn’t account for private school fees and accounting methods biased against public schools. Private schools have raised their fees way above inflation since the Howard era con job that government funding would enable school “choice” for less wealthy people. Quite the opposite, it has further exacerbated Australia’s social divide with an increase in the percentage of wealthy high Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage students in private schools and conversely an increased percentage of poorer low ICSEA students in public schools. Australia is almost unique in the world in the highly distorted manner that we fund schools. - David McMaster, Mosman
Countries with better performing education systems than ours have few if any private schools. This is rarely mentioned. So, when private school principals start crying poor and moaning that their school will be out of reach for middle-class families, I have little sympathy for them. Private schools are more about elitism than education, which suits the Liberal side of politics in this country fine. Labor would cut funding to private schools if it thought it wouldn’t cost it votes which, unfortunately, it would, so it doesn’t. Since it looks like private schools are here to stay, then I am happy for parents to send their children there as long as they are prepared to pay for it, even if fees were to double or triple. - Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
The wealth of these very privileged schools is evident. I pass two regularly and both are expanding their already opulent facilities. If the government needs to shore up its coffers, the cessation of funding to private schools would be a good start. - Kim Smith, Rozelle
Nuclear option, when it comes, will still not make sense
Even avid proponents of nuclear power recognise the cost and time required to build large nuclear plants make them prohibitive. As for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Nick O’Malley correctly states they sound great but do not yet exist (“Old and costly, nuclear has loyal friends”, June 6). The most consistent fact about the building of nuclear plants is that they are never built on time and always run over budget. SMRs will be deployed in 2029 at the earliest, by which time advances in renewables with energy storage will have made nuclear power even more uneconomic than it is today. - Peter Nash, Fairlight
Perhaps Peter Dutton, his opposition climate spokesperson and other nuclear proponents should read Nick O’Malley’s excellent article on the fantasy of nuclear power. We now have the spectre of opposition MPs claiming that SMRs are the future. But as Mr O’Malley states, they do not even exist yet. And don’t get me started on the cost of this fantasy! - John Nelson, Mudgee
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has declared he’s “not ruling anything out” in addressing the current gas crisis (“‘Not ruling anything out’: gas crisis meeting”, June 6). Hopefully, this does not include the expansion of the gas industry. As NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean so aptly states: “the best course of action to drive down energy prices” is “to transition to newer technology”. Emissions from recently approved ventures such as Woodside’s Scarborough project will make it very difficult for Labor to achieve its 43 per cent target, experts say. Labor came to government promising voters strong action on climate. - Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)
It would seem to me that large fossil fuel companies have swum against the tide of national opinion by continuing to pollute at will and paying very little in tax. They will send our resources overseas, instead of supporting families and local manufacturers, to cash-in on ridiculous global gas prices. Why won’t these companies make an effort to improve their reputations by forgoing these super profits and supporting the nation that gives them access to their resources? They have a lot of political capital to gain by prioritising Australians in our time of need. - Matt Neenan, Wallagoot
The cost of energy is going up, and through Services NSW our state government is offering Band-Aids to slow the haemorrhaging of low-income household wallets. Meanwhile, the hope for well-designed, comfortable, energy-efficient housing and neighbourhoods went out the window with the dumping of the draft Design & Place State Environmental Planning Policy. Developers breathe a sigh of relief while those who can least afford it feel the sting of being ripped off. - Sandra Chrystall, Spring Terrace
Plibersek move no demotional crisis
The negative commentary on the appointment of Tanya Plibersek as environment minister baffles me (“Fraction of friction in factions” June 6). It is blindingly obvious that the outcome of this last election was irrevocably tied to the many environmental issues. I cannot think of a more experienced, skilled, competent and likeable person to take on the responsibility of environment than Ms Plibersek. A great call by the PM, I suggest. Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs
It is unfortunate that a person with the depth of knowledge and the practical hands-on experience that Tanya Plibersek possesses should be passed over for the prominent education portfolio and relegated to a junior ministerial position effectively under the control of Chris Bowen. This country can ill-afford to have the competence and ability of Plibersek sidelined so that Anthony Albanese can remove the worry of having his own position challenged. - Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie
History histrionics
If your correspondents think that the current coverage of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is over the top (Letters, June 6), wait till you see the orgy of programs rehashing every last minute of her amazingly long life when she passes. There will probably even be in-depth biographies of her numerous corgis. If you are not a monarchist, it might be a good time to check out your local library. - Richard Keyes, Enfield
I’m with David Latimer (Letters, June 6). Those pushing for a republic need to consider what, if and how a president would be chosen before rushing to dip out of a monarchy. Until the Australian republicans can come up with an acceptable model, I’m sticking with the royals. At least they know how to put on a good show. - Genevieve Milton, Newtown
David Latimer is rather selective about republican models in our world. And the many people struggling to feed their families in the UK may not be so enamoured that their taxes are helping to prop up an unelected extended family with more than enough money to look after themselves. As Thomas Paine said: “A hereditary monarch is as absurd a proposition as a heredity doctor or mathematician.” - Patricia Philippou, Charlestown
If the time it takes to hoist the Aboriginal flag above the Sydney Harbour Bridge is any indication, it will take decades to write a new constitution if we were to transition to a republic. Better start now. - Viv Munter, Pennant Hills
I get irritated by the churlishness of many of your correspondents who fail to acknowledge that we have lived an enviable life here in Australia under our current constitutional arrangements. Queen Elizabeth has been a peerless exemplar of all that the word service means over a record-breaking 70 years. Our current version of the Westminster system has kept go-getters and charlatans from taking unassailable hold of our hard-won rights and freedoms, unlike many so-called republics. We should all remember it is the power the monarchy withholds from others, not its actual power, that is of vital importance. - Lance Dover, Pretty Beach
Surely, the Queen’s jubilee will involve a limited release of those being detained in Her Majesty’s jails. I vote that Julian Assange be released and deported to Australia with his wife and their children. - Graeme Milton, Newtown
Look to bad management
The shortage of nurses has been strategically brought about by poor management. Both my wife and me, during our 40 years in public sector nursing, witnessed colleagues leaving in droves. Vacant critical clinical positions would be left unadvertised for months or even years. Experienced nurses were targeted and hounded out of the system by upper management. The outcome was an acute nursing shortage resulting in double shifts, leave cancellations and burnt-out staff. The COVID crisis has just highlighted the long-standing managerial practice of staff cutting. Nurses, and other health professionals, will be loath to go back into this critically fractured work environment. To quickly find 10,000 experienced health professionals will be an extraordinary feat of human resource management. - Stuart Garland, Yamba
Tokens or merited?
For years the federal Coalition has had difficulty in promoting women within its ranks with the usual argument of highlighting the importance of merit before quotas (“Dutton names 10 women in top posts”, June 6). Unsurprisingly, following its recent election loss, Peter Dutton has managed to find plenty of “meritorious” women to fill his shadow portfolio positions. Presumably, this is not merely a tokenistic response. - Richard Kolodziej, Georges Hall
Please, enough of being told that both Liberal and Labor lost first preferences. So what? Voters understand the system and sometimes give an encouraging or protesting first preference to a party or candidate who can’t win but then give their second preference to a party they know can win. We haven’t had a good analysis of second preferences, but we know Labor got more because Labor won and the Liberals got smashed. - Victor Bivell, Abbotsford
Tax the super rich
While reading the Money section, I came across a number of articles that dealt with people’s financial positions, particularly in relation to superannuation. Incredibly, one correspondent was concerned with exceeding the $1.7 million superannuation cap and was asking what that might mean for them financially. Ironically, there was a link to an opinion piece at the bottom of the page, titled: “Doing it tough? Here’s where you can get genuine financial help”. If the new Labor government needs help with its pledge to do something about childcare, aged care and disability care, then I suggest a real overhaul of the tax treatment of superannuation should definitely be up for consideration. - Lee Cook, Orange
Grace in the USA
How delightful to watch another wonderful Australian, Minjee Lee, win a major tournament showing grace and good manners (“‘I’m speechless’: Lee wins US Open, record prize money”, June 6). Like Ash Barty, she is a credit to her family and her country. - Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
French numbers
Why do so many people not have easily visible street numbers on their houses? Do they expect the ambos to cruise up and down shouting: “Who’s having the heart attack, then?” In France, every building has a number, a beautiful blue tile, on the front of the premises. - Jonathan Hornibrook, Newtown
Waste not, want not
Alleluia, Maida Pineda (“Trash or treasure? Our waste problem”, June 6). I couldn’t agree more. In my young (and not so young) days, objects dumped on the footpath were promptly salvaged. Rarely did something have only one life, one use. Everything that could be mended was, or converted into something else. - Kathleen Hollins, Northmead
Too many of us throw out and replace rather than repair or donate. But there are so few options to repair electronic items and the cost of repair, if available, is often more than the cost of replacement. - Susan Rowe, Epping
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
“Unprecedented $4.5 billion boost for NSW hospitals, health services”
From Col Hewer: “My wife is an ED [Emergency Department] nurse, with two degrees, is undertaking post-grad speciality training, has performed CPR in the hospital corridors and does shift-work. She chooses to work only a few days a week because the job is so physically and mentally demanding. For all that, she is paid a measly 30-odd bucks an hour! She earns about half what a truck driver at my place of business earns.”
- To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.