PM puts vote grab ahead of principled decision

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This was published 5 years ago

PM puts vote grab ahead of principled decision

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Illustration: Cathy WilcoxCredit:

Peter Hartcher would have our Prime Minister determine foreign policy not based upon right or wrong, but upon appeasing our neighbours ("Israel pitch plumbs new depths of stupid", October 17).

Can we not contemplate that to move the Australian embassy to Jerusalem is the right thing to do and that's why the US moved its embassy. Perhaps peace will come when the Palestinians see the world support the reality that Israel is here to stay and Jerusalem is its capital, as it has been for nearly 3000 years.

Perhaps the Iran deal is a bad deal and Iran has to be stopped before it obtains a nuclear capability. Perhaps it's not all a cynical vote grab.

Would Hartcher have had Australia vote no to the establishment of the State of Israel not to offend our neighbours?

Moving the embassy is the right thing to do. Stopping Iran is the right thing to do. Principled decisions are the right thing to do. - Rabbi Moshe D Gutnick, President, Rabbinical Council of Australia and New Zealand

Thank you, Peter, for making it clear to us what this coalition of incompetents is all about. Morrison et al have no interest in government, or, perhaps more correctly, governance. They are concerned only with saving their jobs. - Peter Hayes, Port Macquarie

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Illustration: John ShakespeareCredit:

The PM's "crash through or crash" arrogance may have worked in his previous portfolios but now he needs to realise that it isn't compatible with the highest office ("Trade at risk from backlash on Israel", October 17).

In his short time in the job, he has been issuing unilateral policy opinions like a child in a chocolate factory. It's time he realised that just because he shouts something with bullying certainty and a smug smirk does not make it right. The honeymoon is over and more maturity is required – along with a more grown-up hat. - Bert Candy, Glenvale (Qld)

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I live in Wentworth. I am a Jew and my vote is not for sale. My concerns are the refugees and climate change, and I do not vote Liberal. - Valerie Levy, Woollahra

By the way, anyone with dual citizenship standing in the Wentworth byelection? - Rod Tuck, Katoomba

Where the bloody hell are you, PM? Clearly out of your depth. - Brian Hardiman, Surfers Paradise (Qld)

The Morrison government is bracing for a diplomatic backlash after the Prime Minister urged the government to move Australia's embassy to Jerusalem.

The Morrison government is bracing for a diplomatic backlash after the Prime Minister urged the government to move Australia's embassy to Jerusalem.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Who will open the embassy in Jerusalem? Ivanka or Lara? - Sonia Lee, Dudley

And a special National Own Goal Award goes to Scott Morrison of the Liberal Party. - Peter Rutherford, Hamlyn heights

Just because it feels like it's been raining for 40 days and 40 nights here in Wentworth, it's still no reason to look to Jerusalem for the answer. - Neil Kendrick, Waverley

Attention Bondi surfers: The Coalition has announced 150 per cent tax rebates on surfboards if you vote Sharma. - Tim Schroder, Gordon

Surely we can be promised a University of the Upper Eastern Suburbs and free gold passes for the new Allianz stadium? There's just enough time, PM. - John Connell, Bronte

What's next, Scott? A damehood for the Queen? - Murray Cullen, East Ballina

Only two more sleeps to the Wentworth byelection! - Charmain Brinks, Newcastle

Nothing OK about senators who vote without thinking

What a disgrace. The Coalition blames a "rogue" email from their own minister's office for their "regrettable" decision to enthusiastically back and endorse a motion they hadn't even taken the time to read for themselves ("Coalition claims email error was behind Hanson vote", October 17).

If all our highly paid senators do is to blindly follow directives without scrutiny, please relieve them of their duties, deem their vote to be in accordance with the government's lead in the Senate and save ourselves the cost of their salaries, perks and office trappings. - David Mackinnon, Kings Cross

It is alarming that several ministers are apologising for not checking on what they are voting for. That doesn't make me sleep well at night. - Peter Neufeld, Mosman

Let me get this right: those Liberal senators who supported the motion that "it's OK to be white" (both in Parliament and individually on Twitter) because they were told to, have now voted against it because they have been told to change their mind? - Gary Dennison, Glebe

The Attorney-General's staff ought to have been stung by the overt meaning in the language, even if unaware of the political associations. It is evidence of the deep-rooted racism that drives policy that they did not. - Anne Eagar, Epping

What a wonderful, affirming message Pauline Hanson tried to have passed in the Senate on the back of Mental Health week.

Unfortunately, like most of our writing, a good edit is sometimes needed. With just a 20 per cent reduction in words we get a message we can all agree on: It's OK to be. - Kez Thompson, Tomerong

The senators supporting Hanson's motion shows that Gilbert and Sullivan's comment is still apposite: "I always voted at my party's call, I never thought of thinking for myself at all". - Peter White, Redfern

I'm white, male, senior and a Wests Tigers supporter. All of that is OK, but I don't normally feel the need to have that verified by the Senate. Get over yourselves, people. - Peter Leonard, Tweed Heads South

Is it OK to be blotchy pink, with a few brown spots? - Craig Barton, Warrimoo

Not to worry about your "administrative error", Coalition senators. It's OK to be stupid. - Scott Poynting, Newtown

Despite claims to the contrary there is no threat to freedom of speech in this country and, as Hanson's entire self-interested, lucrative political career shows, it is not only OK to be white but also OK to be Right. - Ron Sinclair, Bathurst

Quite the win

And the best news item on Wednesday? The smiling faces of the Socceroos newest players, Thomas Deng and Awer Mabil, refugees from South Sudan who set up and scored a goal in their debut match ("It's a dream come true", October 17). - Elisabeth Hawkins, Normanhurst

Master remake?

Surely the print of The Republican Club featuring Donald Trump in a "private-club like thing" owed an apology to Arthur Sarnoff ("President shares drink with Lincoln in painting", October 17). It had a good deal in common with Sarnoff's paintings of dogs playing cards, pool and golf. - Col Shephard, Yamba

​Anecdotal evidence suggests they would be laughing at the incumbent rather than sharing a laugh. - Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

Mysterious power

I keep reading about this mythical wonder 'democracy' (Letters, October 17). There is fascism, socialism, communism and capitalism. That's it folks! - Sally Spurr, Lane Cove

Fashion fling

Harry's outfits are from off-the-rack then ("What we learnt from the Duchess dress", October 17)? - Edward Loong, Milsons Point

Being royal is OK so long as you smile, wear local designers and offer your offspring for photo opps. - Keith Russell, Mayfield West

Clubs deal shows commercial interests rule

The advantage of the deal our government has made with Clubs NSW is that it is now very clear who governs our state: commercial interests ("Berejiklian locks in pokies deal", October 17).

It seems that the Premier is blinded by any proposal that offers revenue; any social or ethical issue and any risk to future management is not considered.

We have the privilege in this country to have a voting system that means we can dismiss a government that doesn't govern for the people. We can't dismiss corporate interests.

Wouldn't it have been easy and safer to take back the special tax treatments for clubs and get the funding for an independent TAFE directly? - Jan Allerton, Huntleys Cove

It would seem that current tax benefits to pedlars of pokies are not enough, and now our Premier is proposing to house government services and TAFE facilities in the clubs.

This will ensure that great sections of the population who would not be near the temptation of poker machines in the past will be directly exposed to them.

We already have more gamblers per head of population than any other nation. We should be doing everything possible to reduce this statistic rather than providing more fertile ground for its expansion. - Annette Kent, Hunters Hill

Not keen to come

Scott Morrison need not worry about refugees trying to come in via the "back door" after being resettled in New Zealand ("PM warms to NZ on refugees but insists on visa ban", October 17). The way successive governments have treated them, would ensure they would never want to come here. - Jeff Birse, Constitution Hill

In praise of the library

A school library is more than a storeroom for books ("School libraries' shelf life in the balance", October 17). It is at the centre of thinking and imagination within the school community.

As with all aspects of learning, this is best guided by a trained teacher. In this case a teacher librarian, who can connect young minds with the diverse thoughts of others in ways that are engaging, relevant and reflective, - Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

Having had the opportunity to work in and visit high schools across the state, I would assert that if you were required to make a quick judgment of the educational effectiveness of such an institution you could do no better than visit the library.

State high schools, in the main, have had the great benefit of reasonably resourced and committed, future-oriented, well-trained librarians.

To suggest that these engines of education be cut back rather than enhanced is blind and ignorant. - Gus Plater, Saratoga

In 2010, a national inquiry was conducted into school libraries resulting in several recommendations being made. In the eight years since that inquiry, none of the recommendations have been implemented, in fact the position of school libraries and teacher librarians has worsened.

One of the roles of a qualified teacher librarian is literature specialist, which enables them to select the best quality material, as well as being able to place the right book in the hands of their students. All we hear is children need to read more, but if you visited a school with a qualified teacher librarian and a well-resourced library, you would see students engaged in their reading. - Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul

Sadly, it is not just school libraries facing these issues but public libraries, special libraries (government departments, corporate and law firms), technical and university libraries too. Librarians are massively unacknowledged – their skills and knowledge base built up over years discarded by administrators across all levels of society. The myth that everything is on the internet is all pervasive. The results are there for all to see – a society believing fake news encompassing large numbers of citizens who have no ability to think critically or analyse information for evidence. They are easy targets for conspiracy theories and outright lies.

Our children deserve better if they are to grow up and develop the skills to be able to evaluate the information that is widely disseminated. - Wendy Cousins, Balgownie

Stadium costs

Ask any developer: When you construct a commercial property you do the numbers first ("Clock ticking as Eels hit stalemate in stadium stoush", October 17).

Obviously until now there has been no discussion with Eels management, an assumed principal tenant, on the new Western Sydney Stadium which is now half built. Apparently the new rent is too high so the Eels have indicated they are looking elsewhere. When will this government put any of its projected spending into proper financial perspective? - Peter Rose, Jamberoo

Following the example of a shining light

We have lost a giant amongst us ("PM leads tributes after death of Ian Kiernan", October 17).

Ian was able to harness the energy of a generation to take action on the environmental issues we knew we had to deal with, but did not know what as individuals we could do that was meaningful in solving it.

So many people were ready and willing to leave the comfort of their homes to collect litter in public spaces to start the clean-up we knew was needed for the future of our planet. We simply needed a leader to show us the way.

He started small, with Sydney Harbour the focus then drew us along the path of awareness to create a global movement.

He surely has shown that one person can make a difference.

Show your respect for Ian's impact by picking up litter wherever you find it from now on. Remember where it could end up and the damage we know it now sows in our oceans. - James Allison, Vaucluse

Shoddy work

Perhaps "Better Regulation" minister Matt Kean can explain why the residents of units and townhouses have to put up with shoddy workmanship ("Wicked problem facing Sydney home owners", October 17).

The defect bond scheme he introduced earlier this year was, by his own admission, based on consultation with developers and not home owners. - Peter Mahoney, Oatley

No discrimination

And, Nan, if you are telling me that Jesus says it is OK to discriminate against people on such grounds, then I am most definitely challenging the word of Jesus (Letters, October 17). - Richard Kemp, Maroubra.

To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au

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