Will Alice Springs tragedy of Indigenous Kumanjayi Little Baby deliver long-awaited change?
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INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Sean Kelly writes on the tragic death of a little girl in Alice Springs (“Tragedy puts Australia on notice”, 4/5) which should stir the conscience of all of us, but will it? Over the years, when the tragedies of Indigenous people who have died in custody are announced, political parties of all persuasion say they will make changes, but these promises are built of quicksand as the deaths continue.
It’s about time that the country did something positive, and as a starting point, the opportunity was lost when the Voice referendum was lost. From a different position, churches could commence to bring all these matters to their congregations, instead of ignoring attempts to correct or admit their failures. But the whole community also needs to acknowledge the equal rights of everyone, particularly the most disadvantaged – and that is the First Nations people. It should not have taken the death of a little girl to ensure that this happens.
Bruce MacKenzie, South Kingsville
Coalition misses the mark
Never missing an opportunity to attack the Albanese government, within 24 hours of the death of the little girl in Alice Springs, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price were blaming the federal government for the crime (“Calls for peace, unity after a night of violence in Alice Springs”, 2/3).
Given the anger and division stirred up by the Coalition campaigning against the Voice referendum, you’d think the Coalition would show some decency on this occasion and say nothing. They clearly have no shame and no conscience.
Margaret Ludowyk, Brunswick
Leadership comes to the fore
It sometimes takes tragic events to measure leadership capacity. Individuals who might outwardly appear as stereotypical functionaries, distinguished only by their impressive uniforms, can sometimes under pressure exhibit qualities of both empathy and firmness. The NT Police Commissioner, Martin Dole, would appear to be such a leader (“Lewis charged with girl’s murder”, 4/5).
His demeanour in interviews since the search for a suspect, and following the deeply distressing death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has been notable for his sympathy for the wider Alice Springs community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in a fraught time. His identification of criminal behaviour in relation to looting and mayhem by some locals, and distinguishing it from the practice of traditional law, was surely timely.
Jon McMillan, Mornington
Cavalier disregard should be noted
I hope the “shrine” to Robert Menzies at the University of Melbourne (CBD, 4/5) includes a reference to his peremptory agreement to British nuclear testing in the ’50s in WA and SA with a cavalier disregard for the health of Indigenous Australians. He authorised the tests under high secrecy, often bypassing formal parliamentary or cabinet approval.
Wayne Robinson, Kingsley, WA
More education on culture needed
I have absolutely no problem with the Welcome to Country ceremony – it’s a recognition of our Indigenous folk. Growing up in the early 1960s at primary school, every Monday morning we would sing the national anthem and raise the flag. We were never taught anything about Aboriginal culture, and that continued into secondary school. Obviously, some of those aspects have changed for the better, but I still think there’s room for improvement.
Greg Bardin, Altona North
Fostering division on welcome is shameful
Our Indigenous people have been here for a long, long time. When we are being welcomed to Country, we are being welcomed to a connection with the land forged over 60 millennia. We are not being welcomed to Australia, the sovereign nation to which we all belong. Angus Taylor, Matt Canavan and Pauline Hanson know this. It is to their shame that they would rather foster division where in truth there is only grace.
Tony Newport, Hillwood, Qld
THE FORUM
A lawful option
Voluntary assisted dying has now been operating safely and effectively in Victoria for seven years. In April next year, amendments to the act will come into effect and help improve equity of access for eligible Victorians.
However, the act makes no reference to the role of aged care facilities in supporting residents who wish to access voluntary assisted dying (“Assisted dying chaos leaving aged care patients out in cold”, 4/5).
Voluntary assisted dying is a lawful end-of-life option in Victoria. Access to it should not be determined by the religious, ideological, or personal beliefs of aged care operators. Importantly, new federal aged care laws require providers to respect and support residents’ end-of-life rights. This includes the right to pursue voluntary assisted dying in what is, for many, their permanent home.
All aged care operators must ensure they uphold these obligations so residents are not denied a legal and humane end-of-life choice at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
Jane Morris, president, Dying With Dignity Victoria
Nurses’ vital contribution
I read with interest the article recounting former US marine corporal Travis Reyes’ recovery from his devastating injuries (“Miracle for a marine”, 3/5).
How lucky we are in Australia to have access to a world-class, groundbreaking and innovative public healthcare system. It is truly an extraordinary story of survival. However, the article references nurses only once – and by Reyes himself. I would like to acknowledge the care, compassion and support of the nursing staff and allied health teams who also were vital in the success of Reeves’ healthcare journey.
Tuesday, May 5, is International Day of the Midwife, and May 12 is International Nurses Day. Please take a moment to thank the nurses and midwives in your community for the care they deliver.
Caryn Auld, Point Cook
Windfall gains lost
The government has made windfall gains from the rise in commodity prices and will sensibly put these aside to be drawn down at a more appropriate time (“Budget to prioritise savings over spending”, 4/5). Big business is making even larger windfall gains. But these transient record profits will not be set aside. They will be used to pay bonuses to executives, fund larger disbursements to shareholders, and result in temporarily higher share prices.
How much more beneficial to the nation it would be if such windfall gains – resulting from factors over which management can take no credit – could be appropriated by government to fund health, social security and even defence. Never let a good crisis go to waste, Treasurer.
Peter Thomson, Brunswick
Rates rise unwarranted
Interest rates seem to be the default go-to as the way to combat inflation (“Budget to prioritise savings over spending”, 4/5). We are told this action reduces our ability to spend. OK, we did have an abrupt spike in inflation in this past quarter, and so I guess out will come the interest rate rise as a way to fight it. But does it have to?
It is recognised the Iran war has contributed greatly to this spike. This war could finish at any time, but an interest rate rise is going to affect people for quite some time – maybe even permanently change lives for the worse.
Surely, the direct effects of the war – creating uncertainty in our activity, the hellish rise in the price of fuel, the flow on to the cost of goods – are already curbing our spending ability. Isn’t this enough?
Gerry Lonergan, Reservoir
Argument flawed
Your correspondent suggests that without investors, renters will be worse off with increasing rents (Letters, 4/5). In other words, the generous tax benefits given to property investors results in a social benefit. On examination, this proposition does not stack up. The cost to the budget of the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing for property investors was $12 billion in 2025. If this money was instead used by the government to invest in social and low-cost housing, surely we would have a better outcome.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
Support not clear-cut
Perhaps the voting pattern in Nepean is not quite the grounds for a surge in support for One Nation that some suggest (“Major parties on high alert as One Nation proves popular”, 4/5). While its 24 per cent primary vote is noteworthy, it needs some analysis. In 2022, one-third voted Labor. These voters were left grasping at straws. Perhaps one in four went Pauline Hanson’s way without conviction.
The One Nation candidate was listed at the top of the voting paper. This “donkey” vote typically accounts for more than 5 per cent in an unwanted byelection. This suggests genuine support for
One Nation about 15 per cent.
Richard McLoughlin, Dromana
Liberals at risk
The successful Liberal candidate in the Nepean byelection suffered a 10 per cent drop in primary vote when compared to the result in the 2022 poll. If this is replicated statewide in the election, there is no way Jess Wilson will be our next premier.
Phil Alexander, Eltham
Teals leading the way
We read that Charlotte Mortlock wants a new political movement that starts with the people and builds a platform from which they can contribute to solutions in Australian politics (Opinion, 4/5).
She is a bit late to the party! All the grassroots “Voices for …” groups have been established for quite a few years; they have selected candidates with real-world experience, who have successfully stood for seats in parliament. They are independent MPs but are often called the “teals”. They have been instrumental in policy changes.
Jan Downing, Hawthorn East
Renewables v oil
The excellent article, “Warnings over Russian ‘blood oil’ as Asian refined fuel imports increase” (4/5), documents that Australia has sent $2.4 billion to Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine – with much more on the way as a result of the prime minister’s visit to South-East Asia to shore up our fuel supplies. According to Singapore’s PM: “As long as more oil enters the global energy market, it is good for the world.” This contradicts Peter Hartcher’s foolish emphasis on renewables (“How power from the people carbon-dates the opposition”, 2/5) that ignores the fact more than 90 per cent of our fuel needs in transport and farming come from hydrocarbons.
Peter McGregor, Hampton
Skipping the beach house
I tend to delay reading articles like “Cry me a glacier” (3/5) because I know I will become downhearted. When I finally steeled myself to read the article, I learnt the Thwaites “doomsday” glacier is rapidly melting and “the meltwater already disrupting climate systems half a world away … enough to raise global sea levels by 60cm”. And this from just one Antarctic glacier. If only I could muster Angus Taylor’s confidence (no doubt Matt Canavan’s and Pauline Hanson’s too) that such reports are all just fake news. I could then embrace a coal and gas future and abandon silly dreams of net zero policies. But on reflection, I don’t think I will buy that house by the beach after all.
Peter McCarthy, Mentone
Win-win for all
The state government faces a higher health budget, while residents are crying out for cost-of-living relief. Some funding measures could address both.
Victoria Walks has shown that expenditure on better walking infrastructure yields $13 for every $1 spent. Most of the savings are in health costs. And a faster, more frequent public transport system would encourage more people to walk to the bus, tram or train stop.
Andrea Bunting, Brunswick
Excellent idea, but …
The announced $157 million study for the planning and design of the Melton line electrification is good news (“Metro trains closing in on electrifying Melton line”, 4/5). As was the announcement of the 1969 Melbourne Transport Plan that included a rail line to Doncaster. Expecting nothing avoids disappointment.
Geoff Gowers, Merricks North,
Comeng fleet harshly rated
It was pleasing to see the excitement among railway enthusiasts on Sunday with the first run in service of Melbourne’s “X’Trapolis 2.0″ trains to Upfield. However, I do take some umbrage in regard to the article, “The next-gen trains replacing Melbourne’s least reliable fleet” (2/5), labelling the Comeng fleet as “unreliable”.
When introduced in 1981, the Comeng “Super Silvers” ushered in a new standard of comfort for commuters. The fleet has served us well for 45 years and has more than delivered value to the taxpayer.
In terms of reliability, who can remember the braking issues with the Siemens fleet in the early 2000s? What about the terrible ride quality of the first series of X’trapolis trains as they bounce and sway alarmingly on services to Hurstbridge or Belgrave? Anyone travel on the failure that was the “4D” double-decker in the 1990s?
Hopefully, these new trains will last as long as the trusty and reliable Comeng trains which still look good after all of these years.
Steven Haby, Mildura
Standing up for passengers
I see the Department of Transport is spruiking its Metro “X’Trapolis 2.0” trains. The new trains are larger, with 423 seats to accommodate 1225 passengers … meaning 802 folk get to stand. This might be fine for short trips, but not for regional folk trying to get to and from Melbourne if the government goes ahead with plans to electrify rail from Werribee to Waurn Ponds and run high-capacity trains.
Jeff Moran, Lake Wendouree
Good films go missing
Like your correspondent (Letters, 4/5), I was staggered to see the omission of any Paul Cox films from the top 50 Australian movies list. I would also like to nominate Return Home, an absolute gem from 1990, directed by Ray Argall. But since it seems I’m one of the few people who saw it, I’m not totally surprised it didn’t crack a mention.
Peter Rodgers, Malvern East
AND ANOTHER THING …
Submarines
Can someone please explain why Australia needs long-range submarines, other than to shore up the United States’ faltering hegemony?
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
How ironic it would be if, after 80 years, we were actually glad to welcome Japanese submarines into Sydney Harbour.
Peter Dodds, Montmorency
One Nation
Gina Rinehart will expect a return on investment in a One Nation plane.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Pauline Hanson doesn’t have to worry about the pub test. I don’t think many hotels have an airstrip alongside the beer garden.
John Rawson, Mernda
Taxes
When a politician bangs on about lower taxes, could a journalist ask that without increasing taxes, how do we pay for health, schools, transport, defence etc?
Michael Brinkman, Ventnor
The Coalition frames the removal of the capital gains tax discount as a tax increase. The fact is it is a reduction in expenditure. Ask any accountant.
Keith Beamish, Canterbury
Trump
Trump to Iran: “Let me get this strait …”
Ian Hill, Blackburn South
I think Caligula was the last emperor to care about seashells.
Joan Kerr, Eastern Beach
I am no monarchist, but I must congratulate King Charles on his speech before Trump. Pearls of irony wasted on a real swine.
Paul Perry, Fitzroy North
Furthermore
There is such an empty feeling at the end of a drawn AFL game with no winning club song. I think a song representative of the AFL should be played. Perhaps Money by Pink Floyd would be appropriate?
Rob Prowd, Box Hill South
Finally
We grieve for a little girl and rightly so! But what of the deaths, cripplings and traumas of child victims of ever-prevailing wars?
Paul Murchison, Kingsbury
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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.
