Next airport rail stop: Spaghetti Junction
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AIRPORT LINK
The article ‴Tulla rail planned ‘doctored’ in secret Sunshine push” (3/11) was interesting reading. I think the decision to go for the Sunshine option was a wise one because it didn’t require tunnelling. You only have to look at the Hydro 2.0 project initiated by the federal Liberal Party under Malcolm Turnbull to see how its costs have blown out.
Other factors in this case are that the Maribyrnong defence land is contaminated, and a decision to develop it into housing has stalled over decades. The extent and depth of contamination is unknown, and the costs of decontaminating it will need an open cheque book.
The Craigeburn route has public bus 901 which already connects Broadmeadows station with Tullamarine airport. The Sunshine hub offers access to regional people who would not have to travel into congested Southern Cross station.
It will be interesting to see what the royal commission brings, and what decisions the government of the day makes based on these many factors, Labor and Liberal alike.
Margaret Forster, Aberfeldie
No such thing as ″no cost″
The categorisation of the private consortium bid to build the Melbourne Airport Rail Link as no cost to the public is misleading. The consortium wanted 127.8 hectares of public land in return. That is not ″no-cost″ and would have led to protests about private developers gaining free access to that land.
There was another bid to build and operate the railway, presumably similar to the expensive Heathrow Express in London which is not used as much as the normal tube lines. The best link is the one that is part of the existing system, and which maximises potential customers by linking to regional rail.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
Less government listens to private vested interests the better
The article ″City to the Airport in 18 Minutes″ (3/11) searches for a controversy where there isn’t one. I would think there are all sorts of private developer plans put to the government on a regular basis.
No doubt they would be very favourable financially to the various developers all eyeing off potential ways to make money. The West Gate link is a prime example of this, and we know how that turned out. And let’s not forget that we are all now paying for the folly of the Kennett Liberal government who sold off all our utilities and closed way too many schools.
Private consortiums have one aim, and that is to make money, and often we find out the hard way that the best interests of the community are not in focus.
The less the government listens to private vested interests the better, and that includes the so-called expert opinions being quoted in this article.
Michael Cormick, Carnegie
The cost of bias and vested interests
It appears that earlier governments ignored the need of travellers to reach the airport as soon as possible and not have to go on a winding route through the government’s favourite places. We’ve all lost out to their madness, bias and vested interests, and yet again, Melbourne becomes a lesser place to be.
Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn
And connecting a link to regional cities?
The Age article on the proposal to build a private rail line to Tullamarine Airport reports the private line would be nine minutes faster to the airport for Melburnians than the line from Sunshine now being constructed.
Would The Age please ascertain how much longer the journey to the airport from Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and the fastest growing population centres such as Melton and Wyndham, would be with the privately owned line?
Robert Toogood, Ballarat
THE FORUM
Elite school ecosystem
It’s disappointing that the spiralling escalation of private-school fees (″Fees at prestigious Victorian school surpass $100,000 for one year level″, 3/11) is even further from what ordinary Australian wage earners can ever afford, an affront to an egalitarian Aussie ethos.
Oddly though, I feel somewhat sorry for this privileged demographic. Firstly, what pressures is the upcoming generation subjected to in return for this substantial investment? And families are locked into not only an inflexible, expensive and arguably monocultural educational journey once they have commenced at a certain school, but also narrowly standardised lifestyle expectations of exclusive addresses, prestige cars and overseas holidays that are inevitably part of this elite ecosystem. How is this ever to cultivate young people to be broadly knowledgeable, humbly selfless and empathetic to a wide range of social experiences?
Marish Mackowiak, Ormond
Private school buildings
Re “Parents face record fee increases at top girls schools”. The contrast between private school construction and public school infrastructure should spark a debate on educational equity and sustainability. While families face fee increases at elite private institutions, these schools simultaneously embark on multimillion-dollar, ultra-modern building programs.
It could be argued that these expansive architectural projects heavily drive up fee costs, placing a greater financial burden on parents. This stands in stark contrast to the public school system, where staff frequently navigate outdated buildings, lacking facilities, and challenging working conditions. The divide is further compounded by federal funding models, which critics claim favour independent schools and frees their budgets for these premium developments.
Ultimately, this disparity raises questions about social sustainability. If public infrastructure strains while private institutions build increasingly luxurious campuses, the educational gap threatens to widen. Surely, our society’s future depends on its ability to equitably and sustainably educate all young people. Ensuring that funding and infrastructure support the entire community, rather than widening the educational divide, remains vital for long-term social cohesion.
Paul Caine, Glen Huntly
Keep them honest
Like your lead correspondent (Letters, 3/11), I campaigned for my local independent, for similar reasons. But unlike her, I recognise that the major parties still have a role because government requires balancing competing priorities. The major parties have developed mechanisms for that process, while the independents can aim at “keeping them honest” in integrity, climate change and DEI.
Peter Greig, Colac
Trump no example
OK, the Americans are as concerned as the rest of the world about the cost of fuel, and the rising cost of living. Some Americans seem to be concerned about the war with Iran, but why aren’t they appalled about Trump’s foul mouth, and not being an example for young people to follow, to make their country great again?
Ruth Murphy, Pipers Creek
American fate
I’m a 26-year-old American living in Melbourne for the last few years. I came here with rose-coloured glasses, and after witnessing the brutal Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty, realised they’d lost their tint.
Reading Brielle Kohlbeck’s story (″Escaping Trump″, 1/11), I saw my own sentiments laid out before me.
I, too, have filled my online ballot for the blue state of Washington, voting on measures such as No.IP26-645 which seeks to repeal a 9.9 per cent wealth tax on income over $1 million dollars during a cost of living crisis; No.IL26-638 which would require the verification of children’s biological sex to compete in certain school sports and activities; and No.IL26-001 which would repeal a child’s right to attend school in an environment that is free of discrimination of any kind, a parent’s right to know if their child has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse, and seeks to repeal the requirement of teaching sex education.
It’s true things are much better over here, but looking around I see complacency mixed with those who would willingly see Australia share the fate of the US. Sure, there’s a protest every now and then where attendees can pat themselves on the back and feel like they’ve accomplished something.
But, then we allow the likes of white supremacist Thomas Sewell out on bail. The naivete is appalling. Every opportunity that is not taken to deliberately move away from fascism, is an opportunity for fascism to catch up. And I pray that young people see that.
Through electing the likes of Zohran Mamdani and the late MP Tim Read, we push Australia towards a better and brighter future for us all. And, I look forward to seeing the needle pushed in this direction for the US as well.
Abigail Carnell, Kensington
Gun controls
It is a conundrum. Do the police wearing visible guns increase or decrease the threat of violence from gun-bearing antagonists?
Meg Paul, Camberwell
DC reflection
What a gift for cartoonists! Narcissus gazing into the Trump Reflecting Pool … There are several versions of the myth, and I await cartoonists making play with them.
Of course, its correct title is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: that ‘memorial’ bit is the part to focus on.
Pam Cupper, Dimboola
Stopping the nation
Yet another brilliant cartoon by Megan Herbert (3/11). She encapsulates two sides of the same coin of the Victorian racing calendar. The enthusiastic glamour and the addiction to gambling and alcohol which can negatively affect individuals and families.
Added to this is the recent euthanasia of a horse after an accident in a race. One wonders whether the race that ‘stops the nation’ now reflects more on the growing divisions and values in our nation.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading
Market forces win
There’s another scenario beyond that described by your Letters correspondent (″What stops a nation″, 3/11) for the Cup Day race. The ‘Party Policies’ horses may well be flagging. But wait, here comes one accelerating through the pack. It’s the people’s horse, Market Forces, surging ahead with its low-cost gear and speedy take-up.
It’s a one-horse race and the others are left struggling, ruing the day they ignored the approach of this popular horse to getting ahead and thus hitting the net zero target without really trying.
Carolyn Ingvarson, Canterbury
Watch the nags
It’s disappointing that your correspondent’s ″call of the climate card″ for the Melbourne Net Zero Cup did not include any independent nags as qualifiers (Letters, 3/11).
With a vested interest in the outcome of the net zero race, but no qualifications in either horse racing or politics, I’d happily put my money on the staying prospects of any of the current independent stable ahead of all the party hacks.
Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor
Black humour
Your correspondent (Letters, 2/11) questions violent costumes for Halloween. Yesterday, I saw outside a home with young children, a very large toy teddy bear, with a rope around its neck, hanging from a tree.
What a sick world we live in when someone thinks this is funny.
Marie Teague, Ocean Grove
Hound party
The most bizarre Halloween costume-wearing I’ve encountered was in a local park where a joyously manic party of Italian greyhounds bedecked as witches, bats, ghosts, spiders and a fairy were having a fabulous frolic. The crazily energetic little hounds, accompanied by their more sedately dressed humans, clearly loved being the stars of the show.
Deborah Morrison, Malvern East
Tasty bedeckment
Agree about the violence trend in Halloween costumes. I was delighted when my grandson was bedecked as a hot dog.
Susie Holt, South Yarra
We want attention
Re Letters, ″Motorcycle awareness″, 3/11. I have been riding motorcycles for more than 50 years and the most important thing I know is I am completely invisible.
If I ride at the same speed as the traffic around me them 50 per cent of the threats come from behind me and these are difficult to spot. Riding faster than the traffic shifts the threats to the front, which are easier to spot as I’m better at looking forward.
I’ve also found that riding ″in your face″ means I become more visible. If you are in your car and see me and exclaim ″Stupid motorcyclist″ then that means it worked and you saw me.
Laurens Meyer, Richmond
Real world economics
I can see why economics is known as the dismal science and ipso-facto economists are depressingly pessimistic about the world. The language used by this profession of gloomy prognosticators is revealing as it barks about the likelihood of recession, higher unemployment, cost of living pressures etc.
Whatever the RBA does, it inevitably will be a bad day as one way or another the sky will be falling. My solution is to go for a walk and look at the real world which doesn’t seem to look bad after all.
Pier Paolo De Carlo, Ascot Vale
AND ANOTHER THING
State politics
One Nation’s Warren Pickering “vows transparency, refuses to release costings” (3/11). Would I buy a car from this man? No.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
I might have lost confidence in the major political parties, but it is a step too far to endorse or support a political party which is led by a former, admitted illicit drug user and multiple DUI offender.
Michael Gamble, Belmont
Here’s a thought for the councils going around painting potholes pretty colours. Perhaps if they take the equipment to fill the potholes as well, they might save on the paint cost.
John Cain, McCrae
Furthermore
While thousands wait for decent healthcare, our government gives away billions of dollars of free gas to overseas interests. A 25 per cent tax on export gas would mean Albo romps home in 2028.
Wendy Baker, Lilydale
Is Zuckerberg promising there will be no “human error” if everyone has their own personal AI assistant? (“Data breach sinks $50 million hospital tender due to ’human error‴, 3/11).
Chris Burgess, Port Melbourne
Target Time: With so much doom and gloom in the world, could the nine-letter word be more joyful, like ″happiness″, not ″terrorist″ or ″depressed″ as in recent days.
Lyn Bayley, Kyneton
Why won’t cricket commentators applaud South Africa’s brilliant victory? It’s not cricket.
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne
Melbourne Cup
Cup Day has come and gone. Let’s hope we’re one year closer to banning animal cruelty dressed up as a respectable sport.
Mark Cherny, Caulfield North
Megan Herbert makes her point very clearly in her Cup Day cartoon (3/11), however, she, too, wears blinkers by ignoring the pleasure the day brings to millions of Australians.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South
Re Megan Herbert’s cartoon: Talk about a wet horse blanket.
Damien Ryan, Berwick
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