On Anzac Day, show respect to all Australians
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Show some respect
I was truly disappointed and deeply saddened to read about the uproar at dawn services across Australia when Country Recognition was given by a First Nations Elder. What could be more appropriate than for our First Nations to stand with all of us to remember the sacrifices made to make this country what it is today? The Recognition of the Country is a very important ceremony to pay respect to our elders past and present, many of whom sacrificed their lives so that we could all live in peace. ″We will remember them″ applies to all Australians who have served in all conflicts here and around the world. Show some respect for the civilization that is still here and has been for 65,000 years.
Susan Kelly, Highton
dream of peace
We have left behind another Anzac Day as the wars continue, but where are the defenders of peace? Where is the anger? War is politics by another name, and cynics say that ridding the world of it is unrealistic and naive, but it is still almost everyone’s dream. What if we allocated just a portion of our billions to defense spending and invested in a Ministry of Peace? If a multicultural country like Australia had the courage to undertake such an initiative, it could be the beginning of a visionary journey towards harmony and reconciliation, as people saw the obscenity of the arms race and the hope of a gun-free world order. Gandhi was for peaceful non-violence. Martin Luther King had a dream. Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” A Ministry of Peace! How foolish the cynics say! If only we had the stupidity to chase such a dream.
Bryan Long, Balwyn
heartwarming applause
It was heartwarming to hear the warm applause given to Uncle Mark Brown after his Welcome to Country at the Temple Dawn Service on Anzac Day. In this day when tyrants rule (in the words of Pope Leo) and have an agenda that promotes division and hatred, it is comforting to know that there are still many good people who know what it means to respect others and appreciate a solemn and beautiful event that means so much to Australians. Thank you to Uncle Mark Brown, who showed resilience and faith in the face of attempted bullying by a few misguided individuals.
Clare Canty, Shepparton
Insult to All Diggers
The appalling and aggressive shouting and booing at the Anzac Day dawn ceremony at the Temple during Welcome to Country instantly reminded me of what Adam Goodes had to endure in 2013 and 2014. The clampdown on the temple was an insult not only to all Native people, but to all the Diggers who fought with the Native Diggers.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris
Incorrect values
Were the people booing at the Dawn Welcome to Country displaying “Australian values”?
Peter Carlin, South Frankston
you are not welcome
As a third generation Australian, I can say that anyone who disrespects the Welcome to Country ceremony is not welcome in my home.
Kristen Hurley, Seaholme
There’s still a lot to learn
Your correspondent (Letters, 24/4) said it well about ″true Australian values″. In the 1950s, it was local immigrants who shared their food in our neighborhood. It was the local immigrants who showed us how to grow vegetables by digging small holes in our concrete gardens and planting the seeds they had dried from the previous year. It was immigrants who showed us that older family members are important. We have more to learn from them and more friendships to make. I say no to any government that does not reflect the values that immigrants have brought to our country in the past, present and future.
Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris
Listen to the Pope
“The world is being devastated by a handful of tyrants… The lords of war act as if they do not know that it only takes a minute to destroy, but often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.”
These are the words of Pope Leo in Africa (″Pope criticizes cruel leaders who ‘devastate’ the world″, 18/4). I’m not Catholic, but I admire the Pope for speaking so forcefully and boldly about things we all know to be true.
Much of the world order is dictated by the presidents of the world’s countries playing war games. Aside from the misery and pain inflicted on millions of innocent people, so much damage is being done to our world.
More than ever, we need a calm and courageous voice to give us strength. Will the world listen and take notice of the Pope?
Bob Malseed, Hawthorn East
Where are the Labor Party colors?
Millie Muroi (″Don’t let the gas giants fool you with their PR – they should pay a fair share of tax″, 25/4) highlights the lengths and expenses gas companies will go to to convince us that they pay their fair share of tax and that a new 25 percent export tax would be unfair and would drive some companies to the wall.
Really? How does this square with the latest earnings statements and the high dividends paid to shareholders? While the government declares that the average punter must cope with higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressure, struggle with higher rents and be shut out of the housing market, fossil fuel giants pay far less than their fair share of tax while making extraordinary profits selling off resources that belong to all Australians.
Now we are told the NDIS must be cut due to budget constraints. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jim Chalmers must show their true colors in the Labor Party and start stimulating our economy and helping those who need it most through a fair tax on gas exports.
Graeme Lechte, Pascoe Vale
fighting giants
Has Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reviewed traditional Labor values? It appears that the multinational gas giants have now become Australian warriors.
Tommy Puckett, Ashgrove
Rethinking transportation
As car ownership rates rise across the country, VicRoads is changing number plate options to meet demand (“From six to seven: Big change to get plates”, 24/4).
This reminds us of how car-dependent we have become, with “many communities relying on them.” Car addiction is not good for us; because it comes with pollution, rising fuel costs, road rage and potholes.
It’s time to plan for more transportation options, not just license plates.
Jenny Kashyap, Bentleigh
stop veto
It surprises me that veto powers continue to exist in both the United Nations and the European Union.
I cannot understand why, in an age of so-called democracy, any power could override the wishes of the majority of the members of such bodies.
Juliet Flesch, Kew
Go back to basics
The University of Melbourne appears to have built a huge structure over the years, but it is in debt and “cannot afford” to pay staff to deliver live lectures (“Students pay $56k to watch old lectures”, 25/4). This is ridiculous. The mission and function of the university seem to have been forgotten.
I respectfully suggest that he sell a few assets and get back to the basics of teaching, research, and contributing to the greater good.
Fiona White, Alfredton
Intelligence MIA
Given US President Donald Trump’s behavior, artificial intelligence – indeed any kind of intelligence – would be welcome in the White House.
Dale Crisp, Brighton
