Credit:Illustration: Jim Pavlidis
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
We need to give our children a voice
Matt Wade gives a comprehensive outline of how Australia is slipping well down the global scale on a range of measures concerning the wellbeing and education of children (Comment, 6/7).
A 2020 UNICEF report found Australia ranked 32 out of 38 rich countries for overall child wellbeing. In the most recent round of tests run by the Program for International Student Assessment, Australian students failed for the first time to exceed the OECD average in maths, while slipping down global rankings in reading and science. And while median family incomes may be rising, one child in every six lives in poverty. That is a disgrace.
Children do not have a voice. A Commonwealth Office for Children may be a good start on making them more central to policy decisions. It should not be too hard to find examples of how to provide crucial, universal, early childhood learning – Scandinavia does it well – or to properly fund our public education system so that it can offer excellence to all.
Australia has become a much more unequal society. Children are our future and those under 19 make up nearly a quarter of our population. We need to nurture and provide for all of them.
Anne Sgro, Coburg North
The importance of early childhood services
Matt Wade rightly points out that children’s needs warrant higher political priority and have implications beyond only supporting women to return to work. The research is clear that good early childhood services, together with family support, are strong protective factors against child abuse and neglect. Children and their parents all benefit from this.
The research also shows that our child protection systems are under-resourced and failing badly. Better early support, over the long-term, would save billions of dollars. Current debates about post-COVID policy must focus on people’s needs, many of which could easily be lost in the dramas over interest rates and other economic issues. Fixing these alone will not fix our long-standing human problems.
Max Liddell, Coburg
Children suffer because of our short-sightedness
Matt Wade says the Australian Early Development Census, an assessment of how children have developed by the time they start school, showed the proportion deemed “vulnerable” on one or more of five benchmark indicators rose from 21.7per cent in 2018 to 22per cent in 2021. The share among Indigenous children increased by 1.0 percentage point to 42.3per cent. We should be asking why there has been no reduction in these proportions.
Wade also says: “There is now compelling evidence that investing in early childhood education delivers substantial long-term economic gains and is especially beneficial for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.“
Such evidence has abounded for many decades. We have no excuses other than laziness and adult short-sightedness to blame. I am glad that Wade is at least pushing the barrow for a better deal for that quarter of our population who are under 19.
Don Jordan, Mount Waverley
Helping teenagers choose the right uni course
The former government’s overhaul of university fees was always going to “miss the mark” (The Age, 7/7). The focus of most 16 and 17-year-olds is not much wider than their school formal, schoolies week, and an ATAR score. Perhaps also getting their learner driving licence.
Consequently, their initial university enrolment regularly reflects the choices “advised” by careers counsellors without regard to economic circumstances, or parents who see kudos in their child’s selected course.
Secondary students who engage in part-time work glean valuable information about themselves and types of employment and most are better placed when it comes to choosing a career path.
Chris Wallis, former teacher, Albert Park
THE FORUM
Fair go for all students
The Morrison government’s attempt to encourage higher enrolments in some tertiary courses has failed. It is unfair for students in other disciplines to carry the funding burden for under-subscribed courses. Most students are significantly indebted and, if there is no change to the fee structure, they will never be able to obtain a housing loan.
Aside from promising more tertiary places, Labor has paid little attention to the fee structure, either before the election or since.
As a parent of two tertiary students, I find it very disappointing that it would not prioritise a more comprehensive approach to tertiary education reform. It must give urgent consideration to this before the 2023 academic year.
Bronwyn Benn, Burwood
Students need the loop
Marion Terrill says we need to “press pause” on the Suburban Rail Loop (Comment, 6/7). She fails to recognise that two significant university campuses (Monash, Clayton, and Deakin, Burwood) will finally have rail connections as a part of the first stage of the project.
Currently there are dedicated bus connections to the nearest train stations, operating during working hours. Monash has about 24,000 students and provision of efficient public transport over a wide time window must figure highly in any assessment of the benefits of the loop.
Stephen Best, Box Hill South
Justice, at long last
Thank you, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, for ordering the Commonwealth to drop the prosecution of lawyer Bernard Collaery (The Age, 7/7). It brings an end to the vindictive treatment of Collaery. Australia is slowly regaining its moral compass.
Marilyn Hoban, Mornington
Home owners, beware
I was the CEO of a construction industry association for 12 years, and now operate a “builder background” checking service.
Firstly, home owners must take some responsibility for protecting themselves. I am astounded at the lack of attention paid by people about to sign a contract, often for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Anecdotally, the vast majority base their choice of builder on a referral from a friend and then check the builder is a member of one of the industry associations.
The fact is, associations exist for members, not consumers. In my experience, most builders are reputable and ethical. However, little is done by government and industry to identify those who are registered, insured, licensed, members of associations, and yet should be avoided. It is why we have such a large business failure ratio in the sector.
HomeBuilder stoked the initial building boom. The Coalition government knew an interest rate rise was well overdue. HomeBuilder was essentially uncapped, and it spiked the initial materials and labor shortages. These liquidations are the result.
Brendan Watkins, East Malvern
A win for the climate too
Shane Wright’s analysis supports the Reserve Bank making money more expensive to borrow (Comment, 6/7).
One positive outcome he did not mention is that by curtailing consumer activity, economic decision-makers are reducing carbon emissions from manufacturing products and the supply chain, right down to the end users.
Many of us kids of the 1950s and 1960s hardly ate out at all, and visiting the cinema was a rare treat. Maybe, when money is tight, people might eschew indulgent restaurant options and wasting fuel by gadding about.
Andrew Smith, Leongatha
Banks’ way to avoid pain
It is apparent to all that we are living in extraordinary times financially, and that many families are going to struggle. So what do the big four banks do?
Put up their interest rates like they always do. Gotta keep the old record profits rolling in. Gotta keep the shareholders happy. No holding back just a little in consideration of their borrowers. Always capital over people. When will the banks share the pain?
Bill Proctor, Launching Place
Another victim of possums
I sympathise with Julie Christensen (Letters, 7/7). The possum toll in my garden over the past few years has included the destruction of two beautiful camellias, two climbing roses and a magnolia. Current destruction projects include a lemon tree, lime tree, two more camellias and four more climbing roses.
I live close to the Yarra River, where there is plenty of fodder for possums, but they are picky eaters. I have invested hundreds of dollars on sonic deterrents, not to mention every imaginable home remedy. Please, someone do something.
Pam Kershaw, Collingwood
Don’t upset the voters
Daniel Andrews, there are approximately 10,000 new COVID-19 cases every day in Victoria and no mandatory mask-wearing yet. It doesn’t have anything to do with the coming election, does it?
Manuel Rodriguez, Springvale
Please, encourage masks
If the Victorian government does not want to mandate mask-wearing, it could at least encourage and recommend it rather than just saying nothing on the subject.
Kim Bessant, Footscray
Our responsibility to act
Many of us think that it is a good idea do wear masks at supermarkets, at the theatre and on public transport. It is your choice – exercise it rather than depend on a government mandate.
Linelle Gibson, Williamstown
Australia’s ’better way’
Your correspondent (Letters, 7/7) says we should refuse to travel to the Until States until they change their constitution and Second Amendment. I would argue that the best course of action is the opposite.
By travelling to the US, you can have conversations with people where, if given the chance, you can enlighten them with the story of Australia’s undoubted gun-control success. This may well change some minds there, or even just give Americans a reason to think that there may be a better way.
Neale Meagher, Malvern
It’s not written in stone
When will the US wake up to the fact that the Second Amendment is black squiggles written on white paper that once upon a time did not exist and can now be changed? Someone who is killed because of slavish conformity to this amendment cannot be brought back to life.
Helen Hill, Brunswick East
Gossip demeans Bishop
I am disappointed by the article publicising the separation of Julie Bishop and her partner (CBD, 6/7). I have never voted for her party. Despite that, it is clear to me and many observers that she is a person of stature and achievement who held cabinet positions, including foreign minister.
Bishop’s achievements extended to being a successful fund-raider. This is a person who young women can be inspired by and will, hopefully, encourage them to enter public life. To report on a relationship break up after she left public life is hardly news. It risks trivialising her achievements and is not worthy of any column inches in this publication.
Tom Munro, Brunswick
Who’s doing the talking?
Re “Turn the muzak down” (Letters, 7/7). Recently I was waiting for friends in a popular hotel in Reservoir. Despite there being few diners and not much conversation, the hotel played a “piped conversation murmur”, simulating a busy lounge/dining area. No wonder I am going deaf.
Patrick Walker, Coburg North
Living in dangerous areas
Re “Experts say it’s time to plan for ever-increasing disasters’ (The Age, 7/7). A one-in-100-year flood is simply a statistical flood level, and can occur a number of times a year irrespective of climate change.
What hydrologists can tell us, however, is the level to which that flood can reach, so the question that needs to be asked is why is residential building permitted below this level? Perhaps the relevant municipal authorities need to have a serious think about planning issues and appropriate development in flood-prone areas rather than being more concerned about income from rates.
Russell Patterson, Heathmont
Our busy prime minister
Noel Day says Scott Morrison was “heavily criticised for holidaying in Hawaii” but that the prime minister has not faced criticism for his “a grand tour” when NSW had its flooding crisis (Letters, 6/7).
Anthony Albanese was working in Australia’s interests with our international allies and also co-ordinating assistance for flood victims while he was away. He did not have to be told to come home; he came back as soon as he could.
Rhonda Ward, Mont Albert
Much needed Ukraine aid
The mean-spiritedness of some correspondents in criticising the government for providing assistance to Ukraine is disappointing. Ukraine has previously lived under Russian domination and clearly Ukrainians did not like it. What do these correspondents want the Ukrainian people to do? Capitulate and abjectly surrender to Vladimir Putin’s bullying and aggression?
Dennis Walker, North Melbourne
Make mine a flat-pack
Re “A plea for the roll-ups” (Letters, 7/7). I am thankful that now I can read my newspaper without having to wait for it to become remotely flat. The news is now relevant. Plus, the flat-pack provides a container for many things and does not need me to purchase plastic bags. I am grateful for newspaper delivery now moving into the 20th century.
Doug Mullett, Werribee
Exposing bastardly acts
Whether Julian Assange is, or is not, a journalist is completely irrelevant. He is a citizen who has disclosed horrible crimes. He is not the criminal, others are. Why need he or other citizens be a journalist to expose bastardly acts by governments to the light of day?
Keith Beamish, Canterbury
AND ANOTHER THING
Floods
If you want to know the cost of climate change, speak to the people living with the floods.
Michelle Leeder, Trentham
The Netherlands lies under sea level, yet the Dutch keep the ocean out.
Doug Perry, Mount Martha
How many more one-in-100-year events will Sydney have this year?
John Groom, Bentleigh
PM, as much as Ukraine needs our financial support, the flood victims need it even more.
Katriona Fahey, Alphington
If people insist on building on flood plains, perhaps they’d be better off building house boats.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne
World
Will China provide seasonal work to the Solomon Islanders in return for the use of their country?
Noel Mavric, Moonlight Flat
PM Johnson is living on Boris time.
Stephen Dinham, Metung
It’s a false comparison between Iraq/Afghanistan and Ukraine (7/7). The Russian advance on Eastern Europe has massive consequences for global security.
Dan Drummond, Leongatha
Furthermore
I hope Kyrgios wins Wimbledon if only to watch the media tie itself in knots working out how to cover it.
Mark Freeman, Macleod
Can The Drum’s producers time Ellen Fanning’s questions/comments. It would show her how to be succinct instead of self-indulgent.
Deborah Rogers, Seaton
The media has raised barely a whimper about Andrews’ decision to extend the pandemic declaration. Shameful.
Helen Leach, Bendigo
Women finally walk out on a Catholic Church “policymaking event” which, predictably, keeps them in their place (7/7). Keep walking, sisters.
Michelle Goldsmith, Eaglehawk
Try using long barbecue tongs to pick up the flat-packed The Age without falling over (7/7). It works for me.
Marcia Roche, Mill Park
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