Revenge not the right way to find peace in the Middle East

Israel has a right to defend itself - the actions of Hamas are contemptible. However, retaliation and revenge are not defending oneself. They are very differently motivated. Cutting off water, electricity and fuel supplies to over 2 million people is not defending Israel - it cannot degrade Hamas’ capacity for violence without first causing massive loss of life to civilians. Such actions are more likely to make Israelis and Palestinians less safe by generating new waves of bitter people from whom extremists on both sides will be recruited. Peter Marshall, Captains Flat

No-one can condone the killing of hostages: innocent people, including children. What drives men to even consider such abominations? The only way Hamas can be defeated is to empower the Palestinian people to deal with their own. To the Israeli people I say, let Palestine live as you do. When you want some land, “You shall give him his wages, for he is poor, so that he will not cry against you” (Deuteronomy 14-15). David Ramsay, Bexley

It’s heartening to see at least some Labor MPs having a more balanced and realistic outlook than their premier (“Labor MPs split over war”, October 20). The premier could take a leaf from the prime minister’s book by being more consultative with his team. Julius Timmerman, Lawson

It is time for the world to take action against Hamas and Israel to protect the people in Gaza and Israel from any more horrendous attacks where primarily women and children are under threat. Why else do we have a United Nations? We can’t just stand back and let these atrocities pile up without intervention. It is time for the world to act. Oliver Freeman, Rozelle

The US president flies halfway across the world to Israel and, after hours of consultation with Benjamin Netanyahu, achieves – wait for it – exactly this: permission for 20 aid trucks to cross from Egypt into Gaza. How can Gaza’s population of more than two million ever begin to thank him? John Peel, Woollahra

We are all horrified by a hospital being hit by a missile, but we do not know where the projectile came from. From our armchairs on a very distant island, we will never know the full story behind this war until it finishes, and the future historians dissect each action. In Australia, we can not and should not condemn Australian Palestinians or Jews for the actions of other countries. We are Australians first. We should remember and cherish our heritages, but we should not fight other countries wars here in Australia. Peter Rayner, Newcastle

Equality is not special treatment

Waleed Aly is spot on in identifying that Australians will support giving equal status to people but will not accept treating individuals differently (“At the heart of an emphatic No”, October 20). And the perception that the Voice referendum was going beyond giving equal status and into awarding permanent special treatment was why so many voted against it. The fact that relentlessly poor treatment gave rise to systemically entrenched inequality in the first place was forgotten, dismissed or ignored altogether.
Adrian Connelly, Springwood

Everyone needs to understand that people didn’t vote No to a Voice per se, they voted No to it being enshrined in the Constitution. Accept the result and move forward with helping all disadvantaged Australians, including Aboriginal people. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill

This latest attempt by Dutton to discredit First Nations with calls for a royal commission into child sexual abuse could be seen as blatantly discriminatory (“Albanese rejects Dutton’s call for royal commission on Indigenous child sex abuse”, October 20). And it’s reminiscent of Howard’s “children overboard” scare tactic aimed at nurturing hatred toward refugees. Will the Coalition always use these underhand machinations to attempt to win every election?
Anne Phillips, Wallarah

The sheer hypocrisy of the Coalition’s position regarding the First Nations people of this country is laid bare following calls for a royal commission into child sexual assault in remote communities. Calling for a royal commission solely based on race whilst opposing a constitutional amendment in a referendum because it “divided us on race” is utterly inconsistent and a bizarre position. It is also indicative of an entirely punitive approach that has not worked in 235 years of white settlement in this country. Suresh Rajan, Stirling (WA)

Only days after demolishing our Indigenous peoples’ request for a Voice, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton moves for suspension of standing orders to call for, not only an “abuse inquiry” but also “policy ideas to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians to help close the gap”. It smacks of his offensive comment as immigration minister, at the expense of Pacific Island leaders, when he joked “time doesn’t mean anything when, you know, you have water lapping at your door”. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)

Smear campaign

During an unpleasant referendum, No voters were patronisingly informed they were racist, chicken-littles, uncaring, stupid, dinosaurs, and d…heads (“Get ready for worse, Australia”, October 19). Also, they were inaccurately told 80 per cent of Indigenous people supported the Voice. Somehow, Niki Savva has managed to swing this around to “dirty campaign tactics” by Dutton and his team. Innovative at best, straw-clutching at worst. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Niki Savva states that “Labor’s political brains now know exactly what they will be up against in 2025”. Are these the same political brains that sat back and allowed, even championed the Yes campaign notwithstanding that it lost bipartisan support early in the piece? Are these the same political brains that are responsible for at least 55 Labor seats, some held by very comfortable margins and some even held by ministers, voting no, frequently by large margins. I think Labor needs a new brains trust. Trevor Stephenson, East Ballina

Perhaps the wording of any future referendum could be presented as a bill to parliament and argued until there is a consensus of at least 75 per cent of both houses, which would represent bilateral support. The voters would have a clearer grasp of the issues and misinformation should be eliminated. The main contest would be in Parliament, where it belongs. John Salmon, Haberfield

Housing affordability should have been in HSC exam

Of course there was nothing in the 2023 HSC Economics exam regarding housing affordability (“The biggest economic issue facing students wasn’t asked about in the HSC exam”, October 20). While the nation resembles an economy more than a society, making housing a popular investment asset class and the associated globalisation of our residential property “market”, it’s unsurprising that affordability is not considered relevant. Many of us in the HSC classes of the 1970s would have been out in the streets if the basic human right to safe, acceptable and affordable shelter had been transformed into the current national housing disgrace confronting our young people. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville

Lack of adequate housing has been an issue in Australia for more than 20 years. In addition, Australian housing has one of the highest debt levels in the world, with a debt to income ratio last recorded at 211 per cent compared to the US at 101 per cent, UK at 148 per cent and Japan at 115 per cent. Australian governments of many colours have ignored the issue, which has exacerbated the plight of younger Australians in the pursuit of owning their own home. The demand for housing, particularly affordable housing is proven, and yet the satisfaction of that demand is buried in political in-fighting, corporate greed and federal and state government myopia when it comes to housing and planning issues. As at October 2023 Australia has a Future Fund with $136 billion in assets, yet those who control the purse strings ignore the means of providing Australians with a future. Greed and a lack of intent is the brake holding our country back. David Hawkins, Newport Beach

Tax opportunity

The shock decision of the High Court’s ruling on the Victorian tax on electric cars leaves the way open to completely transform our tax regime (“High Court’s rejection of electric vehicle tax raises budget worries”, October 20). The very idea that we would discourage EV ownership even further by taxing owners is ludicrous. As consumption taxes are the remit of the federal government it would seem an excellent opportunity to reconsider the stage three tax cuts. The amount of money gained from EV taxes would pale into insignificance when compared to these cuts, which disproportionately benefit high-income earners. Surely, we can not only support effective climate change initiatives but also redress our very inequitable income tax regime.
Robyn Thomas, Wahroonga

Funding reduction

I have never understood why the federal government does not reduce the funding to private schools based on the fees they charged (“Tighter rules for private school funds”, October 19). If it gives $5000 to public schools for each child, then reduce the amount given to private schools by a percentage of the fee that is charged. I would suggest starting at 50 per cent - in this case, a school charging $1000 a year would get a reduction of $500 in their grant. A school charging $5000 would get a $2500 reduction. Sounds fair to me and I was private school educated. Michael McFadyen, Kareela

May I make a simple submission? Remove the $1.5 billion taxpayers subsidy to private schools and redirect it to the public schools. Any shortfall for the private sector can be covered by increased fees, a reduction in their expenditure and a review of their assets. The result would be a greatly enhanced public school offering which may well prove attractive to parents currently paying fees. David Boyd, Bondi Beach

Balance fails

Alan Sunderland’s article in today’s SMH makes for interesting reading (“Confected ‘balance’ a blight on good journalism”, October 20). I watched many interviews during the debate. Some interviewers, having made up their own minds, approached the task in two simple ways: try to destroy the arguments of the interviewee or encourage, smile often and give the interviewee plenty of time to expand their arguments. How can that be considered balanced reporting? Michael Walsh, Croydon

Inadequate solutions

Regardless of any coastal engineering solutions that may be deployed to protect properties fronting the Collaroy-Narrabeen beach, and similar coastal locations elsewhere, in time they will become increasingly inadequate against the committed and unstoppable multi-metre sea level rise already underway, due to current greenhouse gas concentrations and ocean heat content accelerating land ice sheet melting (Letters, October 19). The global average rate of sea level rise has accelerated from 1.5 millimetres to about 5 millimetres per year over the last 30 years. The good news is we have time to adapt. The bad news is it’s going to change every coastline. Geoff Miell, Lithgow

Minchin mirth

When we feel wordless, speechless, spiritless and hopeless, Tim Minchin brings us back (“Tim Minchin hopes ‘people feel lightened’ by new Sydney Opera House song”, October 19). Thank you to all involved for reminding us not to “find a box that makes you comfortable and then stay the heck inside”.
Sarah Hart, Gordon

Like the many who flocked to Sydney Harbour on the Saturday in October 1973, I came as close as I ever have or will be to royalty as the Queen’s motorcade snaked its way through the Domain (“King sends royal greetings for Opera House’s golden moment”, October 20). Happy anniversary to The House! Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook

Holiday snafu

While visiting the glorious island of Santorini for a few days, I made a fundamental error (“Loathe your partner after a holiday? You’re not alone”, October 20). I should have plonked my husband down with a Greek beer or two in one of the many bars so I could ramble at my leisure through all the amazing shops. Next time! Angie Miller, Bondi Junction

Melissa Mason has yet to experience retirement, where every day is a holiday. After a lifetime of work and child-rearing, new interests and hobbies need to be found, some interests alone, some together. Yet, despite the changes, every day is a delight “above ground” and we appreciate each other even more. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Love Lee aromas

I currently work next door to the Sara Lee factory (Letters, October 20). We discuss what is being made based on the aromas that waft into our factory unit; chocolate cake, danish, jam rolls, croissants, et cetera. It’s delightful, tempting, even evil at times. Peter Butler, Wyongah

For us? Or against us?

The proposal to promote health warnings must be sending shock waves through the boardroom of Guinness (“Call for health labels on beer cans and wine”, October 20). For decades the beer’s advertising proclaimed “Guinness is good for you!”. The company can hardly put its slogan on one side of the label with the health warning on the other. I tried Guinness - once. I thought it had been pumped straight out of the River Liffey. Les Sisley, Kelso

You don’t need warnings to tell you drinking five litres of wine is bad for your health. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Good for the goose

Don Farrell defends his appointment of a political ally to a diplomatic posting by saying “I note that it was frequently done by the former government” (“Farrell accused of hypocrisy for giving ‘mate’ US job” Oct 20). Two wrongs do not make a right. John Berry, Cammeray

Postscript

Last Sunday morning a record number of Herald readers put fingers to keyboard in the wake of the Voice referendum. Almost a thousand letters arrived, telling us of your disappointment, despair and satisfaction with the win by the No side.

Many of the letters blamed the prime minister, but Sue Martin of Clareville disagreed, saying that “Peter Dutton is the one who withdrew support when he sensed political advantage in weaponising the issue”. Richard Thatcher of Bathurst pointed out that there will now never be another referendum for anything (including a republic).

Rob Mills from Riverview thought that it had been a pyrrhic victor for Peter Dutton. The teal seats, all of which voted Yes, now seem lost forever, he wrote. “Dutton cannot win an election without them”.

The war in the Middle East also dominated the postbox this week, with Sarah Goldman from Rose Bay expressing a heartfelt and commonly-held view: “My hope is that brave Israelis and Palestinians will meet once again to find a settlement that is safe and fair to all sides”. Colin Hesse from Marrickville called on the federal government “to advocate for a fair and peaceful settlement of the 75-year conflict in the Middle East”.

At the end of a challenging week, Sydney’s famous purple blooms exploded, giving us all something beautiful to contemplate. Readers all over the city reported early sightings of the violet canopy, signalling the best part of spring and (sorry, students) the onset of end-of-year exams. But wait, is it climate change? Peter Neufeld from Mosman wrote, “It’s October and the jacarandas are in bloom. Didn’t it used to be November?” Margot Saville, deputy letters editor

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