Premier should apologise for delayed lockdown blunder
Illustration: Michael LeunigCredit: Fairfax Media
The Berejiklian governmentâs reckless refusal to go into immediate lockdown two months ago has led to what now appears to be an unstoppable spread (âPlaying catch-upâ August 28-29). Back then, it was obvious to ordinary people and medical experts alike that a lockdown was needed, but the state government deemed that the economy had to take precedence. Now, this failure to act in a timely manner will likely turn out to be the greatest false economy in our history.
The ramifications of Berejiklianâs inaction are way beyond economic. If only the Premier could take responsibility for her missteps: but instead, she and her Health Minister skirt around it every day as they tell us firmly what we need to do to move forward. An apology wonât stop the virus, but it might allow us to remove fury from the long list of emotions that we are feeling. - Catherine Moore, Braidwood
At the beginning of the latest NSW COVID-19 outbreak, the Premier said the most important figure is the daily number active in the community, and we must get this to zero. Then it was âclose to zeroâ and then âas low as possibleâ. Now she does not tell us what the number is: we can only guess it is close to the daily total. - Dennis Macnamara, Penshurst
Again, the Premier has bounced into the daily briefing, insisting NSW is showing the way forward for other states. With new cases having risen 18 per cent in 24 hours, six new deaths, our health system in crisis, contact tracers overwhelmed, small businesses collapsing and a 30 per cent rise in children self-harming, Iâm not sure if this is a path other premiers will be so keen to follow. - Wendy Varney, Leura
Reference to the so-called ânational planâ always states that we should start opening up from restrictions once adult vaccination rates reach â70 per cent and 80 per centâ. This doesnât make any sense as the plan refers to a range, not a specific target goal. In NSW, this range represents a difference of 700,000 people. - Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont
Illustration by Matt GoldingCredit:Fairfax Media
My 13-year-old granddaughter was one of the kids to suffer the disappointment of having their vaccination appointments cancelled on Friday (ââA major stuff-upâ: Vaccine appointments for 12- to 15-year-olds cancelledâ, smh.com.au, August 28). Kids are already anxious about facing a return to the outside world after months of isolation and are told all the time that it is vaccination that will keep them safe when they return to school. How can they make sense of a decision that flings them, and the adults in their lives, back into the uncertainty and stress of navigating a deeply flawed rollout system? - Lyn Brignell, Bronte
The cover-all term âineligibleâ is being dragged out to justify the federal governmentâs failure to provide vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds. There is no such thing as being âineligibleâ for the vaccine. The problem is entirely one of timely supply, and that is the clear fault of the federal governmentâs staggering incompetence since early 2020. - Tom Mangan, Woy Woy Bay
Presumably, Parnell Palme McGuinness is not talking about her family when she accepts, albeit reluctantly, that âexcess deaths from COVID-19â may be the price of a gold standard future world (âBerejiklian sets state on a new course for COVIDâ, August 28-29). - David Beins, Cooks Hill
Lamentable history of overseas interventionsWe went into their country, they and their ancient ways were a mystery to us. Our plan was basically unclear, but we were determined to forestall threats to us from the area. Many welcomed us and did all they could to assist (âKabul airport has grim echoes for the Westâ, August 28-29). They did the menial jobs, and were happy to use their vastly superior local knowledge to contribute to a brighter future for themselves. Friendships were struck and admiration was shared. Suddenly, we left. They then bore the full force of violent reprisal causing many deaths, so many deaths. Afghanistan 2021? No, Portuguese Timor 1942. Australia has form in betrayal and bad planning. - Susan Connelly, Lakemba
As with the aftermath of the Vietnam War, we will surely see people taking desperate measures to escape Afghanistan. And if this federal government wishes to stop people drowning at sea, surely now it will consider a more humane approach than turning back boats. Why not consult our neighbours on establishing a regional processing centre for asylum seekers and offer far more generous targets for Australiaâs refugee intake? - Jill Napier, Phegans Bay
I recently received an official response to my letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison regarding Afghanistan refugees. It says, in part: âIn addition, please know Afghan temporary visa holders currently in Australia will be supported by the Australian government and will not be asked to return to Afghanistan while the security situation remains dire.â Currently, there are over 4200 Afghan nationals living in Australia on temporary visas. Canât we find it in our hearts to grant these people full citizenship? Let them become productive citizens, so they can get on with their lives and prosper along with the rest of us. - Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge
For the past 20 years, arms dealers and their shareholders have been making a killing in the war in Afghanistan. Vast profits have been made in arms deals to various groups during the Afghan war. Militarism is the backbone of arms deals and capitalism. As former US major-general Smedley Butler said: âWar is a racketâ. - Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
Watching the disaster unfold at Kabul airport reminds me that we went into Afghanistan on a âcaptainâs callâ just as we did in Iraq. No more! The decision to go to war must be taken by a joint sitting of Parliament. Will a member of Parliament please draw up a bill to this effect and present it to Parliament before we get dragged into any more disastrous wars? - Lynette Foley, Gerringong
Shut the gate on coal-seam gasHow disappointing that large areas of NSW farmland are still not protected from coal-seam gas development (âPrime farmland at risk if âzombie licencesâ renewedâ August 28-29). Oil and gas giant Santos has not yet resolved the issue of groundwater contamination regarding its Narrabri gas project. Meanwhile, this company faces a lawsuit over âallegedly misleading and deceptive claims about its environmental credentialsâ (âSantos hit with lawsuit over net zero claims,â August 27). No wonder farmers and investors are questioning its credibility. Gas is an emissions-intensive fossil fuel, set to become a stranded asset as the move towards renewables gains momentum. Why would the NSW government leave the door open for the expansion of CSG development? - Anne OâHara, Wanniassa (ACT)
HSC is not for the studentsMark Scott presents a fairytale world where, if we close our eyes and think happy thoughts, it will all be OK (âHSC class of 2021, we want your true grit at our universitiesâ, August 28-29). In stark contrast, Natassia Chrysanthosâ piece shines a light on the true motives of decision-makers (âGraduation, formals and schoolies taken from HSC students. But the exams remainâ, Sun-Herald, August 29). â(The) Education Minister wants as many students as possible to show us what they know through the written examsâ. What the minister is really saying is that the top dogs in NSW Education want to tick a box saying âHSC exams â" doneâ. There are two fundamental issues here. Firstly, the 2021 HSC is not an even playing field. Some courses are not conducive to remote learning. Pity the poor chemistry students who are unable to conduct experiments at home, yet the Education Minister wants them to write an exam paper as if they can. Secondly, the written exam results will be distorted and incongruent with prior years. Education officials will have to manipulate results to fit the ATAR bell curve. Mark Scott side-stepped this inconvenient truth. - Stewart Cummins, Kogarah Bay
Mark Scott is on solid ground recognising the resilience of HSC students and the alternatives offered for placements in universities. But let us not forget who forged these students with these super abilities. Our parents and teachers need continued acknowledgment for their years of devotion and willingness to give and provide opportunities. Universities take the cream, but the milk still flows through our schools. - Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
Anyone considering studying at Mark Scottâs university (Iâm a current fourth-year student) will certainly need âtrue gritâ to battle its consistent and blatant disregard for student learning, teaching quality and student/staff mental health. As a domestic student, you will not be prioritised. - Maddie Allan, Glebe
The federal governmentâs plan to ask university staff to reveal their political affiliations sounds like an ideal application for a colour-coded spreadsheet; no doubt the organisers will be consulting Bridget McKenzie or Alan Tudge (âPlan to lift lid on foreign influence at unis stallsâ, August 28-29) - Peter Nash, Fairlight
Premier got this rightIt does not inspire confidence in the national leadership when our generally unflappable Premier is reported to have called our Prime Minister a bully and âevilâ (âBerejiklian fed up with âevilâ PMâ August 28-29). But it does concur with my own observations that he is someone incapable of empathy, constantly failing to take responsibility for his actions, quick to blame others for his own failures, hectoring reporters and anyone else who dares question him. How he remains popular with the electorate is a mystery. - Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove
When Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, US singer-songwriter Tom Lehrer opined that political satire had become obsolete. For 48 years, I believed he was right. Then I read Peter Hartcherâs allegation that Gladys Berejiklian would ârather be dealing with [Peter] Dutton because Morrison is so unpleasantâ. - Steve Cornelius, Brookvale
Iâd be much happier to read that Gladys Berejiklian would have preferred that Julie Bishop had won the last federal leadership ballot but crikey! Peter Dutton? So much for the sisterhood. - Max Fischer, Wollongong
Utzon insultedArchitect Jorn Utzon did not resign and return to Denmark, as stated in Stephen Craftiâs otherwise fine article (âArchitects guided by Utzon principlesâ, August 28-29). The reality was that the minister for public works at the time, Davis Hughes, forced Utzon out by simply not paying his fees. Utzon couldnât pay his staff, couldnât continue and had to leave. Hughes spun the news of the day to suggest that Utzon resigned as he didnât know how to finish the job, a gross insult.
As chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust when we re-engaged Utzon in 2006, I received a call from Hughes, launching a vehement diatribe against the Dane, whereas when I met Utzon in Denmark, he was politely diplomatic, saying that the minister became so involved in the project that there wasnât room enough for both of them.
History will record that Utzon has been honoured as the only living architect to have his work, the Sydney Opera House, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was a unique listing in that usually listed buildings are to be preserved as built. However, in the case of the Opera House, the building elements not designed by Utzon, namely the interiors, are not listed to be preserved. Under the conservation management plan prescribed in the UNESCO listing, whenever a major refurbishment is carried out, then the new work should follow the Utzon Principles, rather than the work of his successor, Peter Hall. - Joseph Skrzynski, Former chair, Sydney Opera House Trust
Debt, where is thy sting?Whoa, Ross Gittins and other economists who subscribe to the claimed conventional wisdom that high debt doesnât necessarily have to be paid back (âInvestment in a better class of economic debate pays offâ, August 28-29). That is trite. It is always open to governments and other borrowers, if they see fit, to remain in debt indefinitely and to service their debts. As inflation is the friend of borrowers, and anathema to lenders/savers, there is more than a fair chance that its incidence will reduce the burden of debt repayment. This is the expropriation of lenders and savers. Itâs happening at present to some extent. In the past, some very large rises in nominal GDP, fuelled by inflation, have indeed worked to shrink the task of repaying government debt, inequitably. Letâs hope the distinction between real and nominal outcomes will not be unrecognised or ignored again in the future. - Mike Bush, Port Macquarie
Stand, and deliverSince it can afford to hand out $92 million in bonuses (Letters, August 28-29), Australia Post must surely be in a position to resume mail deliveries five days a week.
Glenn Johnson, Leura
Testing timesAlong with the HSC, a number of other significant public assessments are in hiatus â" the pub test, the water cooler analysis and the BBQ stopper, for instance, not to mention the much-celebrated taxi driver opinion meter. At least we still have the Herald letters page. - Barry Ffrench, Cronulla
Donât Astle meI am known to sit cheerfully solving the Herald cryptic every evening â" except Friday, when Iâm heard to mutter âbastardâ over and over as I read David Astleâs Wordplay column. But his take on affixes had me laughing out loud (âPerils of the omni-asphyxia of affixiaâ, August 28-29). Heâs still a bastard, though. - Ron McQuarrie, Budgewoi
New orderGladys Berejiklian says it is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated (âNSW sets daily record with 1218 new local casesâ, smh.com.au, August 29). Has she declared a jabocracy? - Les Shearman, Darlington
Trading placesSo âBeefyâ Botham will soon take up a position for the UK that seems equivalent to the one that Tony Abbott holds for Australia (âLittle guy with a big future cut Beefy down to sizeâ, August 28-29). They make a strange match. What possible qualifications do they have in common? - Greg Tome, Burradoo
The digital viewOnline comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
âMajority of voters back vaccine passports, mandatory jabs for high-risk workersâ
From JayBee: âI donât think we can force people to get vaccinated, but personally, I donât want to have any dealings with a business that has unvaccinated staff. Maybe it will get to the point where businesses will put up a declaration that their premises are âCOVID-safeâ and have an expectation their customers will be too.â²
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