Letters
Letters to
the editor
Ineffectual opposition
The various interviews conducted with Coalition stakeholders relayed in your coverage of their schemozzle may hold the key to their future (“Inside the Coalition split: ‘Like washing the bear without getting its fur wet’ ”, November 8-14). Not once did they mention what they thought they could do for the future of the Australian nation or its people. The sooner the political cycle cleanses itself of these self-centred nincompoops, the sooner we can move on with the matters that ail this country. At the top of the list would be taxation reform that is fair and equitable, housing availability and cost, and preparation for the impact of climate change. To make democracy work, it needs an effective opposition. The Coalition is not up to the task. The most effectual check on the Albanese government is coming from the growing band of independents. And thank heaven for that.
– John Mosig, Kew, Vic
Look to the skies
Mike Seccombe has reported that Australia’s transport emissions are spiralling out of control (“Road worriers”, November 8-14) and must be cut drastically. Meanwhile, our largest airline group announces new routes on an almost weekly basis, including transcontinental flights using inefficient 20-year-old aircraft. About 1 per cent of the global population are responsible for 50 per cent of aviation emissions. It is past time that we got serious about demand management and frequent flyer taxes.
– Geoff Collis, Eltham, Vic
EVs not the answer
Replacing every internal combustion vehicle with an EV isn’t the solution to reducing transport emissions. EVs are expensive, both financially and for the resources required to produce them. Better public transport, support for safe active transport, rideshare services, improved internet services for regional and rural areas, more essential services available locally, more local food production – all of these things will reduce the need to travel in private vehicles. More people need the options to make choices that include not driving.
– Katrina Willis, Queanbeyan, NSW
Seeking support
As a victim-survivor of extreme family violence and a single mother fighting for the daily protection of two small children, I find the child support agency is merely another site of systemic abuse, of weaponised processes under the guise of a child’s interest (Anonymous, “Half a million kids are waiting”, November 8-14). Somehow we single mothers with little to no child support find a way to provide the minimum for our children, but the cost accrues in maternal stress and neglect. And guilt – as the children miss out on ever going on holiday, extracurricular activities and small extras like an icy pole at the pool. Anonymous’s final paragraph nails it. Anthony Albanese’s inaction renders his origin story a political stunt. So too his talk of ending violence against women and children – government systems continue to enable the abuse we were encouraged to flee. The children suffer; so too their mothers. And so it goes.
– Name and address withheld
Nous of Windsor
Tony Windsor’s articles inspire with truth and warmth (“What is the purpose of Barnaby Joyce?”, November 8-14). Windsor is the thinking voice of the bush. He doesn’t spin. There is no coherent voice in the Nats on energy and climate change. Many in rural Australia swing to the denial claims of Joyce and Matt Canavan. Into the void writes Tony Windsor, expressing facts. The man is a national treasure.
– Warren Tindall, Bellingen, NSW
Misplaced faith
While I generally find the articles in The Saturday Paper by Stan Grant to be thought-provoking and providing an alternative view of current culture, I need to take exception to his latest (“Faith in the young flock”, November 8-14). I do not find the rise of young people attending Latin masses within the Catholic Church “good news”, as it may have more to do with their reactionary world views. For example, a recent study of young priests in the United States found they were more conservative on areas such as action on climate change and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community while being more devotional. With the state of the planet as it is, I am much more impressed by the “spirituality” of young people who would tie themselves to a tree to prevent its logging or row out into Newcastle Harbour to highlight the exporting of coal by Australia.
– Tom Kingston, Port Sorell, Tas
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This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on November 15, 2025.
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