Brethren hypocrisy and harmful ways expose

Thanks to the courageous and relentless pursuit of truth by investigative journalists such as Michael Bachelard (“Libs feared Brethren influence on election”, September 6), those of us who have suffered lifelong trauma due to the heartless practices of the Brethren in causing countless family break-ups can dare to hope the leaders of this secretive sect may finally be called to account. The breathtaking hypocrisy of the Exclusive Brethren in claiming their campaigning for the Coalition at the last federal election was not centrally organised at the highest levels of their church is exposed. Bachelard’s revelations, to say nothing of the Australian Tax Office’s ongoing investigation into their alleged business cover-ups, are all steps in the right direction to bring about the collapse of the Exclusive Brethren edifice of fear, and give their members the chance to taste freedom. Joy Nason, Mona Vale

The belligerence of the Exclusive Brethren volunteers for the Coalition at the last election in Bennelong was so overwhelming that as a long-time Labor Party worker I felt intimidated as I went on to the party afterwards convinced of defeat. Their numbers tripled Labor’s as they formed long lines where voters queued. The parent of the candidate and I saw them harass voters moving to the entrance, thrusting their leaflet at them with loud verbal direction and argument. I found the Labor win surprising after such an experience of altercation. Judy Nicholas, Kambah (ACT)

How is it that an alleged branch of religion blatantly disregards electoral rules by encouraging its adherents to not vote but goes on to advocate and finance election campaigns for their party of choice? To the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and use their “religious” status as a means of avoiding tax in a society in which they live, share benefits and operate clearly often very profitable businesses. I’m not religious but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t stack up with the teachings of any of the major religions. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow

The Exclusive Brethren were out in force for the Liberal Party in the Blue Mountains for the recent federal election. There was a sea of blue T-shirts worn by people who obviously had limited experience and understanding of Australia’s democratic traditions. They were aggressive and overpowering. If anything, they contributed to the resounding Labor victory in the division of Macquarie and across the nation. The Liberal Party got a lot less than they bargained for. Glenn Johnson, Leura

I volunteered at the last election at pre-polling and polling stations for our local independent, and the weirdness of an army of silent, expressionless Exclusive Brethren “volunteers” campaigning for the Liberals was, to say the least, disturbing. A quick look at the poster for the 1995 movie Village of the Damned will convey the vibe. On election day, the playground of your local school should not feel like a dystopian battleground. Now is the time to legislate to strengthen our democracy and ensure it cannot be undermined by external or internal interference. Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga

What were they playing at? It was obvious to all and sundry that these Exclusive Brethren were doing more damage to the Liberal Party brand than the ALP could ever have hoped to achieve. Anti-Coalition forces must have been licking their lips with every new news item. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth

One wonders how the Exclusive Brethren would have fared if Scott Morrison’s Religious Discrimination Bill had passed. They would, I think, have been over the moon. Yes, Scott would have approved sexism which would have overruled the Sex Discrimination Act, putting women back where they belong in servitude of men. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA)

It comes as no surprise to me that youngsters raised in a ghetto with virtually no experience of the outside world didn’t know how to behave when placed in that outside world. Keith Binns, Goulburn

Respect for all

Peter Hartcher observes a fraying of social cohesion (“Australia’s in danger of fraying”, September 6). There is a cause and a solution. One cause is the government’s recognition of self-declared groups, ethnicities and religious self-declaredly different and seeking to redress past or current wrongs: anti that or pro this. In doing so, they foster the division they seek to redress. The solution is to treat all people equally in the name of the law. Always. Regardless of where they come from or whatever nonsense they believe in. It’s the only thing that has been shown to work throughout history. Annie Godfrey, Kensington

Any country that ignores unbridled hate aimed at any of its citizens is in danger of fraying, or far worse, falling apart. Peter Hartcher’s warnings are prescient. So-called neo-Nazis are a disgrace to humanity and should be prosecuted for their hate talk and actions. Racism in all its forms should be eliminated from our multicultural society. That won’t happen unless we all call it out and challenge mores that denigrate individuals because of their ethnicity or skin colour. Politicians of any ilk who spread hate and division should be challenged both on their thoughts and words and people who vote for them shown the error of their ways. Our society came of age through multiculturalism; let’s not allow any sort of reversion to any form of the White Australia policy. The Australian people rejected racist tricks and hate at the last election; we need to continue to do so, gently or forcefully, depending on the circumstances. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Peter Hartcher focuses on an outbreak of antisemitism in Australia, but surely he should mention that this is at least in part a reaction to the horrors being inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian population of Gaza, scenes which must affect all except the arch-bigots among us. Talking of whom: there were more than a few anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian slogans displayed in the recent March for Australia, and there was also the widely reported attack by racist thugs on Palestinian brothers travelling on a suburban train. Seems there is more than one form of antisemitism needing attention (for of course Arabs are equally entitled to call themselves semites). Caroline Graham, Cromer

Heinous religious law

That must be the saddest and most heinous of crimes in Afghanistan (“The rule that trapped women, girls in the rubble”, September 6). After the recent earthquake disasters, (ongoing) relief workers are predominantly male and tend only to male victims. Of course this is because women may not touch or be touched by any male other than a family member. Consequently, women and girls are being left for days untended, sometimes trapped and bleeding because of this “law”. All in the name of religion. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights

Can’t we let children be kids?

How did our school system disintegrate into such a mess that a nine-year-old child is made to feel like a failure (“Dashed dreams after opportunity class exam chaos”, September 6), a parent thinks there is no alternative but to spend over $18,000 on coaching or move house, and more than 13,000 young people are denied a childhood and instead pressurised into spending all their time studying to pass an inappropriate exam? We once had public schools to be proud of. Children could relax after school, enjoy leisure pursuits, play, for heaven’s sake. When the time came they could progress with their friends to a local high school. For the sake of reason and our children’s wellbeing, surely we can abolish selective schools and put funds and energy into all the public schools so they can adequately educate our young people in a healthy and stress-free environment. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

How sad to see a father telling his daughter how important it is to get into an OC class or selective high school. Where did this perception come from that the public school system will fail his daughter? Perhaps he needs to look further than the uniforms and online forums and investigate results for the HSC from his local public schools.
I can assure him there are many pupils who come through that system, without tutoring I might add, and go through university into very successful careers. Maybe it’s time to stand back and let your daughter be a normal, well-balanced 10-year-old enjoying not just school but extracurricular activities away from the academic. She will then have the opportunity to grow into a happy adult. Mary Lawson, Marrickville

A nine-year-old spends half her weekend being coached and thinks she must work even harder. A father who believes the only good schools are selective or private, implying those attending neither have failed. In what world is this the education system we want or need? We should be ashamed for creating it. Michael Berg, Randwick

Reading this story broke my heart. It took me back to when my daughters were students. They were high achievers and would spend most of their spare time studying. I told myself they wanted to do it, but I was lying. They did it to please their parents. My intentions came from a good place, wanting the best for them – but upon reflection, they were insidious. They are women now and they are workaholics, with no time for other aspects of life that bring pleasure and enjoyment. If I could do it all again ... Lisa Del Vecchio, South Coogee

We have created this high-pressure and unfair system for NSW children. It’s time to move away from the selective school system and reintroduce streamed classes in comprehensive schools. More academic kids do thrive with the stimulation of learning with their peers. It used to be called the “A” class, and no children had to miss out on play or weekends to get there. Judith Coombes, Lilyfield

True landmark

The current State Library forecourt has a statue of Matthew Flinders and another of his cat, but not of a real hero of the voyage of discovery around Australia (“Landmark State Library forecourt set for $27m facelift”, September 6). The historic voyage would not have succeeded without the ability of Bungaree to communicate with the various tribes of indigenous people, to obtain food, water and enable necessary repairs to their vessel. I find it offensive that a statue of a cat (whose subsequent relatives have and continue to devastate our native fauna) was erected before that of Bungaree. Let’s hope the first Indigenous statue to be erected is Bungaree, standing beside Flinders in the proposed facelift, that would herald the beginning of truth telling and honour a famous important person in our city’s history. Brian McDonald, Willoughby

Bang on

As an Australian living in the United States, I’m appalled that this hunting legislation is being considered in NSW (Letters, September 6). Here in the US, the gun lobby endlessly complains about supposed infringements on their “rights” and we all know how that is working out. Australia’s strong record on gun safety is worth preserving, not weakening. Louise Langdon, Ann Arbor, Michigan

It was disappointing to read the possibly well intended but sadly ill-informed letters on Saturday regarding our premier’s noble efforts to reduce the annual cost to NSW farmers of feral vertebrate pests. Damage caused to land, waterways, crops and livestock by feral cats, dogs, deer and pigs costs NSW farmers directly (and NSW citizens indirectly) over $1 billion a year, based on CSIRO data. Well done, Premier Chris Minns, for having the guts to do something that not everyone will agree with. Tony Gapes, Pymble

If feral creatures must be killed, it should be done by professionals. Unless you live a day’s drive from your nearest supermarket, any other kind of hunting means you just enjoy hurting animals. Barry Riley, Woy Woy

If ever there was a dodgy concept, it is wanting to kill something and calling it sport. Phil Armour, Yass

There would seem to be something inherently misguided in giving people who enjoy killing a fundamental right to do so. Jan O’Leary, Springwood

Namesakes

Names are important, but can cause such confusion (Letters, September 6). Thank goodness there are two Alison Stewarts. I’d assumed they were the one contributor, prolific but a trifle inconsistent; I’m glad they are both allowed a voice. When I first sent letters to the Herald, my names were regularly misspelt, and I was asked to verify my identity. This puzzled me until I discovered there was already another correspondent who shared both my names but with different spelling. There are, after all, some things that AI may never adequately replace. Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic)

The Letters page is democratic. The writers of unpublished letters will always be in a majority. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

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