Division bells ring loud as Senator Price errs over migrants

There’s little doubt that the repetition of lies has an effect (“Liberals split over immigration”, September 8). Over the past quarter of a century in Australia and other Western countries, we’ve seen the demonisation of some of the most vulnerable people in the world, refugees, at great cost to our collective civil rights, and the extravagant cost of locking refugees up, or deporting them to dysfunctional and impoverished nations. The question for the two main parties is how far will you take us down this extremist road? The recent claims of Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price about Indian migrants indicate that for some in the Liberal Party, at least, there are no boundaries. The question for Liberal leader Sussan Ley and her allies, such as Alex Hawke, is whether they’re prepared to move to the far right, or if the time has come to move to the already fairly right-wing centre, and cut Senator Price adrift? Anything less than Price’s expulsion will clearly be both a signal to the extreme right and an indication of Ley’s weakness. Colin Hesse, Nowra

With a world suffering many ongoing divisive conflicts, MPs should make their priority inclusiveness, the calm melding of ethnic groups, and the understanding of apposing ideologies. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price often spreads division when she opens her mouth. David Goldstein, Balgowlah

Hilarious, Ms Price. You become a senator thanks to a handful of votes. For some reason, you consider yourself important and feel empowered to upset the apple cart. Good luck with that, but remember that most citizens won’t bat an eyelid at your antics. Wolf Kempa, Lithgow

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is doing her best to ensure the Labor Party stays in power for the foreseeable future. Grahame Riethmuller, Redbank

It’s easy to see now why the Nationals weren’t too concerned when Jacinta Price jumped ship, although jumping is usually done from a sinking vessel, not onto one. Ian Clarke, Terrigal

Net-zero will to change

Last week, Mathias Cormann, head of the OECD and a former minister in the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments, urged the Coalition not to walk away from the net zero target. Today, another former Coalition minister, George Brandis, warned that “obsessing about the net zero target” risked losing the next election (“Coalition must shift energy debate September 8). Brandis listed the five state and territory Coalition branches that have recently voted for ditching net zero. Whatever Opposition Leader Sussan Ley decides, it’s clear to the Australian public that the Coalition’s heart is still not in it. Ray Peck, Hawthorn (Vic)

George Brandis cynically argues that the Coalition should simply bypass any talk about “net zero” and focus on “power prices and the reliability of supply” to capitalise on voter disaffection to win office. Keeping the juice flowing (or not) will certainly make or break any government’s energy policy. As for cost, the issue is not whether prices are too high (whatever that means), it’s whether people can afford them, and that brings factors such as disposable income, other living costs and infrastructure efficiency into the equation. Brandis ignores all that but as the past two elections demonstrated, how energy is delivered and a party’s fervent commitment to meaningful reductions in fossil fuel use are far more important to the majority of voters than Brandis credits. His assumption that voters won’t care so long as their switches still work is truly “simplistic, reductive and absurd”, not to say hugely condescending. No wonder the Coalition is where it is. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

The joke’s on us

Nick Bryant (“Trump’s authoritarianism is no joke”, September 8) astutely pinpoints the role of humour in cementing Trump’s persona in the public mind. Media of all kinds, from traditional to social, continue to highlight Trump’s most ridiculous performances as though he were a benevolent and amusing grandpa. This focus serves to camouflage the rapid ascent of a dangerous, out-of-control autocrat hellbent on accumulating untold billions from shonky deals, personal bitcoin and sales of merch, while systematically destroying every vestige of America’s democracy. Trump has brilliantly realised the potential of being a figure of fun. The laugh is on the rest of the world. Gillian Appleton, Paddington

There is nothing humorous about Trump’s presidency. With numerous dictators strutting the world stage, democracy is under threat, and as Trump heads in that direction in his desire to become a dictator, it only adds to the demise. Josephine Piper, Miranda

Nick Bryant’s piece on Trump has a clear message for our political class. It is that liberal democracy is a fragile beast and must be handled with all due care. There is nothing remotely humorous about Trump’s behaviour — he is eviscerating democracy in America by overriding the rule of law. We should take particular care and not let humour cloud our view of reality. As Bryant rightly says, “These are dark times”. Peter Thomas, Rose Bay

I love politicians who don’t take themselves seriously but work hard to implement their policies. Politics in general is boring and predictable, with a standard script given by minders that is regurgitated daily. But the sense of humour has to be complemented by strong and effective policies. While Boris Johnson and Trump are cartoonish and poke fun at their enemies, they miserably failed with their policies when in power. Whether you loved or loathed him (yes, it was a binary choice only), one who had fun with serious policies was Paul Keating. He used question time to decimate his political enemies, sometimes with personal insults and at other times bagging the whole conservative mob. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Eh, Trump’s “very funny”? Seriously? As Will Rogers once said, “The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.” Edward Loong, Milsons Point

When Nick Bryant, esteemed journalist, finds humour in Trump’s cruelty, ignorance and insanity, then what hope is there for the rest of the world? Even if Trump paints the Statue of Liberty gold, I won’t be laughing. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North

Medicine and misogyny

I agree with your correspondent (Letters, September 8) that it is heinous that women be helped less than men, if at all, and in the instance described, due to religio-cultural rules/customs, but has anyone here in Australia explored what is behind women heart attack victims being less likely to be given CPR? I have been told during cardiopulmonary resuscitation training that this is so. Gordana Martinovich, Dulwich Hill

I weep for the women and girls of Afghanistan. How, when they are banned by their government from enrolling in medical education and are prevented from being educated beyond grade 6, can they train as nurses and doctors so that they can assist their sisters in times of need? Simply, starkly, unconscionably, tragic. Angela Namoi, Crows Nest

More boats, more profit

Barrister Ian Hemmings blithely states (“Court feud over harbour marina”, September 8) that Woolwich marina would “just have more boats in front of it”. Apart from sailing school, kayaking, fire hazard, loss of amenity, parking and traffic problems and heritage damage, it would be theft of public waterways (a large chunk of harbour) for private profit. Jill Stephenson, Woolwich

Protecting koalas is just the start

Congratulations to the NSW Labor government for following through on its election commitment to establish the Great Koala National Park (“Why Minns backed koala national park”, September 8). Now it needs to follow through to ensure koalas and greater gliders are protected in other areas of the state, such as Styx River State Forest near Armidale and Brother State Forest near Glen Innes, by shutting down logging in all state forests. This will ensure the survival of these endangered native species, and report after report has shown that shutting down native forest logging makes good sense environmentally and economically. Michael McNamara, Glen Innes

With wild koala populations under threat, the greater glider at serious risk and other species under threat, decisive action was needed. The government has delivered. The GKNP will be a sanctuary for the environment to recover and populations of those animals to rebuild. It will also be a much appreciated boost for ecotourism on the Mid North Coast. The announcement is a reward for the persistent optimism and patient negotiation of Minister for Climate Change Penny Sharpe. It gives us faith that good policy and good process can still triumph in the age of the 24-hour media cycle and polarised debate. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

I’m overjoyed to hear that the Minns government is honouring its promise to permanently protect the full 176,000 hectares of state forest with the Great Koala National Park. My partner celebrated his first Father’s Day as a dad today and over the celebration lunch we reflected on what we want for our child. The wish to give our son the opportunity to know and love the natural beauty of this country was one. It is thus timely to be reading that the government is taking important steps to not only protect the koalas, but also other plants and animals that coexist with this umbrella species. Thank you, Chris Minns. What a day to celebrate indeed. Winnie Fu, Gordon

The declaration of the Great Koala National Park ensures the survival of an iconic species; it stops the destruction of yet more native forests; and, not to be forgotten, it saves hundreds of millions of dollars subsidising the destruction. What is now needed is some imagination in providing for workers who have spent their entire working lives in the forests. My suggestion would be to employ these people in wide-spread cultural burning to protect the park in perpetuity. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

The creation of the Great Koala National Park is long overdue, but nonetheless heartening. The survival of our much-loved koalas is crucial, as is environmental protection, of which climate change is a critical aspect. Opposition from the timber industry and trade unions was inevitable, but it was outweighed by public support for the park. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Selective hunting

For many years, we lived at Figtree under the Illawarra escarpment (Letters, September 8). About 30 years ago, following one of the frequent invasions of feral deer into our backyard, I asked a council ranger about the potential impact of hunters in such situations. Apart from the fact that firearms are banned in built-up areas, he said hunters had negligible effect because their unwritten code is to never kill a pregnant doe or a juvenile, thus ensuring the long-term future of their sport. Max Edwards, Kanahooka

Too much pressure

I went to a selective school many years ago (Letters, September 8), without coaching, and had not been to Opportunity Classes, not unusual at the time, although the OC girls did swamp the top classes. It was a huge advantage for university entry, and in some ways, it marked us for life as achievers and nerdy. I don’t like what has happened to the system, and my own children went to the local comprehensive school. It should be made more community based, rather than open to all. Its biggest disadvantage was that it divided us from our community, and it does so even more today, as kids spend their weekends and after school time at coaching, as well as doing their normal homework. Parents are made to feel guilty if their children are unsuccessful, a bad thing, as there is enough pressure on parents already. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

My recollection, somewhat dimmed, is that we sat the entrance test for the local selective high school (Sydney Tech High, newly moved to Bexley) in our Year 6 classroom, at Mortdale Public School. We were not told the purpose of the test. Mr Jones afterwards said there was therefore no need for the final one later in the term. No extra study, no coaching, no fuss. Bob Selinger, Eastwood

A literary loss

As a retired English teacher from a country high school that once had a Meanjin subscription (“Hardly anyone reads Meanjin any more. So why does its end even matter?,” smh.com.au. September 8), I witnessed firsthand how our faculty library of back issues enriched our teaching materials for senior students preparing for the HSC. The end of Meanjin is regrettable. Greg Bugden, Armidale

ID conundrum

I share Jenifer Nicholls’ frustration at having to verify her identity because another person shares the same name (Letters, September 8). Joining or contacting various organisations, I have discovered the existence of many other Anne McCarthys, so I have added my middle name as a distinguishing feature to my email address. Hello to my namesakes. Anne McCarthy, Marrickville

Knightly act

The last placed team was omitted from the NRL table in the print edition yesterday. As a Knights fan, I thank the Herald for this small act of kindness. Nick Benson, Newtown

Categorically sad

Complaining about a statue of a cat (Letters, September 8)? I guess some people are just plain miserable. John Campbell, South Golden Beach

• To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
• The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.