The sad state of the UTS shows that the institution has failed

In the UTS Sydney Act 1989 (NSW), section 6 states its object is to promote, within the limits of the university resources, scholarship, teaching and research (“UTS to cut 200 more jobs”, October 24). With a $78 million deficit last year, the university has failed. University resources have been poorly distributed and now, like academics, key instructional learning and teaching and faculty professional staff are bearing the brunt. Unsurprisingly, a token two positions will go from the top-heavy executive support unit. Michael Blissenden, Dural

As a senior academic developing and delivering postgraduate programs that have underpinning leadership themes, I feel that everything in the latest of the two UTS change proposals reflects the antithesis of sound, ethical, creative, inspiring and transparent leadership. Relative to the high order leadership approaches that are modelled for my students aiming to professionally embed social licence in their leadership roles, there is no discernible exemplary leadership driving the rolling UTS change proposals that aligns with what we are teaching students seeking role models.
Some students might ask where leadership is in such gobsmacking historical financial mismanagement claimed as necessary to the sustained slash and burn. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville

Before the last professional leaves UTS, the university will need to organise some classes for the academics. Subjects would include how to use the printer, how to create and modify a timetable, basic phone techniques and many, many more. For the students, it is the professionals, not the academics, who make things work. They will suffer greatly from this loss. Associate Professor Andrew McDonald (Conjoint A/prof UNSW and WSU), Menangle

Ley truly trumped

Politics can be a dirty business (“Deal leaves little leeway for Ley’s way”, October 24). No matter how principled and moral a leader might want to be, there are times when they must sacrifice their dignity, and in this case their integrity, to acquiesce to an ego that knows no bounds in pomposity, rapacity and self-interest. But the question is just what tangible benefit Australia gains from these strategic entanglements, and at what cost? Establishing a rare earth mine, along with the infrastructure required to process and add value to the stuff, obviously represents a substantial financial undertaking, with an expectation of financial benefits from America. But we should never underestimate just how strategically important Australia is to every other nation bordering the Pacific. While America may well have an aspiring monarch occupying the White House, Australia must remain clear-eyed about its own interests and the price of playing in the geopolitical arena. Bruce Spence, Balmain

We should acknowledge the Coalition’s contribution to the prime minister’s successful Washington visit. By focusing on culture wars, bickering among themselves and insisting on policies most Australians find unacceptable, they’ve bestowed on Anthony Albanese that quality most admired by Donald Trump, overwhelming popularity. Colin Stokes, Camperdown

The Labor government’s deal with Trump should have come as no surprise to the opposition. It was well planned and well presented and it came without any pre-meeting games from the Trump team. James Massola made a good point that Sussan Ley must have been living in a parallel universe to come up with her interpretation of the outcome, in calling for Kevin Rudd’s demise. She wasn’t the only one, of course. Ley’s way is not the way to win, unless you covet political oblivion. If Ley’s way continues, the pettiness and policy vacuum will suck the remaining life out of the opposition. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Bill Shorten’s quote in your report – that “sometimes an opposition leader will feel the need to say something, to say anything” – brought to mind this quote, usually attributed to Plato: “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” Edward Loong, Milsons Point

Whines of the times

If the Coalition hopes to rise from the ashes (“Shorten: Ley must woo back rivals”, October 24), it will need to abandon the constant carping from the sidelines and take politics seriously. Tony Abbott and Peter Dutton both lost favour with voters because of their constant whining and negativity. Ley should take notice of Shorten’s advice – when there’s nothing useful to say, it’s better to say nothing. Ley’s knee-jerk demand for the sacking of Rudd was a case in point, which backfired badly. The electorate has matured and moved on, but the Coalition remains mired in the past. Graham Lum, North Rocks

AUKUS interruptus

It has not yet been explained how AUKUS is in “Australia’s national interest” (“US wants permanent base under AUKUS”, October 24). We will pay hundreds of billions of dollars for subs that will be obsolete by the time we don’t actually receive them. And we will have even greater US interference in our region and with our actual most important allies. The government should be spending the money on protecting us from the greater threat of climate change. Or perhaps with the sea level, the subs will be useful after all. Martin Cousins, Lindfield

Is the US demand/request for a permanent base in Australia, over the maybe-it-will-happen submarines to arrive here, just a sneaky plot of Trump’s to establish a military base in the south Pacific and then take over all of Australia? After all, the US has the super-secret Pine Gap establishment. Through our own friendliness, greed and lack of future-thinking, we are permitting other countries to grab chunks of our country. Will we be the “South Pacific Strategic Group of Countries” that used to be Australia? Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

If another war were started by the US, we would be sitting ducks if bases were allowed in Australia as the 51st state. Take a leaf from Canada’s book and become independent for our future. Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

For decades the US has had a specific policy of intermittently reminding the world that it is the world’s most pre-eminent, powerful nation; that it aims to continue to be so; and to prove the fact, invades whatever country or countries it can successfully demonise to justify an invasion, and provide examples of its power projection capabilities. In the process, Australia has followed this wayward bunch of warmongers into many calamitous overseas expeditions. Have we learnt so little that we again allow ourselves to dive headlong into another association with the US, the goal of which is to antagonise our largest, and peaceful, trading partner, an association that could lead to a war to end all wars? Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay

Promises, promises

How ironic is Trump’s commitment to honour his word to the Arab nations and not allow Israel to annexe the West Bank (‴⁣⁣It won’t happen’: Trump says West Bank will not be annexed”, October 24). If only the British and the French had kept their word to endorse Palestinian sovereignty after World War I, this conflict and all the other conflicts involving Israel and the Arab nations beforehand would not have happened. Ian McKenzie, Mount Annan

Drawing the line on protests

Waleed Aly writes in regard to protesting that “rules can’t depend on causes” (“Fear, loathing and the right to protest”, October 24). Perhaps, but they can depend on effects. People have a right to protest but people also have a right to freedom of movement in regard to getting to work, caring for family and for leisure. Expressions of protest may “disrupt” the feeling and thinking of others and potentially bring about changes in attitude and behaviour and this can be a good thing. However, we need to ask when are some kinds of disruption by protest physically “a bridge too far”? Paul Casey, Callala Bay

I suggest to Waleed Aly that the duty to protest is more important than the right to protest. We have a duty to protest when we see the rights of others being violated. That duty is more important and takes precedence over what any court may or may not prescribe. There is something wrong with my conscience if I need a court to tell me when it is right or wrong to protest or if I let myself be swayed by any self-indulgent inebriated mob. Mark Porter, New Lambton

Waleed Aly’s fear at being recognised by the drunken louts he encountered on a train is justified. Such behaviour is potentially very dangerous, the more so when protesters arm themselves with weapons. It is worrying when we cannot disagree without having to fight – physically – to prove a point. I remember being shocked at a protest rally I attended in a country town when people I knew to be sober and measured in everyday life suddenly changed, joining in the ranting and raving with a frightening fervour. We must retain the right to protest, as both Aly and Peter Greste (“Australia has created a world-beating culture of surveillance”, October 24) argue. It is a hallmark of a well-functioning democracy. Surely, though, we must also have the means to prevent protests becoming dangerous and so disruptive as to undermine their message, and violate the rights of others going about their business. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Sell Andrew to Trump

So much tut tutting over the misdemeanours of Prince Andrew (“The chicken-and-egg debate over Andrew’s most valued title”, October 24). British royalty has a fine tradition of royal scandals over the centuries; at least Andrew did not divorce or cut off his wife’s head to marry his amour. But why not sell Andrew to Donald Trump? Just think of the kudos for both men; Andrew and, possibly, Sarah ensconced in the White House or Mar-a-Lago and Donald having a real life prince to toady to him. They probably know all the same people. A win for everyone. Nola Tucker, Kiama

In 1992 Prince Andrew could have been forgiven if he had misinterpreted annus horribilis for an additional service offered to VIP guests at Epstein’s place. For King Charles, it’s 2025. How to rid the Royal Estate of all pests. Mere praying won’t do it and the pesky Lords and Commons took away execution as a royal prerogative years ago. And with royal rental income now down to a mere trickle, things couldn’t get any worse, or could they? Still, no sweat for Andrew. Howard Charles, Annandale

How about The Symbol formerly known as Prince Andrew? Nominate the symbol of your choice. Jo Rainbow, Orange

A prince is not above the law; neither is he beyond it. As far as I know, Andrew has never been convicted of a crime. He, like anyone of us, deserves the assumption of innocence until proper judicial process has
been served. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills

Patient advocates

To Dr Georgina Long’s list of players contributing to the collective that supports courageous medicine (“For us doctors, uncertainty is life. We take risks to save lives”. October 24), could I add patient advocates? These are the partners, parents, relatives or friends who spend hours at hospital bedsides, observing, listening, watching and questioning. Yes, questioning. This too can broaden medical thinking. Judith Fleming, Sawtell

Dr Georgina Long should feel confident that her patients who are being subjected to drugs and treatments whose efficacy is yet to be determined are more than happy to receive anything that gives hope. From personal experience, trials are more than submitting yourself to endless blood tests and CT scans. By entering a trial, you have continuous contact with your team of specialists, thus extending your medical surveillance and your period of remission. Forget the experimental nature of the treatment being offered and take advantage of these dedicated men and women to who will be with you all the way. Trials need not be tribulations. Take one if any are on offer. Trevor Somerville, Illawong

Brain muscle workout

The very clever students sitting the HSC maths were enlightening, especially where they mentioned that they visualise concepts (“Mixed feelings over notorious ’final question‴⁣⁣ , October 24). I am a great believer in visualisation. Our brains activate similar neural pathways as if performing the action. I often say to my students to imagine the back (internal) of their forehead as a whiteboard and, with the mind’s eye focus on it, imagine drawing a graph, writing a sentence, conjugating a verb, sketching a map, etc, as if preparing the brain for the actual activity. Just as we work on our external muscles, working on the brain muscles enhances cognition and acuity.
Visualising a concept, a formula, a chart, a poem, a paragraph, is like preparing a plan in your mind’s eye for the actual event of transferring your plan into the written form on paper or on the computer. Train for it. Try it. It works. Rita Zammit, Concord

Watching the annual exposition of the final question in the HSC extension maths exam – several whiteboards progressively and confidently covered with incomprehensible numbers and symbols by a bright young person – is a wonderfully humbling experience for those of us who consider ourselves reasonably intelligent. I am, as usual, completely awestruck. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

Not much has changed. When I sat the leaving certificate in 1963, it was always the last question on the maths 2 paper that caused much consternation and worry about whether anyone could solve it. Colleen Northam, Taree

Remove age limit

Breast cancer does not cease for women over 75 but that is the age free mammograms for women stop (Letters, October 24). Many older females assumed that breast cancer was no longer a consideration for them. Wrong. I meet many women at Cancer Care clinics who are over 75. We are given friendly, professional help by caring medical teams. Annual mammograms and breast checks must be done. The age limit should be removed for mammograms. I share the same story of too many women: I had three children, breastfed them for 10 months, aged over 75, then diagnosed with breast cancer. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong

Homebush heritage

That “array of red sheds” you describe at Homebush Bay (“Developer wants 50 storey towers at Homebush”, October 24) should be preserved with a heritage listing. When built, the warehouses were recognised for their largest ever roof spans using laminated timber as a structural material. Homebush Bay has more than enough high-rise apartments, appalling access roads and a frustrating lack of on-street parking. Nat Buckley, Drummoyne

Stop car panic

I have an easy solution for dealing with microchip shortages in the car industry (“Car giants face microchips shortages on US trade war”, October 24). Leave them out and build retro models which rely upon human skills to drive. My car panics at every imaginary danger and beeps, yelps, buzzes and pings, and that’s all before I have even got out of my garage. Ian Costley, Belrose

Air force targets

I echo the sentiments of your correspondent (Letters, October 24) about fire season and go one further. Why not have the air force pilots trained to put out spot fires with precision bombing (with water bombs)? The training would be invaluable and the community would benefit. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga

Streaming numbers

Cinema tickets are no longer the barometer of a film’s popularity (“Indian films out-perform local releases at box office”, October 24). Surveys suggest that many people prefer to stream new movies at home. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

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