Climate change: Future generations will be angry, and rightly so

Neil Tolliday, Werribee

It's time, silent majority, to speak up

After a lifetime of waiting and hoping for our governments to act responsibly, I'm still naive enough to believe that, in spite of the politicians, there is a non-party-political critical mass of the community that understands the urgent need to reverse the current state of inertia and denial. We've gone beyond "the more the scientists strive to stir us to action, the more we turn off". However, I'm also cynical enough to feel frustrated by our collective blindness to the harsh economic reality that successive governments still seem unwilling to stare down the bullying, collusive and deceptive tactics of vested interests, when it comes to a choice between protecting the environment and facilitating any "development opportunity". It's time for the silent majority to remind our elected representatives that we expect better.

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale

We must work hard towards a transition

As every day the world warms and we read of yet another solar or wind farm being started it continues to amaze that the LNP can tolerate the extreme IPA-inspired thought bubble that Tony Abbott keeps espousing. How can it be tolerable that someone so anti-science and so ill-informed on such a crucial issue as climate can hold so much sway on government policy? Australia's future generations are being held to ransom for some weird belief that this policy contortion can win an election for the incumbents.

According to Liberal MP Craig Kelly we should continue this insanity to maintain a policy point of difference to the opposition parties. The pair of them must be a sure thing for being rejected by their own constituents at the next election. The LNP would be well-advised to toughen up and reject outright such ideological extremes and insist these pariahs to join the 21st century or leave. For all of us it is now about working hard towards a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy not a regression to the wonderful days of the 1950s.

Robert Brown, Camberwell

Planting a solution to the problem

I work with an organisation that plants forests to offset emissions using contributors from supporters all over Australia. The organisation has planted almost 10 million trees so far; some in small allotments, some in large acreages. Our people are passionate about planting the most effective mix of species to cope with the warming climate of the future. Imagine how distressing it is to read of proposed massive clearance of forest in Queensland, and how grateful we are to see the Wilcox cartoon in The Age (29/5) highlighting the absurdity of spending $500 million to save the reef while thousands of hectares of wooded land is denuded, which we know results in more damage to the reef.

David Lamb, Kew East

FORUM

Fund therapy

As Ron Fenton's GP (Naked City, 26/5) I am amazed that the insurance company won't fund his therapy dog at $2000 a year. Since he and Yogi have been together he is much happier, sleeps better, is on less medication and is enjoying life. His visits to me have decreased as well. On cold hard economic grounds Yogi has paid his way.

Surely $2000 a year is a minimal amount to support a policeman who was millimetres from death and is permanently disabled. Our first responders with PTSD often get minimal support from their superiors and the insurance companies. This just aggravates the PTSD. It's time our first responders get the support they deserve.

Dr Joe Garra, Werribee South

Paranoia abounds

It seems like we have returned to the yellow bogeyman and a national hysteria about the rising power of China. Whether this stems from local conservative forces trying to build up electoral support around "national security", or, encouraged by our "historical allies", it has the potential to greatly damage Australia's economy and prosperity. While every country has a legitimate right to protect its national interests, the amount of paranoia around China is astounding. Our leaders have no qualms about the 60 plus years of US international dominance but jump up and down when emerging China reacts to the shackle of US military bases around its borders. Every country tries to spy on others, nothing new about it.

Fethon Naoum, Portland

Look to the monorail

Logic suggests one effective rail link from the city to Tullamarine is by a straight(ish) aerial monorail or similar. Intermediate stations would be eliminated because the Tullamarine end would be an intermodal exchange servicing the whole area, road access being reasonably available for this purpose, well away from the already congested inner suburban areas.

The aerial way could consume 1000 precast vertical supports and 1000 50-metre long prestressed horizontal sections, all of which could be made off site, resulting in faster construction and minimum disruption during construction. It would utilise modern but proven technology and display forward, practical thinking.

The underground or surface alternatives would bring us up to date with 50 years ago, not guarantee reliable travel timing and be a construction nightmare.

Travel time for this proposal would be guaranteed, for both air travellers and locals.

Campbell Laughlin, Rowville

Rail is way to go

The Liberal and Labor parties are planning to build new tollways ("State election will be a tale of two roads, but what about rail?", The Age, 30/5).

We need a long-term vision for our city transport and building new motorways and adding lanes to existing ones every few years is not it. How many lanes will the Eastern and Monash motorways be by 2030 at this rate? 16? 20? Is that what we want?

Rail is the only way to move large numbers of people and Metro 2 is a better option according to Infrastructure Victoria. Freeways just encourage people to drive.

Bob Hale, Malvern

Not so super

For a country that likes to regard itself as a leader in retirement incomes policy, Australia has made a real mess of its superannuation system. If we knew how it would evolve, it is safe to say no government would have planned for what we have now. Poor performing, high fee retail funds, lazy industry funds set as defaults in industry awards, and greedy self-managed funds exploiting overly generous tax concessions. No sector is immune from criticism and fixing the mess is a major national challenge. An added complication is that the system has become intensely political. The Coalition does not like the industry funds, and Labor does not like the retail funds. Both sides regard self-managed super as fair game. Any hopes that the government will restore faith in superannuation by simply leaving it alone are forlorn.

Rod Wise, Surrey Hills

Recognise carers

It would be wonderful if we had a permanent day, just like Mothers Day, that recognised carers. Carers week is often in October, but it is often lost as just another week.

Linking recognition of carers with the Queens Birthday weekend each year would be the perfect way of regularly remembering this army of unsung heroes. I am sure the recipients of Queen's Birthday Awards would be only too happy to extend encouragement to carers.

I can think of a neighbour who has been caring for his adult son for the past decade. My contribution to recognising carers could be to simply lean over the fence and say, 'Well done, is their anything I could do to help?'

Linda Brownstein, Tyntynder South

The French example

In Geelong in 2013 Homayon Hatami wins a bravery medal for rescuing a suicidal woman and takes three years to win Australian citizenship. In Paris, Mamoudon Gassama, rescues a baby and is given French citizenship by Emmanuel Macron within days. There is a leader in tune with global public sentiment. Admirable human qualities cannot be ethnically profiled.

Robert Pascoe, South Yarra

Right decision

Congratulations to Channel Ten in pulling the Roseanne show in line with ABC (America) after her appalling comments. Unfortunately there will be certain sectors of our community who will no doubt defend her in the name of free speech.

Rob Park, Surrey Hills

Wrong priorities

Why are we spending billions on the planned new submarines in the first place? Who are we going to attack?

The best non-nuclear subs can be bought from Japan at the price of one quarter of the cost to build one in Adelaide. Experts say by the time the last few are made manned submarines will be crew-less drone types, just the same as aircraft will be.

That's a savings of many billions of dollars that could be used to increase aged pensions and/or unemployment benefits. And why do we need nine of them? In a war all our internal transport of food etc can be done by rail and road transport.

David Ward, Ormond

Just turn off

I am sure that Michael Challinger (Letters, 28/5) knows that to describe the sermon at the royal wedding as "drivel" is offensive to many, and especially Christians. It is puzzling that anyone would think that he/she can be critical of the Christian message being preached at a Christian wedding service in a Christian church. No one was forced to watch the wedding.

Margery Renwick, Brighton

Opposing reactions

A mortar shell fired by Gaza militants lands near a kindergarten in southern Israel. I know this because I found the article at the bottom of page 17 of The Age ( 30/5). No outrage anywhere to be found. If it had been the Israelis firing mortar shells that landed near a kinder, one can only imagine what the reaction would have been.

Jill Rosenberg, Caulfield South

Leave ABC alone

The intelligent members of Mitch Fifield's constituency must surely vote him out because of his vicious and unprincipled attack on the ABC. This attack is driven by a government that is over sensitive to any hint of criticism and we, the viewers, must pay the price. What the government, through Fifield, cannot seem to understand is that whoever is in power they are fair (sometimes even unfair) game for commentators and cartoonists. So what? Surely the public are adult enough to sift through media offerings and take from it what they will without contrived politics and politicians getting in the way.

Leave the ABC alone.

Kenneth Coghill, Bentleigh

Not up to it

The Age reports ("Kim reaches out after Trump rebuff", 28/5) that President Donald Trump thinks that "it is moving along very nicely" for a June meeting with North Korea. Let's hope so. Striking an acceptable agreement would tax the most experienced and patient negotiator, with well-developed diplomatic skills. International diplomacy cannot produce long-term, durable results unless all parties are reasonably satisfied once the dust has settled. This requires skills and attitudes that Trump did not bring to the presidency, and shows little sign of having learnt on the job.

Norman Huon, Port Melbourne

The educators' gift

It's depressing to read the typical bureaucrats' justifications to entrench themselves and to stifle progress for the population. The Education Department recently announced a policy of stopping the more favoured schools from taking more than half of their students from outside their "zone".

The claim that "every public school will be a great school" is a worthless slogan (Letters, 30/5). Everybody knows that nothing like that has ever happened or ever will happen. The way forward is by letting gifted educators make improvements to their schools, letting families choose schools, and thus enabling better ideas to inspire others.

Zoning is justified only to the point of ensuring local children can enrol if they wish.

Philip O'Carroll, Fitzroy North

Review the government

As we are having a review of national intelligence can we start with the government?

Pauline Ashton, Maribyrnong

The Barnaby dance

According a list of adorable historic euphemisms for horizontal folk dancing, the term "Dance Barnaby" was used as early as 1664. How prescient.

Monty Arnhold, Port Melbourne

AND ANOTHER THING

Barnaby

Barnaby Joyce is finished as a politician. Instead of taking leave, he should resign and give someone else a go.

Colin Jones, South Melbourne

I blame the electors of New England. We could have had Tony Windsor.

Ross Corben, Merton

It's great to hear Red Faces will be back this Sunday night.

Les Field, Blackburn South.

Forget extended leave, Barnaby. Just leave.

Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills

In relation to Barnaby Joyce, What's the problem? Almost everyone in politics sells themselves to the highest bidder.

Danny Hampel, Elsternwick

Barnaby you have just advertised to the world that you are for sale. Thank goodness you are no longer in Cabinet.

Irene Matthews, Melbourne

How low can you go Barnaby? The paid interview was Vicki's idea?

Georgina Simmons , Mornington

Furthermore

Par for the course. Super funds gouging their members. Royal commission anyone?

Alan Williams, Port Melbourne

Kyrgios and Tomic don't care if they play or not. Cut them loose, Tennis Australia, then bill them for what they've cost you.

Mick Webster, Chiltern

Imagine a refugee hero saving a child in Australia. His reward? One-way ticket to Manus Island.

Barry Cuthbert, Kew

"Keeping you informed or trying to buy votes?" (30/5) Like you had to ask?

Peter Bear, Mitcham

Here is a challenge, the federal government is going to review the intelligence system of Australia.

Bruce Dudon, Woodend

Reviewing Australia's intelligence capacities. Let's start with Minister Petter Dutton.

Ian Maddison, Parkdale