PM’s hard-line stance on ISIS brides leaves children to suffer

I wish to express my support for the opinion piece by Fionnuala Ni Aolain and Ben Saul to allow the Australian women and their children to return to Australia from Syria as soon as possible (“Bring these kids home, PM. They didn’t make their beds”, February 20). It is absurd for the prime minister to constantly argue “they’ve made their bed, they can lie in it”. I also heard my own mother argue this in the 1960s and ’70s. I thought it was unfeeling and unkind then and I still do, particularly in the context of Albanese’s stated wish before the 2022 election to do politics more kindly. The bottom line is that under Australian and international law these people have the right to return home, and that should be enacted. Australian law can then be applied as appropriate to deal with any security concerns. Kate Miller, Waverton

Thank you Fionnuala Ni Aolain and Ben Saul for your clear call to the Anthony Albanese to act humanely, morally and responsibly in relation to 34 Australian women and children who have been abandoned in Syria. There is only one word for abandoning Australian children to suffer in the Al Roj camp, and that is shameful. Those children are innocents in this disgraceful game of political cowardice. Australian citizens have a right to return home and the Australian government has the ability and obligation to deal with any offence committed. Why should we expect poorer nations to shoulder this burden? And surely, Pauline, even if you have no compassion for these children, you can understand that someone is probably saying to this group of women and children, “Why don’t you go back to where you came from?” Suzanne Young, Corindi Beach

Albanese’s refusal to repatriate the ISIS brides and their children is harsh and lacks compassion. The government, fearing the return of these women and children would not play well under the present social and political climate, has chosen to turn their back on them in an ignominious display of political cowardice. Some of these women were tricked and some were coerced into going to Syria.

As Australian citizens, the government has an obligation to repatriate these women, especially their innocent children. Their return can be carefully monitored and managed and charges can be laid if they have committed any crimes under Australian law. Albanese has embraced political expediency over moral imperative. The prime minister needs to show leadership and act according to the facts rather than pander to populist hyperbole.
Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt

So Albo has “nothing but contempt” for the women in Jordan ostensibly supporting ISIS. Just like Pauline, one assumes. When it comes to Australian values, what happened to the rule of law and looking after one another? If these women (and their children) have committed any crime, it is surely up to a judge to decide their fate, not politicians who seek political gain from being “tough” on people from parts of the world they don’t fancy. Tony Tucker, Leichhardt

I am disgusted with federal Coalition politicians such as Jonno Duniam trying to make a political point-scoring opportunity to bash the government over the ISIS brides issue. Are they really saying that these Australian citizens should not be allowed to return to Australia because they do not share the same views as the members of the Coalition? Are we not allowed, in a democracy, to hold differing opinions? How can this be a valid reason to deny an Australian citizen their birthright to a passport? The Coalition should be providing all the support it can to the government to navigate through this issue, rather than firing off cheap, Trumpian shots. Dale Bailey, Five Dock

It is hard to do anything but criticise the PM’s outburst against ISIS brides as being anything but intemperate, unprofessional and, at the least, misogynistic. Perhaps he was frustrated by knowing that Australia does have an obligation to all its citizens and the government of the day should not be discriminating on which citizens it does support on the basis of race, religion, gender or political leanings. To do this means simply that the value of ALL Australian passports is diminished in the process. Like most people, I am reluctant to accept responsibility for this benighted group of women and children, but they are an Australian problem and no amount of public venting by a probably exasperated PM will change that fact. So, PM, return to your appropriate demeanour and treat this matter properly – those in question are Australians with the same claim on their government as I have.
James Archibald, Enmore

The issues around the motives, morality, autonomy and stupidity of ISIS brides are complex. But what is simple is the law. If they are entitled to an Australian passport, they should have it. If they are entitled to consular or other support, they should have it. If they are suspected of an offence under Australian law, it should be investigated. If they have committed an offence under Australian law, they should be punished. If their children are citizens under Australian law, the same principles apply to them. As Australians, we must uphold the rule of law. To do otherwise is to support tyranny. Frank Argent, Gordon

I am thinking, sadly, that the ISIS brides and children stranded in Syria could quickly become Albanese’s Biloela moment. Shame. Cheryl Kay, Miranda

Children left languishing a Syrian refugee camp are more likely to grow up radicalised than if raised in Australia. It’s time to show compassion and forgiveness. Bring the Australian women and their kids home where the children can receive a decent education and chance in life. Anne Matheson, Gordon

Love for Lakemba

I am an elderly white Anglo woman and have lived in Lakemba for the past 55 years (“Pauline Hanson claims Lakemba is unwelcoming. Tell that to a million people about to visit”, February 20). My experience in this suburb is of a friendly and outgoing neighbourhood full of a wide variety of different cultures. I have kind and generous neighbours of Egyptian, Bangladeshi and Islander backgrounds, who have assisted me on many occasions. If you were to cast aside your racist prejudices and open your mind you might enjoy a trip to Lakemba, but try not to bring anger and racism with you. Pam Hawkins, Lakemba

Last year I attended the Lakemba Night Markets celebrating Ramadan. I am a small 74-year-old woman, born in the UK, and looking like the visitor I was. Despite wandering around by myself at one point, having left friends to pursue a camel burger, I enjoyed the warm and friendly atmosphere. At no time did I feel anything other than welcome. The evening was a lot of fun. I ate food on fire on its leafy bed, enjoyed my camel burger and will forever look out for the delicious knafeh desert. But the real treat was the welcoming atmosphere. We could learn from our Muslim Australians the art of generous hospitality. Pauline Hanson, with her blindfold, would, of course, never experience this. Sue Adams, Dulwich Hill

In my 80-plus years of living in Australia I have been privileged to meet, work with and count as valued friends, people from at least 17 different nations, races and cultures from all corners of the world, including Europe, Africa, South America, Israel and Iran, China, Asia, and First Nations Australians. Regardless of religious beliefs, we all have the same basic human needs and values. A desire for security, peace and friendship with our neighbours and colleagues, as well as safety, health and education for our children. The fact that certain members of our government are currently fanning the embers of intolerance and hatred in our community is frightening. Please let us all strive to keep Australia multicultural, an example to the rest of the world that we as a species can tolerate diversity and live in peace with each other. Lyndall Dawson, Austinmer

Clear goals needed on CGT reform

Shane Wright’s report on economists backing capital gains tax changes highlights a debate that is missing its most fundamental question: what problem are we actually trying to solve (“‘Do whatever is possible’: Top economists join forces to back capital gains tax changes”, February 20)? Before arguing about discount rates, we need clarity on the objective. Is CGT reform meant to improve equity, boost economic efficiency or expand housing access? Each goal demands a different policy design.

If equity is the target, we should question why someone flipping shares pays full tax on nine-month gains while property investors get a 50 per cent discount after 12 months. If efficiency matters most, distortions that channel investment towards tax-advantaged assets over productive enterprises need to be addressed. If housing affordability is the priority, incentives should reward supply expansion, not speculative holding.

Yet the economists Wright quotes are debating Band-Aid adjustments – whether discounts should be 50, 40 or 25 per cent. They ignore the fundamental flaw: why discount at all? Other countries index capital gains to inflation and tax the real gain at full rates. No arbitrary discounts, no cliff effects at 12 months, just taxation of actual purchasing power increases.

The US offers another lesson: capital gains on property are not realised when proceeds are reinvested in equivalent or higher-value housing. That supports housing market participation without rewarding speculation. Australia’s CGT debate would benefit from less tinkering with discount percentages and more attention to what we are trying to achieve – and how other advanced economies actually do it. Hyun Son, Rozelle

Andrew’s downfall

It was a shock to all of us that Andrew was arrested and the King and prime minister said, “No one is above the law” (“Will Andrew and Epstein finally bring down the monarchy?”, February 20).
Imagine the citizens of the US reading, listening or watching that Andrew had been arrested, the first royal since 1647, and asking themselves why is our president above the law? Time for the populace to act and have their members of congress change the law so any president is just an everyday citizen and can be charged and imprisoned for committing a crime. Robert Pallister, Punchbowl

Whenever the subject of the republic has been raised in the past, the response has usually been “now is not the time”. What about now? Andrew Morrisey, Cremorne

Has anyone else noticed that Andrew increasingly looks like Humpty Dumpty? Jo Rainbow, Orange

Barangaroo bangers

Planning Minister Paul Scully obviously agrees with Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou’s claim that “If you choose to live in Barangaroo – in the heart of a global city – a level of noise should be expected” (“‘Extremely disappointed’: Minister defies residents’ noise complaints to dump Barangaroo curfew”, February 20). Let’s get the facts straight. It is not Barangaroo residents who are affected by 24/7 operating hours at the Cutaway arts and culture space. It is Millers Point residents who will be hit. And Millers Point has been a residential area for a very long time, way before the Cutaway was even a sparkle in business eyes. Accuracy and truth are important.
Please, minister and Mr Nicolaou, think beyond the big buck. People living in traditional residential areas expect, and deserve, reasonable night-time amenity. Harold Kerr, Millers Point

Heritage not in danger

I was not surprised that UNESCO has rejected the application to list the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct on the World Heritage List (“Housing v heritage: UN knocks back bid for historic Parramatta precinct”, February 20). Eleven Australian convict sites were previously listed on the World Heritage List, including Old Government House and Domain in Parramatta Park. The steering committee for this process said: “The 11 sites included in the inscription are the pre-eminent examples of Australia’s rich convict history, with more than 3000 convict sites remaining around Australia”. With these pre-eminent listings in place, it made no sense to make further applications based on parochial political considerations and a desire to game the planning system. It is wrong, however, to portray things as a choice between housing and heritage. The heritage core is already listed on the national and state heritage lists and is not in danger of becoming high-rise housing or anything else. We’ve had enough of the misrepresentation and fearmongering by a small group. Now it’s time to get on with the adaptive reuse of the site while protecting its unquestioned heritage values. Warren Gardiner, Granville

Long way to Scots for a sausage roll

Having attended Scots College as a pupil for more than 11 years (graduated in 1985), I read with great interest the future employment of a nutritionist for the suffering Scots pupils (“‘Not a school for everyone’: Scots principal warns parents over WhatsApp group chat”, February 20). Back in my day at the college, nutrition was confined to a jam donut for “little lunch” and the big guns came out for lunch – a sausage roll and tomato sauce from the tuck shop. Please note barbecue sauce was not available on the menu at that time. It’s true that pies were consumed as well but were only affordable for the cashed-up students from the eastern suburbs. More importantly, in the colder winter months, said sausage roll was often broken in half to feed to a starving, shivering and malnourished boarding pupil. Tristan Milani, Mosman

Surely in these more culinary sophisticated times, the mothers of Scots boys should be agitating for more air fryers rather than humble microwaves. Stephen Manns, Woollahra

The Scots College headmaster is correct that the school is not for everyone. Apart from the exorbitant fees it caters for boys only. Vicky Marquis, Glebe

Novelty values rise to surface

I agree, Jill Stephenson, I have been attending school swimming carnivals for more than 30 years and increasingly the novelties are the most popular events (Letters, February 20). It is concerning that over the years fewer children swim 50 metres. Equity is one of the issues, so too time spent at local pools for lessons or leisure. Gone are the days of children spending weekends in a pool, diving, jumping in and out, chasing each other, joining lessons or swimming laps. Water safety is everyone’s business. In our public schools we offer lessons, but sadly it’s only for two weeks a year for some. Should we make it compulsory and more regular? It would be a good start. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill

Off time, off budget

Which issue also deserves a royal commission? I think it should be the outrageous cost of getting a passport at $422, plus $25 for photos, a trip to the post office, and a six-week wait to receive it? Seems they deliver it on the back of a tortoise. Is this a joke? The whole process says everything about inefficiency in the public sector.
Mokhles Sidden, South Strathfield

Well may they naysay …

It has been a week since Angus Taylor and Jane Hume took over the leadership of the Liberal Party (“Jane Hume’s straight talk can get her in trouble, but she says the ‘time for timidity is over’”, February 20). As expected, their natural reaction to any issue is to oppose any policy the government has, or even may have in the future. Mooted changes to the CGT have been criticised before even a nascent policy being announced. Their reaction to any suggested repatriation of the ISIS brides did not take into account that the women may have been victims of coercive control, that the children taken to Syria had no choice in the matter and some of the children were born in Syria and are Australian citizens as of right. Like Dutton before him, Taylor and Hume have displayed a disappointing, but expected, lack of nuance in their pronouncements. Have they already forgotten the lessons of last year’s federal election? Jack Amond, Cabarita

Angus Taylor is right. If the Liberals don’t change, they’ll die. He just doesn’t realise that he’s the newly appointed undertaker. Craig Jory, Albury

Mental health crisis

It’s too soon to be apportioning blame for the recent tragedies involving mental health patients (“The troubled hospital men escaped before alleged stabbing, deaths”, February 20). However, successive NSW governments own responsibility for the present parlous state of our mental health system. In recent times, pleas from public hospital psychiatrists for their wages to be brought into line with other states were denied, resulting in massive resignations and putting further stress on an already struggling system. Consequently, there remains a shortage of mental health workers.

The coroner’s report on the Bondi Junction attack was scathing (“Coroner urges shakeup of NSW mental health system”, February 6). It highlighted systemic failures, treatment gaps, homelessness and the lack of long-term accomodation for the mentally ill. The Minns government responded with the promise of increased funding, but much more than that is required.

Previous inquests highlighted the failure to take health worker safety and deaths in-custody seriously. It seems that these concerns were not adequately addressed. Governments usually respond to requests for more funding by pleading poor, while the abuse of taxpayer funds continue. Graham Lum, North Rocks

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