Glowing eulogies for ‘Richo’ disappoint Labor faithful

What short memories some people have. I was bitterly disappointed to hear Anthony Albanese speak in such glowing terms of Graham Richardson and disappointed in other members of the Labor Party left who attended his funeral (“His sins are washed, his scandals left unmentioned,” December 10). During the late 1970s, I was on the progressive side of Labor in the inner city. Party branches, particularly Leichhardt, suffered terrible harassment and intimidation at meetings by thugs associated with Richardson. Thankfully, we all survived. My vote will always be for Labor and I support Anthony Albanese as prime minister, but I’m afraid the gloss has worn off somewhat. Ann Roxborough, Bathurst

I am sometimes reminded why I left the Labor Party after three decades of active membership and have not rejoined, despite thinking I might. The state funeral for Graham Richardson, with whom I dealt personally during my party membership, is the most recent of these. Watching the prime minister and other senior Labor figures reverently mixing with people like Tony Abbott, Matt Canavan, Barnaby Joyce and Alan Jones to eulogise someone whose life was appropriately analysed recently by your great investigative journalist Kate McClymont, removed any temptation to return to the fold. Al Svirskis, Mount Druitt

As I read Harriet Alexander’s account of Richo’s departure, I couldn’t help but wonder what lasting legacy he will leave for future generations. Then something US civil rights champion Rosa Parks said popped into my head: “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” Goodbye, Richo. Mark Paskal, Austinmer

Estranged colleague Paul Keating may not have turned up, but one can only speculate whether the sentiment in Mark Twain’s quote, “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it”, crossed his mind (“They came to mourn Richo, but one of the ‘mates’ was missing”, December 10). Edward Loong, Milsons Point

The various Herald articles on Graham Richardson’s funeral encompassed a quirky fact – it was either (a) the place to be seen, or (b) the place not to be seen. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Time for rules rewrite

Minister Anika Wells’ flights pass the audit test but not the test of public expectation (“Minister refers herself to watchdog for audit”, December 10). She didn’t write the rules and is happy to have her flights scrutinised, knowing she’s on the right side of the ledger. But what is in the minds of so many well-paid politicians who are quick to drain every last dollar they are entitled to from the public purse? Happy days for them, I suppose. Seems to me that it’s time to rewrite the entitlements guidelines. Lyn Savage, Coogee

I would like to know if there are any other jobs in the private or public sector that allows partners and children so much access to travel and entertainment. I imagine if there are any more jobs in this category there will be long queues of applicants. Robyn Lewis, Raglan

Do family members of our military get paid family reunions/ holidays? If not, why not? If it’s good enough for our ministers, surely even better for those who serve away from their families. Mark Latchford, Seaforth

To answer the question posited by correspondent Dale Bailey in the Anika Wells debate: “What job could be less secure than a federal politician’s?” (Letters, December 10). The answer is a casual academic’s – they all have zero job security, experience erratic hours and suffer institutional wage theft. Dr Liza Rybak, Bellevue Hill

Congratulations to Minister Anita Wells. Throw it all back at the critics and push for an evaluation of your travel spending. Great response to those who attack you. Now, back to that legislation on social media. Robert Mulas, Corlette

Missed message

In a video address from his office, the prime minister told students to make the most of the school holidays and, instead of spending time on their phones, start a new sport, learn a new instrument and spend face-to-face time with family and friends (“PM delivers message to kids ahead of social media ban”, December 10). Unfortunately, due to the new social media ban for under-16’s, many of the intended recipients will not get to see this message. Ross Duncan, Potts Point

Now all we have to do is find a way to get the parents off their phones. Michael Deeth, Como West

War of opinions

Correspondent Steve Alperstein asks why there are public protests about Gaza but not about the atrocities in Sudan (Letters, December 10). I suggest that some possible reasons for the difference could include: the government in Sudan is not being supported in trade or politics by Australia or the US; the government in Sudan is not pretending to engage in peace negotiations or a ceasefire while continuing its attacks; the government in Sudan is not pretending to protect civilians while bombing them and blocking aid to them; and, lastly, critics of the Sudan government’s war crimes don’t get automatically accused of bigotry. Suzie Ferrie, Newtown

The arguments Mr Alperstein uses to criticise opposition to Israel’s barbarism is straight out of the deflection handbook – “look over there!” and “antisemitism!” Besides, as he laments “the tragic loss of life in Gaza”, had he attended any of the mass demonstrations he refers to, he would know that Palestinians have had to learn to organise themselves as staunch advocates for justice after decades of inhumane treatment by Israel. Also, Sudanese speakers are often included at these demonstrations. The people from Sudan taking refuge in Israel are facing a different type of cruelty, but it’s better than being starved or killed. Evelyn Konstantinidis, Albert Park

Yes, Steve Alperstein, when atrocities in Sudan that result in hundreds of thousands killed and displaced can generate minimal protest while the war in Gaza prompts enormous worldwide coverage, it raises the question of whether the issue in Gaza is truly about human rights or more about antisemitism and Israel being the world’s only Jewish state. George Fishman, Vaucluse

Steve Alperstein adds to a theme reflected in many letters from the Zionist cohort – “You only oppose genocide because you hate Jews.” The truth is that the people protesting against the nightmare in Gaza would shout just as loudly if it were Jews being cleansed from their homeland. The situation in Sudan is complex, a combination of geopolitical obscurity, media dynamics, narrative complexity and diaspora influence. It seems a little disingenuous to use one genocide to defend another. Shayne Chester, Waterloo

‘Boys on beer’ dangers

It is not uncommon for school bullies to recruit fellow students to help them harass and belittle other students, even if they do not really want to. Many schools still do not instil kindness and acceptance in their students, and we end up with a Scots-type situation (“Scots principal takes swipe at parents after human tunnel incident”, December 10). It’s okay for the principal to blame the parents – they may well be partially to blame. However, “boys on beer”, apparently a Scots tradition, must have been widely known about among the teachers, who should have realised it could lead to this sort of behaviour. My sympathy is for the boy who from now on will be a targeted student for a different type of bullying – “mental isolation”. William Tuck, Mosman

Nanny-state mentality

Many Australians, myself included, will intentionally disobey a “Don’t Walk” sign after a quick assessment of the traffic danger (“We play it safe: The lesson I learnt from living in France”, December 10). Ultimately, risk assessment is a personal decision, not something entirely determined by government policy. As your columnist Julia Pound points out, people from other countries apply this same commonsense approach to rules around seatbelt and helmet use, rules that we have been conditioned to think are inviolate. People have the right to choose how much cotton wool they want to wrap themselves in, but are our lives truly enhanced by a nanny-state mentality? Surely, it’s better to live by John Shedd’s philosophy: “A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Col Burns, Lugarno

Julia Pound’s column made me feel nostalgic. Europeans live life to the full and don’t frown on those who jaywalk, dogs are allowed almost everywhere and road rules are just a suggestion. A trip, or a move, to Europe is like taking a deep breath and letting go of anxiety. It’s sad that Australians have become so restrained and judgmental about those who want to live a little. Christine Tiley, Albany Creek (Qld)

ISIS brides

Of course the government should accept America’s offer to help bring the Australian women and their children from the terrible camps in Syria (“They’re Australians whose cause was bloodthirsty and lawless. Here’s why we should bring them home”, December 10). These women are Australian and so are their children – they need rescuing. Syria is not on a war footing any more, so using fear as an excuse to leave them languishing is pathetic. Their health and safety is constantly threatened, with a high likelihood of radicalisation of the children as they grow. Families who have already been returned from the camps have not been a problem, they are just grateful to be home and living in peace. Bring them home, Tony Burke. Molly King, Freshwater

It’s interesting to note that the comments under the item about bringing the Islamic State women back to Australia didn’t include one opinion on the nay side. Obviously, a biased selection of comments, with the against arguments excluded. Of course, we all make mistakes. But the truth is that these women upped and left for a war zone of their own volition. Was that a mistake? Seems to me it was seriously intentional because there would have been a lot of effort to get there. What sort of Australian values do these people hold? We all saw the horrific pictures of Islamic State atrocities. Now the government is being chastised for not doing enough to bring them home. Home. Is Australia really their home? We don’t teach such values at home in Australia. Stewart Copper, Maroubra

Rego wipeout

The discussion about registration of e-bikes, or bicycles in general, reminds me of the ill-fated attempt to control surfers’ incursions into flagged swimming areas back in the 1960s – by means of surfboard registration. It failed. Registering bikes will fail for the same reasons – there are so many sorts and sizes, with riders of all ages and attitudes that it is impossible to police. What worked for surfing was a community that policed itself. We surfers grew to understand our responsibilities, and any incursions were met with stern rebukes from swimmers and clubbies. We can do the same with bikes. Dick Clarke, Elanora Heights

AUKUS risks

As an AUKUS critic, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is right when he says the Australian public don’t understand the risks associated with this “pact” (“Marles refuses 12 times to say what the Americans want in AUKUS review), December 10). In fact, there has been so little “transparency” (read “information”) that the only thing most Australians understand is that it involves a huge amount of money being handed to the US for nuclear submarines that will probably be obsolete by the time they are delivered. Despite a recent “mutually beneficial” meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump, the common perception of Australian public is they wouldn’t trust Trump as far as they could throw him. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights

Reviewer’s rage

Jenna Price nails it (“Feedback? It’s not my job to do free work for businesses”, December 10). Recently, I was asked for a Google review on work I had done at my house. In exchange, it offered $25 off the bill, but I was then grilled by the unhappy tradie for not giving him five stars. To cap it all off, the $25 benefit disappeared when the credit card surcharge was applied. No gain to me – and he got a free review. Michael Blissenden, Dural

I completely agree with Jenna Price, it’s extremely annoying to receive requests for feedback from businesses who have supplied what was expected of them – service. If the business is doing its job well I will keep dealing with them. If they aren’t, no repeat custom: that’s their feedback. Jacky McCarroll, Gerringong

Thank you for reading Jenna Price’s article. 1. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is Super Boring and 10 is Brilliantly Insightful, how would you rate this article? 2. Did reading this article enhance your sense of self-worth, expand your horizons or make you feel more attuned to your inner persona? 3. Would you read anything else written by Jenna Price? 4. How likely are you to recommend Jenna Price’s writing to your family and friends? Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

Christmas time is aggie time

Just before Christmas, brilliant blue agapanthus burst into bloom on long stalks that sway back and forth in the breeze. Gardens and streets become a riot of blue. They gladden my heart in readiness for Christmas, with its parties and family celebrations. And in case environmentalists are concerned, we collect the dead flowers in a bag so the seeds don’t float into the bush. Hooray, it’s aggie time! Bea Hodgson, Gerringong

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