Inequality, not immigration, behind cost-of-living crisis
SaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.AAAHow many of those blaming high housing prices on immigration voted in the 2019 election against proposed changes to negative gearing and franking credits, which could have actually made a difference (“Rise of One Nation reflects deeper divisions in society”, January 26)? The problem here comes down to two cohorts of mostly conservative voters: the first are the landlords who own the property and are not giving up their entitlements for anyone; the second cohort are easily led by the first to falsely blame migrants for their problem, rather than accept who really is exploiting them. The answer is for Labor, with the support of the Senate crossbench, to stand up for all Australians and introduce those reforms, along with a just taxation system that tackles inequality – the root cause of our ills. Phil Bradshaw, NaremburnThe rise in support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is truly alarming. If polls are correct that 20 per cent of Australians endorse Hanson’s racist rhetoric, all thinking Australians should be worried. Hanson is an ardent supporter of Donald Trump and his policies. It is easy for Hanson to win support pushing her mistaken claim that immigration is the cause of the cost-of-living crisis and unaffordable housing in Australia. Dismissing her threat could see the further rise of a MAGA cohort here. Wake up, Australia. Ray Morgan, MaroubraOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson.Chris HopkinsIt’s easy to see the outcome of the immigration policies now being promoted by some Australian political parties. Look no further than the round-ups, the deportations and the killings sanctioned by the US government. Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach (Qld)Anti-immigration ironyHas anyone else noticed the irony of holding an anti-immigration march on Australia Day – a day which commemorates the first migration to this country (“Major Sydney protests to go ahead”, January 26)? Ann Clydsdale, BathurstWhen my ancestors were shipped to Australia on the First Fleet an Australian tradition was started. Throughout the next 237 years the dynamic national character has continued to evolve. Each new group of migrants added to this fluid thing called Australia – a living and vibrant organism that by definition continues to change. So if you don’t love this state of constant change, best you leave it. Philip Dowle, WickhamI was delighted to read Aunty Munya Andrews explaining “dadirri” saying, “it is not about winning arguments or proving who is right,” rather, it’s about slowing down and listening (“On Australia Day, we can acknowledge the past without being trapped by it,” January 26). And regarding a better day for Australia Day, my suggestion is that we choose a day that has no connection to any event, person, place, animal or thing. It could be just “our” day. Barry Lamb, EastwoodThe ADF’s website says that flypasts on Australia Day are “to reflect on our nation’s past and celebrate the Australian spirit, mateship and sense of community.” Really? The connection to spirit, mateship and community and a full-throttle F-35A Lightning II flying over burnt sausages seems rather tenuous. I think it is time to change the way we celebrate all matters of national significance with a more nuanced recognition of the good and great, rather than keep beating the drum of force and self-congratulation.Rob Asser, Balmain EastAustralia Day? Invasion Day? Sorry Day? Why not “Glad We Are Not America Day”? Neville Turbit, Russell LeaReach for the starsCongratulations to astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for being recognised as the first Australian to qualify under our country’s space program (“Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year”, January 26). As a small girl, my aim was to be the first woman on the moon, but despite having a brother who would happily have sent me there unassisted by a rocket, I didn’t quite make it. Every child should have a dream for their future. While not yet having travelled to space, Bennell-Pegg has shown that with sheer determination the path is open not just for her, but for girls in the future. She is a true inspiration. Tina Butler, BilgolaAustralian of the Year, astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg.Alex EllinghausenWhat an inspired choice of Australian of the Year. Beautifully spoken, modest yet oh so smart. While it’s tempting to describe Katherine Bennell-Pegg as a role model for young women, she’s much more than that. She has exalted the STEM subjects and as an astronaut has proved that Australians can crack the difficult field of space science. She has also shown that following your dream is more than a cliche. She has realised her dream in the toughest and most challenging field of human endeavour: pushing the boundaries of space. Trevor Somerville, IllawongOn Australia Day, how about honouring the thousands of volunteers who give of themselves every day to help others? Renée Goossens, Turner (ACT) Photo: Cathy WilcoxOrwellian nightmareThe killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis at the weekend reflects the transformation of the United States into a dystopian nightmare one year into Donald Trump’s second term (“US reels after second citizen fatally shot”, January 25). After the killing, government officials attempted to convince people that Mr Pretti was responsible for his own death. In his novel 1984, George Orwell wrote “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” How prescient those words are today. Jack Amond, CabaritaTrump is waging war on anyone who disagrees with him, and that now includes the majority of his fellow Americans (“When the right to bear arms puts a target on your back”, January 26). He is actively dismantling democracy and thumbing his nose at law and order. He’s been labelled a psychopath and malignant narcissist, and it’s very difficult to dispute these claims. It’s also been argued that he is in the early stages of dementia. In any case, he may no longer be capable of rational decisions because of mental health issues, but his Republican colleagues have no such excuse. They are complicit in his crimes against America and humanity. It’s bewildering that they are so willing to risk the futures of their children and grandchildren. Graham Lum, North RocksThe headlines about the disgusting, chilling video of the ICE coward shooting the restrained protester he was kneeling on should call it what it is – murder. The headlines should read “murder of protester”, not “killing of protester”. If any of our police did that, they would be charged. Chris Henness, East BallinaEugene O’Neill’s acclaimed play The Iceman Cometh has its philosophical origins in Mark 8: 36, which reads: “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” The nexus between O’Neill’s iceman and the ICE men operating in Minneapolis under instructions from the delusional man in the White House is frightening. Ray Alexander, Moss ValeA makeshift memorial is placed where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a US Border Patrol officer.APIt seems that Trump’s admiration for royalty did the trick in steering his reassessment of British troops as “among the greatest of all warriors (“King’s concerns over Afghanistan slur relayed to White House”, January 26). As the King of Australia, one might hope his majesty put in a good word for our troops as well. Liz Levy, Suffolk ParkCarney’s noble causeCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seems alone among world leaders in being prepared to decidedly take on the bully authoritarian, now president of the US (“Trump threatens Canada with 100 per cent tariffs amid feud over China ties”, January 26.) Carney’s Davos speech, in which he said that the rules-based world order was now dysfunctional and should be replaced, and his call for stability and peace, made me wonder if he could be a candidate for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The mere thought of that possible scenario would render the irascible Donald Trump apoplectic. Bernard Moylan, BronteCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.APNats’ castle in the airWhen I read the first sentence of Natassia Chrysanthos’ article I almost choked on my morning tea (“Littleproud urges Liberals to reinstate rebels”, January 26). The Nationals leader is the hand grenade that blew up the Coalition, twice. Currently, David Littleproud couldn’t organise a round of drinks in a pub. He said on Channel 9 news that he wanted to bring down the government. With what? A bunch of rag-tag politicians who don’t know which way is up? Right now, neither the Libs nor the Nationals have a policy that makes any sense. They are out of touch even with themselves. They definitely can’t win the next election and almost certainly won’t win the one after that. Anthony Albanese will end up being the longest-serving prime minister of Australia. To quote Darryl Kerrigan from the movie The Castle, “Tell him he’s dreamin’“, if Littleproud thinks he’s got a hope of forming a government. Renos Ross, PaddingtonAs we watch the tennis match of blame being exchanged between the Liberals and the Nationals, I was amused by David Littleproud’s statement that his three party members did nothing wrong in crossing the floor. My understanding of the parliamentary process is that they have every right to cross the floor and vote with their conscience, however, when taking this further and resigning from the Coalition it cannot be said that they were sacked. The outrage being presented by the Nationals needs to be seen in perspective – if you offer your resignation and it is accepted, you are the person to blame. The ridiculous circus that is being presented to the Australian voters by the former Coalition is most disappointing. A new leadership team won’t be a quick fix, especially when both partners haven’t fully evaluated why they lost the last election so badly. They have now added a further complication to their quest for political leadership. Robert Mulas, CorletteDavid Littleproud speaking in Brisbane, announcing the Coalition split.NineAfter Harold Holt’s death in 1967 the Liberals had to elect a new leader. The leader of the Country Party (now the Nationals), John McEwen, stated publicly that he would not serve under Bill McMahon if he were elected Liberal leader. The Liberals duly elected John Gorton, a senator at the time. David Littleproud is certainly no John McEwen, but the idea of the junior Coalition partner making conditions regarding the Liberal leadership is not new. David Morrison, SpringwoodIsh Mehta suggests that the Coalition’s recent performance “does not meet expectation” (Letters, January 26). It certainly meets mine. Norm Neill, DarlinghurstAussies abroadZoya Patel’s observations about being an Australian in France (“An experience at a Paris airport showed me what it really means to be Australian”, January 26) prompted a memory of something that happened in London in 2001. The Eurostar had broken down in France and we arrived at Waterloo Station at 2am, six hours late, only to find a huge taxi queue. An exhausted Indian couple lined up behind us with their small child. They were worried. The toddler was exhausted and the mum told me she was three months pregnant and feeling unwell. I suggested they go to the top of the queue, explain their situation to the people there and catch the next cab. They looked shocked and weren’t keen on the idea. I believed they were fearful it would be seen as culturally unacceptable in London. “Follow me,” I said. We walked to the top of the queue and I announced in my Aussie accent the family’s predicament and asked if anyone would mind if they caught the next taxi? Not a peep. The family climbed into a taxi and gratefully waved goodbye. Hours later we headed to Gallipoli for the Anzac Day dawn service. Twice on that trip I felt quintessentially Australian. Gerardine Grace, LeuraShark alarmOne hopes that tagging the odd bull shark is not a waste of time (“Bull shark tagging program launched”, January 25). How are people going to be advised if there is a shark in the area? It’s no good having sharks tagged without warning protocols in place. Perhaps each beach needs a monitored receiver to accept electrical impulses from a tag, to enable a warning to be broadcast across the beach that there is a shark nearby. There’s an outcry every time someone calls for a shark cull, but their numbers appear to be increasing. Offshore fishermen will tell you that they have never seen so many sharks as there are now. You only have look at the number appearing at beaches to know this. We are prepared to cull horses to stop damage to the land, but we’re not prepared to reinstate a shark-catching industry to protect people. How many more people are we going to lose because of them? Tagging gives the impression of doing something, but it’s a low-hanging fruit of doubtful effect. There’s a lot of ocean out there – can’t we have the first two hundred metres? Stewart Copper, Maroubra The number of shark sightings has increased dramatically.Getty ImagesA cold eye on misogynyIs closing loopholes in our laws the best way to fight domestic violence, as suggested by correspondent Jill King (Letters, January 26), or is it simply dealing with effects and not causes? Examining the endemic misogyny in our culture might turn up some clues and give legislators guidance. Maybe a royal commission even. Glenda Gartrell, NewtownTo submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. 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已发布: 2026-01-26 07:30:00
来源: www.smh.com.au
