How is it even deemed acceptable that the public purse should support a person who has been found to have acted in a corrupt manner? Why is the state government not raising and pursuing this blatantly unacceptable payment? There are many who believe Saint Gladys could do no wrong, but equally there are many who believe corruption should in no way be rewarded in any way, shape or form. Would a parliamentary inquiry into this issue be too much to ask? So many questions, so little time. Bob Nicoll, Hat Head<\/p>\n
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Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and ex-MP Daryl Maguire.<\/p>\n
The generous parliamentary pension scheme highlighted in today\u2019s editorial needs a complete review. Perhaps as those recipients leave, often to go to well-paid positions, the pensions do not start until they reach retirement age or retire from full-time employment. Certainly, pensions should not be paid to those serving jail sentences. Time for a rethink. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach<\/p>\n
Question everything<\/p>\n
I applaud the Herald\u2019s new \u201cHere\u2019s to Reason\u201d campaign promoting responsible journalism. One of the simplest pleasures repatriating, after five years in the US, has been reading The Sydney Morning Herald each morning over breakfast with our children. In an increasingly digital world, my greatest fear is not that of online bullying or predators but of misinformation cementing its foothold. With AI becoming ubiquitous and unfettered by appropriate checks and measures, the need for critical analysis skills is essential. As we digest snippets of news with our children, we teach them to check, check and check again \u2013 facts, sources, motivations. To evaluate our own opinions and how they may change with new information. Thank you for providing the opportunities to facilitate these discussions and equip our children with the ability to reason. Celeste Hankins, Ashfield<\/p>\n
Revisit the Voice<\/p>\n
The PM\u2019s reluctance to have another referendum is understandable (\u201cAlbanese cools on republic vote<\/a>\u201d, September 29), but further reflection surely would indicate that a referendum on a republic is a completely different issue from the one on the Voice. Furthermore, the new leader of the Liberal Party has views on that issue which are likely to be much more positive than former leader Peter Dutton\u2019s \u201cno\u201d view on the Voice. Voters are looking for the progressive politics Labor claims to be supporting. The republic, a new Constitution and a fair electoral system, a proportional representation system, are some of such policies. The polarisation and lack of co-operation inherent in the two-party system needs to replaced, and that can all be achieved right now. Albanese should use the opportunity. Klaas Woldring, Nambucca Heads<\/p>\n Australians voted against amending the Constitution to recognise Indigenous Australians in Parliament.Credit: Ben Searcy<\/p>\n It\u2019s fanciful to think Australians will vote for a republic when they couldn\u2019t even back the modest Voice to parliament. That was a simple, decent request for recognition \u2013 and it was rejected. If we lacked the courage to support First Nations people, why imagine we\u2019ll suddenly summon the will to sever ties with the monarchy? Republican talk sounds brave on paper, but the last referendum demonstrated what many Australians are: timid, clinging to colonial symbols, and allergic to change. Vivien Clark- Ferraino, Duckmaloi<\/p>\n Tuesday\u2019s letters prove that many Herald readers have a very slippery grasp not only of the facts, but also of recent history (Letters<\/a>, September 30). If you would engage in a little reflection you would realise that Australians had an opportunity to make this country a republic in 1999. The republican question was rejected. Similarly, most recently we were given a chance to improve representation by our Indigenous people. Again this was rejected by the electorate. Yet you waste your time grizzling that the current government is not doing enough to shake off the burden of the monarchy, and to improve the status of Aboriginal citizens. Calls for our PM to go through the process again, when the Australian people have already made a definite decision on these questions, is not only annoying, it\u2019s also a comprehensive waste of time. Derrick Mason, Boorowa<\/p>\n Mr Albanese says he has now had a referendum, and apparently a republic referendum is out of the question. But having an English head of state living so far away from us seems archaic. Surely if Australians can excel at cricket against England, we can also excel at finding an Australian head of state. Mary Julian, Glebe<\/p>\n Palestine\u2019s pain<\/p>\n The US has repeatedly given Israel military and diplomatic cover, allowed repeated violations of ceasefires, and not restrained Israel\u2019s regional escalations (\u201cNetanyahu backs US plan to end war<\/a>\u201d, September 30). It references Palestinian \u201caspirations\u201d but commits to nothing concrete on sovereignty. Governing decisions will be dictated by outside actors, with little input from Palestinians. The promise of amnesty for surrendering Hamas members and safe passage abroad is unrealistic. There is no clarity regarding accountability, actual security or political inclusion. Palestine has suffered nearly 80 years of brutal occupation and repression. No one in their right mind believes Israel or the US have the interests of whatever is left of Gaza at heart. Shayne Chester, Waterloo<\/p>\n Credit: Cathy Wilcox<\/p>\n No hope for a just peace for Palestine while Trump pulls the strings. The look of glee on Netanyahu\u2019s face says it all. Jody Ellis, Thornbury (Vic)<\/p>\n It\u2019s the guns, stupid<\/p>\n Yet another mass shooting in the United States, reportedly the 324th such tragedy this year, and again everyone prays for the victims and their families (\u201cTrump condemns \u2018targeted attack\u2019 after Mormon church mass shooting<\/a>\u201d, September 30). President Trump states, \u201cthis epidemic of violence in our country must end, immediately!\u201d To paraphrase former President Bill Clinton, \u201cIt\u2019s the guns, stupid!\u201d Rob Peard, Beacon Hill<\/p>\n It is all well and good for Donald Trump to condemn the mass shooting in Michigan this week but has he given any thought to introducing strict gun laws in the USA? Until the USA introduces gun laws on a par with Australia\u2019s gun laws the mass shootings will continue. Robyn Lewis, Raglan<\/p>\n Sub-standard deal<\/p>\n Do we really want to keep sending billions of dollars to the US for submarines we may never get (\u201cGive Trump beefed-up AUKUS deal, Beazley urges Albanese<\/a>\u201d, September 29)? Or commit to join the US in any military conflict with China? Or have Australian nuclear-powered submarines patrolling the South China Sea, no doubt antagonising the Chinese greatly? Do we want the harbours around our coastline to be set up with nuclear facilities to service US and UK nuclear submarines, and for these harbours to be a target for China in any conflict? Do we really want to be a nuclear nation, to be taken advantage of by the US and the British? And do we want to wait up to 15 years for submarines that could well be outdated by then and be subject to attack from the underwater drones now being developed? Surely not. It\u2019s not the Australian way. Let\u2019s withdraw from AUKUS and rethink our defence strategy based on actual defence and not aggression. Ken Butler, Mount Colah<\/p>\n Empty rhetoric<\/p>\n Peter Hartcher parrots America\u2019s outdated rhetoric against China (\u201cWest\u2019s asleep to these hybrid wars<\/a>\u201d, September 30). Why does he fall back on the usual US warmongering rhetoric as the solution? Why not put some effort into researching and promoting ways in which Australia can not only counter but learn and further benefit from China\u2019s mercantile approach to competing with the West? It would be far less harmful and more beneficial to mankind. Bob Galland, South Durras<\/p>\n Credit: SMH<\/p>\n Money well spent<\/p>\n Correspondent Riley Brown seems to be an echo chamber for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley\u2019s confected outrage regarding the PM\u2019s appearance at the UK Labour Party conference in Liverpool (Letters<\/a>, September 30). Clearly the Australian Labor Party has a political commonality with UK Labour, which disdains Nigel Farage\u2019s dangerous, xenophobic Reform UK party as well as Donald Trump\u2019s racist anti-immigration initiatives. Albanese also took the time in Liverpool to network with Labour ministers. Contrary to Brown\u2019s claim of misusing public monies and reference to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, I\u2019m quite happy to chip in a few bucks to help suppress the move to far-right extremism and its racist hatred. Barrington Salter, Elanora (Qld)<\/p>\n Obviously Sussan Ley would prefer that Albo sent letters to world leaders and similarly aligned political parties, rather than actually speaking to them. But we can relax now as Ms Ley has finally \u201cstamped\u201d her authority over what is and what\u2019s not important when it comes to modern international diplomacy. Rob Asser, Balmain East<\/p>\n Good customers<\/p>\n It is wonderful to hear the PM wax lyrical about another retail competitor in the grocery market in Australia (\u201cPM pleads with Middle Eastern grocery giant to set up shop in Australia<\/a>\u201d, September 30). Before we get too carried away, let\u2019s find out if the new entity will pay tax in Australia. Woolworths and Coles \u2013 despite the derision sometimes handed them, and unlike most, if not all, of their competitors \u2013 pay tax in Australia. And the tax paid is a fully franked 30 per cent. We need more good corporate customers like that. Allen Kavanagh, Lilli Pilli<\/p>\n Cost blowouts<\/p>\n Matt O\u2019Sullivan makes some good points in the context of infrastructure blowouts, yet I think the government needs to go further (\u201cShock $2b blowout for Metro West line<\/a>\u201d, September 30). Ensure that we future-proof this project by at least building out station cavities for potential additional stops if and when the budget situation improves. Yes, Rosehill may be the first priority (the suburb is already quite dense with or without development of the racecourse); I believe that Silverwater\/Newington and even Lilyfield need serious re-examination. Matthew Doherty, Camperdown<\/p>\n The massive boring machine used for the Metro West project.Credit: Steven Siewert<\/p>\n The persistent and significant cost overruns for infrastructure projects prove the expression that bean counters are created to make weather forecasters look good. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood<\/p>\n Huntington\u2019s hope<\/p>\n Thank you, Katherine McDowell, for sharing your beautiful story about living with the insidiously challenging and ultimately deadly Huntington\u2019s disease (\u201cFor Huntington\u2019s families like mine there\u2019s hope<\/a>\u201d, September 30). In a sea of news articles and correspondence of doom, gloom, anger and frustration, your article shone a light of hope. Some years ago, in my role as private practising psychologist, I had the honour and privilege of working with a Huntington\u2019s disease family. I am not sure how helpful I was, but I witnessed their remarkable resilience, compassion and strength. At the time I was involved with this family there was all but no support for families and sufferers of Huntington\u2019s disease, particularly on the Central Coast. Through determination and dedication, this family established the Central Coast Hunting\u2019s Disease Support Group. Not only did this group fill a gap to provide much-needed support to families, but they also raised awareness in the community through local media appearances and speaking at numerous Rotary Club meetings. Indeed, it\u2019s wonderful news about the breakthrough. Ian Kilpatrick, Green Point<\/p>\n Katherine McDowell and her son Harley are such brave people. The news of a possible breakthrough in the treatment of Huntington\u2019s disease is exciting. Research into various areas here in Australia should be expanded, not cut. Josephine Piper, Miranda<\/p>\n Robo-debt shame<\/p>\n Rick Morton must be congratulated for taking the moral stand when he said he\u2019d trade away his prize money if the culpable personnel were brought to justice (\u201cAuthor would trade prize for robo-debt justice<\/a>\u201d, September 30). The National Anti-Corruption Commission has lost any credibility it had left by not vigorously pursuing the case. Mukul Desai Hunters Hill<\/p>\n No justice in 60 years<\/p>\n Sixty years ago, the Herald published my first letter, a protest about expediency dictating Australian government support of Indonesia\u2019s seizure of West Papua, claiming it was entitled to do so because it had been part of the former Dutch colonies (Letters<\/a>, September 30). It is much to our shame that after exactly 60 years nothing has changed. We failed the people of Papua New Guinea then, and continue to do so. Nola Tucker, Kiama<\/p>\n Marine killing machines<\/p>\n Using CCTV to monitor jet ski activity on beaches is an excellent move that will ensure much higher levels of safety for swimmers (\u201cThe plan to use CCTV to tackle jet-ski hoons<\/a>\u201d, September 29). Unfortunately, marine life such as dolphins and turtles further offshore will still have to run the gauntlet of these high-speed lethal machines. The Port Stephens community has long called for speed limits on its waterway, which is a marine park hosting a rich array of dolphins, birds and turtles, some of which are injured and killed by hoons on jet skis. Cherylle Stone, Soldiers Point<\/p>\n Swimmers share the water with a high-speed jet ski.Credit: Jason South<\/p>\n Snail mail<\/p>\n A few weeks ago, I received a NSW Premier\u2019s Bushfire Emergency Citation for my service with NSW Ambulance in the 2019-2020 emergency response \u2013 signed by then-premier Gladys Berejiklian and former fire services boss Shane Fitzsimmons. Just like the Blue Mountains intercity train, it was five years late (Letters<\/a>, September 30). Christine Tiley, Albany Creek<\/p>\n Just can\u2019t get enough<\/p>\n I\u2019m delighted to find that I\u2019m not the only Herald fan who subscribes online but also makes a daily trip to the newsagent to buy the newspaper. Your correspondent Donna Wiemann joins me \u2013 proving too much Sydney Morning Herald is never enough. Jenny Forster, Manly<\/p>\n Like correspondent Donna Wiemann, I also buy a print copy of the Herald Monday to Saturday and subscribe to the online edition, and found your wrap-around yesterday reassuring (Letters<\/a>, September 30). However, that\u2019s no cause to suspend critical thinking. It behoves us all to stay critical and alert, no matter what we may read. Frank McGrath, Bulli<\/p>\n To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here<\/a> for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size Well done, SMH, for your editorial (\u201cCorrupt? No big deal.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179750,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[64,63,99,186,184,185],"class_list":{"0":"post-179749","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personal-finance","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-business","11":"tag-finance","12":"tag-personal-finance","13":"tag-personalfinance"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Australians](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1b08aadc3fac1f2a2152d4af333dbd1f01c4a03b.jpeg\")
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