Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should wear Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation of being ″a weak politician″ as a badge of pride (″Netanyahu blasts ‘weak’ Albanese amid visa row″, 20/8). It’s the ″strong″ men of our time like Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin who are tearing the world apart and inflicting immeasurable pain on innocent people, children above all. If Albanese wanted to descend into a grubby exchange of insults, he would have every reason to label Netanyahu a coward.
There’s a solid case for arguing that the Israeli prime minister is prolonging his regime’s campaign of death and destruction in Gaza because he’s too afraid to stand up to his extremist partners. Losing their support would expose him to the risk of trial for corruption. It’s beyond comprehension that he is prepared to aid and abet such actions in order to save his own skin. That’s not strength, that’s moral cowardice of the first order.
Tom Knowles, Parkville
Our collective failure to Palestinians
The tirade of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Anthony Albanese deserves contempt. That the Opposition Leader Sussan Ley qualifies her criticism, in reaction; with less than wholehearted rejection, is mystifying especially for a leader looking to rebuild a party that has lost the confidence of the people. The recognition of Palestine is hardly ground breaking – most of the world has already done so. It was owed to the Palestinians since 1948.
The UN gave birth to twin states and despite the initial rejection by Arab countries; the internal strife within the Palestinians and the violence of Hamas, fair-minded Israelis and those outside that country would see Israel’s attempt to frustrate as being the fundamental cause for the lack of progress towards completing the UN objective.
That it took a terrible act of terrorism; then exceeded in its ferocity by the horror inflicted on a whole population; to remind us of that unfinished obligation; is a sad reflection of our collective failure to deliver justice to the people of Palestine.
Niral Fernando, Chelsea
Strength comes from compassion
So Benjamin Netanyahu thinks the prime minister is weak? Coming from a man who has presided over the deaths of thousands and the starvation of children Anthony Albanese should wear that with a badge of pride. Real strength comes from compassion and care, not from violence.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Albanese has nothing to fear
So Benjamin Netanyahu cancels the visas of Australian diplomats who are not even in Israeli territory. They are in the occupied West Bank, which is not recognised by the UN as part of Israel. Netanyahu can’t even travel very far himself because most countries in the world recognise international law and its jurisdiction, and courts would arrest him for war crimes. Anthony Albanese doesn’t have to worry about criticism from such a man.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
The PM’s place in history is secure
Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned about history’s judgment on Anthony Albanese. Before offering advice to others, I would suggest that he think more about his own place in history, which will remember him as an indicted war criminal and a perpetrator of genocide and endless war as a tactic to hold onto power and avoid criminal prosecution for corruption.
Compared to Netanyahu, I think Albanese’s place in history is secure.
Simon Bennett, Hawthorn East
THE FORUM
Not rapt with this act
The article, “Women’s groups to AFL: ditch Snoop Dogg” (16/8), makes the case why Snoop Dogg should be the last person selected to perform at the grand final. It points to his history of using misogynistic and sexually demeaning lyrics and cites evidence showing that attitudes that condone or excuse violence against women result in higher rates of actual violence against women.
To this, I’d like to add another reason why the AFL’s decision is a bad idea. I’ve been exposed in public spaces to what is known as rap music that is loaded with profanities and explicit sexual or violent imagery.
While Mr Dogg has promised to be “family friendly” at the grand final, I don’t see how he can wipe the stain of his past performances. Young people will still get the message that what this man stands for is acceptable.
Meat Loaf was bad choice, but his only shortcoming was that he couldn’t sing.
Rodger Gibbins, Ivanhoe
Moving on different paths
Opposition public transport spokesman Matthew Guy’s statement on the future of the Suburban Rail Loop came via an answer to a question on radio rather than a thought-out policy release. In order to win the 2010 election, the Liberals promised to build rail lines to Rowville, Doncaster and Avalon. Not one millimetre was ever built.
In 2018, Guy promised to abandon Labor’s Level Crossing Removal Project and substitute a “Road Crossing Removal Project” to remove about 100 of the thousands of intersections on our roads. No policy body ever recommended such a crazy policy. At the last election in 2022, Guy promised to spend $200 billion, the projected cost of running the SRL for 50 years, funding a “hospital on every corner” policy.
There was no mention of how these dozens of new hospitals would be staffed. Staff availability is the major issue in our hospitals, not the number of beds. Labor has remained committed to the SRL, an essential transport/housing project to ensure Melbourne remains one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Paul Kennelly, Caulfield North
Hasten slowly on planning
Melbourne’s planning rules are undergoing massive change to remove what some see as redundant “red tape” and to get more houses built in established areas. The lobby groups that promote such changes are misguided in their advocacy for fewer checks and balances as the way to achieve these goals.
We must be wary of the undue impact of people who want fewer rules by taking a populist approach.
Our planning system has evolved to provide certainty for developers and communities alike and is a valued and time-tested cornerstone of guiding Victoria’s growth and development. The system should not be eviscerated lightly. If the state government and its cheer squad want to shorten the development approvals process, it should be done by adopting a set of clear, simple, mandatory and agreed-on rules that are developed with input from councils and based on local land and infrastructure capacities, not by opening the gate to wholesale demolition of viable neighbourhoods.
We must avoid the radical changes that are threatening our urban character and reform the current rules to preserve our backyards and our valued amenity. There are smarter ways to say “yes” to urban densification.
Jim Holdsworth, San Remo
AI is the answer
Is it feasible for councils to run building approvals through AI, where guard rails are programmed into the system, where issues can be addressed in an unbiased way, and a massive amount of data and ethical considerations can be assessed all in a day, then approval can be certified and issued the next day, or reassessment can be looked at if issues arise? Surely, this is optional production.
Cynthia de Little, Glen Iris
Two sets of rules
First, the government cancels the visa of a visiting Israeli politician and then Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong slams the decision by Israel to cancel the visas of Australian representatives in Ramallah, stating that this will isolate Israel further. What a stunning contradiction on her and her government’s part, and it just reinforces the fact that there is one set of rules for Israel and another for the rest of the world.
Mike Mack, Kew
Uneasy support
As an Australian Jew who believes in Israel’s existence, I would like to assure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Australian government has not betrayed me in its recognition of Palestine.
It is Netanyahu who is betraying me by his policies and actions, which make my ongoing support for a Jewish state so difficult.
Ron Exiner, Clifton Hill
NDIS shortcomings
I was moved by the article about Terry LeRoy (“Terry wanted palliative care, NDIS gave him $518,000 and he died in hospital”, 19/8). It is my greatest fear that my daughter with extremely complex needs is going to end up in a similar situation one day.
Since leaving school, her NDIS plan has not been adequately funded, requiring several “change of circumstance” applications that are supposed to be actioned in 30 days, but have taken more than 90 days.
Her needs have increased, she has received several new diagnoses in adulthood, and the wonderful Royal Children’s Hospital is no longer an option, so we traipse across town to a variety of medical and therapy appointments because there is no adult equivalent to the RCH that can look after all her needs.
The added stress placed on our recently single-parent family, chasing NDIS, gathering reports, providing evidence to try to allow her to live the life she wants, while advocating and dealing with new and complex issues related to her disabilities, is exhausting.
My daughter turns 21 next week and has more life to live, but a life expectancy that doesn’t stretch to having access to aged care services. I am looking forward to taking a few hours out to celebrate everything she has achieved, that she has made it to 21 and just be able to be a mum at my kid’s party. Then it will be back to the grind, for another “change of circumstance” application because her funding was inexplicably cut by the NDIS in January and will soon run out.
NDIS waiting times have ballooned, and there needs to be an avenue for dealing with the bureaucracy in urgent cases. Terry’s family should have been supported when their son was dying, not dealing with a “bureaucratic stand-off” that will have added to the trauma of his passing.
Janine Maydom, Black Rock
The ripple effect
We are all defined by the choices we make.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is considering dropping the Liberals’ commitment to net zero emissions. They could swap it for a net zero increase in their share of the under-30s vote. Or net zero new donations from folks who aren’t fossils or fossil-fuelled. Or, most likely, net zero additional seats.
We are all defined by the choices we make.
Ian Pittman, Glen Iris
Look to the AFLW
The best way for the AFLM to deal with homophobia is to acknowledge that same-sex relationships exist in the AFL just as they do in the broader society. They could look to AFLW to learn how to deal with it.
Martin Crowe, Fitzroy North
A happy alignment?
I’m surprised AFL sponsors are happy to be aligned with the choice of Snoop Dogg at the grand final.
Rosslyn Jennings, North Melbourne
Time of season immaterial
How on earth can the Adelaide Crows argue that homophobia matters less when it comes to someone being rubbed out for the finals series in the case of the situation involving Izak Rankine?
How desperate can their club be to do that?
It is doing untold reputational and brand damage to the Crows and footy generally with this action of not just accepting that what Rankine did matters, and must be sanctioned regardless of when it occurs during the season.
Would they be doing the same if it had been a racist comment? A violent threat? A hit to the head that caused concussion?
There is no discount in September for this kind of behaviour. Be better Crows.
Paul Bugeja, Varsity Lakes
A word list is needed
I think the AFL should provide a list of the words the players are forbidden from using in the heat of the battle.
John Rawson, Mernda
Bombs over Florida
I wonder if anyone has thought to ask President Donald Trump how he would feel if Florida, for instance, was being bombed by someone who wanted to take over the United States. That might help him to understand what is happening in Ukraine.
Maureen Goldie, Blackwood, SA
Ceasefire needed first
It’s a no-brainer that a ceasefire is a prerequisite to reaching lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. As Winston Churchill opined, ″You can’t negotiate with a tiger when your head is in its jaws.″ Ergo, a ceasefire is demanded.
Richard Pentony, Hawthorn
Makes no sense
Recently, I bought a small item at a local shop. It was $5.50. Good, I said, I have cash for that. I couldn’t believe it when the salesperson said: “I have to charge you 6¢ for a cash transaction (rounded at 5¢ because cents are obsolete).“
I almost laughed. I was so taken aback that for once, I was stumped for words.
Nola Cormick, Albert Park
Credit: Matt Golding
AND ANOTHER THING
Netanyahu
Criticism by Benjamin Netanyahu is high praise indeed. You must be doing something right, Anthony Albanese.
John Walsh, Watsonia
I, for one, couldn’t care less about Benjamin Netanyahu’s opinion of Anthony Albanese.
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Every time Benjamin Netanyahu vents his rage against Anthony Albanese it brings to mind the stark photographs of the starving Gazan children.
Barrie Bales, Woorinen North
When the leader of a country pulverising an entire people calls you a ″weak politician″, you must be doing something right.
James O’Keefe, Prahran
Anthony Albanese is accused of abandoning Australian Jews by Benjamin Netanyahu. I wonder how the remaining hostages feel about elements of the Israeli leadership right now?
Frank Flynn, Cape Paterson
So what’s the next move from Benjamin Netanyahu? Bombing our hospitals and schools.
Paul Caine, Glen Huntly
Sussan Ley is in danger of tripping herself up as she tries to keep a foot in each camp by respecting both Anthony Albanese and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Kay Moulton, Surrey Hills
Trump
The photo of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, both with a smile, says, ‘If you can’t make it, fake it.’
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
Does Donald Trump really believe Ukraine started the war with Russia?
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin aren’t interested in peace, they’re only interested in Ukraine real estate.
Bryan Lewis, St Helena
It is good to see bipartisan support for the SRL. Future generations will give thanks.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading