‘The News’ not the place to debate international issues
I am not clear why correspondents (R. Steiner and H. van Leeuwen et al) feel the need to prosecute the merits or otherwise of any foreign nation generally – and Israel in particular – in the pages of The News.
I am not clear why the atrocious conflict in Sudan is not arousing the same passion… Or the deaths of 17 children in 2023/24 who were known to Victorian Child Protection Services is not arousing the same levels outrage.
I am clear that the UN is not a bastion of moral clarity, but that is another letter for another day.
Similarly, I am clear that Robert Fisk was not an unbiased independent thinker despite working for The Independent.
I am also clear that deep divisions are developing throughout pockets of society. While not a new phenomenon, it is chilling that there are those with a world view about the Israel-Hamas conflict that often disintegrates into Jew hatred.
For example, the appalling behaviour of Celtic soccer club fans at the recent UEFA match with Dortmund. (It’s too rude to print.)
Closer to home, someone’s considered response to anonymous posters about Iran and Israel that have been placed up and down the main street of Hastings is “Ugly Zionist Nonsense”. While I am clear that name calling is the last resort of a failed argument, it is a sad day for society generally when the word “Zionist” is routinely deployed as an insult.
I urge the correspondents who have been weighing in on the topic of the Israel-Hamas conflict to pause and reflect on why they are focussed on this particular conflict rather than any other. Are they furthering or healing divisions?
Meanwhile, let The News focus on local issues – there are more than enough to go round.
Bianca Felix, Bittern
Space program
It has been around sixty years since man first walked on the moon. What an achievement that was at the time. Since then hundreds of spacecraft have been launched at great cost, not to mention astronaut training costs amounting to billions of dollars.
What benefits has this provided to us humans here on Earth? Any cures been found? The common cold? Cancer? I was thinking that a group of scientists and experts in their field should take off into space with enough chemicals to create a big bang and start a new world for humans. It could have seasons, cheap food, of course a new sun, and rain and seas to provide food.
The cost would be irrelevant. Any takers? What fools we are.
Maureen Sharpe, Bittern
Shire CEO
What was the benefit to the shire of having a CEO costing us in excess of $10,000.00 per week? I question where the value is in hiring a person for that price, where and when did this man earn his keep?
All the years of people’s dissatisfaction, of the poor managing of services, non-performance on road maintenance. Ridiculous expensive computer programs, that were at best frustrating and at worst totally useless. The computer generated parking exemptions which cost more money than it generated. And let us not forget the Harry Potter debarcle. How much money did that generate? Does any one really know or are prepared to say?
I hope the shire on our behalf sees fit not to engage another money depleting CEO regardless of his or her credentials. Councillors you make the decision. Employ a competent civil engineer with road maintenance skills and the staff to go with it. Let’s have some real programs and not the fairyland world of computer programs that no one is competent to work or understand.
By having a CEO on nearly half a million yearly salary is obscene. Together with staff not suited to the role, we are landed with a luxury that this shire cannot support or afford. Irrespective of state government interference, let’s get on and run the shire as it should be. With the recent elections, councillors you are the people’s choice, so please ensure you do what the ratepayers in the shire expect of you.
Gerard van de Ven, Mount Martha
Green waste weekend?
Shire employee one: “We’re going to hold a free green waste weekend next weekend”
Shire employee two: “Shhhh…. keep your voice down! We don’t want it to get out!”
C. Jenkins, Tyabb
Independent need
The letter by Robb Hampson misses the point (Integrity?, Letters 15/10/24) The call for independents in government isn’t about dismissing the importance of existing parties, but about addressing a growing concern: that partisan infighting, scandals, and a lack of transparency are undermining trust in our political system.
A growing number of people are concerned about mainstream parties prioritizing short-term gains and factional disputes over meaningful, long-term reform. A perfect illustration is the decisive win by Independent Jacqui Scruby in the NSW Pittwater by-election on 19 October. It’s undeniable that public trust has been eroded by years of scandals, broken promises and policies that cater to vested interests rather than the common good.
The Robodebt Royal Commission found public service failings, but it also cast a spotlight on a failure of political leadership to act in the public interest. It’s not just a matter of bureaucratic mismanagement – it’s about the culture of accountability at the highest levels.
Electing independents to parliament offers a way to break free from party-line obligations and to focus squarely on what’s best for the community. Every vote is a conscience vote. It’s not a rejection of representation, but a push for more authentic and responsive leadership.
The vision that independents offer appeals to those who want more than just populist, immediate gains. It’s about safeguarding the future – be it through action on climate change, strengthening democratic institutions, or ensuring fairness in policy. Integrity isn’t an abstract concept; it’s the bedrock for policies that genuinely reflect and protect the aspirations of all Australians.
Finally while I can agree with the author’s summation that “people vote for policies that fit with their own aspirations” , I believe a more exciting vision is one where people directly shape the policies that fit their aspirations and vote to deliver those.
Luke O’Brien, Rye
Marsh forum no-show
In a recent article (Nervous wait for council election results, The News 29/10/24), former councillor and ex-mayor Anthony Marsh raised concerns about the lack of candidate forums in the current election cycle, suggesting this absence leaves voters reliant on campaign materials rather than meaningful debate. “The absence of forums makes the election basically an exercise in marketing,” Marsh stated, arguing that campaign flyers and posters often overshadow genuine values. During the election Marsh was the master of election marketing making you wonder where all the money came from?
Interestingly, while Marsh voiced frustrations over the lack of open discussion, he, along with all other councillors, declined an invitation to participate in a forum designed to foster transparency. This forum, described as “A Mature Non-Toxic group discussing Mornington Peninsula Shire Issues,” was created to allow councillors and voters to address both real and perceived community concerns. Yet, Marsh and his peers opted out, forgoing an opportunity to engage directly with the electorate.
Ironically, Marsh has also voiced frustrations about the volume of emails he receives on shire-related issues, which only highlights the value of real-time public forums. This missed chance for meaningful engagement raises hopes that incoming councillors may be more inclined to embrace these types of forums, fostering transparency and trust with the electorate.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Res Ipsa Loquitur
Congratulations to Anthony Marsh on his success in the Briars Ward election. A decisive win which I think was aided and abetted by the antics of Dr Sarah Russell (Fact Checking, Letters 22/10/24) and SWAN (Southern Women’s Action Network). Not that Russell endorsed Marsh; in fact it was the opposite, with Russell clearly in the corner of Marsh’s only opponent Despi O’Connor, a fellow SWAN member.
Russell chided Marsh for his apparent unawareness that O’Connor had resigned from the SWAN committee. Helpfully, Russell explained that this was to “avoid a conflict of interest”. Within the context of her letter, that logically related to O’Connor simultaneously holding a position as a shire councillor. Was the looming election a motivating factor behind the resignation to tidy up the optics?
If there was such an obvious conflict of interest in holding those two positions at the same time, why did O’Connor apparently choose to accept the committee position in the first place since she was already a sitting councillor? In fact, since there is no material difference (with regard to a conflict) between being on the SWAN committee or simply being a member, why had O’Connor not distanced herself from the organisation altogether from the get go?
Marsh had sensibly not been drawn into the activist tactic of trying to ensnare him in a “gotcha” trap by responding to questions from this activist group with a social agenda most residents would feel falls outside the remit of local government. Disclaimer: I have never met either O’Connor or Marsh.
Peter Joyce, Mt Martha
Illegal tobacco
The tobacco shop attack in Young Street Frankston is the latest attack in the illegal tobacco wars in Melbourne. There are other shops selling illegal tobacco along Young Street and around Frankston. These attacks are dangerous and could start a major blaze which could destroy other businesses near by. To end the illegal tobacco and vape sales in Frankston police can simply go under cover and go into shops and ask for (illegal) tobacco to be sold to them and then they can prosecute them. There is a shop in Karingal who sells illegal tobacco but is not in any threat of being detected. Police must act immediately to stamp out the illegal tobacco industry in Frankston to end the attacks on shops in the Frankston CBD.
Russell Morse, Karingal
