Time for the premier to correct the Metro West mess

I thought any public service project must serve the public (“Stop playing games with residents in the west on Metro″, July 28). If that’s the case, I cannot understand why they cannot add more stations along the way and make Metro West a public service. I am sure some politicians would have gone overseas to get an understanding of how a metro should work. In Paris, for example, there are stations almost every kilometre. Why should there be a seven-kilometre stretch between Olympic Park and Parramatta without a station in between. That there are no stations between Cheltenham and Epping is beyond comprehension. Don’t people live in between those places? A four-minute service during peak hours is more important than whether one can reach the city within 20 minutes from Parramatta. Premier, please add more stations. You have an opportunity to correct the mess created by the Liberals. Ariyur Rangarajan, Baulkham Hills

The Greater Sydney Commission was the main reason for Silverwater’s exclusion as a metro stop as it didn’t believe metro stations should be built in established employment precincts. Now that the Minns government has rightly axed this commission, there is no reason why Silverwater should not be included as the missing link between Olympic Park and Parramatta.
Todd Hillsley, Homebush

Wherever they may be, government-installed city and urban rail networks facilitate the rolling out of gravy trains that carry the development aspirations, and profit margins, of big business (“Reputation of NSW at stake over Metro, says business”, July 28). The potential financial positives a future Metro West could deliver for corporations has been much discussed. Those who will benefit greatly from this rail line could help facilitate the realisation of the infrastructure through an up-front contribution or instalment payment scheme. Business getting on board will help turn the wheels of the state’s economy. Waiting at the station for a train to arrive will not. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

What happened to good old accountability for major capital works projects? I recall from my childhood how scandalous it was that the Opera House was running over budget. It seems that we’re sold a project with one price tag but once a project passes a “no return” point, a new, much larger, price tag is revealed. It all seems like a repeating episode of Utopia, except it isn’t funny. Neil Reckord, Gordon (ACT)

The government should stop talking about trains in western Sydney and give us a Sydney-wide transport plan and timetable. The northern beaches could do with a train network and the eastern suburbs light rail should extend to Maroubra Junction or further. I could go on. Just give us a plan regardless of time and cost. Graham Russell, Clovelly

As we boil, coal projects still getting the nod. Why?

AT 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, this July is the hottest month ever recorded (“Record July heat prompts dire warning”, July 28). And Europe’s terrible heatwaves have been directly attributed to the climate crisis driven by the continued burning of fossil fuels. In this context, how is it possible that our laws allow our environment minister to continue signing off on new coal projects? It’s outrageous. As Professor Andrew Campbell appropriately outlined, Australia’s climate and environment policies are consistent with more than 2 degrees of warming: they need a reboot and fast (“Bureaucrat lashes climate policy”, July 28). Amy Hiller, Kew (VIC)

Departing top bureaucrat Andrew Campbell nails it. The fact that July will be the hottest ever recorded is further confirmation that urgent action is needed on climate change. Adding to the problem, the doctrine known as economics overlooks the fact Earth’s resources are finite, and the reality that truth in politics and some media has become optional.
To address climate inaction, we require a revision of economic theory to include biology (life), to banish lobbyists and to demand honest truth in politics and the media. Anne Matheson, Gordon

More and more news telling us how close we are to our climate catastrophe. Will these news articles make a difference? Will we cease selling fossil fuels? Will we transition to renewable energy sources? Will we de-populate the earth and give mother earth a chance? Or will we continue to sleep-walk to our inevitable demise? Sadly, I know the answer to all these questions and the outlook is not great for our children. Matt Neenan, Wallagoot

It would be nice to think that reducing Australia’s fossil fuel exports could make a material difference to the global burning of fossil fuels. Unfortunately, millions of people worldwide are still fully dependent on coal, oil and gas for their basic energy needs and Australia is only one source of these commodities. Global consumption of fossil fuels can diminish only if genuinely competitive alternatives are widely available; and we are a long way yet from that situation. We need to
further accelerate the development of renewables and provide real incentives to transition. A substantial global price on carbon would help. Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

Can we all please, please try to stop global warming? Having to kick the doona off the bed in July is messing with my sensibilities. Peter Butler, Wyongah

Matildas lose? Doesn’t matter.
Ashes win? Doesn’t matter.
Commonwealth Games? Doesn’t matter.
Barbie crowded? Doesn’t matter.
Inflation? Doesn’t matter.
The Voice? Doesn’t matter.
Gangster shootings? Doesn’t matter.
Global boiling? Matters. Peter Hull, Hat Head

Shame on blamers

An injury-depleted Matildas lose one game by one goal and the blame game starts, with voices baying for the coach’s blood (“Matildas coach to review late substitutions in World Cup loss to Nigeria”, smh.com.au, July 28). Such press will do nothing to help the team pick themselves up and prepare for Monday. Go girls: the majority knows you will always do your best. Stephanie Edwards, Roseville

Don’t blame the coach for the Matildas loss to Nigeria. Get over it, show some sportsmanship and congratulate Nigeria for being the better team on the day. Margaret Priest, Wallsend

In an analysis of the game, the defeat to Nigeria has been described as “shocking” and “disastrous”. We should acknowledge that African football is becoming a powerhouse. Many times in the game in a one-on-one contest the Nigerian player showed superior skills. Credit when credit is due. Alan Russell, Unley (SA)

Let’s not now play the blame game and, instead, reflect on this quote by Lionel Messi, no less, “There are more important things in life than winning or losing a game.” Edward Loong, Milsons Point

Just as well I watched the World Swimming Championships. It was happier viewing there (“World beating juggling act is the best of Boxall’s tricks”, July 28). Zara Tai, Minchinbury

Powerhouse compromise for the people

By halting the demolition of the Ultimo Powerhouse and saving $100 million, the NSW government would be doing much more than saving money (“Powerhouse compromise could halt demolition, save $100m”, July 28).
One of the delights of visiting Sydney from regional NSW is visiting the amazing Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Thousands of students from regional NSW travel to Sydney for excursions to visit cultural icons such as the Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo.
The Powerhouse is top of the list for most students and teachers as it appeals to such a wide range of ages and abilities with its interesting, informative displays. It is a world-class museum that is easily accessible to regional students once they are in central Sydney. Closing it for years and moving the vast majority of the objects to Parramatta would deny many thousands of people the pleasure that the Powerhouse has provided and continues to provide for people from various walks of life.
Fix the roof, get rid of the mould and get rid of those who would wreck a valuable cultural and educational icon. Martine Moran, Gunnedah

Bricks and more to it

The housing crisis in NSW is at a tipping point (“Mother and newborn face homelessness in Sydney rental crisis”, July 28). A mother with a newborn baby living in such substandard conditions reflects on all of us. That her rent has recently risen by 60 per cent should sound alarm bells. The Greens are pushing for rental caps and an end to no-fault evictions. Surely, this is the least we can do for our most vulnerable citizens. Robyn Thomas, Wahroonga

It would seem that the only way our governments can deal with housing and rental problems in Australia is to spend more of taxpayers’ money. However, in recent years housing has become a high-level commodity item, with the extensive use of negative gearing on property investments to offset other personal income tax in addition to providing significant reductions in capital gains tax for these investments. Maybe changing some of the rules that provide these extraordinary benefits for wealthy investors could be too hard for our politicians to cope with at this time. It is easier and safer for them to just keep spending taxpayers’ money. Keith Askew, Hornsby Heights

Commonwealth flames

Waleed Aly’s intelligent and well-written article points out the importance of what the Commonwealth can do for all manner of countries, irrespective of race, colour, creed or geography (“In praise of the Commonwealth”, July 28). If individual countries would rather not belong, they know where the door is, yet it’s interesting that so many have chosen to stick with it. I, for one, hope it survives. The more lines of communication we have between diverse peoples, the better for all. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth

Aly’s thoughtful defence of the Commonwealth is no defence of its Games, a particularly effective example of sports washing. Effective reparations for colonial rapaciousness would probably be preferred by smaller Commonwealth nations over an invitation to Games at its own expense.
Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach

Ride on

The term NIMBY is liberally ascribed to those who seek more sensible urban planning, yet it is glaringly absent from stories about necessary cycleways (“Proposed cycleway hits bump in road”, July 28). The fact is, the two issues go together. If we are to densify, we need to reduce car traffic, improve public transport and install a network of cycleways across Sydney that will cater to the increasing take up of e-bikes. Alison Stewart, Riverview

Drug war hypocrisy

I can’t help but wonder that many readers of this story and viewers of television news, seeing these gang wars play out, go tut-tut and decry how dreadful it is (“Force targets gangs after spate of shootings”, July 28).

I also wonder how many of this same group contribute to the problem by buying illegal drugs because they consider it their right. Could there be a more hypocritical approach to society than that mindset? Phillip Kerrigan, Mortlake

A shooting in Bondi Junction? Where is the respect for the Latte Line? Tim Schroder, Gordon

Sinead the brave

Like most people I was blown away the first time I heard Sinead O’Connor’s voice (“We needed you, crazy-brave Sinead”, July 28). But she was so much more than an amazing voice. The music industry wanted the world to see her as a pop singer, but she saw herself as a protest singer. I grew up during the Vietnam War – the “fall of Saigon”, signalling the end of the war, happened on my 13th birthday – and my childhood memories were of my mother singing protest songs at anti-war events and going to the massive moratorium marches. So Sinead O’Connor’s anti-war stand resonates with me. Growing up witnessing the daily racism my Aboriginal brother was subjected to, her stand against racism also resonates strongly. Her stand against supposedly celibate old men in frocks wanting to control young women’s lives and bodies particularly resonates with me as a woman. As a parent and a teacher, her stand against child abuse keenly resonates with me. I was living in Ireland in the early ’90s when Sinead O’Connor was making it big in England and the world and I gained some understanding of the land she had left. May the world never forget what she stood for. Kim Salisbury, Lakemba

Michelle Griffin, you described the complex person that Sinead O’Connor was and I felt the emotion through your words. Your writing was so powerful and poignant. I thank you for your strongly felt and respectful article about an amazing human being. Genia Struck, Merewether

Musk stiX

Having read Mary Winter’s piece on semiotics and the significance of X, and being a maths teacher who has always worked with x, I’m thinking that maybe I should change my name, only slightly, to maX (“X marks a move to the dark side for Twitter. Here’s Y”, July 28). maX Redmayne, Drummoyne

Q. What is the value of X?
A. Twitter minus two years divided by two. Robert McHugh, Medowie

Brilliance rejected?

As I add my grudging congratulations to Joan Brown on her 500th letter, I wonder if other contributors suffer, like me, from regular outbreaks of the “SMH Sulks” (Letters, July 28)? This occurs when my perfectly crafted composition continues to miss out on publication. The condition is especially bad on Saturday mornings after I open the paper to see it still isn’t there. During the week, until Saturday, I have usually consoled myself with the theory that the editor is almost certainly holding back my brilliant missive until that edition, when the readership is bigger.
Paul McShane, Burradoo

My rejected letters are always the ones I think are the most brilliantly thought out and written.
Michael McFadyen, Kareela

Taking nothing away from the Joan Brown’s 500-letter gold standard, Bruce Graham’s front page letter and John Flint’s letter quoted in parliament, being the inspiration for Richard Glover’s Spectrum article today has definitely left me smiling all the way till Easter (“Tipping point in the right direction”, July 29).
Joy Nason, Mona Vale

I claim the shortest letter published in the Herald. One word to describe the ferry fiasco in 2020.
Rick Johnston, Potts Point

Postscript published in August 13, 2014 says I have the honour of submitting the shortest letter not published. Jock Brodie, Port Macquarie

Only the best

I am a bit surprised to read of correspondents published letters tallies. Over a considerable period I have had quite a few letters published but I have no idea how many. I don’t count them. I’m always
grateful to have a letter published, not because I want to see my name in print but because I reckon I have a point to make - whether it’s an important overlooked issue or a challenge to the conventional wisdom. (Gee, that might explain my poor strike rate?) Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

OMG, 500 letters published? I’ve written about 500 with about 50 published; which makes me wonder, how many did Joan Brown write? Carsten Burmeister, Mosman

I don’t know when my first letter was published nor how many I’ve sent. However, I may well hold the record for “most rejected”! (Chalk me up for another one either way please Ed.) Col Burns, Lugarno

Would anyone like to reserve a copy of “My Unpublished Letters to the Herald”? I confess that on reflection I am glad some of them were not published. John Duff, Lavender Bay

Lest we letter writers become as statistically constipated as cricket fans, might I remark that “Pardon me for mentioning ... Unpublished letters to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald” is a very entertaining read, and suggest we leave it there. Meredith Williams, Northmead

My husband has had 100 per cent of his letters published, but he has only written one. I’ve never bothered counting mine. Suzanne Wicks, Potts Point

My letters to the Herald have taken on a Biblical bent - many are sent, but few are chosen! Graham Fazio, Cootamundra

Take a bow

I initially thought “challenge accepted”, Steve Knight! However, as prolific as my father, James Prior, was as a letters contributor, I cannot ascertain his kick-off date. I do know he valued his telephone friendship with Ken Knight that grew from being fellow writers. Chris Northam, Cronulla

How unusual is it for siblings to each have a letter published on consecutive days? My brother and I accomplished this on June 28 and 29 last year. It almost happened again when we had letters published on September 28 and October 1. Barry Wooldridge, Harden

I tip my hat to the eloquent Joan Brown, but if we are going to descend to skiting; I think my first letter was in the early 90s (I don’t count or keep them) and it had a cartoon. Since then I can claim two other letters with illustrations, one of them with an entry in Column 8 on the same day. I can also claim the unique distinction of having something in either the letters or Column 8 five days in a row. John Grinter, Katoomba

As a contributor since the 80s, the art of writing and sending a letter to the editor has changed dramatically. Firstly most of us used to handwrite our letters or possibly type them and if successful they would not be published for at least a week at the earliest while today they’re sent by email and have to be about an issue that is current that day. I still have scraps of papers from when I used to write and edit my letters to ensure they were worthy of being selected for publication, of course many never made it. But apart from looking forward to seeing one of my letters it’s the other contributors I love who make me think, laugh and or occasionally bring a tear. Con Vaitsas, Patra (Greece)

Thanks, Bob Hall, for reminding me of the great letters of Ted Matulevicius – he was a master of the one liner and so prolific. I recall a letter in response to his letters that suggested that “Ted Matulevicius of Goonellabah” was a made up name and place by the letters editor of that time. I managed to get an odd letter published at that time but could never match Ted’s contributions. John Munro, Middle Ridge (Qld)

I sympathise with Bob Hall and his experience of hate mail after having a letter published. I had a go at the Wran government in the late 70s and had my car broken into, tools stolen and roof trampled and defecated on. One of the attending detectives shrugged, and said “Someone’s got it in for you”.
Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

I have read the SMH letters page for close on forty years. To my mind, it’s the best part of the paper. I’ve never had a letter published, mainly as I have never submitted one. I, too, agree with your correspondents that Ted Matulevicius of Goonellabah was one of my favourites. So much so, that when he announced his intention to retire from corresponding in 1997, I rang him to ask him to reconsider his decision. Andrew Driscoll, Nelson Bay

News of Joan Brown’s epistolary achievements was no surprise given her capacity to seize upon any subject and share her thoughts with a wide and diverse audience. The art of letter writing is a skill now lost in a world where typing thoughts and opinions are often shared without any sense of civility. My letter writing had its foundations in the Rostrum Promise (inter alia) “I will defend freedom of speech in the community, and will try at all times to think truly and to speak clearly. I promise not to be silent when I ought to speak”. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook

While Joan Brown rightly deserves all the accolades being sent her way for her amazing feat of having 500 letters published in the SMH it seems she will soon be able to celebrate having 500 letters, by correspondents, mentioning her name. I will be very pleased if I count as one of them as her letters are always witty, thought provoking and on point. Hats off to you, Joan. Merilyn McClung, Forestville

As the Joan ( no need for last name ) “juggernaut” continues and others of us hitch our caboose, I remind myself how much fun it is to write, feel I often know others on the page as family (with all its joys and warts) and become part of a special community which, most importantly allows the “common voice” to be heard. It too, can be a way forward. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

I was excited to be woken this morning by SMS from a friend in France congratulating me on the publication of my letter in today’s Herald. My fame has spread worldwide. Ruth Pojer, Double Bay

Your correspondents have started a proverbial bun-fight: I first began writing to the Letters Page in 2010 and have had 13 letters accompanied by cartoons (15 if I count the two illustrated by Letch for Modern Guru in the Good Weekend). I have been honoured to have had Tanberg (1), Wilcox (3), Shakespeare (4) and Michael Mucci (5) give my submissions their considered attention. Postscript mentions are now in the double digits. May I take a bow? Alicia Dawson, Balmain

Legal ease

I may be able to beat you in having your letter read in parliament, John Flint (Letters, July 28). Some time before the 2000 Olympics, I wrote a letter to the Herald bemoaning the fact that my restaurant (in a tourist area) was ineligible for a liquor licence, as it was too small. The Herald took the issue up and published an article, after which the NSW government announced that they were changing the law to remove the requirement of having a minimum of 50 seats. I still have a letter, signed by the minister for gaming and racing, thanking me for bringing the subject to their attention. I subsequently became the first licensee of a small restaurant in NSW. So, I can lay claim to changing a law, thanks to the Herald’s letters page! Randi Svensen, Wyong

Double standards

There’s been quite a few quin-Teds (named for the late great Mr Matulevicius of Goonellabah), but has anyone else won a quinella, two on the same day (Letters, October 20, 2012)? Peter Fyfe, Enmore

While we’re all claiming unique achievements in the letters department, allow me to post my own modest claim. Two in the one issue: September 23, 2020. Rod Hughes, Epping

Am I the only letter writer to have once had my letter published twice in the same day’s edition, on both sides of the letters’ page? One edited and one in full original form. Mark Berg, Caringbah South

I can’t compete with Joan Brown’s 500 published letters either. But, ahem, no less than two of mine have begun with the words “I was appalled”. Grant Agnew, Coopers Plains (Qld)

A happy place

About 20 years ago, having recovered from the shock of two sharp rejoinders to my letter bemoaning the fencing off of public schools, I wanted to hug them both for being interested enough to write back. Peter Farmer, Northbridge

Like flowers without water so are letter writers without readers! Mary Julian, Glebe

It is with great satisfaction that I find that after the Herald published 19 of my letters (one illustrated) and 10 Grannys, the world became a better place!
Laurie Le Claire, Epping

Coming from a family of journalists I was proud to be chosen as the First Word in 2006 when the Herald celebrated its 175th birthday.
As my letter then related, I learnt first hand from my Dad that the power of information does indeed lie in the hands of journalists and the need to be “Independent Always” has never been more relevant. Elizabeth Maher, Fiddletown

That it is limited, is one unavoidable feature of life. The same applies to the space on the Letters page. Cherish it if you are part of it. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

What’s all the fuss in getting a letter published? Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga

Postscript

The consequences of climate change have arrived early, lack of affordable housing is leaving many homeless and the cost of living is making life tough for millions. How do readers want to escape the gloom and doom? By discussing their achievements, or lack of, on the letters pages.

Thanks to the remarkable record set by letters legend Joan Brown of Orange (500 published letters, for those who have not been paying attention) hundreds of correspondents were either inspired, or their competitive spirit fired up, to tell us their publishing history.

Some claimed to hold the record for the most rejected, others the shortest letter published (“Frigate”), while a few too many claimed they were published twice on the same day (oops!).

Many told us reading the letters pages was the best part of their day (thank you) while the somewhat infamous correspondent Rosemary O’Brien of Ashfield took us down memory lane with this insight: “I’ve variously teased the socks off humourless lefties, been awarded ‘letter of the year’, been included in a letters to the editor book, and given birth to ‘Jobson Grothe’. Both the writing to, and reading of, the Herald letters page is endlessly entertaining.”

Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook reminded us that “the art of letter writing is a skill now lost in a world where typing thoughts and opinions are often shared without any sense of civility”, a reflection which makes us even more grateful that you take the time to write to the Herald.

Thank you for your contributions and keep writing! Pat Stringa, letters editor

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