The government has an obligation to ensure that Australia remains a key destination for businesses of all sizes and that it grows the number of jobs rather than the unemployment numbers.
Liz Burton, Camberwell, Vic
Raising JobSeeker won’t solve problem
Senator David Pocock from Canberra must not have seen those parts of major cities where literally thousands of unemployed live (“Labor to face pressure to increase JobSeeker under IR horse-trading”, November 28).
Generations of them.
These people never take a job. Its against their ethos. Jacking up benefits will entrench them in their negativity.
When we are talking about attracting overseas workers and streamlining the visa process, to pay more benefits to unemployed Australians seems dystopian.
Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld
University system must end the cloning
Glyn Davis’ comments on the lack of diversity in the Australian university sector are significant in the context of the government’s recently announced O’Kane review of the future of higher education (“Time to add colour and diversity to uni sector, says Davis”, November 28).
By 2050, our population is expected to approach 36 million. Given economies like Australia have about two universities for every million citizens, we should be planning for about 30 new universities to be established in that time to meet future demands.
It will be a major mistake to allow the system to continue to clone itself without asking strategic questions about the desirable shape and cost of the sector. Professor Davis is right to point to the need to imagine alternative models.
We should be considering the future balance of research-led and teaching-only institutions, alongside the best way to service our emerging population growth corridors.
Professor Paul Wellings, University of Wollongong
RBA governor’s sorry state of affairs
It’s all very well for Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe to apologise for his failure to predict future interest rates (“Lowe fesses up on wrong rate call”, November 29).
The critical question is: Why did he even try? Imagine the US Federal Reserve providing a two-year prediction in such a cavalier manner?
It wouldn’t happen because the repercussions of such statements are well understood. Governor Lowe’s failure to appreciate the impact of his statements is a continuing matter of concern.
John Golden, Newport, NSW
Message to elites: Voice vote is not in the bag
Congratulations to the Nationals for braving the wrath of First Nations elites and assorted urban culture warriors to oppose the deeply flawed Voice to Parliament proposal (“Nationals set to oppose ‘racist’ Voice”, November 29).
Its supporters may think they have a “yes” vote in the bag, but that is far from the case and smacks of elitist arrogance.
These folk are more interested in noble but empty gestures and garnering accolades, because it costs them nothing and they get the credit; unlike those in the First Nations community and elsewhere who are actually doing much unsung work on the ground to make a real difference in the lives and prospects of First Nations people.
More strength to them.
Bob Muirhead, Port Melbourne, Vic
Westpac’s fertility leave another big step
When I joined the Bank of New South Wales in 1963, there were very few women in its employ, yet the currency of time has demonstrated significant changes in the workforce and a growing recognition of the importance of retaining women in roles (“Westpac bumps up talent chase with fertility treatment leave”, November 29).
As my career progressed, I discovered that women intending marriage had to seek the bank’s approval to remain on staff.
That approval, if forthcoming, came with the rider all references in the payroll system would be to their maiden name.
I count it a privilege to have subsequently worked with female colleagues who have continued their careers irrespective of their marital status or family circumstances.
This latest move by Australia’s first bank and oldest public company is yet another illustration of a rapidly changing society and employment practices.
Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
Beware straying into political territory
I was surprised at comments attributed to the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson, “Reset needs patience, cautions China expert” (November 26-27).
I am no constitutional scholar, but I understood that state governors’ roles were restricted to exercising constitutional, ceremonial and community duties.
Ms Adamson is undoubtedly an expert on China in her former roles as an ambassador to China and head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before her appointment as governor of South Australia.
One wonders on what basis she strays into political matters and offers advice to the Albanese government on the need to “be patient” in its dealings with China.
She then speculates that China has chosen to resume, albeit on a limited basis, relations with Australia as part of trying to “rebalance” its relations and seeking wider leverage with other nations over its punitive sanctions on Australia.
Interesting to be sure. However, is this in keeping with the role of a state governor, who seems more than happy to offer her opinion on Australia’s national foreign relations?
Randal Markey, Campbell, ACT
Menzies would be rolling in his grave
You’ve got to hand it to the conservatives when it comes to blatant hypocrisy. Tim Wilson (“Party of Menzies must aspire to increasing home ownership”, November 28) reckons home ownership is the trump card for the beleaguered Liberals after the shellacking in Victoria.
Home ownership is impossible for most home seekers because of the discriminating policies of negative gearing (favours investors over home owners) and low wages growth (has not kept pace with house price inflation).
Both of these probems are due to Liberal Party intransigence, and downright hostility when it comes to removing negative gearing.
Menzies would be rolling in his grave at the state of conservative politics now.
What do Liberals stand for? Other than invective which was all the Victorian Liberals and their cheer squad could muster, not much at all.
Home seekers will still find home ownership beyond them until negative gearing is eliminated and workers’ wages can overcome the Morrison inflation whammy.
Brad Hinton, Garran, ACT
