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<\/p>\n <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Illustration: Andrew Dyson<\/cite><\/p>\n To submit a letter to The Age<\/em>, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.<\/strong><\/p>\n We should all be taking notice of the politics of the divide that is playing out in the Middle East and the utter tragedy that has beset two peoples. Here, in Australia, we are seeing the division of our nation, over an issue that is both clear and should be straightforward. An issue that has allowed the irrational to occupy much of the information disseminated and for some to allow the quest for political power to override the best example that this nation has to offer. We should be ashamed and concerned. Where are we, as a people, heading? Christian voters<\/strong> Can politics and religion be kept separate? Perhaps, but I hope that politics and \u201cloving your neighbour\u201d are never far apart. Deserving a vote?<\/strong> Shining a light on First Nations<\/strong> Better next time<\/strong> Everyone knows there are problems that need fixing. Parliaments at all levels could\/should develop policies \u2013 then liaise with local Indigenous groups on how best to deliver them. There needs to be accountability. That means targets, timelines and audits, then rejigging of the delivery programs to suit particular regions. No matter what the result is, our federal politicians need to work together to deliver the outcomes most of us seek for Australia. Goldilocks tactics<\/strong> Imposed solutions<\/strong> We have destroyed their way of life, occupied their land, killed many, nearly destroyed their culture, and taken away their children. Many are still suffering. Surely voting Yes is the least we can do. Having their say<\/strong> Simple fix<\/strong> Enhancing history<\/strong> Under the surface<\/strong> For these people, Israel is a proxy for Jews and Palestine is an opportunity to attack them. There\u2019s no BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement against China regarding its treatment of the Uighurs, Turkey with the Kurds or Indonesia and the West Papuans. To them, the Holocaust is an impediment to openly stating their views and they seek by false equivalences some retrospective justification for it, the common trope being \u201cthey brought it on themselves\u201d. Zionism is equated with Nazism, although it began as a movement to find a safe haven for Jews when they were being expelled from Europe under threat of extermination.<\/p>\n With false hand-wringing, some claim to hope that the murder of Jewish children will somehow bring about a resolution in the Levant, something they would never have dared to say after 9\/11. Bloody past<\/strong> Enough is enough. Instead of sending more arms to fan the flames of violence, the international community must call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, begin urgent negotiations to enable the release of hostages and work to actively bring about justice and freedom for Palestine. Peace waylaid<\/strong> Necessary blockade<\/strong> However, Israel has previously always allowed the Strip access to humanitarian goods, including food, water, fuel and medicine, with multiple truckloads crossing from Israel into Gaza every day. It also allowed thousands of Gaza residents into Israel to work or for medical care. It\u2019s also important to remember Gaza has a border with Egypt that Israel doesn\u2019t control. Election motivation<\/strong> Simply excuses<\/strong> No amount of fabricated justifications fool anyone that shoplifting and fare evasion are stealing and not OK, and they never have been. Big profits?<\/strong> To state that supermarkets have made billion-dollar profits proves just that. To achieve such profits, Coles for example had to sell over $30 billion worth of goods.<\/p>\n Its so-called huge profit comes in at less than 3 per cent. Not huge at all. Narrow focus<\/strong> Also, to make sure that they live to experience these long-term consequences, the voters should be made to carry to the booth a health clear card signed by a doctor and a psychologist, stating that their sane life expectancy is at least 10 years. Collection canned?<\/strong> It\u2019s hard to find, but the online site regarding the container scheme states: \u201cEligible containers cannot be collected for redemption until the scheme starts. The CDS relies on the scheme costs being included in the price of the container at the time of purchase. This won\u2019t occur until the scheme has officially commenced in November 2023.\u201d<\/p>\n I believe eligible containers will have a special code printed on them to identify them. <\/p>\n <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Illustration: Matt Golding<\/cite><\/p>\n Referendum<\/strong> Many company executives have had a direct voice to parliamentarians, so how can we justify denying a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders? I am still undecided to the point of total confusion. Therefore, on the ballot paper I will deploy the local vernacular \u2013 yeah, no. The noisy minority is just about to be trounced by the silent majority. If you don\u2019t know, why vote no? Middle East<\/strong> While Hamas\u2019 attack was an act of understandable desperation, as well as desperately wrong in the form it took, it was also a misjudgment. It plays directly into the hands of Netanyahu\u2019s government.THE VOICE<\/h3>\n
Loucille McGinley, Brighton East<\/strong><\/p>\n
I am surprised and disappointed that a survey of voters (\u201cIndigenous Yes backers remain in majority\u201d, 11\/10) found that Christians do not support the Voice, by a margin of two to one (Yes 32 per cent, No 68 per cent). The two largest Christian churches (Catholic and Anglican) have publicly endorsed the Uluru Statement. Catholic Church leaders were willing to support one side in the 2017 plebiscite on same-sex marriage. Yet I have seen little support or discussion on whether the Voice fits with Christian doctrine.<\/p>\n
John Hughes, Mentone<\/strong><\/p>\n
The constant exposure to vox pops on radio and TV news, in which respondents indicate they have not heard of a referendum, leads me to wonder about the democratic process. Is it acceptable that citizens who arrive at the polling place, without any knowledge of the substance of the referendum, should be given a vote? How is that a true reflection of the considered opinion of the demos?
Surely it is worth considering the introduction of a short multiple answer test, before being handed a ballot paper?
Maurie Trewhella, Hoppers Crossing<\/strong><\/p>\n
Something positive has arisen out of this otherwise divisive and badly managed referendum. Successful, happy, thriving Indigenous people from all walks of life are entering the limelight and mainstream media to share a variety of views. Too often the word \u201cdisadvantage\u201d is attached to discussions around Aboriginal people. Disadvantage exists in all areas of society but to be continually associated with this word surely does no favours to Aboriginal people at large.
Pene Patrick, Woodend<\/strong><\/p>\n
I\u2019m voting No \u2013 not because I\u2019m racist, but on the principle that no lobby group of any persuasion should have privileged access to our government. I support recognition in the Constitution, but the current proposal gives me no choice. The foreshadowed motion by Peter Dutton to have another referendum on recognition would be accepted by all fair-minded citizens.<\/p>\n
Jim Tutt, Anglesea<\/strong><\/p>\n
Those of us with scars from John Howard\u2019s divide-and-rule tactics in the republic referendum are stunned to see such tactics working again. This time even the Indigenous vote is split between those who think the proposal does not go far enough and those who think it goes too far. Just like Howard\u2019s claim \u2013 that a republic would deprive us of a monarch but would leave us not enough rule-by-the-people. We are about to be duped again.
Tony Haydon, Springvale<\/strong><\/p>\nTHE FORUM<\/h3>\n
It looks like the No vote is going to win on Saturday (\u201cIndigenous Yes backers remain in majority\u201d, 11\/10). As a Yes voter I cannot understand the fear that people obviously feel about giving Aboriginal people a Voice in their own affairs. We have had years of Indigenous \u201csolutions\u201d. Imposed by white people and without consultation, they have been found wanting time and time again. It is time for a new way forward and our First Nations people have suggested the way.<\/p>\n
Other countries have instituted similar ideas and their systems have not suffered. A Voice not written into the Constitution would be the plaything of each succeeding government in office, easily disregarded and abolished. There would be no certainty of continuity.
Eva Miller, Castlemaine<\/strong><\/p>\n
An excellent and insightful article by Jacqueline Maley: \u201cWhat do the No camp and anti-suffragists have in common? Too much\u201d (8\/10). The No campaign really does have much in common with the ant-suffragists. It is time the original inhabitants of this country are given an opportunity to have their say. Unfortunately we are not all equal. They have a much lower life expectancy and experience much poorer housing conditions and social and economic conditions than the majority of Australia\u2019s newer inhabitants. It will be an advisory body like other advisory bodies and should not be feared.
Maria McKinnon, Northcote<\/strong><\/p>\n
I read Jaqueline Maley with interest. She omits one important point: a referendum to change the Constitution was not held to decide the issue. Women were given the right to vote by means of the Commonwealth Franchise Act passed on June 12, 1902. How many people will vote No because while they want to improve conditions for Indigenous Australians, they don\u2019t think changing the Constitution is the right way to do it?
Sue Bracy, Mount Eliza<\/strong><\/p>\n
Further to the discussion from some correspondents about the 1901 Constitution being \u201can untested, inadequately explained body\u201d at its inception, its most obvious flaw in a modern context was that it did not in 1901 and does not in 2023 acknowledge Indigenous Australians. The Voice to Parliament would, albeit as an advisory body, arguably enhance its integrity. It is not being mischievous to suggest that constitutional purists of Tony Abbott\u2019s ilk should come on board the Yes side of the referendum, even at this late stage.
Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza<\/strong><\/p>\n
As a non-Jew who grew up in a middle-class suburb, I am well aware of the antisemitism that lies just beneath the surface in our majority European Christian community, where people spoke callously of Jews behind their backs and felt the need, in some cases duty, to identify and isolate them. They had a licence to hate Jews passed down and took to it with relish.<\/p>\n
The uncomfortable truth for these people is that from the day Israel was created by the UN it has been attacked by its neighbours in three major wars and endless acts of terror by those whose catchcry is \u201cfrom the river to the sea\u201d, a barely disguised euphemism for the extermination of all Jews in Israel. If there is ever to be peace in the Middle East it will have to begin with the Palestinians, which is something their urgers in the West do not want.
Bruce King, Malvern East<\/strong><\/p>\n
All who hope for justice in Palestine and peace in the region must feel grief and anguish at the brutal events of the past few days. Will the world learn anything from the outcome, that is the question. Many lands were colonised in the past expansion of empires and many wars for freedom were fought, most of them bloody and horrific. The land of Palestine was colonised to create a safe home for Jewish people after the horrors of the Nazi holocaust, but no safe home has since been created for the indigenous people of Palestine who were displaced in 1948. The expansion of settlements, the occupation of the West Bank and the 16-year blockade of Gaza have continued the suffering of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n
Lorel Thomas, Blackburn South<\/strong><\/p>\n
Iran is the only winner here. It is not their people and property that is being demolished, and the fledgling peace moves with Saudi Arabia are now on indefinite hold.
Marie Nash, Balwyn<\/strong><\/p>\n
Your explainer (\u201cWhat is Hamas and why is it at war with Israel? A guide\u201d, 10\/10) states that Israel\u2019s blockade of Gaza means that basic supplies of food and medicine have been missing. Israel\u2019s blockade attempts to keep out goods with military use, which, given Hamas\u2019 proclaimed and now proven intentions, is justified and legal. Even the UN has upheld its legality.<\/p>\n
George Greenberg, Malvern<\/strong><\/p>\n
Thanks to your correspondent (Letters, 10\/10) for the very pertinent comments on the Israel\/Palestine situation, among other things suggesting that \u201cHamas must be removed from leadership\u201d. However, the reason for Hamas\u2019 election in Gaza must also be given attention. The fact that Israel has occupied, in some way or other, Palestinian territory since 1967, contravening international law, and segments of the Israeli populace have moved, with government approval and no international sanction, to occupy Palestine land since that same time is a very large reason for that election.
Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n
Your correspondent (Letters, 9\/10) cites various justifications for stealing from supermarkets and elsewhere. These are simply excuses. Times are tough? But when are they not? Self-service checkouts are unpaid labour? So, do we not pay for petrol because we\u2019ve operated the bowsers? Checkout operator jobs have been threatened? Do we then rob a bank because ATMs have replaced tellers? We\u2019ve stolen the lands we live on? Does that really justify shoplifting?<\/p>\n
Pauline Charleston, Brunswick West<\/strong><\/p>\n
I take exception to the article by Vivienne Pearson (\u201cMy supermarket accused me of theft. Pot, kettle, black?\u201d 10\/10).<\/p>\n
Mike Weiss, Vermont South<\/strong><\/p>\n
Your correspondent suggests that it\u2019s time to deny older voters, say those over 50, from voting in referendums. I think it\u2019s a great idea, especially if we add to this restriction voters younger than 40 years old, given that they haven\u2019t had enough experience in life to safely make such long-term decisions.<\/p>\n
George Fernandez, Eltham North<\/strong><\/p>\n
I hate to be a killjoy, but I think that young Ashton Hanson (\u201cThe 10-year-old super-collector of bottles and cans set to cash in\u201d, 11\/10) might be wasting his time collecting containers ahead of the start of the container deposit scheme.<\/p>\n
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne<\/strong><\/p>\nAND ANOTHER THING<\/h3>\n
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Megan Krakouer and Professor Maree Toombs have stated the Yes case beautifully (\u201c\u2018Hope. That\u2019s what the Voice can do\u2019,\u201d 11\/10). It\u2019s about hope. I just hope it\u2019s not too late to save the referendum with this simple message.
Judith Taylor, Emerald<\/strong><\/p>\n
Fran Mansergh, Sandringham<\/strong><\/p>\n
David Price, Camberwell<\/strong><\/p>\n
James Hearne, Kew<\/strong><\/p>\n
Robert Saunders, Cheltenham<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Hamas attack on Israel is both horrific and criminal. So is the decision to deprive Palestinians in Gaza of food, medicine and water. Obviously, this will occupy much of the attention of the media but it should not take the world\u2019s attention off the slaughter in Ukraine.
Juliet Flesch, Kew<\/strong><\/p>\n
Penelope Buckley, Kew East<\/strong><\/p>\n