Sean Kelly (“”,November 22) illuminates the fundamental flaw in the character of the Prime Minister. Ever the marketing man,Scott Morrison takes every opportunity to frame responses to appeal to even the most extreme of his potential supporters. He is operating from the Donald Trump playbook with a token condemnation of violent protest but assuring these people that he “understands” their frustration. Once again,Morrison fails to lead and,in doing so,he condones poor behaviour.Max Redmayne,Drummoyne
Thanks,Sean Kelly,for doing the sums on the Prime Minister’s recent speech. He’s too slippery by half,this bloke:80 words condemning the violence followed by 300 words of dog-whistling,with only the latter making it to his official Facebook page. It’s time to GoMo.Des Mulcahy,Orange
Kelly highlights Morrison’s Trumpian failure to condemn protesters advocating violence. But the PM’s actions of late could be increasingly likened to the origami fortune-teller box many of us constructed as children. As we open each corner,a new number,for a different result,but ultimately in the middle no substance is revealed.Janice Creenaune,Austinmer
Kelly underscores Morrison’s key character trait:amorality. When a leader consistently elevates his own ambition above common decency,he loses the moral imperative to high office. Dog-whistling a minority of selfish people inciting violence exhibits a dangerous lack of principle. Refusing to force corporations – who wrongly profited from $20billion worth of JobKeeper – to repay money needed for public services shows a disregard for probity. Leaving the country to holiday when people suffered catastrophic bushfires displays poor character. Lying to France about the submarine deal impugns his own integrity. These are just a few examples of his driving ambition for himself. Yet he still remains the preferred prime minister. Have we lost our way?Alison Stewart,Riverview
John Shakespeare
I don’t understand how politics in this country has reached such a pass if,as Kelly claims,Morrison is motivated by catching votes and not by saying what he believes in. If he believes in small government,then why is he not hauling back the billions distributed to profitable companies during the pandemic,paid for in the main from ordinary workers’ PAYE taxes? Voters would understand a mistake,even of this magnitude,might occur in times of disaster and forgive. But no:instead,Morrison demonstrates his support of the failed ideology of small government/free market capitalism by “understanding” the deluded viewpoint of the anti-vax people. Has Donald Trump been in his ear? How about both sides of politics start to realise that voters want legislated solutions to climate,housing,health,education,infrastructure et cetera – the issues rampant capitalism does not give a hoot about,but politicians should.Lyndall Nelson,South Turramurra
Who’s wiser? Who’s more honest? The one who says they understand the frustration of some fellow citizens with strict lockdown regulations,or those who either do not understand,or do understand but shirk from saying so?Barry Lamb,Heidelberg West (Vic)
Berejiklian politicised ‘health advice’,sidelined Chant
So,the truth many suspected throughout the Sydney lockdown finally comes to light (“”,November 22). We were constantly told by then premier Gladys Berejiklian that all decisions were based on “health advice”. The real message from Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant to the government was actually that decisions should be based on “all health advice”. The placement of one word made an immense difference in how the lockdown was managed.Linda Holmes,Balmain
Gladys’ halo now sits where it rightfully belongs,on the head of Dr Chant. The emails obtained by the upper house show that Berejiklian misused Chant’s position for political purposes. They explain the apparent squirming by Chant at press conferences whenever “health advice” was used to justify unpopular decisions.Tony Re,Georges Hall
Dr Chant’s sage advice about imposing a curfew for its messaging effect was indeed accepted by the then premier,but not as intended. The “message” was that we impose long-term curfews on areas of least political significance regardless of any disparity in case numbers favouring those areas.Fred Jansohn,Rose Bay
The harsh lockdown of Canterbury-Bankstown was just one of the ways this area has been targeted by the NSW government. It’s an easy target,too:a place of many cultures and lower incomes. The NSW government has fast-tracked development and privatisation of public transport in this corridor. Locals are locked out of the housing market and there has been no new public housing. People here feel forgotten and outraged by political dishonesty which has left us with low-quality,over-priced development,a relative lack of open space,only 15 per cent tree canopy cover,the most polluted river in Sydney and communities devastated by job losses and business closures.Marie Healy,Hurlstone Park
Now we know why Gladys consistently said that her COVID-19 pronouncements were “based on medical advice”. It’s because she was not in fact “following” the medical advice,which,of course,we never got to see. All along,she was making political decisions while using the Chief Health Officer,and semantics,as a shield.Warwick Tudehope,Seaforth
Gladys Berejiklian had us believe that unpopular decisions like imposing harsh lockdowns in low socioeconomic areas was a thing of the “health advice”,that she had little choice. A premier once high in political capital seems to have chosen political populism over her Chief Health Officer’s advice.Jack Dikian,Mosman
Acceleration benefits brightest
The comments by Dr Alan Parsons on the acceleration of capable,talented students in HSC courses are insightful to those critical of the process (“”,November 22). Selecting students whose knowledge and skills in particular courses indicates readiness for more advanced study ensures those students’ continued engagement in learning. They learn how the HSC works at their first sitting and study fewer subjects per year. Acceleration is not for everyone,just as not every student will achieve a band 6 result. Ensuring the right students for acceleration is key. Accelerating whole class groups for some perceived marketing advantage is perverse. At the same time,conflating equality of opportunity with equality of outcome to create a lockstep approach to the HSC will only serve to restrict ultra-bright students to a longer wait before they can show what they have already learnt.Wayne Duncombe,Glebe
Learning levels based on age and convenience can create boredom and frustration for many students. Catering for their interests can create enthusiasm. All successful schools constantly change programs and teaching methods to ensure all students capitalise on their talents and interests and retain the interest and enthusiasm for all that life holds for them. To overcome any perceived HSC imbalance,a few more interested and enthusiastic bureaucrats,those who make the rules,may be needed to balance the scales.Joy Cooksey,Harrington
The real issue is perhaps why there is not more flexible packaging of HSC courses through innovative school structures and timetabling models. The HSC is a prisoner of many old-fashioned school structures and practices that need to be rethought to better meet present-day student needs.
Rod Leonarder,Roseville
All hail Callithump
You made my day (,November 22). I had a Catholic education but when my father said his religion was “callithumpian” I accepted it as fact.Joy Heads,Wollstonecraft
Unjabbed loose cannons
After December 15,if someone is unvaccinated in a public venue,I,as a vaccinated citizen,cannot know and have no legal right to know (“”,November 22). Unvaccinated attendees at a public venue may have a greater risk of contracting a serious COVID-19 infection. But what if I have an underlying health issue? I also could become infected and suffer serious health consequences,or even die. This leaves me with a choice. I can choose not to attend and not to risk it,or I can play Russian roulette and attend. Some choice.Geoff Black,Caves Beach
The unvaccinated will be stopped from entering all public venues when the first lawsuit is filed by a fully vaccinated individual who catches COVID-19 from a known unvaccinated contact. Venues will not want to take the risk.Stephanie Edwards,Roseville
Lunch with a punch
I sympathise with your correspondents’ views regarding expensive power lunches (,November 22) but I believe there is a bigger picture. These lunches are keeping the restaurants operating and staff employed. They have also allowed the owner to fit out the premises,which keeps skilled tradesmen and food merchants employed. The circle of moving money through the economy continues,which benefits us all. It is not the responsibility of the power lunch diners to look after the disadvantaged in society,although I’d hope that their contributions to charities are as generous as their lunch bills. What is obscene is the federal government failing to do much to get wealthy corporations to pay their fair share of tax. It is the loopholes in the tax system that need to be tightened up.Paul Gray,Daylesford (Vic)
Traffic trouble
Transport NSW may well say safety is the priority (“”,November 22) yet at Cremorne Junction,a pedestrianised shopping centre,refuge strips,fencing and walk signal buttons were removed for a tidal flow system,and red light cameras and variable speed limit signage were omitted. It was all about traffic speed,while pedestrian safety languished.Graham Short,Cremorne
Multi beats mono
Having lived in America,I found a distinct difference between how Americans and Australians identify themselves (,November 22). The students I mixed with in America made peculiar connections to their ethnic origins. While they saw themselves as American,they used statements such as “I’m fourth-generation Irish” to declare their heritage. Here people refer to their Australianness with statements such as “I’m first-generation Australian”. It’s important for people to celebrate their origins. Multiculturalism brings with it the rich traditions that are lacking in monoculturalism.Meg Pickup,Ballina
Seeing is believing
When Peng Shuai plays her first match outside of China,the world might believe she is safe and free. Until then,doubt surrounds what is happening to this courageous woman (“”,November 22).Denis Suttling,Newport Beach
What a shame that the Uighurs are not tennis stars.Mark Propper,Bondi
Male phallacy
Gosh,Kerri,I never knew there were so many different ways to say penis (“”,November 22)Angela Miller,Bondi Junction
Kerri Sackville’s article should be compulsory reading for all males over 12 years of age.Sally Mitchell,Milsons Point
As my mother said,“They discover it at an early age and never get over the thrill of it.”Betsy Brennan,Wahroonga
Surely,the point is that Cricket Australia have no idea. To deny it’s their responsibility,and then find Paine “had not transgressed”,CA has demonstrated its own disgraceful standards.Andrew Scott,Pymble
I know that it is biologically wired into the male brain to seek sexual partners but wasn’t the frontal lobe invented to counteract any damages?Trish Nielsen,Avalon
Hmm,Paine’s sexting not a breach of its code of conduct? Or is CA seeking to protect the name of the game and its governing body – not to mention a member.Edward Loong,Milsons Point
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday onsmh.com.au
From Middle aged and cynical:″We all laugh when we hear about the political officer of the Communist Party in the old USSR calling the shots on things they didn’t understand,putting the image of the country and the party above all else ... and yet here we are in 2021 Australia,where clearly political choices are being made about issues that we were constantly told were above politics,once again proving the old adage:How do you know when a politician is lying? Their mouth is open.″