PM’s intervention crucial to save Assange from life in jail

So,Julian Assange is to be extradited to the US to face spying charges and probable life in prison there,thanks to Priti Patel,UK Home Secretary (“Assange team vows to appeal US extradition”,June 18). He is effectively a political prisoner,an example to other journalists who would dare expose US war crimes. His lawyer,Jennifer Robinson,has said the Australian government needs to ask the Biden administration to drop the spying charges. Surely if the AUKUS alliance is worth anything,Mr Albanese must pick up the phone and ask for that to happen,and for Julian to be released and reunited with his young,long-suffering family.Brendan Doyle,Wentworth Falls

Julian Assange was doing a courageous job as a journalist – exposing the truth of atrocities by one of our allies in a war we were part of. If ever I would consider our position as part of the British Commonwealth,this is the time. Should we allow the UK to send one of our citizens to the USA to face their interpretation of justice? Why hasn’t the Australian government intervened in this dreadful case of injustice and incarceration over so many years? At least,by insisting that Julian Assange be dealt with under our Australian law. Would the USA remain silent and allow this to happen to one of their citizens?Joan Bautovich,Hunters Hill

We hear regularly of the requirement for all Americans to be slavishly adherent to all amendments in their wonderful Constitution. However,in the case of Julian Assange,it would appear they favour their second amendment,allowing guns,over the first and the right of free speech.Al Clark,Belrose

What an egregious irony it would be should the new Labor government fail to act on behalf of Julian Assange. To ignore this latest calumny by the UK on basic human rights would make this government no better that the last,particularly given that there is no difference at all between the Coalition and Labor policies regarding refugees,for example. Here is a major opportunity for the Labor government to demonstrate a righteous concern for one of its citizens.Mark d’Arbon,Chittaway Bay

We were told recently that one phone call from Anthony Albanese to Joe Biden could stop extradition proceedings against Julian Assange. This may or may not be true,but it does not alter the truth that while Assange may have used unconventional means to elicit information,he was,in fact,simply relying on the apparently unwritten law of freedom of speech. I am deeply concerned that the condemnation of Assange has become a political issue and Australians will become the global example of the curtailment of free speech. Personally,I find all wars abhorrent and our involvement in the Iraq war a total disaster. Assange alerted us to the depravity of some combatants,and gave us an example of the need for freedom of the press. We cannot allow the exposure of wickedness of war to be locked away in America. He is an Australian citizen and should be protected as such.Joanna van Kool,Crows Nest

Private school privilege laid bare by regatta jaunt

What could better illustrate the obscenity of the federal government’s funding formula for the wealthy private schools than the decision by The King’s School to spend $45,000 to send their principal and deputy and their spouses on a first class flight to the Henley Regatta,so that they can rub shoulders with others from those bastions of privilege such as Eton (“Fight or flight in boat-race row”,June 18). The fact that a school receiving public money can afford to exercise this self-indulgence on a matter unrelated to education indicates clearly that the school has more money than it knows what to do with. Perhaps the new government,already with its work cut out to repair and correct the “legacy” of the Morrison government,will in time get to redirect this gross excess of money back to the public schools,where every dollar counts. And perhaps King’s could send the $45,000 they don’t need to Wilcannia Central School,where it can be used to fund education.June Simpson,Petersham

People are having to sleep in their cars because they cannot find affordable housing;people on JobSeeker are having to live on less than $350 a week,et cetera,yet The King’s School received almost $20 million from the state and federal government in 2020 despite parents paying up to $40,000 in fees. Surely this obscene misallocation of taxpayers’ monies cannot be allowed to continue?Alan Morris,Eastlakes

So,the headmaster of The King’s School and his wife have been shamed into downgrading their (free) tickets to Britain from first class to business class. My heart bleeds.Victoria Harrington,Thirroul

If any story this year has highlighted the situation where private schools demand and are granted public funds,this one,reporting on The King’s School funding first class tickets to London,takes the cake. When we have public schools having to operate,in some cases,where basic amenities such as toilets are in disrepair,why on earth do schools such as The King’s School need taxpayers to help them out?Mary Lawson,Marrickville

I don’t believe $20 million to a private school to send their head,deputy and families overseas first class is taxpayer money well spent. Perhaps 100 per cent of the federal money paid to every private school next financial year could be directed to the public schools in their state,especially those suffering flood and bushfire and disadvantage,as a gesture of goodwill? Unless,of course,some are more equal than others.Allan Kreuiter,Roseville

Early education a benefit to all

Anne Hollonds and Professor Sharon Goldfeld’s opinion piece (“Preschool reform promises our children a better future”,June 18) highlights the long-term benefits of early childhood education,particularly for disadvantaged children,a conclusion supported by decades of research. One long-term research project started in Michigan,USA in 1962,in which a large cohort of African-American three- and four-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds were divided into two groups,with one group receiving a high-quality preschool program. The two groups were periodically checked over many decades,and the participant group showed significant continued advantage in terms of high school completion,employment and earnings,home and car ownership and avoidance of criminal behaviour. One conclusion was that “the multifaceted preschool program effect has enduring dimensions of intellectual,productive and social/antisocial behaviour”. What more needs be said? Let’s just hope we can find the resources,especially properly trained people,to make this happen.John Ure,Mount Hutton

Local legends

Your correspondent (Letters,18 June) wants children to get to know the myths,legends and rhymes that have come down to us English speakers from our European forbears,but what is more important is for us to create a distinctive Australian set of sayings we can commit to memory,and with which we can embellish our own oral and literary culture. More important still,though,is prompting all our children to create their own word plays. Each one’s eyes – or ears or nose – can tell us not only the facts about the state of nature in their particular area,but can also give us a song or a poem that we can adopt,enhancing our awareness of the beauty of nature and reminding us that it must be preserved – for the sake of all our children.Penelope Layton-Caisley,Marrickville

Big applause to your correspondent for shining a light on the need for nursery rhymes,fairytales,myths and legends in early childhood education. Another glaringly bare area of neglect is the lack of knowledge or even interest in our Australian writers,artists and poets. Homework task:Get cracking on some self-education.Ellie Hallett,Toowoomba (Qld)

Rampant over-building

Unfortunately,the state government has enabled developers by failing to implement regulations that prioritise sustainable building practices (Letters,June 18). Why,for instance,are homes now allowed to cover almost the entire block,leaving little green space,and why is it so easy to remove trees? Why are building materials like environmentally friendly roofing and solar panels not mandated? Why are developments not designed in tandem with infrastructure such as parks,playgrounds,public transport,cycleways,child care centres and schools? Why is environmentally sensitive land not ruled out for development? And why aren’t we debating population sustainability,especially in cities? Proper regulation that ignores industry pressure will yield ethical development. We have just seen achange of government because people are tired of being dismissed.Alison Stewart,Riverview

Social justice

Fred Nile’s Culture is Identity bill is a model of how parliaments and people can combine to recognise the legitimate claims of our first nations people (“Odd bedfellows unite for Indigenous rights”,June 18). It is born from listening and consultation with Indigenous communities. It acknowledges the validity of custodianship and culture,and it is an expression of respect,repentance and reconciliation. Finally,the partnership between Nile and Alex Greenwich reminds us that social justice is never a matter of right or left.
Philip Cooney,Wentworth Falls

New dawn

Are we witnessing the dawn of an age of political enlightenment? Who could have ever imagined the likes of a staunch pro-life advocate elder like Fred Nile teaming up with a younger,more progressive reformist Alex Greenwich to achieve overdue reform for Indigenous Australians? Additionally,the bromance blossoming between the Liberal and Labor premiers of NSW and Victoria to keep our power flowing and keep the light on is noteworthy. Paradoxically,addressing COVID-19,climate change and their associated economic and social consequences,coupled with the woeful liaison with our biggest export market (China),has miraculously created a more collaborative,effective political environment. Former PM Scott Morrison publicly proclaimed he “believed in miracles”. I surely can’t be the only firm-believing voter who warmly welcomes this more pragmatic,effective marvel – as opposed to miracle.Cleveland Rose,Dee Why

Tax misspent

Thanks to Peter FitzSimons (“State government still playing games with tax”,June 18) we learn that the NSW government plans to spend $113 million to deliver three new training facilities that will find and develop future NRL and NRLW players. Days earlier,the NSW and Victorian governments jointly announced the provision of early education for every four-year-old,benefiting the most disadvantaged and allowing women to re-enter the workforce. However,Victoria will build 50 new government-run centres (and provide free preschool for all three and four-year-olds from next year) while NSW is going to fund private child care operators. NSW has once again been left behind. Why should NSW taxpayers fund already profitable entities,be they childcare operators or NRL clubs?Rhonda Seymour,Castle Hill

Sorry,how much?

Why does it cost $25 million to put up a flagpole (“Aboriginal flag to fly permanently atop Harbour Bridge by end of year”,smh.com.au,June 19)? It only cost $20 million to build the whole bridge.Terry Cook,Ermington

As a taxpayer of the state of NSW,I think I may ask how it is possible that a flagpole on the harbour bridge will cost $25 million?Ross Corrigan,Redfern

High-vis immunity

It seems high-vis workwear,in addition to improving worker safety,also protects against COVID and the flu. The number of maskless people so attired on public transport,where masks are mandatory,clearly attests to this.Greg Partington,Quakers Hill

Lights out

Those commenting on the “waste” of power by the Vivid festival (Letters,June 18) should also ask if this is offset by visitors not leaving lights,heating or the TV on at home.Robert Ballinger,Pymble

Green and gold

The lettuce seedlings in my veggie patch were thriving. This morning I woke to find them mercilessly obliterated. I estimate the vandals (birds,I suspect) digested about $400 worth.George Manojlovic,Mangerton

The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Federal government lobbying behind the scenes for Assange’s freedom
FromDP:″⁣I agree wholeheartedly with Andrew Wilkie. This whole sorry saga sends such a dangerous message to whistleblowers and journalists. Time to do the right and humane thing. Pick up the phone and free Julian Assange.″⁣