Noel Pearson’s wonderfully reasoned and passionate discussion says it all:“Fight about cost of living,fight about economic policy,but don’t fight on reconciliation of First Peoples … the questions at stake are too important for the country” (“”,January 26). We cannot allow cynical political posturing to derail such a fundamentally important step that our country must take. Shame on us if we do not resoundingly vote yes.Stuart Laurence,Cammeray
As Pearson writes,the Voice is not just about giving Indigenous people a say in their own affairs. At its heart,the Voice will at last recognise “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Peoples of Australia”. For the first time,this long-overdue recognition will be written into the Constitution,the founding document of our nation. This giant step towards reconciliation cannot be understated,and underpins everything else that will flow from it. It will enrich our nation’s spirit. I believe that most Australians will see past the anger,and embrace this well-reasoned step towards a better Australia.Pam Timms,Suffolk Park
Pearson is the voice of reason. It is true that the Voice will not immediately “solve” anything overnight. It’s simply a decisive and important step in the right direction.Arna Radovich,Faulconbridge
A conference of Aboriginal Australians at Uluru in 2017 decided the Voice would be the best way to give the national government Aboriginal advice on Aboriginal issues. Apparently we’re to have a referendum at which,for example,prosperous Anglo-Celts who live in suburban Sydney will vote on whether this body should come into being. Why? What possible business is it of theirs? What does the Wiradjuri community of Narrandera think of the concept of the Voice? What’s the opinion of the Kamilaroi folk in Walgett,the Gumaj people of Northern Australia,the members of the various other Aboriginal nations across Australia? If those people endorse the Voice as useful to their representation surely the opinions of the rest of us should be irrelevant.Noel Beddoe,Belconnen (ACT)
Finally,the fightback. After weeks of relevance-deprived white-anting from the likes of Peter Dutton,Lidia Thorpe and Jacinta Price,legal academic Hannah McGlade’s defiant essay is the template for the “Yes” campaign ( January 26). There always was,and always will be a compelling argument for change in Australia.Mark Paskal,Austinmer
Illustration:John Shakespeare
As PM,Scott Morrison has left a permanent negative legacy. Whether the Voice referendum succeeds or fails Peter Dutton is already on the same journey to a permanent negative legacy. First formulated by walking out of the apology ceremony,Dutton’s current snipping and destructive campaign aimed at ensuring the First Nations people do not have a role in modern Australia,will enshrine his legacy forever.Warren Marks,Hill Top
A successful referendum will usher in a new era of relations between First Nations peoples and other Australians,but defeat will condemn us to continued conflict and a racist stain. We simply can’t afford to fail this test.Andrew Macintosh,Cromer
Without the Voice,Indigenous Australians cannot be heard. Let this be the time to finally listen.
Christina Foo,Wahroonga
Arrival of imperialism not an occasion to celebrate
As an Australian ambassador,I gave a reception every Australia Day as was customary (,January 26). Other members of the diplomatic corps did the same on their national day,which usually marked independence or some historical event. Reasonably enough,many guests asked what we were celebrating. However accurate,somehow to reply that we celebrated the arrival of British imperialism on our continent didn’t seem like a good idea. Now,long retired,I am still searching for an answer.Cavan Hogue,Haymarket
How long will it take for us of non-Aboriginal ancestry to conclude that January 26 is not the day to celebrate our nationhood? We all know in our heart of hearts it is not accepted by the majority of those whose ancestry traces back through 60,000 years in what is the longest continuous culture on this planet. It simply smacks of arrogance to turn a blind eye to the obvious.Brian Roach,Westleigh
I love Australia. We should celebrate our country in some way. However,January 26 is incredibly disturbing for one group of Australians. This is reason enough to change the date to one more suitable. We listen to other groups and we try to help. The day can easily be changed for us all to love.Susan Haylock,Mosman
Another Australia Day is upon us. Do other countries indulge in such an unapologetic exercise in navel-gazing? It is embarrassing to listen to decades of endless questioning about what it is to be Australian. When can we hope to become mature enough in our own right and way beyond the colonial cringe? There must be a point when we stop endlessly asking vocal seers to tell us who we are. It is so adolescent.Lyn Maciver,Epping
IIllustration:Matt Golding
It is worth noting that the United Kingdom is one of the few countries in the world without a national day to celebrate the country. Ironic?Ross Corrigan,Redfern
I live in hope that most,if not all,people in this country – be they First Nations people or immigrants – recognise a national day. We may celebrate this day when we become a republic or find another common day of unity. But until we finally break our connection with the ex-British Empire,we will not be able to see ourselves as an independent nation (“”,January 26).Peter Rayner,Newcastle
When the republic comes,our flag must change. The Aboriginal flag is one of the best flag designs in the world:instructive and distinctive. I dream for the day when we all own it.David Luckie,Moss Vale
Honours list biased
Reading the long list of people on the Honours lists makes me angry;so many “services to” are for their paid work. Few I saw were volunteers giving their time to help the community. It appears volunteers are relegated to the lowest of the Order of Australia awards,not worthy of the higher orders,yet they give so much to the community to improve our lives.Eira Battaglia,Seaforth
While perusing the Honours lists I couldn’t help but be struck by the almost total domination of individuals with “Anglo” surnames,especially for the higher awards (AC and AO). It could have looked the same in the 1960s. This list is not representative of Australian society today.Dale Bailey,Five Dock
Body image
Body-positivity activist Taryn Brumfitt has been named the 2023 Australian of the Year.Alex Ellinghausen
Congratulations Hannah Vanderheide for raising awareness of body image (“”,January 26),a timely comment given Taryn Brumfitt is now Australian of the Year (“I”,January 26). My daughter is also an eating disorder survivor,going through a life changing,devastating battle to live. I continue to be regularly frustrated though when I hear people congratulating others on looking thinner. Please stop commenting on the size and shape of other people’s bodies.Pam Ayling,West Pennant Hills
How to make Paddy’s Market a go-to destination
It comes as a welcome relief to have the spotlight finally turned towards the city’s rather tired Paddy’s Market area (“”,January 26).
In its heyday,the fruit and veg component of this area was essential for farm fresh produce. However,some 75 years later,it is now possible to just visit a local stand-alone veg and fruit market in one’s nearby mall,not to mention the weekly produce markets in most Sydney localities.
The fact that Paddy’s Market has become a venue for cheap jewellery and handbags is the result of this change. It is exciting to read that we may try to emulate the rebirth of London’s Covent Garden. It,too,was once a wholesale fruit and veg trading area. I worked in that area 50 years ago. During the day when the markets closed at dawn,it was just a quiet backwater in the West End;
30 years after the fruit and veg moved on,it has now become a vibrant day and night centre of activity,oozing style. It is now one of London’s major “go to” destinations. With the right talent,we could also achieve the same very welcome transformation.Greg Vale,Kiama
Too male and stale
Alexandra Smith has provided NSW Labor with a pithy slogan to use in the March election (“”,January 26). She described Premier Dominic Perrottet as leading an ageing government which is “too male and too stale”. The fact that Perrottet has been unable to counter either of these criticisms means that electors will be asked to vote for a male-dominated Liberal party. Perrottet tried to push the case for more women but failed to persuade his own faction. No doubt Labor leader Chris Minns will make the most of Perrottet’s problems.James Moore,Kogarah
We’re left carrying the can
It is now conceded that the firefighters’ union’s concerns require an additional 60 cross passages connecting twin rail tunnels at a cost of $100m (,January 26). Fire and Rescue NSW had raised serious concerns about safety implications for firefighters more than two years ago. The solution by the government of the day? Don’t make a rational decision and just ignore it until it can no longer be ignored and costs are maximised. The people of NSW are unnecessarily bled dry once again to eventually carry the can for this avoidable mismanagement.
Denis Sullivan,Greystanes
Dokic commentary a privilege
The abusive mistreatment of people,particularly women,in social media and media generally,needs calling out in the strongest terms (,January 26). Jelena Dokic is a wonderful tennis commentator:informed,insightful,and of high quality. She rose to the top ranks of her sport despite an appalling domestic situation. She warrants our utmost respect both as a media figure and as a human being. We need to make our assessment of people based on who and what they are rather than attack and ridicule anyone who does not conform to some rigid stereotype. As a tennis fan,I just love to listen to and watch Dokic. It’s a real privilege. Thank you,Jelena.Dorothy Raymond,Silver Ridge
I am 57 years old and remember being bullied at times during my school years. This was before the internet,smartphones and all modern life now presents. Jelena,despite the trolls and bullies,please continue to hold your head up high and be the fabulous role model you have become to so many. I’m sure I speak for the majority of Australians.Alison Green,Bulli
Liberal delivery list
Your digital correspondent claims “the current Liberal dynasty has delivered more than any state government in history”. It depends what you call “delivering” ( January 26). They leased the profitable Land Titles Registry,letting profits go elsewhere. They’ve sold billions worth of public assets including important heritage buildings,removing public amenity but helping a few. They’ve delivered another batch of unaffordable tolls. They’ve delivered poverty wages for public servants. They’ve delivered faulty trains,light rail,and ferries. They’ve handed over Barangaroo to gambling spivs and the high-rise industry. They’ve ruined the Powerhouse Museum in the view of many. One of their premiers expected us to just accept that pork-barrelling is the order of the day. Yes,I suppose you could say they’ve delivered.Peter Thompson,Grenfell
We need Central sky light
A problem many are overlooking in both redevelopment proposals for the Central station precinct is the “deck” over the regional platforms (L,January 26). With buildings above,projections show little to no room to admit natural light. This will resign a sizable chunk of Sydney’s travelling public to a platform that is artificially lit at best and dingy at worst. The Bates Smart “land bridge” goes further,doing the same to local commuters. No central railway station of class would be covered so low and without skylight. What is needed is a less densely developed deck with skylights. Alternatively,one located above the railway south of the station. That is,after all,connected to the pre-existing park and to Chippendale.Luke Ettema,Riverview
Boring Banshees
I have seen two Irish movies in the past year.The Quiet Girl was nominated for an Oscar without any fanfare;its use of Gaelic was a delight and it thoroughly deserves its nomination (“,January 26).The Banshees of Inisherin has been hyped to the moon but this Irish-Australian film was boring,dull,unfunny,slow and was not engaging nor entertaining. Whatever allegory or metaphor Martin McDonagh was trying to convey got lost in the turgid pointlessness of his film. If you haven’t seen it yet I hope your experience is better than mine and the hype was right.William Perry,Mount Keira
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on
FromSoapbox: ″I like the theory of an Australian republic but dread the thought of who we would end up with as president.″
The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge,champion and inform.