Illustration:Cathy Wilcox
If I had said “I am the boss” to my wife or any former girlfriend since 1963,the relationship would have been kaput in about 10 seconds (“‘”,June 29). Besides,what kind of subservient cupcake has responded to “I am the boss” with “Yes,I know” in the last 60 years? If Liberals are worried about losing votes,I suggest they try hauling themselves out of their Howard-Abbott 1950s mindset and embrace life in the 21st century.Steve Cornelius,Brookvale
Berejiklian was a very successful politician who became premier. Any attempt to blame her involvement with “a bum” for her downfall diminishes her standing to something akin to that of a love-sick school girl. She is responsible for her own actions and as far as we know,stands by them. Time for her defenders to accept reality.Lindsay Foyle,Stanmore
If Berejiklian did not have sufficient understanding to interpret the motives of her boyfriend she lacked the judgment required to make her a suitable premier for the most populous state in the nation. Save your tears.Derrick Mason,Boorowa
It’s hard to understand Berejiklian’s claim that she did nothing wrong. Surely enabling her secret boyfriend to have a stab at corrupt millions is suspect,especially as marriage and children were discussed for their combined future. Looks like feathering one’s nest to me.Wendy Crew,Lane Cove North
Your correspondent writes that “corrupt” and “unwise” are undesirable qualities of leaders (Letters,June 30). What disturbs me most is that Berejiklian didn’t have the smarts to see Maguire for the dud that he was. That’s also undesirable in a leader.David Gordon,Cranebrook
The many failures of Berejiklian’s premiership
We are being too misty-eyed about disgraced former premier Gladys Berejiklian’s legacy (“,June 30).
Let’s look at the record:Parramatta ferries that were poorly designed and can’t be used,Manly ferries that break down or can’t handle the harbour swells,inter-urban trains that need major alteration work before they can be brought into service,three Metro systems that are not compatible,wasted money on a new stadium and the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to a flood-prone site.
If this record typifies a good government,I hate to think what a bad government would do. And while we were treated to a wardrobe display at a daily press conference during the pandemic,one should not judge a book by its cover.Hugh Darling,Castle Hill
That some still defend Berejiklian,despite findings of corruption by the ICAC,amazes me. The careers of hundreds of public servants are terminated for inappropriate conduct following investigations of a far lesser standard than those of the ICAC. Berejiklian resigned,as was appropriate,given the stench of corruption surrounding Daryl Maguire and the subsequent disclosure of her relationship with him. Every public servant in this state should expect to lose their job (as a minimum penalty) if found to have engaged in corrupt conduct or conflicts of interest. That same level of accountability must also apply to the premier.Tony Heathwood,Kiama Downs
Illustration by Matt Golding
Of course,Berejiklian,though found to have committed serious corruption,is convinced she has done no wrong. This is the same person who as premier vowed there was nothing wrong with pork barrelling for electoral advantage. The term “moral compass” leaps to mind.Daniel Flesch,Bellingen
In my work as a public servant and in my membership of voluntary organisations and advisory committees,I am regularly asked to review my actions and relationships for conflicts of interest and have been for years. To suggest that any politician does not understand this principle is blatantly ridiculous.Peter Hull,Hat Head
Your correspondent is wrong (Letters,June 30). The city of Wagga has for years sucked the life-blood out of many smaller communities that exist in its orbit. Some of that conservatorium money,topped up by the largesse given to the clay target mob,would have been a welcome contribution to a new hospital in (safe-seat) Cootamundra. Money taken from the needy,given to the greedy.Graham Fazio, Cootamundra
Seems like poor,old,regional NSW is never going to be entitled to get anything,whether by fair means or foul.Jennifer Giles,Elizabeth Bay
Defence of Berejiklian doesn’t pass pub test
Gladys Berijklian was a competent leader who was rightly admired. However,she has been found to be corrupt by ICAC in a thorough and well-considered report. Politicians who gloss over ICAC’s findings and instead applaud Berejiklian’s better qualities are a poor example to the electorate who expect their elected representatives to support the work of a corruption watchdog which has done the job it was set up to do (“Dutton defends Berejiklian,says she’s ‘not a corrupt person”’,smh.com.au,June 29).Lucia Bylhouwer,Darlinghurst
Matt Kean,while your unerring loyalty is admirable,the fact remains that your defence of Berejiklian’s behaviour does not pass the quintessential pub test (“”,smh.com.au,June 30). It’s beyond belief to excuse her turning a blind eye when she was evidently so competent and abridged of the facts in all other aspects of her professional life.Jen Webster,Wheeler Heights
Do Coalition supporters of Berejiklian realise that they appear to be condoning serious corrupt conduct?Gerard Williams,Clunes
Berejiklian’s supporters in the Liberal Party just don’t see what all the fuss is about regarding corruption. Perhaps they think it’s how governments are supposed to work. Worth remembering come election time.David Farrell,Erskineville
Illustration:John Shakespeare
Thank you to the ICAC for its efforts in revealing the corruption of Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire,and its impact on the people of NSW. ICAC held fast against the odds of COVID,reduced resources,and “spin” aimed to prompt sympathy for a former premier who claimed she was unlucky in love,and always acted with integrity. Their personal texts prove otherwise. Big costs,whichever way you look at it.Jennifer Fergus,Croydon
A hex on HECS,and an axe for (certain types of) tax
OK. I am a Boomer. Self-funded and comfortable (“”,June 30). Let’s make the tax system fair. Why should all our children have to work longer hours to provide wealthy retirees with pocket money? Let’s get rid of the welfare payment of franked dividends to retirees who don’t pay tax anyway;it is only wealthy retirees who can afford to have share portfolios. And let’s apply concessional tax rates only to super funds that are less than $1.6 million. Super is supposed to fund a reasonable retirement;if you have more money than that,good for you,but pay the same tax on its income as the working population does. And let’s bring back death duties. The only wealth tax we have is the discounted capital gains tax. And let’s include the primary place of residence in the assets test for the aged pension. And let’s get rid of at least the disgusting indexation of HECS,if not HECS itself. And the stage three tax cuts.Michael McMullan,Avoca Beach
The generational resentments expressed in your article may be justified but they play havoc with my blood pressure. In the end,they make no connection with my lived experience. But the point is if Boomers have accumulated lots of capital,then it should be appropriately taxed. The issue is social and economic inequity. Isn’t this not the more pressing question,rather than endless anecdotes of how easy it must have been for older generations,or how soft young people are? That level of resentment parading as analysis conceals the real questions that need to be addressed by each generation if social equity is to be of ongoing concern.Creagh Cole,Clovelly
I am a Boomer (1949) and I find the assertion that Boomers have taken all they could get,have given nothing back and are waiting for another handout as we age deeply offensive. It is true that I benefited from a free education. I grew up in a relatively impoverished household. I was the first person in my family to go to university and without government support,that would have been impossible. That education allowed me entry into a well-paid profession that allowed me to bring up my children in very comfortable circumstances free from the deprivation I experienced. I have paid my dues in income tax and I have never been the recipient of welfare benefits. I have saved enough to be self-funded in my retirement and will not become a financial burden to either my children or the state;in that,I am not alone among my generation. For the cost of a university education over 50 years ago,society has done pretty well out of me. Generations following me have certainly faced,and continue to face,substantial difficulties and I wish it was different for them. But self-pitying spite is not the way to recruit sympathy.David MacKintosh,Berkeley Vale
Billing the boomers.Andrew Dyson
I am having difficulty containing my disappointment after reading your article. It shows how easy and convenient it is to lay blame on a whole generation for causing the ills in society. I don’t know of a single Baby Boomer,my generation,who rode on the back of free university. Many don’t own their own homes and many of my female contemporaries have no super,as we had low-paying jobs,looked after children and who had ex-husbands who left them penniless. Boomer women are the largest growing group of homeless people. It’s as insulting as saying all Gen Y’s are lazy,which is so untrue. Yes,there are rich Boomers who should not get the age pension,but we are supposed to be a caring society,looking after those who cannot look after themselves.Bianca Krautloher,Brookvale
I woke this morning in quite a buoyant mood,but reading your scathing article on the evils of an entire generation of Australians soon put paid to that. Excuse me for living.Ross MacPherson,Seaforth
Labor,Liberal-lite
I can’t understand what the Liberals are so concerned about (“G”,June 30). Sure,their party might be dying off due to their divisive policies,moral failures and mismanagement but Liberal policies are alive and well in a Labor Party that pursues tax cuts for the rich,expensive nuclear submarines,a corruption commission that can’t easily conduct public hearings,more public subsidies for fossil fuels and a climate target aligned with environmental collapse. NSW Labor is also committed to Liberal causes via planning policies that are clearly aimed at enriching property developers;a small cashless pokie trial supervised by the gambling industry;continuing destruction of native forests;and anti-democratic anti-protest laws. So while it’s not at all surprising that the Liberals are on the nose with our nation’s youth,it’s baffling that the Labor Party is going down the same path. Thankfully,young people are not lacking the wisdom required to keep both these bastards honest.Peter Moore,Newport
Voice choice
In March this year,with a minimum of fuss,the South Australian government passed legislation for the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to parliament,which is now being implemented in South Australia (,June 30). Anthony Albanese has been in parliament long enough to have learnt the value of compromise. If he persists in going forward with his plans for a referendum on the Indigenous Voice to parliament,in all likelihood there will be a very expensive campaign that will unleash some of the most unpleasant aspects of the Australian character,and which will ultimately fail. It would be much more sensible to have a two-stage process:first legislate a Voice to the Australian parliament and then in the next term of government,hold a referendum for a constitutional amendment.Margaret McDonald,Deakin(ACT)
If the referendum on the Voice fails,we will have created a new national day,of shame and mourning.Viv Mackenzie,Port Hacking
Canine capers
So we’ve gone from “the dog ate my homework” to “the dog made my train late” (“”,June 30).Tony Doyle,Fairy Meadow
A dog holds up trains for an hour,and is met with affection. Climate protesters block traffic and they are fined or jailed. Perhaps Extinction Rebellion should enlist the aid of cute puppies.Sally James,Russell Lea
Placebo placido
Having suffered all manner of back pain for years,I’m off to the doc shortly to get a prescription for that magic placebo (“”,June 30).Peter Thornton,Killara
Swiftly impressed
Thank you to the Taylor Swift fans who created news by their attempts to obtain tickets to her performances ( June 30). Not being very aware of what Taylor Swift actually did,I realised I needed a cultural update. Consequently,via YouTube,I have seen some truly amazing videos I’m pleased not to have missed.Heather Johnson,West Pennant Hills
Homeowners odyssey
Liberal is certainly the party for homeowners (,June 30). Trophy homes and renters’ homes.Jeffrey Mellefont,Coogee
Postscript
“No,not our Glad. Please,” wrote Geoffrey Williamson of Woollahra as news broke that the ICAC had found NSW’s (mostly) beloved former premier,Gladys Berejiklian,“seriously corrupt”.
As letters flooded in,many were shocked by the revelations. “No amount of excuses by her political allies can negate the fact that Gladys Berejiklian watched as her lover used her position to further his financial interests,” wrote Cristina Corleto of Stanmore. “To all present and aspiring politicians out there,we do not care who you fall in love with,just do what is right by the people who elected you into office.”
Some correspondents were saddened by the events,some wrote poemsand a few jumped to Berejiklian’s defence. “For crying out loud,poor judgment should not be a hanging offence,especially when there is no direct personal gain. Let’s not crucify Gladys Berejiklian. The conduct of other political leaders of all persuasions has been far worse. On balance,she served NSW well as premier,” wrote Edward Loong of Milsons Point.
Others,like Alicia Dawson of Balmain,were grateful:“Thanks for the light train,Gladys. George Street used to be a nightmare to traverse,whether on foot or vehicle,whereas now it is a very pleasant place to walk along.”
As always,some were already imagining the film or stage play about “our Glad and her doomed love affair with NSW and that ‘dud’ bloke”. “Should be riveting,although perhaps moreLove’s Labour Lost thanRomeo and Juliet,”suggested Nola Tucker of Kiama.
And there is no holding back Scott Illingworth of Kiama who is dreaming big:“So,nowDaryl the Musical?”Pat Stringa,Letters editor