We’re a big country and we have room for them

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THE BILOELA FAMILY

We’re a big country and we have room for them
So, Amanda Vanstone thinks our agony over the treatment of the Tamil family is “feigned” (“Walk a mile in their shoes, but don’t be a sucker”, Comment, 14/6). My feelings about this are definitely not feigned.

Regardless of whether their parents followed correct procedures to the letter of the law, we need to think about their daughters, the girls who were born here and deserve to be treated much better than they have been.

If there is a community more than happy to have them back, have some empathy, Ms Vanstone, and agree they should go back there.

Sure, I feel sorry for people who apply to come here and are told no, but maybe we should say yes more often, we’re a big country, we have room.
Carol Evans, Elwood

Where is the principle of compassion?
The assumption being made when the cry is “sticking to the principles” is that those principles were right in the first place.

People sought asylum here and were released into the community on visas while waiting for processing. The processing took an inordinate amount of time and these young people’s lives were being wasted by bureaucracy. They married and were welcomed by the community of Biloela. They gave birth to two children in Australia and still waited for the complete process to occur.
That process involved appeals but they were snatched in the middle of the night and flown offshore to be incarcerated for more than three years.

The process is still incomplete after nearly 10 years. Where is the principle of justice? Where is the principle of compassion? Where is the principle that says that people should not be made a scapegoat or an example of to deter others?

The Murugappan family has become the sacrificial pawn in a political game that lacked humane principles in the first place.
Greg Tuck, Warragul

Our immigration system is a shambles
I still have a cartoon on the wall of Amanda Vanstone from when she was immigration minister during the aftermath of the “children overboard” matter. A minion is painting a line around her desk as she says, “What a pity. You’re just outside our admit the truth zone.”

And so it continues. Our immigration system is a shambles. We lock up boat-borne refugees at vast expense without an exit strategy, yet allow thousands more to fly in and live here while the system plays catch-up. On the other hand ministerial discretion allows the politically connected to sidestep much of the process.

Yes, Ms Vanstone, we know about this truth of your fine legal procedure and selective appeals to fairness and a lot of us want the Murugappans to stay anyway. Your lot have put them through enough and the rest of us are saying enough.
Mark Freeman, Macleod

These are not the actions of decent people
By all accounts, the so-called Biloela family, the Murugappans, had been a migration success story. They had settled well into life in rural Queensland, where the father worked at the local meatworks, and were part of a community that wants them back. Yet, because the parents had arrived by boat, they were “persona non grata” in the eyes of the government of the day. Thousands of asylum seekers have subsequently arrived by plane and and overstayed their visas and are working in the community. Many of them are now exploited working in the hospitality industry and gig economy and seemingly not overly concerned about being detected and deported.

Millions of dollars have been spent keeping the Murugappans on Christmas Island. To what end? Amanda Vanstone may claim “Decent people that we are” as justification for the federal government’s actions that have, most recently, seen a now-four-year-old medically evacuated to Perth. Ms Vanstone, these are not the actions of decent people.
Maurice Critchley, Kenthurst, NSW

THE FORUM

A nice spin-off
Your report (“Doubt over mask and travel rules, say experts”, The Age, 12/6) quoted people who suggested that the science behind mask wearing is flawed.

One of the spin-offs of mask wearing and social distancing was a decrease in influenza cases to 7 per cent of the average of the past five years, with a corresponding drop in mortality. Indeed, the number of deaths from influenza in Australia fell from 430 in the first six months of 2019 to 36 in the corresponding period last year.

These are significant numbers when considering the death rate of COVID-19 in all of 2020 was 909. And as you reported (13/6), influenza numbers this year are minuscule, and in other countries that had lockdowns and social distancing, the flu has been suppressed.

I know the purpose of mask wearing, etc has nothing to do with the management of influenza, rhinovirus or any other virus spread in the air, but it is a very nice spin-off. Many of us went through the entire year without a cough or sniffle.

So relax, and smile (under your mask).
Richard Cade, Fitzroy North

What’s the scientific logic?
As I donned my mask for my solitary walk back to my parked car in the cold, crisp evening air on Friday night, I wondered, again, at the seemingly ludicrous and inconsistent “health advice”.

I had just finished dinner with five friends at a restaurant seating 50-plus people indoors. Very happy evening for all, shared drinks, shared plates, and of course shared indoor air. But I could not have had the five friends to my house, sitting around my dining room table. Forbidden.

How was this possible: 50-plus in a restaurant, but no one in my house? Please someone, anyone, explain the scientific logic of this to me.
Geraldine O’Sullivan, Hawthorn

We can’t go there anyway
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said “Melbourne’s travel restrictions were seriously affecting the industry” (“Holiday plans in limbo amid uncertainty on restrictions”, The Age, 14/6).

Last time I checked, the Queensland government has banned all metropolitan Victorians from entering their state for holidays.

Don’t play being hard done by to us, Mr Gschwind.
Michael Hendrickson, Kew East

A question for the voters
Sean Kelly observed that “Our politicians make these decisions; we vote for our politicians” in his article (“The power of a photograph”, Comment, 14/6) on the treatment of Tharnicaa Murugappan and her family.

As voters, we seem to view the shouty, mouthy verbosity of Parliament as a series of gladiatorial battles, giving the thumbs up to the victor each election, acting as if these battles have little impact on our lives, and that after each bloodletting, life will continue as normal.

The reality is politicians decide who gets the thumbs up or down in our society. The Morrison government continues to make decisions that will lock Australia into positions affecting individuals, communities and society as a whole for decades to come. These decisions create a new normal in people’s lives, whether we like it or not, be it on refugees, climate change or submarines.

As Kelly points out, as voters, we are in part responsible for the government’s actions. Therefore, by extension, does this government reflect the values of the majority of Australians?
Peter Thomas, Pascoe Vale

A simplistic comparison
Comparing the increase in mental health problems due to lockdowns against periods of no lockdowns is too simplistic.

Consideration needs to be given to the broader health impacts that could also occur if COVID-19 had/does spread in the community, even in a limited manner.

Fear of infection, increased pressure on health services, physical health implications, the loss of loved ones, etc would be likely to affect mental health in ways lockdowns also do.
Stephen Brecely, Croydon North

A cautionary tale?
The planned trial to provide women with over-the-counter “advice” (“Concern over contraception moves”, The Age, 14/6) when purchasing contraception is yet another indication of increasing external control over women’s fertility and contraception.

May I remind policymakers that The Handmaid’s Tale is not a documentary, but if we’re not careful it may become a reality.
Denise Stevens, Healesville

Worth a read
Your review of Philip Roth: The biography (“An own goal steeped in sleaze”, Spectrum, 12/6) was needlessly unpleasant, but James Ley’s final sentence was spot on: “Forget the biography, read the novels.”

And that is what I’m doing; re-reading Roth’s books, many of which I haven’t looked at for a long time. Some of the most powerful, such as American Pastoral, The Plot Against America and the Ghost Writer books have lost none of their impact in the intervening years.

Whether Roth was an admirable person is irrelevant. Many writers have led private lives or held views that have provoked criticism: Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl, J.D. Salinger. I’m not interested in Roth’s personal life, or offended by his criticisms and language, as are many other Jews. I won’t be reading the biography.

However, the quote from Roth, that his “master obsession” had been “the implications and ambiguities and contradictions inherent to goodness and badness” seems a very apt summation of his work.

So thank you, James Ley, for pointing out “the sheer verve of his writing”, and yes, read the novels.
Ros Collins, Elwood

Words of wisdom
Thank you, Kate Halfpenny (“Letter to my great niece: Ignore trends, listen to the inner voice, don’t expect to always be happy”, Comment, The Age, 12/6). I wish someone had written such a letter to me when I was much younger.

Even now, at 63, I still learnt much from it and came away feeling uplifted and inspired about how to try and live the rest of my life.
Pen Tayler, Lindisfarne, Tas.

Dodgy kicking for goal
Regarding Greg Baum’s article on accuracy in kicking goals in the AFL (“Get this straight: Kicking a goal is a very tough art”, Sport, 12/6) I have often been struck by the contrast between the poor record from set shots at goal and the almost pinpoint accuracy when kicking the ball to position around the ground, even allowing for positional adjustments by the target player.

It would seem worthwhile trialling the same technique for taking a set shot for goal. Greg Baum did mention a similar technique being used by Gordon Coventry (playing years, 1920-37) who was a prolific goal-kicker, who kicked more than 100 goals in four of his last nine years with Collingwood.

It might also be relevant to mention the place kick. Fitzroy player, Tony Ongarello, was the last player (in 1955) to score a goal using a place kick. He used this method on occasions, with some success. It would seem to be an accurate technique in the rugby codes.
Richard Fisher, Armadale

Undermining the awards
I don’t mean to be unkind, but what has Peta Credlin done to deserve her Queen’s Birthday gong other than spread partisan political poison in her role as former PM Tony Abbott’s chief of staff? How does this qualify her for such an award?

This kind of political gong serves to undermine and detract from the integrity of the award in general, irrespective of whether they are male or female recipients. There are so many deserving people who never seem to get a look-in.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris

Undoing years of progress
As someone who is unable to wear a mask for extended periods due to my autism spectrum disorder, I’m appalled that the state government continues to mandate masks outdoors without any scientific basis for doing so (“Doubt over mask and travel rules, say experts”, The Age, 12/6). Despite having an automatic exemption, I can barely leave the house any more without being subject to glares, comments and outright swearing and abuse.

The experience has undone years of progress that I had made in learning to live with my disability, and, combined with other public attacks I’ve received for having severe year-round hay fever, has left me fearful to leave the house at all.

It pains me to say it, but the political left bears much responsibility for this shameful state of affairs. The hyper-partisan reaction to the pandemic has led the usual advocates for social justice and equality to embrace a zealous contempt for anyone they deem an ″⁣anti-masker″⁣, with little consideration for people’s unique circumstances.
Name withheld

An unhelpful outburst
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud’s outburst yesterday ridiculing people with certain views on climate change issues shows his deep engagement with his brand of politics and demonstrates his disconnect with significant parts of the country.

It adds heavily to the divisive tone of politics that has dogged the country since Tony Abbott’s tenure used climate change for major electoral leverage rather than as an issue of national and generational interest that needs to be addressed, with now-growing urgency.

Never one to find the conciliatory tone, he has past form with previous use of the phrase “weaponise climate” when in fact it was Mr Abbott who started the rot.

When we have a mature set of politicians able to reach a balanced view of what needs to be done, we will have a chance of getting some leadership into this space.
Robert Brown, Camberwell

Changing his tune
Changing his tune
Last October, lambasting the Victorian government for its long lockdown Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said: “I got a text message from a friend of mine the other day who said that a friend of his had taken his own life because he had lost his job in Victoria.”

Fast forward to last week, when Mr Frydenberg was asked about suicides resulting from his government’s robo-debt scheme. “Suicide, mental health issues, they’re very complex and there are many issues at play.”

Is the tragedy of suicide only simple when you can blame the Victorian government, but complex when it might involve the federal government?
Jill Rosenberg, Caulfield South

AND ANOTHER THING

Peta Credlin’s gong
Peta Credlin receives a well-deserved award for making Tony Abbott unelectable.
Tony Liston, Middle Park

Credit:

Among the services for which Peta Credlin was awarded a gong should be added “and for getting straight answers out of Dan Andrews during the pandemic”.
Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully

Peta Credlin’s AO is right up there with Prince Philip’s knighthood – an absolute insult to those who actually deserve to get one for going above and beyond in the service of others.
Kevin Moloney, Williamstown

Immigration policy
I never thought I’d write these words, but for once I find myself in complete agreement with Amanda Vanstone (“Walk a mile in their shoes, but don’t be a sucker”, Comment, 14/6).
David Francis, Ivanhoe

The greatest deterrent to illegal migration is the understanding of the cruel detention that lies ahead.
Gary Bryfman, Brighton

Casting call
Wanted: Adults able to stand behind politicians while being interviewed. Nodding experience preferred but not essential as training will be provided to successful candidates.
Corrado Tavella, Rosslyn Park, SA

Climate change
If Scott Morrison wants to tackle climate change the same way as COVID-19 was approached, Australia should immediately shut down all coal-fired power stations until an effective carbon capture and storage technology has been developed and installed.
Gretel Lamont, Aireys Inlet

Could Europe please hang on to Scott Morrison a bit longer until he gets in step with the world on climate change? Many thanks.
Brian Morley, Donvale

The Biloela family
A permanent return to Biloela could be offered as compensation for the health issues inflicted on Kopika and Tharnicaa.
Wendy Knight, Little River

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