PM’s intervention essential to avoid wasting Assange from life in jail

So, the headmaster of The King’s College and his spouse have been shamed into downgrading their (free) tickets to Britain from firstclass to enterprise class. My coronary heart bleeds. Victoria Harrington, Thirroul

If any story this yr has highlighted the state of affairs the place personal colleges demand and are granted public funds, this one, reporting on The King’s College funding firstclass tickets to London, takes the cake. When now we have public colleges having to function, in some instances, the place fundamental facilities comparable to bathrooms are in disrepair, why on earth do colleges comparable to The King’s College want taxpayers to assist them out? Mary Lawson, Marrickville

I don’t consider $20 million to a personal faculty to ship their head, deputy and households abroad firstclass is taxpayer cash properly spent. Maybe 100 per cent of the federal cash paid to each personal faculty subsequent monetary yr may very well be directed to the general public colleges of their state, particularly these struggling flood and bushfire and drawback, as a gesture of goodwill? Until, after all, some are extra equal than others. Allan Kreuiter, Roseville

Early schooling a profit to all

Anne Hollonds and Professor Sharon Goldfeld’s opinion piece (“Preschool reform guarantees our youngsters a greater future”, June 18) highlights the long-term advantages of early childhood schooling, notably for deprived youngsters, a conclusion supported by many years of analysis. One long-term analysis undertaking began in Michigan, USA in 1962, by which a big cohort of African-American three- and four-year-olds from deprived backgrounds had been divided into two teams, with one group receiving a high-quality preschool program. The 2 teams had been periodically checked over many many years, and the participant group confirmed vital continued benefit when it comes to highschool completion, employment and earnings, house and automotive possession and avoidance of felony behaviour. One conclusion was that “the multifaceted preschool program impact has enduring dimensions of mental, productive and social/delinquent behaviour”. What extra wants be mentioned? Let’s simply hope we will discover the sources, particularly correctly educated individuals, to make this occur. John Ure, Mount Hutton

Native legends

Your correspondent (Letters, 18 June) needs youngsters to get to know the myths, legends and rhymes which have come all the way down to us English audio system from our European forbears, however what’s extra essential is for us to create a particular Australian set of sayings we will decide to reminiscence, and with which we will embellish our personal oral and literary tradition. Extra essential nonetheless, although, is prompting all our youngsters to create their very own phrase performs. Each’s eyes – or ears or nostril – can inform us not solely the information in regards to the state of nature of their specific space, however may give us a track or a poem that we will undertake, enhancing our consciousness of the great thing about nature and reminding us that it have to be preserved – for the sake of all our youngsters. Penelope Layton-Caisley, Marrickville

Huge applause to your correspondent for shining a lightweight on the necessity for nursery rhymes, fairytales, myths and legends in early childhood schooling. One other obviously naked space of neglect is the lack of know-how and even curiosity in our Australian writers, artists and poets. Homework activity: Get cracking on some self-education. Ellie Hallett, Toowoomba (Qld)

Rampant over-building

Sadly, the state authorities has enabled builders by failing to implement laws that prioritise sustainable constructing practices (Letters, June 18). Why, for example, are properties now allowed to cowl nearly your entire block, leaving little inexperienced house, and why is it really easy to take away bushes? Why are constructing supplies like environmentally pleasant roofing and photo voltaic panels not mandated? Why are developments not designed in tandem with infrastructure comparable to parks, playgrounds, public transport, cycleways, little one care centres and colleges? Why is environmentally delicate land not dominated out for growth? And why aren’t we debating inhabitants sustainability, particularly in cities? Correct regulation that ignores business stress will yield moral growth. We’ve simply seen achange of presidency as a result of persons are uninterested in being dismissed. Alison Stewart, Riverview

Social justice

Fred Nile’s Tradition is Id invoice is a mannequin of how parliaments and folks can mix to recognise the authentic claims of our first nations individuals (“Odd bedfellows unite for Indigenous rights”, June 18). It’s born from listening and session with Indigenous communities. It acknowledges the validity of custodianship and tradition, and it’s an expression of respect, repentance and reconciliation. Lastly, the partnership between Nile and Alex Greenwich reminds us that social justice is rarely a matter of proper or left.
Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

New daybreak

Are we witnessing the daybreak of an age of political enlightenment? Who may have ever imagined the likes of a staunch pro-life advocate elder like Fred Nile teaming up with a youthful, extra progressive reformist Alex Greenwich to attain overdue reform for Indigenous Australians? Moreover, the bromance blossoming between the Liberal and Labor premiers of NSW and Victoria to maintain our energy flowing and maintain the sunshine on is noteworthy. Paradoxically, addressing COVID-19, local weather change and their related financial and social penalties, coupled with the woeful liaison with our largest export market (China), has miraculously created a extra collaborative, efficient political atmosphere. Former PM Scott Morrison publicly proclaimed he “believed in miracles”. I certainly can’t be the one firm-believing voter who warmly welcomes this extra pragmatic, efficient marvel – versus miracle. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

Tax misspent

Because of Peter FitzSimons (“State authorities nonetheless taking part in video games with tax”, June 18) we be taught that the NSW authorities plans to spend $113 million to ship three new coaching services that may discover and develop future NRL and NRLW gamers. Days earlier, the NSW and Victorian governments collectively introduced the availability of early schooling for each four-year-old, benefiting probably the most deprived and permitting ladies to re-enter the workforce. Nevertheless, Victoria will construct 50 new government-run centres (and supply free preschool for all three and four-year-olds from subsequent yr) whereas NSW goes to fund personal little one care operators. NSW has as soon as once more been left behind. Why ought to NSW taxpayers fund already worthwhile entities, be they childcare operators or NRL golf equipment? Rhonda Seymour, Citadel Hill

Sorry, how a lot?

Why does it price $25 million to place up a flagpole (“Aboriginal flag to fly completely atop Harbour Bridge by finish of yr”, smh.com.au, June 19)? It solely price $20 million to construct the entire bridge. Terry Cook dinner, Ermington

As a taxpayer of the state of NSW, I feel I could ask how it’s doable {that a} flagpole on the harbour bridge will price $25 million? Ross Corrigan, Redfern

Excessive-vis immunity

It appears high-vis workwear, along with bettering employee security, additionally protects in opposition to COVID and the flu. The variety of maskless individuals so attired on public transport, the place masks are necessary, clearly attests to this. Greg Partington, Quakers Hill

Lights out

These commenting on the “waste” of energy by the Vivid competition (Letters, June 18) also needs to ask if that is offset by guests not leaving lights, heating or the TV on at house. Robert Ballinger, Pymble

Inexperienced and gold

The lettuce seedlings in my veggie patch had been thriving. This morning I woke to seek out them mercilessly obliterated. I estimate the vandals (birds, I think) digested about $400 value. George Manojlovic, Mangerton

The digital view
On-line remark from one of many tales that attracted probably the most reader suggestions yesterday on smh.com.au
Federal authorities lobbying behind the scenes for Assange’s freedom
From DP: ″⁣I agree wholeheartedly with Andrew Wilkie. This complete sorry saga sends such a harmful message to whistleblowers and journalists. Time to do the proper and humane factor. Decide up the telephone and free Julian Assange.″⁣

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