Why education should be the country’s highest investment priority

It was no surprise that under the Morrison government, students were actively dissuaded from arts degrees (“‘Debt until death’: Vice-chancellor attacks soaring fees as degrees hit $50,000”, July 31). It is tertiary-level study in the humanities that is most likely to give students vital skills in critical thinking plus, well, a more humane view of the world by studying history, literature and philosophy. Arts degrees should be subsidised heavily or free if Australia is to move through the 21st century with a more actively informed and engaged population. Better still would be the incorporation of basic arts and science subjects in all degree and TAFE courses, with education at every level regarded as the nation’s highest investment priority. Stephanie Dowrick, Pyrmont

What sort of moronic stupidity is this? We have a young friend who has just started a family. She has a $100,000 HECS debt. A debt that grows each year even as she pays it off because of indexation. When and how do she and her husband buy a home and build assets? She works in a profession where her skills are sought after and in short supply. Surely, her years of training are a good community investment? Since the resurgence of neoliberalism in the 1980s the government doesn’t invest in anything. The private sector builds roads and runs public transport; the private sector is even hired to develop government policy. When are we going to wake up and realise that there are many things that return value for community rather that private investment?
Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach

The tertiary funding system is “broken”. Maybe a few of our silver-haired senior pollies, who enjoyed free tuition through Gough Whitlam’s visionary scheme, would like to stump up for those who either graduate with mountainous debt or decide it really isn’t worth it and never enter uni. Mark Paskal, Austinmer

Professor George Williams is being a little disingenuous with his debt commentary. It is important to remind all Australians, or at least those that read letters in the Herald, that HECS is an income contingent loan which is only payable when your personal income hits a specific threshold. It is not a debt that people can default on, but rather it’s a debt that you only need to repay when, and only when, you can afford to do so. Unlike in other countries, students are not bankrupted over their HECS debt in Australia. I encourage some balance in this argument by suggesting we also address the failure of employers to properly invest in employees through equitable wages and wage growth over time. Chris Andrew, Turramurra

Using price pressure to encourage students to take up STEM subjects implies that we as a society have no need for librarians, history teachers, book editors or linguists. Time to make the HECS system simpler, cheaper and more equitable by introducing a flat fee per semester, regardless of subject undertaken. Less onerous debts will have the benefit of quicker repayment and will encourage students to follow their passions. Better a world full of engaged and enthusiastic librarians, than one full of bored and disinterested engineers. John Mizon, Collaroy

Metro soundbite

Chris Minns may well say he is “sorry” for the delayed opening of the Metro but I’d be more convinced he is genuine if there was a tangible demonstration of such rather than a convenient soundbite for political purposes (“‘Disappointing’ delay sinks Metro opening”, July 31). Why not a couple of free travel days when the Metro does finally open? Mike Kenneally, Manly

Are driverless trains really a step forward when the rigorous testing and delays in certification is because it is solely reliant on this technology to run? The work of straightening existing platforms and placing barriers at stations to Bankstown in the coming year is also to allow for the precision required with automation. Does it stack up? Anthony Connolly, Beacon Hill

Recently on the Illawarra line a passenger had a heart attack. We were able to notify the driver and trains were stopped both ways while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. How does a driverless train react to a problem like this? Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

Character flaw

George Brandis clarifies the origins of Peter Dutton’s current carelessness towards the rule of law (“Turnbull’s ASIO folly reversed, judgment sacrificed to ambition”, July 31). Repeatedly, democracy is subjected to self-serving assaults, misinformation and truthless assumptions in proposed policies. Some affect justice, as in the referendum. These are Trumpian in disregard for and manipulation of the integrity of the electoral voice. As Brandis says, the error has been reversed, but Dutton hopes to be prime minister and he has shown a serious character flaw that is inconsistent with democratic leadership. He has done nothing for equality of women in the Liberal party, despite his claims on domestic violence. Nothing has emerged as punishment of Barnaby Joyce’s undemocratic metaphor of violence. Another game of thrones. Anne Eagar, Epping

Drones better

Shark nets are unnecessary in this age of drone technology (“‘Not doing what they should’: Shark nets a threat to critically endangered species”, July 31). Last summer I observed a lone life saver sitting on Birubi Beach using a drone to keep a lookout for swimmers in distress and any sharks that might venture into the area. Drones are so much cheaper and kinder to the environment. Cherylle Stone, Soldiers Point

Pile on

Barnaby Joyce is pleasantly “unencumbered’ by political correctness and has achieved many very positive and unreported reforms during his parliamentary career despite being almost constantly, and critically, scrutinised by others who have achieved very little by comparison (Letters, July 31). In this latest pile-on the palpable inconsistencies are highlighted by the fact that a leading Penrith footballer pretends to fire an imaginary gun into the crowd after scoring a try and doesn’t even rate a mention, while Joyce makes a far less antagonistic off-the-cuff remark and the sainthood searching keyboard moralists are demanding his instant dismissal. It’s a nonsense. Rod Luffman, Nambucca Heads

Joyce may have overstepped the mark on this occasion and has since apologised for his remarks but calls by your correspondents for his sacking are an overreaction. With so many of our politicians delivering vanilla words, carefully crafted by their media people, it is a relief to hear others say what comes naturally (straight shooters?). Think Jacquie Lambie and Bob Katter. Like them or not, the political landscape would be a lot more boring without them. Richard Tainsh, Potts Point

Objective truth

Your correspondent’s comment on the failure of truth to triumph in the legal system is spot on (Letters, July 31). The adversarial system serves as an expensive game for lawyers and does not serve in determining the truth. All parties must be obliged to give truthful evidence and not to be bullied by so called vicious “defence” lawyers. Accused must give evidence and no longer hide behind the “self incrimination” defence. Truth must be the objective.
Susan Duffy, Thornleigh

Bittersweet Paris opening for flag bearers

Spot on, Ric Birch (“A noble failure: The Paris opening ceremony was a creative tour de force, but let athletes down”, July 31). You encapsulated my disappointment with the much-hyped opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics. The lengthy and disjointed theatre that posed as an opening ceremony repudiated its very purpose: to celebrate each country’s athletes. I especially felt sorry for the flag bearers. Outstanding Australian athletes, Jess Fox and Eddie Ockenden sadly missed their memorable moment to lead the Australian team into the stadium. This huge honour turned into a rather bittersweet accolade. Gerardine Grace, Leura

In the process of creating the spectacular opening ceremony some risks were taken and some boundaries pushed, one of which was what I understood to be a segment parodying Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of his imagining of an event recorded in the Bible (“‘Not a provocation’: Drag show performers thought biblical painting was inspiration”, smh.com.au, July 31).

Regardless of whether organisers or participants thought they were parodying da Vinci’s painting, a painting is a representation of something, not the thing itself. It’s drawing a very long bow to say the tableau “resembled the biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles sharing a last meal before crucifixion”. At the most, what it resembled was da Vinci’s rendering of the scene as he imagined it.

Unless we can understand the difference between parodying a painting and parodying an historical event we’ll find offence everywhere. By all means, be offended on da Vinci’s behalf but leave the Bible and Jesus out of it. As neither an apostle nor a theologian, Da Vinci was not an authority on the Last Supper. Like the tableau, the painting is a creative imagining of something, not the thing itself. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point

Although I watched and enjoyed the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony, I have to confess that in among the visual feast of rain-soaked dancing and prancing, I missed “the moment” of the current cultural furore: the supposed mocking of The Last Supper.

It is worth mentioning that Da Vinci’s artistic interpretation is just that: an interpretation and is not in itself sacred or beyond imitation. It is ultimately just an impression of an historic event. In reality, Jesus and his disciples would have been reclining on their right arms on cushions on the floor, with legs outstretched, around a circular communal table, and certainly not dressed so ornately.

And in response to the queries about what the public response might have been had another religious creed or character been impersonated, I think the fact that it was the man whose birth partitions our eras of BC and AD, demonstrates just how much Christ remains the man for all seasons and all ages. There is both an endearing and enduring quality to his life, death and resurrection, which stubbornly gets under our social skin. Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn (Vic)

Gold class Mollie

It was a classy performance and sporting gesture: gold medal winner, Mollie O’Callaghan, inviting her great competitor, Ariarne Titmus, to stand together on the top of the podium for the playing of the national anthem (“Arnie was set up … now it’s the Mollie O show”, July 31). Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

Destroyed her rival? It’s called swimming. Keith Russell, Mayfield West

Limit of ability

“ Why no world swimming records?” is the outrageous cry (“Is the Paris pool too shallow? Why no world records have been set - yet”, July 31). Perhaps, just perhaps, the human form has reached a point of equilibrium in athletic prowess and the need now is to focus on quality such as human interaction rather than quantity (so to speak). “Faster, higher, stronger” could take a back step with a sigh of relief to allow the recently added “together” shine. Too outrageous a thought for the future? Methinks the world of sport with all its squillions couldn’t cope. Judy Finch, Taree

The Olympics have shown why Australia is great. It is, in large part, because of Australian women. Wake up guys, the women are not only doing themselves proud but the nation. Henry Spirek, Blayney

I love to watch the traditional sports at the Olympics such as equestrian, rowing etc. However, I try to also get interested in those sports that have recently been added. I must confess though that watching children constantly falling off skateboards hasn’t won me over yet. Michael Walsh, Croydon

How lucky are we to witness so many young people at their best in Paris (Letters, July 31). Jess, Arnie, Mollie; all humble, deserving gold medallists who bring joy to so many. But for me, Harry Garside was the one who stood out yesterday. What a thoughtful, beautiful man who while obviously disappointed and with his Olympic experience, spoke so eloquently of “life knocking you down” and failure being just part of life. I couldn’t be prouder Harry, you are everything we need and want as an Australian representative and as a role model. Love you Harry! Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill

Celine is a winner

Vocal gymnastics should be an Olympic sport and Celine Dion the recipient of its first gold medal (“Having stunned Paris, Las Vegas looms for Dion”, July 31). George Fishman, Vaucluse

Reliable Rex a big loss

Like David King, I am lamenting the possible loss of this fine airline (“Rex offered cheap and reliable flights. I knew it couldn’t last”, July 31). I have used it for regional flights and have loved the extension of its flights to Adelaide and Melbourne from Sydney, which I have used more than once. The service is always reliable, friendly and a free cuppa on all journeys is appreciated, compared to its competitors. Rex also has the best “non cancellation” stats compared to Jetstar and Virgin; very reliable. When will our government wake up to the fact that the monopoly behaviour of the two bigger airlines on the inter-city links is not in the public interest? We need a Rex to serve it up to them. Sally Hunt, Mona Vale

Residents of the far south coast with no train service and no decent highways will miss out even more with the cancellation of Rex. Reliable transport is not the right and the priority of those living in the cities where billions are being spent on freeways and tunnels. We have had our local bridge closed for a month while a deviation was in place. This deviation meant that students and workers spent an extra 30 minutes a day on tiny two-lane roads carrying B-doubles, delivery vehicles, farm machinery and local traffic. And this is on the Princes Highway, mostly a two lane road which was never intended to take this volume of traffic and which is not only narrow and dangerous, but deteriorating before our eyes. We have no choice when it comes to needing transport in an emergency or to reach a capital city. Please, can we be provided with a reliable, reasonably priced air service? It is not much to ask in 2024 when there is no alternative transport between our two most populous cities. Rosemary Millard, Bermagui

Maybe it’s time we stopped pretending that it was a good idea to sell Qantas and allow a fully privatised air travel model to rip. Our regions have not been well served. Dare I suggest that the Australian government take over Rex and run it for the people not corporate interests? Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

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