Male culture needs to be addressed

I think we all need to be clear that when we start talking about the need for “change of culture” around sexual assault, what we are talking about is a change of male culture (Letters, March 25).

I have seen a lot of male politicians lately struggling to relate to the experience of female victims of sexual assault, but I’ve seen none even attempt to come to grips with the male culture that lets perpetrators be perpetrators. One of the great problems here is that perpetrators are always the “other” guy. The unknown, but despicable guy. Or if the finger of blame gets too close, then out comes the categorical denial.

Change will take resources. Governments are loathed to increase taxes, but what about a levy? Average male wages are still higher than female wages, so what about a levy on men’s wages to fund this effort to change male culture. And when men, like me, have all got it sorted out and we can manage to behave ourselves, then, and only then, it might be time to remove this sexual assault levy. It’s sure worth a go. Brian Waldron, Woolloomooloo

It is not about the PM’s family; it is about every Australian family. As a Liberal federal MP of 15 years and as a son, father and grandfather of 75 years I regularly visit and enjoy this magnificent community with our NSW family.

I enjoyed more than my share of alcohol at Parliament House and as the MP for the Clare Valley it was part of my very pleasant Parliamentary duty shared with my wife, family, all MPs, international visitors and local Canberra citizens. Convivial fellowship with an occasional headache in the morning was the limit of my social experiences and to the best of my knowledge with all others numbering perhaps a few thousand who work in the Parliamentary building for the 20 sitting weeks a year. It’s all very straightforward: do the jobs we were paid to do and get it as right as we could for our magnificent nation. Barry Wakelin, Kimba (SA)

There has been a progressive erosion of true representation of electors as the funding of government departments able to provide frank and fearless advice has declined through “efficiency dividends” and, at the same time, there has been a rise in the numbers of very youthful and inexperienced political staffers seeking careers as politicians.

Politics should not be considered a career for people straight out of university who have had no career outside of politics, nor much life experience. In the good old days politicians entered Parliament when they had retired from their chosen career. Many did so in order to serve the people of Australia and they were much better equipped to do so with years of workplace and life experience behind them. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont

Another brave female steps forward with yet another story where the perpetrator was found not guilty of rape three years later (“NSW Labor MP Julia Finn”, March 25). Compensation for her was mentioned. In 1993 the Attorney General pushed the change of maximum limit from $50,000 to $25,000 in the Victims Rights and Support Bill. Maybe they reduced the compensation limit back then because forward estimates by statisticians showed they couldn’t afford the higher payouts in the future. Cecily Chittick, Wamberal

Take the brakes off EV rollout

All Australians will benefit from fuel-efficient and electrified cars (“Carmakers urge Coalition to adopt emissions target”, March 25). While, most importantly, phasing out internal combustion engines will be necessary to avoid climate catastrophe, the transition to cleaner transport will have numerous immediate benefits. Reduction in air pollution will improve health outcomes, quieter and less smoggy streets will improve living standards, and there’s even the proposition that a fleet of car batteries could be used to help firm a renewables-based electricity grid. Accelerating the uptake of clean cars is a no-brainer for the government. Emma Storey, Campsie

Don’t rush freedoms

Perhaps removal or easing of restrictions should be delayed until a greater proportion of the population has been vaccinated against coronavirus (“Time to dance: unmasked relief as restrictions eased”, March 25). The added insurance of higher numbers of people being vaccinated in a few weeks’ time would surely have put us on a better footing. Even though the Premier states that we have “no community transmission at this time”, there is a marked complacency already. We have done so well and have waited this long for the vaccine; surely we can wait a few more weeks before easing restrictions. Joy Paterson, Mount Annan

I am so glad that we can dance at funerals again. Simon Squires, Hornsby

The unforgivable confusion surrounding the cack-handed distribution of COVID-19 vaccine solely through hard-working GP practices could be alleviated at little cost if the advice of the digital view writer in the SMH letters was followed (Letters, March 24). At risk of repetition and stating the bleeding obvious: why not simply use existing COVID testing centres as vaccination centres that operate in tandem with the local doctor rollout? Phil Rodwell, Redfern

Sleeving so soon?

Getting the jab takes me back to the NBN rollout. When you go online you’re told to be patient, it’s coming soon, we just can’t say when. My arm is available, so what the hell do I do? Rob Mills, Riverview

Don’t cut integrity

The integrity of our politicians is currently under intense scrutiny on numerous fronts, so it is well beyond a poor look for NSW to cut funds to key integrity agencies (“NSW tells its integrity agencies to reduce costs”, March 25).
Graeme Finn, St Peters

Connect power dots

The magnificent White Bay powerhouse is on the planning table at last (“White Bay redevelopment will be an epic battle for Sydney’s heart”, March 25). I say seize the moment, scrap the plan to move some parts of The Powerhouse Museum to a contentious flood-prone Parramatta site and grab the revamped White Bay powerhouse location. Move the Powerhouse to the powerhouse. Elizabeth Harrison, Springwood

As long-time cruisers, we used to enjoy joining cruise ships from Barangaroo before the previously publicly owned land was sold. It was close to the city for passengers boarding or leaving the ship. Currently the White Bay cruise terminal is out of the way and not easily accessible (“‘Absolutely not’: Minister doesn’t want cruise ships at White Bay”, March 24). He will probably get his wish as few cruise ships before COVID were small enough to get under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so apart from a couple of P&O ships, the cruise ship terminal is likely to become redundant. Whether the cruise ship industry will get their wish to use Garden Island is unknown but the International Ship Terminal at Circular Quay is the best and most logical cruise terminal and can take the larger ships. Eira Battaglia, Seaforth

Complex Folbigg case

I have followed the failed legal outcomes of the Folbigg case with interest (“Pardon is baby killer’s last hope as medical report fails to sway judge”, March 25). Although we must, for the sake of a stable society, trust the criminal justice system, this case has thrown up some concerns. The standard of beyond reasonable doubt is a complex concept to come to grips with and is driven by the evidence at the time of the trial. The system did get it wrong in the Lindy Chamberlain case, and although the Folbigg case is quite different, there does seem to be some lingering expert evidence issues. Maybe this case cries out for a pardon. Michael Blissenden, Dural

Aged care needs action

While agreeing with everything Mike Baird says in his article the question remains — what is going to happen to the Royal Commission into Aged Care report and its many desperately needed recommendations (“How to heal aged care and the nation’s broken heart”, March 24)?
When will there be a serious response and action from the government beyond attempting to decrease the quite unacceptable waiting list for in home care? There have been increasing challenges for the sector over the years but it should be acknowledged also that the laissez-faire philosophy underpinning much Liberal thinking has contributed. Unrestrained for-profit facilities? Inadequate regulation? That all sounds too familiar.
At the same time, there are many good nursing homes and dedicated carers trying to do their best in very difficult circumstances. Understaffing and low pay mean not only are staff hard to find but those carers who are employed are unfairly stressed at work and struggling to afford a decent living outside of it. Jane McGregor, Byron Bay

Artist’s hue and cry

Could privileged folk like that bloody artist please stop whingeing about being “left without a voice, without the capacity to explain and defend” in prominent articles in the national press (“Left without a voice: artist behind blood soaked flag attacks decision to cancel it”, March 25). I can’t handle the irony. Peter Fyfe, Enmore

Self-inflicted wounds

Really, George Fishman: “No prime minister since war time John Curtin has faced such pressure” (Letters, March 25)? Have you conveniently forgotten the misogynistic attacks and pressure on Julia Gillard, with most of it coming from Morrison’s own party? What the current Prime Minister is facing fades into insignificance in comparison and any pressure he is under is all of his own making. Ross Langford-Brown, Randwick

Slack? Right word, wrong application, George Fishman. Chris Downs, Stanwell Park

Just a small correction, George. Morrison deserves the sack. No prime minister since wartime has performed so badly under pressure. There, fixed it for you. Barrington Salter, Neutral Bay

In the grand tradition of Australian politics, surely it’s time for a leadership spill? Edward Washington, Waverton

Today’s quiz: which do you believe will happen first? Another one-in-100-year flood, or a female Liberal prime minister. Paul Stevens, North Epping

Time has come

Hubble bubble, toil and trouble. The “witches” of Australia have had enough. Either find out why we’re so angry, powerful boys, and do something about it, or get out of our way. There’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. Lynne Poleson, Kingsford

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Home battery incentives proposed to bypass solar power traffic jams
From ics123458: ″⁣I’m struggling with this. I have both solar panels and a battery already. The battery covers my overnight electricity usage. Why would I export to the grid at night when I can use the power myself. Why don’t we invest in grid scale batteries to soak up the excess daytime generation? The technology exists and it works.″⁣

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