Moderate solution
We have great housing challenges, but we also have a climate crisis. I didn't see a single mention of climate and sustainability in last week's announcements and discussions about the Victorian Government's housing initiatives.
New individual homes in suburban complexes in green areas and far from transport infrastructure are harmful to families and harmful to the environment.
Twenty-story apartment buildings have much larger carbon footprints than low-rise buildings and create a terrible urban environment. Nor is it the moderate solution we need.
We can certainly accommodate Melbourne's growing population through a combination of mid-rise housing around transport hubs and increased multiple occupancy in existing suburban buildings.
Richard Barnes, Canterbury
rob Peter to pay Paul
It's an old saying that now applies to first home buyers, stamp duty and land tax. The latest thing politicians have proposed is to abolish stamp duty and apply it to land tax.
Reduce land tax? Oh no, give the advantage to the homebuyers, Paul in this case, and pass it on to the current owners, poor Peter, who has to pay for everything.
First-time homebuyers find it difficult to make their first purchase. But it was always difficult, not suddenly now.
The fairest solution to stamp duty is to spread stamp duty payments over several years. For example,
The 4 per cent stamp duty (adjusted accordingly) can be paid in four annual installments of 1 per cent, which can also be withdrawn from a weekly direct debit to further cushion investment slack.
Stamp Duty “Rates” If the property is sold before the end of the payment period, it passes to the new owner, making…
It is almost a “pay as you go” system. This system will provide a more competitive and affordable market. It is fair, equitable and achievable.
Peter Smith, hawthorn
sauce plane
I enjoyed reading Joe Aston's article on the Qantas Flying Club, also known as the Gravy Plane, over the wonderful Saturday weekend. It's always helpful to see how officials spend our hard-earned taxes. Although it is not mentioned in the story, I also think I now know how Alpo's dog got his name. No doubt many will remember Dorothy's famous line in The Wizard of Oz: “Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” completely.
Jill Darcy, East Melbourne
Old-fashioned advice
Does the government want to do something about the cost of living? Why don't you do something for yourself? Don't look at a million dollar home in the city, try a $500,000 home in a regional city with clean, crime-free air and safe play spaces for children.
Buy a $20,000 used car, not a $70,000 Panzer truck. Shop at Aldi, not Coles/Woolies. Holiday at home or locally, not in Bali or France. Recycling of clothing, electronics and furniture. Think about not having children, they eat up the money.
Stop blaming the government for your decisions.
I know this is not fashionable, but take responsibility for your life.
Mick Webster, Chiltern
Jimmy Clements Anthem
The moving story of Wiradjuri man Jimmy “King Billy” Clements, as told by Tony Wright (“Jimmy Clements Anthem: I'll do honor in my own land, thank you” 10/26) is possibly a metaphor for the sometimes somewhat fickle historical relationship but inevitably corrupt between whites and indigenous peoples in this nation.
Before the opening of the first Canberra Parliament, the heroes of 1927 showed a mixture of sympathy and extreme indifference to the native's proud intervention.
The white police officer who objected to Clements' rough clothing and bare feet adopted the default racist position, but interestingly, the well-dressed white crowd recognized and vigorously defended King Billy's inherent dignity and morality.
Fast forward to 2023, and we saw the first polls in the referendum that voted firmly in favour, but were met with a drop in misinformation and a degree of racism.
John MacMillan, Mount Eliza
Limit assistance to seniors
I am concerned about the new limits on cleaning and gardening hours in the My Aged Care bill. These limits are a reduction in the attention allowed. A new cleaning limit has been set at 52 hours a year and one hour a week. Currently, there is no limit and it is based on need.
I challenge anyone who can clean a three-bedroom house in less than four hours a week. Proposed cuts to cleaning services will leave many older people living in messy homes. Gardening will be 18 hours a year, or two hours every six weeks.
Limiting cleaning to one hour a week and gardening to two hours every six weeks means some people will end up living in poverty. Therefore, they may be considered unsafe at home and should therefore remain in a nursing home. One of the main objectives of the My Aged Care program is to make it easier for older people to continue living in their own homes.
Jennifer Frank, South Morang
Michelle Obama's speech
This may have been former first lady Michelle Obama's first campaign contribution, but it dealt a decisive blow to the gender double standards that were evident in the US presidential race. (“Let me warn you”: Michelle Obama declares herself against Trump”, 10/27).
Indeed, why is Kamala Harris being held to a higher standard than Donald Trump under a “boys will be boys” rule of thumb?
Indeed, overcoming her antipathy toward politics because of how much is at stake for her beloved country (and international relations), Michelle Obama's rhetorical reiteration that “we expect absolutely nothing” from Trump – a “convicted criminal” and “predatory” – while Harris must “dazzle us at every turn” by not doing anything too over the top (i.e., particularly angry) while also being “smart, articulate and with a clear set of policies,” is the point .
Jelena Rozek, Mornington
Contain fires
Your correspondent (messages of 10/26) calls for more large tankers and a fleet of drones to fight the fires.
Large air tankers do not put out fires, but rather help ground crews build containment lines.
New South Wales already has one Boeing 737, operated by an external contractor. Victoria has chosen to charter similar aircraft and there is currently no problem doing so.
However, the Inspector General of Emergency Management report on the 2019-20 Black Summer wildfires has questioned the effectiveness of larger aircraft in our fire environment, and there is a strong view among local operators that aircraft Smaller ones are more effective due to faster response times and speed of response. Delivery precision.
Drones are becoming more capable, but with more than 8 million hectares of the state covered in forest, and even more in grassland, a huge fleet would be needed to provide early detection of outbreaks. Today's seasonal fire towers, staffed by experienced operators with a lot of local knowledge, are remarkably effective.
David Edwards, South Werribee
And one more thing
Accommodation
There's been a lot of fuss lately about suburban skyscrapers with absolutely no mention of all the Housing Commission high-rise apartments that have been part of Melbourne's landscape for more than half a century.
Peter O'Brien, Newport
policy
Here's a warning from an elderly feminist: the Queensland election result will embolden right-wing conservatives across the country. Women's bodily autonomy is now at stake (“Crisafulli proclaims victory, promises to 'fulfill' contract with voters”, 10/27.
Jane Russo, Sanremo
The then Victorian Prime Minister, John Cain, earned an unrivaled reputation for integrity and honesty in government; For an Australian Prime Minister to accept free Qantas upgrades for personal travel is delightfully trite.
Toro Constanza, Highway
Then Alpo goes to the Qantas President's Lounge. Albo buys a house for 4.3 million dollars. Is this really news? He is the prime minister of the country. You are allowed to do so. It's not exciting news.
Ross Hosking, Blackwood, SA
“The Prime Minister was attacked for explaining his Qantas benefits” (10/27), but not by other politicians, who enjoy or aspire to similar “perks of office.”
Lori Bradley, Surry Hills
Our mandatory preferential voting system is rocking, with CEC boundary adjustments to prevent gerrymanders and party auditors from overseeing the recount. It is regrettable that the municipal elections went badly (“No democratic sausages, no problems in the municipal elections”, 10/25).
Greg Curtin, Nunawating
Besides
A couple has “downsized” to a property in Fitzroy (27/10). It costs just under $3 million, has four levels and four bedrooms. One might ask: what is downsizing in today's terms? Tom Stafford, Wheelers Hill
Finally…
Watching Michelle Obama speak at a Harris rally (Sunday morning) was shocking: is there a better public speaker on earth? I really doubt it.
Richard Pentoni, Espino
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