GST deal with Western Australia is mining the rest of us dry

Shane Wright cannot disguise his frustration at the unfair imbalance in the shonky GST arrangement between the federal government and the states and territories (“The dodgy deal hidden by bulldust”, August 27). That Western Australia is bestowed with much of the nation’s natural resources does not imply, nor should it ever have implied, that WA should enjoy a disproportionately larger part of the bounty from those resources than the rest of us. In vowing to continue the current arrangement, PM Anthony Albanese is following exactly the same game plan as he has done with the AUKUS accord: throwing good money after bad in the name of ruffling as few feathers as possible, and kicking the can down the road for others to deal with. He has sacrificed common sense for electoral security in the west and declared there would be no change to the GST arrangement while he is in office. It is a position that is refreshingly assertive, but thoroughly misguided. Bradley Wynne, Croydon

The carve-up of GST revenue favouring Western Australia is a joke, and the joke is on us. At least Albanese has provided the voters of the other states or his MPs with a potential remedy to the situation by declaring that “there would be no change to the system while he was prime minister”. Mind you, he used to say much the same thing about changing negative gearing and the capital gains tax, so who knows? Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

One limitation of democracy is that it can be difficult to make decisions that are both right and unpopular. Doing what is right can get you thrown out. That is why politicians do not make legal judgments. Imagine a trial when the judge must worry about being re-elected. We have set up independent bodies to decide electoral matters (AEC) and interest rates (Reserve Bank). It is time to set up a separate body to allocate state funding. If funding is essentially the GST, then a non-partisan body should decide where it is spent. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea

Bravo, Cathy Wilcox

Three Wilcox cartoons in a row encapsulate the big and important issues, from the environment and respect for women to justice and human rights. In a week in which the world has lost a secular saint in Dolly Parton, Cathy Wilcox’s work never loses sight of humanity and the need to do good things. Bravo Cathy. Colin Hesse, Nowra

Trailing tech giants

Twenty odd years ago, China realised that Arab oil would eventually become a problem and started to develop electric vehicles, which are now dominating EV sales in Australia. China’s emissions have peaked some six years ahead of their 2030 goal. Australia will not fulfil its climate change commitments, if we have any. Robots in China have apparently beaten the human 100-metre world record plus others at a recent event in Beijing (“Records tumble and so do robots at China’s humanoid Olympics”, August 26). Where is Australia in the robotics race? In the meantime, our Australian politicians have been debating hugely important matters, such as “melon-gate”, or arguing among themselves about themselves. Until we have credible, coherent, true leadership and vision from our politicians, Australia will continue to wallow in its own confused state, instead of maximising our undeniable potential. Mervyn Cross, Mosman

Lies cost lives

The fact that America is now experiencing an unprecedented measles epidemic and that children are dying was predictable from the moment that Trump, a charlatan, appointed Robert F. Kennedy jr, another charlatan, as secretary of health (“Measles kills two unvaccinated people as US outbreak approaches 3000”, August 26). There is no reason for anyone to persist in the belief that measles vaccination causes autism, a hoax that has been thoroughly debunked. The story starts with Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor who did much to cause the world to believe that mercury in tiny doses, thiomersal, was causing autism in children. He got an article published in The Lancet which made this claim. Subsequently, his co-authors renounced the article, it was shown to be based on falsified data, and he stood to personally make millions selling a test kit. The Lancet had to retract the article and Wakefield was deregistered in the UK for dishonesty and fraud but moved to America, where he is still treated as a hero by some people. When thiomersal was removed from measles vaccines in response to falling vaccination rates caused by this hoax, the rates of autism did not fall but kept rising, presumably due to increased awareness of the condition. Dr Ed Marel, Bathurst

Hikes hurt

We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Construction companies are going bankrupt. We have already had three interest hikes this year to control inflation, placing a growing burden predominantly on families with young children (“Rate rise back on cards despite a step down in inflation”, August 27). The Reserve Bank could control inflation by adjusting the GST to target the entire population’s spending, rather than just punishing mortgage holders by raising interest rates. People with no mortgages keep spending freely when interest rates rise because these hikes do not affect them. Raising the GST rate would make everyday items more expensive and would immediately slow down consumer spending. Shifting the anti-inflation load to a consumption tax would protect people trapped in the housing crisis from endless mortgage rate hikes. The extra money collected from a higher GST could go to low-income households as cash rebates or cost-of-living payments. Lower interest rates make it easier for all people to afford a home and help mitigate the housing crisis. Please come up with a fairer solution to inflation than raising the official interest rate. Tony Martin, Glenwood

Profits melt away

The EVT group has written down the value of the Perisher ski resort from $292 million to $143 million because of repeated poor ski seasons caused by climate change (“Is a ski resort without snow like a pub with no beer?” August 26). This economic reality will occur more and more frequently in time to many businesses. Maybe this will wake up the deniers, but I doubt it. For them, the easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists. In the meantime, we destroy the planet and the future of our descendants. They will not remember us fondly. Mike Keene, Mollymook Beach

Hidden costs

Cosy duopolies are something Australia does very well (“Price wars in perpetuity: Discounts (and Ooshies) usher in Woolies’ resurgence, August 27). The latest financial results from the supermarket duopoly makes for depressing reading. The headline is that profit is a double-digit bonanza. “Prices are down,” they trumpet. “We are working with our suppliers,” they note. But they are only talking about small percentages. If prices are going down a little and profits have climbed strongly, it can only mean costs have been cut big time. This may explain why supermarket suppliers need illegal immigrants and our farmers need low-cost workers from the Pacific Islands. Graham Hansen, Denistone

Coming from a company that spruiks its efforts to reduce plastic in its supermarkets, just how can Woolworths justify giving away millions of pieces of plastic as bribery (“We don’t need Ooshies to beat Coles, says Woolies boss”, August 27). Clearly their much-touted claims to be model business citizen are hypocritical. Judy Hungerford, Narraweena

Change the culture

It’s interesting to note that Melbourne, home of the AFL and an ongoing scandal about some Swans players hanging out in that city with female “adult entertainers”, was also this week hosting Miss Universe Australia at Crown Melbourne. Despite the swimsuit shoots and scantily clad struts on the catwalk, we were assured this was nothing to do with objectifying women’s bodies but was about the whole person – confidence, personality and communication skills of “the girls”. Apparently, it’s a “search for authenticity”. That’s a relief, otherwise we might have reason to be as morally outraged by attitudes that underpin such a contest as we seem to be about those that led to whatever happened in the room at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel. Ross Duncan, Potts Point

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts argues that the White Australia group, which openly espouses Nazi hate ideology should have the right to exist “unless they start hurting people”(“ON’s Roberts backs rights of Nazi party in podcast”, August 27). Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, testifying at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, gives a succinct and wise summation of the reasoning behind its prohibition. “A society in which hatred and extremism are allowed to grow is ultimately a threat to the character of the country itself” (“Hatred is a threat to nation’s character”, August 27). Proscribing this damaging and dangerous political party was the right thing. Its existence hurts and destroys the very basis of our nation. The fact that One Nation gives neo-Nazis and their hate-driven, destructive party tacit support should be a wake-up call for any one thinking of voting for them. Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga

Extraordinary witness

Kate McClymont’s article on the ICAC interrogation of Anita Perrottet, the sister in-law of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, was an excellent summation of a long day that was possibly the most extraordinary witness account thus far (“‘Money for jam’: The forgetful witness, frustrated ICAC lawyer and advice on dogs”, August 27). Perrottet’s lack of written documentation for her strategies and communications advice to NSW Greyhounds, the substance of which she has apparently forgotten, was extraordinary. Assistant Commissioner Fabian Gleeson asked Perrottet if she considered her remuneration significant. She said she didn’t understand what “significant” meant, despite receiving six-figure payments. Her testimony continued in that vein. It was uncomfortable viewing. McClymont revealed one unconnected but revealing piece of information. A woman in the public gallery, a former neighbour of Anita and Charles Perrottet, enjoyed “a quiet laugh as she listened to Perrottet’s scant knowledge of greyhounds”. She told McClymont she’d had a “run-in” with the Perrottets after her dog was reportedly injured by Anita. Charles then warned the woman’s husband with “you don’t know who you’re dealing with”. Undoubtedly, those former neighbours have been further enlightened. Gerardine Grace, Leura

How marvellous that one could earn $254,000 for giving some verbal advice (“Get serious: Anita Perrottet paid $254,000 for three months of consulting work”, August 27). I wonder if I can put in bills for my phone calls to government offices when I’m put on hold for ages. Peta Colebatch, Potts Point

Figures don’t stack up

Labor is preparing significant cuts to Australia’s highest profile money-laundering regulator, Austrac, but does this make sense when Austrac imposes fines such as Westpac’s $1.3 billion fine in 2020 or CBA’s $700 million penalty eight years ago (“Shock job cuts at Austrac despite expanding powers”, August 27)? Seems like a nice revenue earner to me. And how much would they save by cutting 8 per cent of their workforce? The figures don’t match up, particularly when AI is about to swamp businesses with fake credentials, which will increase the need for surveillance. If anything, Labor should be increasing the size of Austrac. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge

Dolly will rock heaven

So different from the usual news from the US, of rampant greed, abuse of privilege, community division, shootings and idiotic leadership, is the background of Dolly Parton (“Beyond the wigs, there was always Parton’s wondrous wit and wisdom”, August 27). Here was a woman who understood what it was like to be poor, have an illiterate father and little prospect for success, but had much love around her and was able to use her wonderful musical talents, sharp wit and perceptiveness to help herself and others. A few of those angry, self-centred “evangelical Christians” could learn a few things from her hymn-book: straightforward honesty; love and care for all people; generosity of spirit and even-handedness when socialising with others. And my daughters won’t let me forget as another one of her songs plays from their mobile phones. Donald Hawes, Peel

Heaven will be rockin’ – Dolly Parton and now Tim Curry, who played the unforgettable Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Oh, can you imagine the wigs and costumes (“Actor Tim Curry, known for stage and screen villains, dies aged 80″, August 27). Angie Miller, Bondi

US politicians cash in

Your correspondent noted Donald Trump’s eye-watering transaction rate in the stock market while he has been president (Letters, August 27). I’m no Trump fan, but notably Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s assets went from below a million before office (1987) to up to $250 million. That’s not inflationary adjustment. The joint point is that Americans seem to enjoy their politicians pulling wool over their eyes, and Australians act like sheep when it comes to our relationship with them. Ted Bush, North Epping

Monster of the loch

If Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario, why settle for the rather tame Lake America? Go the whole hog and make it Loch Donald, complete with its very own monster. A winning combo of ego trip and gold-plated tourist attraction. Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic)

I was taught to remember the Great Lakes using the mnemonic HOMES. If Trump succeeds in changing the name of Lake Ontario as suggested, the mnemonic will change to a seemingly more fitting SHAME. Gary Heard, Bullsbrook

Home truths

It’s hard to feel sorry for real estate agents in the current property price downturn (“Desperate agents vent online as real estate downturn bites”, August 27). If I had a dollar for every fabrication, exaggeration or obfuscation I’ve heard from them, I’d be able to afford a home of my own, and perhaps park one of the prestige vehicles they might have to sell in its driveway. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point

Don’t shame young men

Kathleen Riley recommends shaming young men instead of educating them and challenging their ideas around misogyny (Letters, August 27). I don’t think so. It would be counter-productive in most cases, particularly where intervention is most needed. I’ll go with Daniel Principe’s methods any day (“This Sydney private school asked students to help solve the consent crisis”, August 26). Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

Scotch and syrup

Yes, as a show of solidarity with Canada I’ll be regularly buying a bottle of maple syrup (Letters, August 27). I’ll also be adding a bottle of Canadian whisky in lieu of American bourbon. Who’s with me? Robert Hickey, Green Point

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