Plan now for the end of two eras to coincide
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday November 2, 2009
Now is the time to plan the transition to a republic, while the Queen is still alive ("On her own head", October 31-November 1). The realistic time to switch is on her death, a point at which Australia would be considered by the world to have seamlessly ended its colonial past.The British monarchy is not relevant to contemporary Australia and we are far less important to them, though like any distant relative they maintain a polite interest as and when required. But it is not as though any of them has been passionate enough about us to move here. It is time to ensure Quentin Bryce is the last viceroy.Andrew Heslop Kingston (ACT)A republican movement push on the death of the Queen would be a major tactical blunder. The outpouring of pro-monarchy sentiment would be enormous, given the regard in which the Queen is held by many Australians.A better tactic would be to highlight the waste of public funds incurred in maintaining the position of the governor-general €“ Quentin Bryce's recent African trip, for example. On what basis could such a trip be legitimised, and did the Governor-General report to the Queen on matters African?Milton Battaglini Carindale (Qld)Not so fast on speed limit changesThe NRMA does not support speed limits above 110 km/h and does not support the National Motorists Association Australia's view on this subject ("Kill your limits, not the speed, groups say", October 30).Comments attributed to me in the article relate specifically to the Roads and Traffic Authority's proposed speed limit reduction from 110 km/h to 100 km/h on the Newell Highway.Speed limits should be set appropriately to the classification and condition of the road. Comprehensive data analysis and public consultation should occur before any decision to alter speed limits.Wendy Machin President, NRMA Motoring and Services, StrathfieldThe Pedestrian Council is calling for stricter policing of speed limits. There appears to be a belief that if we are strict enough, the road toll must reduce. We are already obsessively policing speed limits.Yet speeding remains endemic and the road toll goes up and down. Faith in more of what has not worked is misplaced.Grant Arbuthnot PictonOne black boxbetter lostStephen Crafti says the public often "can't appreciate the merit" of the winners of the Australian Institute of Architecture awards ("All practices great and small step outside square we live in", October 30"). Haven't we heard that a thousand times before? If the great unwashed don't like it, it is because we are the chosen ones and they are ignorant and stupid.Crafti writes: "While these designs represent a brave new world, not all architect-designed projects progress their profession."To folk who are even half literate the phrase "brave new world" means only one thing, and that is a science-based, utterly modern hell on Earth.Of the house that won the institute's prize, he says: "To deflect the harsh afternoon sunlight, the interiors are moody, with black ceilings and walls." Apart from the fact that that kind of moodiness is what usually precedes suicide, does Crafti really believe that black deflects harsh sunlight? If so, then I imagine that he considers plasticine a bold, even heroic, material from which suspension bridges might be built.Warwick WakefieldRushcutters Bayl Why has the Australian Institute of Architects given the Robin Boyd award for residential architecture to a black box? The house is at the southern end of Freshwater Beach in a very prominent position. It is a big black cube. Unbroken vertical black posts give it the appearance of a prison. The whole effect is ominous, dark and threatening and it provides an eyesore on a lovely, cheerful little beach.I can only assume the interior is worth the award, because the exterior shows total disregard for the environmental setting and for those who have to look at it €“ in other words, complete selfishness on the part of those who commissioned and designed the building.Kay Halstead QueenscliffSting in tail, evenup the pointy endChoice did not unduly pick on Qantas by awarding the airline a Shonky Award for its $7.70 credit card surcharge (Letters, October 31-November 1). That fee applies to domestic bookings and is the highest in the industry. Qantas matches its competitor Singapore Airlines by slugging customers a $25 per passenger credit card fee for all international flights.Consumers are sick of "paying to pay" exorbitant credit card fees €“ whether for booking concert tickets, flights or paying for a cab. The cost to the merchant for processing credit card transactions is generally no higher than1 per cent of the transaction, and often less.Choice believes customers should be charged a percentage fee for using their credit card and not a cent more. It was Qantas's suggestion that its per passenger "one size fits all" surcharge was somehow losing it money that really earned it the Shonky.Elise DavidsonChoice, MarrickvilleAs if credit card surcharges weren't bad enough (Letters, October 31-November 1), try paying your Telstra bill in person at one of its shops. Try using money, legal tender, coin of the realm, cold hard cash. Result? A $2.20 "administration fee".On my average monthly bill of $30 (yeah, I've got no friends) that's 13.64 per cent. I would have thought there would be a law against charging for a direct cash transaction.Greg Evans The OaksLife and death basics overlookedKen Hillman believes keeping a patient alive can be unbearably cruel ("When the end is nigh, it's best to avoid hospital", October 31-November 1). However, you had better get very friendly with your GP, because dying at home without adequate palliative care is akin to slow and needless torture.We have become so focused on trying to extend life as long as possible that we have lost sight of some basics €“ things like dignity, autonomy, our own sense of control and our individual right to self-determination.Unfortunately, the elderly and frail have no voice and no choice at this very important moment in their lives.Iolanda Grey RydePM must showhumanity stillYou refer to the significant humane actions taken by Kevin Rudd towards asylum seekers early in his prime ministership. One was ending the incarceration of children ("Rendering to Caesar, and a nod to God", October 31-November 1).Yet David Marr reported there were 36 unaccompanied children €“ fenced and guarded €“ on Christmas Island ("Rudd's policy belies the brutal honesty of Christmas Island's names", October 28).Would Mr Rudd care to explain this? It is shameful. Provided health checks have been completed, these children should be placed with families willing to care for them, at least temporarily.Ann Grant Randwick
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
