THE silence from men is deafening concerning criminal behaviour towards women ('Is it case closed on Porter claims?', Newcastle Herald 6/3). We have been hearing from violated women in the wake of these allegations, at great cost to them physically and emotionally.
But there has been barely anything from the opposite sex including our prime minister, politicians, ministers of religion, doctors, lawyers and company executives. At present, any supportive male voice would be welcome. So why no outrage from men? Is there no shame about what many men have done and continue to do to women?
No-one is saying all men are guilty of rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment. But by keeping silent I believe men are revealing their complacency, their inability to believe women and their determination that this is not a male but purely a female problem.
By not speaking out we can only assume that men are more than happy with the way things are. Many see it as a storm in a teacup situation that will die down or blow over.
If change is to happen, and it must for the sake of both men and women, it seems that women will need to keep up the fight for justice. How much easier it would be if men owned the problem and stood publicly with them to work towards change?
Julie Robinson, Cardiff
The art of gallery deal is lacking
NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin has said that there are no funds left for good projects such as our gallery expansion ('Harwin 'can't fund' art gallery expansion', Herald 27/2).
According to the ABC the combined council and community contribution of $28 million leaves a $7 million shortfall for this project. If the state government funded this amount, then the $35 million design could proceed. One reason why no funds are apparently left could be that $20 million was spent from the Regional Cultural Fund on financing the Wagga Wagga music recital hall without a satisfactory business case.
Another reason that funds have run out for Newcastle was that most of the arts funding was spent in the lead up to the last state election, despite these monies originally being designed to be spent over several years. Don Harwin and John Barilaro personally approved 13 regional arts projects deemed to be unworthy of funding according to ABC reports. Apparently all these projects were in National or Liberal seats.
Why can't the NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin find the funds? It beggars belief that Newcastle doesn't qualify for funding from this particular nest egg. Why aren't we considered a regional centre for the arts?
I understand that the state government has once again missed a great opportunity to enhance and grow our art gallery not just for the benefit of the Newcastle community but for our region as a whole.
Judging by this example and others such as the Newcastle Port Container 'cap' embargo, it is difficult not to come to the conclusion that at the core of this state government beats a heart lacking sympathy for common sense.
Ian Thomas, The Hill
Power plays aren't all right ones
THE government is hell bent on building more fossil fuel power plants, and by setting an unmeetable deadline for alternatives from AGL it can now claim justification for its decision to build the Kurri Kurri gas-fired plant ('Heating up', Herald 6/3). And just to ensure that the demand for power will outstrip clean energy production, it intends to return to the high levels of immigration that were stalled by the pandemic. Unfortunately it's a policy supported by developers and the mining lobby, which have considerable influence in government policies because of their substantial political donations.
Don Owers, Dudley
The long and the Shorten of it
WHEN Christian Porter faced the media I do not understand why he had to mention the opposition Leader Bill Shorten in his speech saying both had been subjected to the similar complaint. Also on the same day he faced the media, all Sky News reporters gave the same description as though both cases were the same.
This I believe is wrong. If you look at Shorten's case the Victorian Police stated after a thorough and detailed investigation they had decided that unequivocally clear there was no case to answer. But in the Porter case police have said there is not enough evidence to carry on the case, making it a different conclusion to the Shorten case.
John Matthews, Belmont North
Other views aren't all whinges
THANK goodness for Greg Hunt (Short Takes, 3/3). But for him, I wouldn't have known I have a legion of left wing "cronies" out there. I'm sorry, my fellow cronies. I've neglected you. If you can let me know who you are, I'll try to do better.
I'm also now aware that I've been "whinging". I thought I'd been expressing opinions - as Mr Hunt does in his almost daily letters about climate change science, renewable energy, the ABC, the Labor Party, the Greens, and various other grievances. Forgive me. I'd lost sight of a now abiding tenet of political debate in Australia - "conservatives" are being oppressed, put upon and browbeaten by other people's opinions.
Amidst all these confronting revelations, I've been able to extract at least some comfort from also hearing that I'm "hilarious".
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
Royal pains spanning continents
SO Harry and Meghan have given the Big O a real scoop. No interest here. It has been surprising to find that Ginger and Megs fled the UK because they believed that they had too much media attention there. They have sought media attention in the US immediately on arrival and I might suggest that is because the American press are kinder because one of their own married a prince. Perhaps she might become a Queen one day? The biggest envy the USA has of the UK is their royal bloodline, and now they have their very own prince. Harry has given up friends, family and his country so there is a huge burden on him to be happy because there is no going back now.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield
Opinions differ, but facts are facts
GREG Hunt's claim that the Institute of Public Affairs (Short Takes, 6/3) is an unbiased source of information regarding climate science is laughable. The biggest individual donor by far to the IPA is billionaire climate change denier Gina Rinehart. Her company Hancock Prospecting donated $2.3 million in 2016 and $2.2 million in 2017.
In 2015 the IPA was a finalist for a reward given by the Atlas Foundation (a supposed free market think tank) for their work in opposing policies to put a price on carbon emissions. The IPA has also funded many junk science studies on anthropogenic global warming and promoted books and tours by climate change denying scientists. To suggest they are a reliable independent voice on the subject is nonsense.
Chris Connors, Adamstown
SHORT TAKES
ANZAC Day commemorations for our fallen heroes who protected our shores enabling cultural events such as the Mardi Gras and Black Lives Matter protests, as well as many sporting events, to proceed can only confirm the importance of this occasion. Lest we forget.
George Paris, Rathmines
POLITICIANS take stress leave but footballers who appear to cross the line can be fined and banned for a season. It's high time we drew the line with offending MPs and put serious punitive measures in place.
John Butler, Windella Downs
I'M not trying to take anything away from the severity of the allegation against Christian Porter, but if the police don't have enough evidence to pursue a rape case then what is an independent enquiry going to achieve? Are they saying that the NSW Police Force is inept at its job, or do people in public office deserve better services than the wider community?
Luke Willets, Boolaroo
BY dismissing calls for an independent enquiry into the alleged behaviour of someone who is now a member of his ministry, in my opinion Scott Morrison has rejected the opportunity to show good leadership and turned his back on the standards expected by the community. He marks himself as a prime minister for only some Australians and cements the public perception of the Liberal Party as a boys club.
Susie Johnson, Adamstown
ONCE again in these pages I believe we are seeing the reputation of a dissident citizen trashed. To reference Alan Jones when he recently spoke to, and of, Catherine McGregor: Christine Everingham, thank you for your scholarship and service to our city.
Evelyn King, Mayfield West
JAMES Williams (Letters, 6/3) criticises using Christian Porter for political point scoring. But isn't that what he is doing with his own letter?
Colin Fordham, Lambton
BRUCE Hardy (Short Takes, 6/3), apparently Newcastle council area is not regional. Beresfield vs Woodberry is the same scenario as we are ineligible for travel cards as well. Go figure.
John Bradford, Beresfield
DR Seuss one day, Dr Christine Everingham the next as cancel culture infects our council.
Alan Hamilton, Hamilton East
REGARDING Jeff Corbett ('Age-old question lingers', Opinion 27/2): job done.
Cindy Grahame, Newcastle
ONE does wonder why there is so much whinging about political correctness by those who insist upon being impolite.
