PETER Devey (Letters, 10/12) wrote that he was "astonished" to witness young Wiradjuri woman Olivia Fox, pictured, lead the Australian Rugby Union side in singing our national anthem in both English and the Eora language ahead of last Saturday's clash with Argentina.
In asking why not sing the national anthem in other languages, I believe he either trivialises or fails to understand the significance of singing our national anthem in a language of our First Peoples.
If New Zealand and South Africa can do so as an expression of national unity that recognises the significance of their First Nations people in their country's history, then so can we. Of more serious consideration is a discussion around which First Peoples dialect or language might be chosen. I would argue that this is a matter for the Indigenous community to consider through leadership, consultation and consensus. Perhaps, like South Africa, a hybrid version may even emerge. Indeed, if Olivia Fox can sing the anthem not in her own Wiradjuri dialect, but that of the Eora nation then I have every confidence that our Indigenous community can lead us forward to an outcome that is acceptable to the great majority of Australians. Yes it is a challenge, but more than that, it is an opportunity.
Greg Archbold, Eleebana
Delicate balance crucial on China
AUSTRALIA'S relations with China are becoming increasingly confrontational. However I would expect our government to defend our sovereignty, which appears to be seriously under threat ever since Scott Morrison declared there should be an inquiry into the origin of the COVID virus. Methinks they protest too much.
To further the debate, the federal government is now planning to give the federal Minister powers to override state contracts.
I would support this proposal if the states were to hand that power to the government voluntarily and if the power were to be handed to the federal parliament. I believe there is far too much control handed to ministers in both state and federal government, bypassing the wishes of the electorate.
I also believe if any foreign trading partner makes significant and unjustified changes to our trading balance such as our barley, wines and seafood that we would be justified to attach import duties and raise charges of our exports to balance that trade.
George Paris, Rathmines
head here
DARRYL Tuckwell (Short Takes, 11/12): bludging workers have been leaning on Labor and unions for generations.
I did a trade apprenticeship in the early '70s in a union-dominated industry. When I finished my apprenticeship, I was made to join the union or they would black ban the company and stop all deliveries which would mean the company could not function. I resigned in protest. I moved from Sydney to Tamworth to work in my trade where union membership was not compulsory. I was the only non-union member on the production floor. After six months I was the highest paid employee outside of management due to my high output.
Australian manufacturing declined due to unions wanting unskilled workers to be paid well over the odds. The message here is work hard and be rewarded accordingly. I have never seen an employer dismiss a good hard-working employee.
Tommy Diamond, Warners Bay
Flow-on effects are truly crucial
GROWING up in the country mining area of Singleton with tank capture for water, and later having experienced the luxury of "laid-on" water, I never thought I would again experience water as a luxury.
There have been a few droughts and water restrictions in the Newcastle and Central Coast areas since I left home 60 years ago. I have no idea approximately how many newcomers will be living in Newcastle when the current building property boom reaches full capacity, but there will be a hell of a lot more people living here requiring the luxury of water. The chatter of building more dams and the like will always remain; it's synonymous with Newcastle. It might be news to some people that because you make more catchment areas that won't make it rain. For time immemorial people have been trying to do so. Mother Nature can't be as disturbed as she is at present, therefore she is becoming unpredictable and stagnant.
Pat Garnet, Wickham
Worst case scenario is a bleak one
IT seems to me that putting tariffs on our major exports to China is to break the Australian economy. Once we are brought to our knees, China will move in and buy the failed producers' businesses, exporting what it wants and raising the value of the companies here, thus procuring for itself a double financial gain, one in the share price and one in the cheapest acquisition of said goods ever. Our government could refuse the acquisitions of course, but have never shown any will to do so in the past. Goodbye our country. Goodbye our nation.
Ghillian Sullivan , The Hill
Classes, not cards, can fix welfare
THE senate has voted down a proposal to create permanent cashless welfare cards after a two-year trial period. There are cases for and against this form of attempting to ensure that welfare funding is spent appropriately. Most of us would like to know that our taxes are not being squandered on alcohol and gaming, but we also should acknowledge that controlling how welfare is spent can be seen as demeaning.
I am proposing that education is the answer. The government should be developing programs where professional educators tour the communities where alcohol and gambling is an issue. If children are made aware of the problems, they are brave enough to have the conversation with their parents in order to promote a healthier home life.
We have seen how the power of children has improved our recycling efforts and other environmental habits, so why not get the kids to help their parents to see the light? Surely it's worth a go.
Stan Keifer, Arakoon
Drug harm is just too high a risk
IN state government discussions over penalties for drug possession and use, it indicated that users may be issued three warnings before court appearances. If leaders agree to this ludicrous suggestion then in my opinion they are facing a venture full of heartache and loopholes.
How in blazes would they apply this ridiculous rule to those caught driving? Does this also apply to drink driving and mobile phone use? I believe it just opens the proverbial Pandora's Box, or at least a huge can of worms. If you're caught with illegal drugs or break the law, then expect to go to court and face the consequences. Do the crime, do the time. No three strikes and you're out. Family members and friends have died or have suffered domestic abuse because of drug users and those who abuse alcohol intake. Look at history.
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited in any form.
SHORT TAKES
PETER Devey (Letters, 10/12) may be a proud Anglo-Saxon man, but I am a proud Australian woman who was delighted to hear our anthem sung in an original Australian language. The Rugby Union team was playing for Australia. Does the word English give you any clue about its origin, Mr Devey? Of course, it is more meaningful for many of us, but doesn't an Australian language make a welcome change? Latin is a favourite of mine too, as I used to teach the origin of English words.
Anne Killen, Garden Suburb
HOW would drug dealers fare in a cashless society? The Reserve Bank recalling all cash for exchange of digital currency would flush out these scumbags and make it easy for relevant authorities to prosecute anyone who can't prove that their cash stash was earned fairly. The taxman would also be very interested in getting his fair share. On the down side, hiding my punting kit from the cheese and kisses would end, leaving me shaking in my boots as I ask her for permission to blow the budget on the gee-gees.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
IT was with a heavy heart that I read Peter Devey's letter (Letters, 10/12). It demonstrated how far we have to go in understanding the true history of the treatment of First Nations peoples in this country and how some refuse to accept the truth of our past.
Colin Love, Anna Bay
IN the UK there have been two adverse reactions so far to the coronavirus vaccine. The details are not known and I am assuming there has been at least 10,000 or more inoculations that would be a risk rate of 0.02 per cent. The current fatality percentage in the UK is 3.54 per cent. Of course the anti-vaxxers would want to put a stop to inoculations, but simple maths shows the vaccinations are a benefit to society.
David Reynolds, Charlestown
VLADIMIR Ulyanov, otherwise known as Lenin is rumoured to have quipped that "the capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them". It would appear that thanks to Scotty from Marketing's megaphone Trumpesque diplomacy and the inability to maintain a trade relationship with China they have stopped buying our rope. Gough Whitlam was the very first national leader in the world to recognise the People's Republic of China. Thanks to his prescience a mutually beneficial friendship developed that has lasted nearly 50 years. Thanks to what I consider the worst government Australia has ever had, that friendship is dead and the whole country will economically hang.
John Lawton, Belmont
TO be included in the Olympic agenda are two more unusual events: break dancing and skateboarding, which no doubt will be popular with a minority audience of youngsters. How about a few events more suited to the elderly section of society such as croquet, speed knitting, doctor swapping, 25-metre swimming plus medals for the largest stamp collection?
John William Hill, Williamtown
OK, will other countries disclose their alleged war crimes? I think not.
