Now it’s the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Business complaining about any course of to acquire larger wages. It conveniently forgets that the previous decade has seen hovering earnings for enterprise whereas wages have gone backwards. Its promoting marketing campaign says lifting productiveness is the reply to wage progress. Productiveness is improved when companies put money into new methods and expertise, however this has been forgone previously decade as companies have targeting methods to suppress wage progress. Geoff Wannan, Dawes Level
Beneath the Coalition, trade received a a lot greater slice of the nationwide cake. Labour’s share was decreased. Throughout the early days of the pandemic, public cash was paid to large enterprise in anticipation that their earnings would fall. Firms that elevated their earnings weren’t required to repay the handout. The identical authorities ruthlessly and illegally pursued people for robo-debts. These within the Senate who’re but to be satisfied ought to realise that it’s time for the nationwide earnings to be extra pretty distributed. Glenn Johnson, Leura
Numerous employer teams are having problem with the idea of staff getting a fairer share of firm earnings. Since 2000, firm earnings in Australia have grown 7.5 instances, whereas wages have grown solely 2.7times. So what have employers finished to deal with this widening hole? Completely nothing. They declare “lifting productiveness” is the reply, however that of itself doesn’t improve staff’ general share of earnings. If wages progress was nearer to revenue progress, then employers wouldn’t have to fret about authorities intervention. Brendan Jones, Annandale
Go away childhood for innocence
I’m together with your correspondent (Letters, November 21); childhood needs to be a time of innocence.
On a type of uncommon events after I was capable of choose the four-year-old up from kinder, I used to be amused to see him and his mate trotting round in pink frilly tutus, heels and sparkly stuff. They had been absorbed in constructing some construction outdoors, and I urged discovering some smaller heels of correct match lest an ankle damage happen. What shocked me was the response: “It’s OK, we get nice buy within the sand for our hammer drills with these lengthy spikes digging in.” Shocked: 4-year-olds utilizing “buy” appropriately in one among its least recognized contexts? Ronald Elliott, Sandringham (Vic)
Your correspondent who argues that “sexuality of any class shouldn’t be pushed onto kids” has clearly not visited the women’ clothes part of a division retailer recently. Sadly, it’s ripe for all to see. What may also be “dangerous” for LGBTQI+ children is for them to develop up not seeing themselves mirrored positively within the media and in wider society. This has nothing to do with grooming or the “sexualisation of youngsters”; it’s about reality, help and the wholesome affirmation of their identities. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
Your correspondent would do effectively to familiarise herself with the that means of some loaded phrases. Her use of “grooming” within the context of modelling points of human sexuality is dangerously inaccurate and inappropriate. Grooming is a course of the place kids are chosen and by calculated means are ready for sexual exploitation. What Courtney Act proposes has nothing to do with childhood sexual exploitation. Courtney’s advocacy for training within the varied varieties that sexual orientation can take might be the best safety towards grooming and a lack of childhood innocence. Trevor Somerville, Illawong
In 1981, I had heard of the concept that we train gender roles from a child’s start. I went to purchase some clothes for my new child nephew. After I refused to disclose the intercourse of my new relative, the store particular person grew to become argumentative and refused to serve me. For her, it was not simply essential, it was obligatory. Stein Boddington, St Clair
Deceptive museums
The Museums of Historical past NSW ought to include a product disclosure assertion (“Indigenous flotilla to mark Opera Home’s half-century”, November 21). It’s a deceptive title for small group of historic homes and heritage locations, all however one in Sydney, opportunistically repackaged with the previous State Archives. The true museums of historical past in NSW are the greater than 330 neighborhood museums and historic societies in villages, cities and cities. For many years, these unsung cultural establishments, managed by volunteers, have finished the true work of gathering and deciphering NSW historical past. The $240,000 spent on rebranding the misnamed Museums of Historical past NSW is thrice the $80,000 in funding the state authorities allocates for volunteer museums. After practically 12 years of a cultural spendathon, two up to date artwork museums within the metropolis, and the looming $500million demolition of the Powerhouse Museum, the place is the plan to help the true museums of NSW historical past? Kylie Winkworth, Newtown
Winter a weapon of battle
The European winter could also be a extra vital enemy than Vladimir Putin (“Conflict fatigue arrives with winter”, November 21). Napoleon and Hitler discovered to their value the influence of winter warfare. Poet Walter de la Mare laid the blame on the French dictator’s expectations. His imagined soliloquy: “… This incessant snow/ this northern sky/ troopers, this solitude/ by way of which we go/is I.” Derrick Mason, Boorowa
This can be a 1938 second. There isn’t a “peace in our time” until we battle for it. Which means supporting Ukraine till the invaders are pushed out. Sue Younger, Bensville
Aye, aye capstan
A ferry with no steering close to Sydney Heads isn’t any small concern (“Manly ferry adrift close to Sydney Heads”, November 21). There may be Dunbar’s anchor on the ocean facet of South Head, a reminder that the rocks there are lethal. The previous ferries had direct cable and chain linkage from capstan wheel to rudder wheel. That’s thought of primitive now maybe however there have been no electronics or hydraulics to go unsuitable. Donald Hawes, Peel
The sound of mucus. Not
There may be an disagreeable situation involving the build-up of mucus within the nasal cavity. It’s referred to as catarrh and it’s pronounced with stress on the second syllable. It could appear there’s plenty of it about. As we enter the World Cup, can I make a plea for saying the title of the host nation accurately, with equal stress on each syllables? Neil Armfield, Patonga
Construct higher for floods
In northern Australia, all new dwellings must be tied down (“Flood peaks, damaging wind gusts wreak havoc”, November 21). Certainly in incessantly flooded areas constructing codes ought to change. All flooring needs to be concrete, to only hose out.Wa lls needs to be of the same materials and main electrical wiring needs to be at ceiling degree. All drains, together with the bathroom, ought to have a water-tight plug that may cease flood water coming in. Lastly, all roofs ought to have an escape hatch. I’m positive the consultants may modify or make different recommendations to cease the continuous destruction. Roslyn McDonald, Nowra
COP-out saddens
I’m more than happy that your correspondent (Letters, November 21) is feeling extra relaxed about our federal authorities, and after the final one, I perceive. Sadly, I can’t share that vibe because the local weather talks in Sharm el-Sheikh show the inadequacy of the wealthiest nations to behave to scale back international warming. Colin Hesse, Marrickville
Twits abound
For Twitter, can the Musk stick (“Twitter welcomes again Trump after public ballot”, November 21)? Don Leayr, Albury
Proximity precedent
At the moment, greed is likely to be the rationale for constructing on flood plains (Letters, November 21). Traditionally, it was a necessity. Take Ballina. It was a port for the timber trade that required a township shut by to help it. The expertise didn’t exist for options. Meg Pickup, Ballina
Three years of rain have introduced tons of of fledgling birds into our neighbourhood. Every morning is cacophonous with delight. Better of all is the surprisingly candy sound of younger crows calling for breakfast. Keith Russell, Mayfield West
The digital view
On-line remark from one of many tales that attracted essentially the most reader suggestions yesterday on smh.com.au
Australia’s ‘cleaner coal’ is a scientific export rip-off, Wilkie to inform parliament
From Andrew-Reservoir: All Australian coal and gasoline exports ought to have a carbon tax. There needs to be a ban on any new coal or gasoline mining. There are now not any excuses to trash the planet for the earnings of multinational power corporations.
- To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, e-mail letters@smh.com.au. Click on right here for recommendations on how one can submit letters.
- The Opinion publication is a weekly wrap of views that can problem, champion and inform your individual. Enroll right here.