We’re a reasonably pathetic bunch if we will’t discover an Australian who can do a greater job than “King” Charles is prone to do. Let’s begin with the present Australian of the Yr, Dylan Alcott, or any of his residing predecessors. Then there’s a reasonably good record of wonderful Australians who’ve been awarded Orders of Australia (by the Queen, in order that they should be good). Kevin Farrell, Beelbangera
Listed below are two options for titles for the Australian Republic Head of State; “Governor Elder”, which provides a nod to each camps and offers a point of continuity, and for the total change, “Esteemed Elder”, an egalitarian “first-among-equals”. Michael Cunningham, Pearl Seaside
Is it truly essential to have a president? Title Switzerland’s president? Few folks can as a result of it’s a one-year revolving appointment. In Australia, train of the reserve powers or any constitutional points could possibly be determined by judges of the Excessive Courtroom. Allow us to assume exterior the field for an apolitical answer. Graham Millar, Killarney Heights
The monarchy, with help from our republican prime minister and funding courtesy of the Australian taxpayer, is already planning its subsequent promoting occasion – a go to subsequent 12 months by the brand new Prince and Princess of Wales. Stand by for the inevitable King Charles parade by our streets to comply with. Not a lot probability of a change within the polls within the foreseeable future. Rick Johnston, Potts Level
Consultants ignored on drug reform
It’s fascinating the NSW authorities has been enthusiastic in its acceptance of professional medical recommendation in the case of COVID-related issues however professional medical recommendation on drug decriminalisation is ignored (“Premier stops in need of drug decriminalisation”, September 22). Why, when the legal guidelines are failing, do politicians assume they know greater than the consultants? John Croker, Woonona
The premier stated: “Medication haven’t any place in our society.” The assertion is not only factually incorrect, it’s one other instance of a political mindset that perpetuates the so-called “battle on medicine”.
Medication have at all times had a spot in society. What’s outlined as illicit has far more to do with social and political norms or agendas than with evidence-based analysis. Medication reminiscent of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine are, regardless of the proof of their relative toxicity, promoted, taxed and hardly talked about in the case of dialogue of drug legal guidelines. Regardless of the ever-increasing proof supporting decriminalisation, and even legalisation, politicians and police repeat the identical outdated drained and flawed mantra.
Lindsay Smith, Linden
Constructing blocks
Effectively stated by your correspondent (Letters, September 22). Let me add some immortal phrases from Keats: “A factor of magnificence is a pleasure endlessly.” When buildings of earlier eras are destroyed, or let go to rack and destroy, even the not-so-beautiful ones, we lose not solely a few of our historical past however our humanity. Sure, some buildings is perhaps past restore and we have to make room for brand new housing for a rising inhabitants. Nonetheless, this could not come on the expense of demolishing our historical past and turning streets and neighbourhoods into bland city landscapes. It’s neither lovely nor joyful to stroll by such neighbourhoods.Margot Vaccari, Berowra
I agree along with your correspondent. The three-bedroom Conflict Service fibro dwelling of 1953 classic at North Ryde, occupied for 40 years by my household, ought to have been preserved as a slice of our current previous. Paul Keys, Clouds Creek
Alternate answer
The damaging financial impact of yesterday’s public vacation, together with sickies taken at this time to create a four-day weekend, might have been prevented. The Nationwide Day of Mourning ought to have been handled as our annual Remembrance Day on November 11, with flags at half-mast, a minute’s silence at 11am and commemorative companies out there when and the place appropriate for individuals who want to attend them. Alan Slade, Dover Heights
Lack of service
Quite a few correspondents (Letters, September 22) wrote concerning the severe lack of companies as a result of privatisation of as soon as government-operated companies reminiscent of buses, energy, and so forth. One obtrusive omission was the privatisation of preschool childcare. Personal corporations at the moment are making giant income from childcare, which push up costs for folks. These have been as soon as not-for-profit companies. Till childcare care is faraway from the online of massive enterprise, prices will proceed to extend, wages of staff might be frequently squeezed and companies diminished. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona
Swanning round
Effectively stated, Osman Faruqi (“Being a Swans fan will be isolating and oh so candy”, September 22) however the Swans are greater than “a part of the material of Sydney”. They’re the basic Aussie underdog – a NSW staff competing towards the Victorian institution. A few of us are out-of-towners – ex-leagueys who had their native tribal groups ripped from them by the Tremendous League dispute and located a extra thrilling spectacle. There might be an Illawarra Steeler boy sitting within the MCG hoping the purple and white cygnets will soar as excessive because the exorbitant fares the airways are outrageously charging to get him there. Mike Traynor, Bellambi
Heavy lifting
The naval scores towing the Queen’s coffin could have a tough job with OH&S implications (Letters, September 22) but it surely palls in contrast with that of the pallbearers. The Queen’s coffin weighed about 300kg, which suggests every of the guardsmen needed to help a weight of over 37 kilograms. Their job was the equal of every carrying a 12-year-old youngster on his shoulders. Ian Falconer, Turramurra
Your correspondent needn’t be overly involved for the properly–being of those that pulled the gun carriage bearing the Queen’s coffin. People can simply and safely pull about a great deal of 30 per cent or extra of their physique weight, so 142 wholesome males, of 90kg common weight, might simply deal with about 3.83 tonnes or so. The gun carriage weighs some 2.545 tonnes, plus say 200kg for its load, for a complete of solely about 2.745 tonnes. The truth that it wasn’t notably laborious work can be proven by the best way they have been all strolling comfortably bolt upright, and weren’t needing to lean ahead as occurs when one is straining beneath a load. Colin Lamb, Peakhurst
Greater than riches
Australians are very wealthy (“Australians wealthiest folks alive”, September 22)? It prompts the view that it will be higher nonetheless if we have been like Finland, named, for the fifth time, because the happiest nation on the planet (2022 World Happiness Report). Steve Ngeow, Chatswood
One other reminder
Cathy Wilcox (Letters, September 22) sadly reminds us of the pressing want for Makarrata. “Coming collectively after a battle, dealing with the actual fact of wrongs and residing once more in peace.” Josephine Piper, Miranda
Putin scrutiny
Archbishop Justin Welby’s phrases on the Queen’s funeral ring true in regard to the Putins of our world “those that serve might be cherished and remembered when those that cling to energy are lengthy forgotten” (“Putin ramps up battle strikes after partial loss”, September 22). John Cotterill, Kingsford
Masthead mates
Over time, common writers to the Herald change into like an prolonged household, their progress duly famous. “Rosemary O’Brien has moved suburbs!” “Ron Sinclair reckons Eire’s thought of the presidency is the go.” “Con Vaitsas simply had a birthday – how outdated d’ya reckon?” Betsy Brennan, Wahroonga
Lest we neglect
Making certain an annual public vacation on a personally important anniversary (Letters, September 22) is simple: simply get married on Anzac Day. Steve Cornelius, Brookvale
Islands victory
Effectively finished, Tiwi Islanders (“Courtroom orders Santos to halt fuel drilling”, September 22). Pleasure Cooksey, Harrington
Photo voltaic flexers
Time to emerge from hibernation and benefit from the 12-hours-plus daylight per day, courtesy of the spring equinox. Robyn Stutchbury, Linley Level
The digital view
On-line remark from one of many tales that attracted essentially the most reader suggestions yesterday on smh.com.au
The ‘honest go’ has gone and stage one of many revolution has occurred
From Politics and sport don’t combine: “Our coverage of getting housing as an funding relatively than a house is a serious driver of inequality. Finish all tax breaks on housing can be a begin. Use the cash saved and construct social housing – conventional council homes. Finish sophisticated belief constructions to cover earnings and keep away from tax. Introduce a type of inheritance tax.”
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