Progress is unlikely ever to come from protecting the status quo (“Abbott was a friend to working women. Yes, you read that right”, September 25). Jacqueline Maley correctly says the federal government’s equivocations about expanding paid parental leave and childcare “just look like excuses for protecting the status quo”, and it’s time we recognised the permanent damage such hesitation may cause. When we’re struggling to fill vacancies in a situation of historically low unemployment, it’s surely worth looking at all available measures to utilise the resources already at our disposal. How easy would it be to boost the 62 per cent female workforce participation rate? Look no further than those simple family-friendly measures to enlist more working mums, and unlock an existing workforce that’s already trained and ready to go. This opportunity for real progress must not be delayed.
Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale (Vic)
Jacqueline Maley is far too kind to Tony Abbott by depicting him as having been a friend to working women. This is the same bloke who as PM abolished the “Low-income earners’ superannuation contribution”, which benefited those earning less than $37,000 per year, which was many women, particularly those working part-time due to looking after children.
Con Vaitsas, Ashbury
Reform into results
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’s interview with Fitzy (“Chalmers on Keating, booze, bracelets and those tax cuts”, September 25) says that he talks frequently to the former treasurers Paul Keating and Wayne Swan – between them some 16 years of experience – not bad to have plenty of advice to manage the challenging times ahead in the economy. Both Keating and Swan faced immense economic challenges and their experience will be crucial for Chalmers. Chalmers is a charming guy in a softer version of Keating with the same charisma and off-the-cuff intelligent humour. What Chalmers needs to learn from both these previous Labour treasurers is their amazing ability to continue with the reforms under challenging circumstances and that Chalmers has to convince people without losing too much political capital to abandon stage 3 tax cuts. I will give Chalmers full marks when he does that.
Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
Pet peeve
Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t train, monitor or clean up after their animals in their own homes, let alone someone else’s (“Push to boost tenants’ rights to own pets”, September 25). If residential tenancy laws are to be changed in favour of pet owners, a great deal of attention will need to be paid to responsibilities, and timeframes for thorough remediation of damage of all sorts. A bad smell lingers for a long time and is a real turn-off. Meredith Williams, Northmead
Right said Fed
Roger Federer will be remembered as much for his sportsmanship as for his sporting prowess (“Federer’s ‘perfect journey’ comes to an end”, September 25). His respect for the game, opponents, officials and spectators made him one of the most admired players in the history of tennis. Clearly it’s possible to be a champion without behaving badly. Hopefully, others will follow his example. Graham Lum, North Rocks
Kind minister
Parnell Palme McGuinness (“Selflessness is back in fashion”, September 25) has once again hit the nail on the head with her praise of Anthony Albanese’s choice of words on Elizabeth R, reflecting as they do his own values – “love of family, loyalty to country, service to community, kindness to those in need and respect for everyone”. With this approach to his role, Albanese will make a great prime minister.
Andrew Macintosh, Cromer
Originally published at Sydney News HQ
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