Census inclusion would show the LGBTQ community it counts – MASHAHER

The LGBTQ+ community have a right to be aggrieved by the government’s refusal to include its stats in the Commonwealth census (“Census slight: don’t we count, PM?” August 29). This kind of timidity by the government won’t help it in the forthcoming federal election. It’s about time Anthony Albanese surprised us by proving he has some backbone. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Mark Baxter’s criticism of performative politics is hard to argue with. But in describing Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong walking across the Harbour Bridge as, ultimately, no more than tokenistic, I am reminded of when about 250,000 people walked across the same bridge in 2000 supporting reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. Unfortunately, not much has actually changed for the better since; except that the Labor government last year held a referendum to give Indigenous Australians some right to have a say in issues affecting them. Responsibility for its failure lies squarely with individual Australians, not with any lack of will or interest from Labor to make a substantive and meaningful difference. And, against that background, a sense of “once bitten, twice shy” in future is perhaps more understandable.
Ross Duncan, Potts Point

If Baxter thinks that LGBTQ+ people would be better off under a Coalition government he needs to think again. It is true the Gillard government did not allow a conscience on same-sex marriage, but neither did the Abbott-Joyce Coalition government. Labor opposition support for same-sex marriage became Labor policy. The only reason Malcolm Turnbull put into effect the same-sex survey was because Dutton persuaded him that the issue had to be resolved because it was tearing the Liberal Party apart. Tony Brownlow, Glebe

Baxter accuses the Albanese government of a “lack of ambition”. Others may not be so kind in describing the current government. Everywhere one cares to cast one’s gaze, the PM and his colleagues are either upsetting a sector of the community or are failing to meet community expectations.

In the last week alone, those with a disability have felt let down, universities are concerned about how to make ends meet, anti-gambling advocates predict the government will go soft on the gambling advertisers, seniors are bracing themselves to be slugged increased fees for aged care, not to mention Baxter’s claim of a lack of commitment by the government to the LGBTQ community. It seems Anthony Albanese and his team do not understand the risk/reward equation. Ross Butler, Rodd Point

There are many things for which nobody needs comprehensive counts for suburbs and even smaller areas, which is what censuses deliver. Sexual preferences are one such thing. It is extraordinarily resource-intensive to collect information about minorities at that geographical detail, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics is certainly not resourced to do so. Perhaps the writer should be asking for more sample surveys aimed at establishing statistically robust data about social issues down to the level of, say, local government areas? Ian Bowie, Bowral

When my wife and I completed the last census (and we love the census), the absence of a question on sexuality left us miffed. If we needed a plebiscite to get married, then surely we warrant a wee question in the census. C’mon PM, you know better, so do better. Letitia Davy, Marrickville

What could be more divisive than religion, but that is counted. The ABS states that the census is a “snapshot of the country” and tells us “how we are changing”. The data is used to help recognise our various communities and plan appropriate services where their needs may differ. Surely more information is a good thing. Judith Campbell, Drummoyne

Since they appear to be playing from the opposition’s handbook, if Labor is feigning concern it might be divisive to count LGBTQIA+ Australians in the next census, perhaps they should consider a plebiscite? Peter Fyfe, Enmore

It’s possible that having a special category for LGBTQ+ in the 2026 census would have caused outrage, being viewed as discriminatory and not helpful. A double-edged sword to some. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North

The PM can’t win with census questions. If he asks about gender he is invasive, if he doesn’t, he is ignoring a section of the population. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

Baxter needs to get over himself. The LGBTQ+ community won’t find a better friend than Labor. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Premature Christmas

A tough Christmas? It’s only August (“Inflation eases but still Christmas looks tough”, August 29). I feel a bit sorry for the Albanese government. It can’t even enjoy a positive story after presiding over “steep falls in electricity and petrol prices” and pleasing inflation figures. The hills are alive with the sound of naysaying, with Peter Dutton as usual marching to the fore, his clarion calls of “no!” echoing throughout the land. Alison Stewart, Riverview

I often wonder why the car parks under shopping centres are always full and spaces are hard to find when I go shopping. If the retailers are doing it tough, what are all the people who drive these cars doing in the shopping centres? I am sure it will be even harder to find a parking space in December. Robyn Lewis, Raglan

Short is sweet

A few years ago the letters page featured several contributors outlining their methods (Letters, August 29). Some confessed to spending a whole day refining their missive before submitting. Some, myself included, admitted they fired off a few short sentences, usually in response to some article they had just read and often in a blind rage. I still maintain the latter are more entertaining! Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt

When it comes to letters I consider W to be the longest. Michael Deeth, Como West

Seems like short shrift for short letters. Tim Schroder, Gordon

Short letters now have a high stature. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

Brevity may be the soul of wit, but too much brevity has neither soul nor wit. Janet Peters, Leichhardt

More concise submissions appearing here equals more representative views – now that’s democracy. Alicia Dawson, Balmain

Letters too long. Just publish my name and suburb. Forget the rest. Graham Russell, Clovelly

When one has nothing substantive to say, any letter one pens to the editor is too long. This one passes muster. Ross Drynan, Lindfield

Eh? Kent Mayo, Uralla

Merit lacking in selective school

Alexandra Smith has hit the nail on the head (“Selective schooling is driving everyone crazy”, August 29). The comprehensive high school has always been the best educational structure as it provides these schools with leaders and high-performing students who set the standards for those in lower years. Selective schools rob comprehensive schools of these students to their detriment. It gives the students in lower years standards they can aspire to as they move through the years. Smith is right when she suggests the selective school network needs to be reconsidered as the desirable educational structure. Bruce Thompson, Long Jetty

There’s no argument from me regarding the overabundance of selective schools in NSW. However, schools that are not selective are not “comprehensive” schools but are effectively a “B” stream once students are plucked out for selective and private-school placements. The impact of this on the popular NAPLAN and HSC league tables is obvious. Scott Warnes, Suffolk Park

Smith is correct in expressing the dilemma faced by parents searching for a “good” school for their high school-bound students this year. I attended a very good comprehensive high school in Katoomba many years ago, where academic excellence was encouraged, and sporting and cultural opportunities saw the school compete at the highest level in sporting competitions – and even had a brass band representing Australia at a youth festival in Wales in 1975. Alas, today, due to successive state government decisions to hot-bed academic, sporting, and cultural opportunities for students in several selective schools, true comprehensive schools are robbed of the role models for academic excellence and sporting champions to build school and community spirit around. Having taught in the independent sector for several years and bar a few exceptions, all private schools are truly comprehensive. While school fees in these schools are the key criteria for enrolment, they are not academically selective and offer a wide range of sporting and cultural opportunities encouraging spirit and community through the students’ and parents’ participation. Public education can do much better; it requires leadership with vision and drive to ensure every student has the same opportunities in their schooling and the appropriate funding for all. Shane Hogan, Riverview

If the goal of more selective schools was to undermine state education, then job done! Undermining the ambitions and performance of comprehensive schools and encouraging the unselected “disappointed” into private schools because selection screams that the “ordinary” school is inferior. Comprehensive state schools should educate all, from the brightest to those needing the most help. The sooner the system is dismantled, the better. Michael Berg, Randwick

Bankstown metro is off-track

As someone impacted by the closure of the Bankstown train line, I have to say that it comes as no surprise that the government underestimated the impact this closure would have (“Closure of busy rail line worse than first thought”, August 29). A perfectly good rail line gone with promises of a better one to come – at some vague point. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill

As many people in this city understand, of the three Sydney Metro connection opportunities presented by the former government, the one chosen maximised road tolls Thus, we have the people living along the Bankstown Line about to experience a horror year of their lives. Even at this stage, the horror can be avoided by leaving the Bankstown Line served by the far better Waratah trains. The upgrade works done to date were needed anyway. The people of Sydney would be far better served by connecting the Sydney Metro to the Airport Line between the Waterloo and Green Square stations with a view to creating a Sydney Orbital Railway – even if this is one of the many transport services not permitted by the motorway toll contracts. Peter Egan, Mosman

Legislation could end intervention

If the NSW premier wants to prevent “eleventh hour” federal interventions in major development approvals, then maybe he needs to modernise this state’s Aboriginal cultural heritage laws (“Premier and Plibersek clash over $1 billion gold mine”, August 29). The current legislation dates back to the 1970s, and various drafts of new legislation have languished in the parliamentary pipeline for over a decade. Indigenous community and other stakeholders have been consulted many, many times on what is needed in new legislation – it just requires some political fortitude to bring a new Act before the NSW parliament. Russ Couch, Woonona

I am disappointed by the seeming trade-off the premier makes between tailing dam locations and pressure on coal mining. Premier, it is not acceptable that coal-mining challenges can be offset and addressed through risky dam tailing decisions in other mining projects. I vote for the “rigorous” approach. Chris Bilsland, Lane Cove

Our immoral coal ‘habit’

Mining and exporting coal isn’t just irrational; it’s immoral (Letters, August 29). Can’t the powers that be see this? We might be using more solar power in sunny Australia, but till we stop exporting it, we’re culpable. It’s like feeding a coke habit. Ashley Berry, Toolijooa

Ad ban would be ‘amazing’, Albanese

Tim Costello has said it perfectly (Letters, August 29). Never let it be said I am a fan of John Howard, but he will be remembered for taking on the gun lobby and changing the laws on gun ownership. If Anthony Albanese is to be remembered for doing something amazing during his time as our prime minister, he could ban all gambling advertising and show his mettle. Now, PM, it’s time. Pauline Fawkner, Camperdown

Paralympic pride

I am in awe of the courage and determination of our magnificent Paralympians. They are an inspiration to all of us. Good luck. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

Unlike the able-bodied Olympians who were carried down the Seine at the start of the Paris Olympic Games, Paralympian athletes have proudly walked and wheelchaired themselves down the Champs-Elysses at their own opening ceremony. Already, their efforts are inspiring. Megan Brock, Summer Hill

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