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As a Catholic, it’s pretty sad to see white nationalism creeping into the Catholic education system in Sydney (“The far-right figures teaching students at a Sydney college”, October 2). Whatever its faults, the Catholic Church in Sydney, by word and deed, has always resolutely stood for peace and social justice. This is doubly true of the large Catholic school system which, in my long experience, is both dedicated and successful in turning out good Christians with a well-developed social conscience. On the other hand, if their faculty is any guide, Campion College, which promotes “Catholic values”, seems dedicated to turning out foot soldiers for the tedious culture wars. Tony Mitchell, Hillsdale
Campion College staff Stephen McInerney and Stephen Chavura are promoting far-right rhetoric.Credit: Jamie Brown
Thanks to Patrick Begley for his jaw-dropping report on Stephen McInerney and Stephen Chavura, two academics and pundits who teach at the Catholic Church-affiliated Campion College. Their views are entirely reprehensible in any forum, but to be spilled forth from the lecterns of a Catholic educational institution would be shameful. I noted that questions were asked of the college head, but I would also like to know what the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has to say about it. Likewise, Tony Abbott and Gina Rinehart. Patrick Cormack, Castle Hill
By reposting comments from racist online accounts, Campion College senior history lecturer Stephen Chavura appears to endorse the claim that Indians are a “dangerous and subversive foreign fifth column” in Western society. Does he forget that millions of Indians served alongside Australians in the imperial forces during two world wars? Does he forget that they helped to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny? Does he forget the more than 60,000 Indians who died in World War I, and the 87,000 who died in World War II? There were 1358 who fell at Gallipoli alone, meeting the same fate as 8709 Aussies who died there. And what does Chavura think of the many Indian Australians who serve their adoptive country daily in the armed forces and as police officers? Shame on him for stooping so low. Will Thorpe, Haberfield
Loss of trust
Alexandra Smith is absolutely correct when she admits that “by blindly following one another, we are inadvertently eroding trust in our schools and our teachers to educate our children” (“I’ve signed my kids up for tutoring. It’s quite an education”, October 2). With the best of intentions and driven by a desire for our children not to be left behind, Australian parents have been “conned” by an outsourced private education industry, which very effectively uses huge private (and shamefully some public) financial resources to sell the myth that your child must have a private school education and private tutoring to succeed. Parents are paying huge sums of money, which could be better spent on the family in other ways, on an education “con job”. Congratulations to Alexandra Smith for being game enough to put up her hand publicly. Warren Marks, Richmond
Every parent has dreams and wishes of success for their children. Academic, sporting and artistic tutoring can allow children to become more accomplished, but generally involves greater pressure and often cuts into essential free time. Our children’s mental health must come first, and safeguards need to be in place. Parents must look beyond the next exam, game or eisteddfod and allow their children to grow and succeed at their own rate. Comparisons and competition only create anxiety and mental health problems, which have become a worldwide problem for adolescents. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
Our children’s mental health must come first.Credit:
Modern parenting is complex and tutoring is one aspect of how children’s busy lives can become even more congested for both parents and their kids. Parents know what is best for their individual kids and their judgment is crucial. As the congestion meter keeps going up, the key is still to find the right balance with the activity overload and set aside some time for a daily shared conversation. Rod Leonarder, Roseville
Stripped of dignity
Well might the state authorities apologise for this abuse of Raya Meredith (“State sorry for illegal strip-search”, October 2). But the apology seems to be deliberately limited to this one incident. What about all the other people who have been subjected to such a violent invasion of their privacy? This supposedly “valid tool” of policing needs a thorough judicial investigation. For instance: Has anyone thought to ask why police need a warrant to search a person’s home but not to strip-search a person’s body in the most intimate and intrusive of ways? Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills
Surely new Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon is having a lend of me? His comment about conducting strip-searches with “dignity” makes no sense after having read about Raya Meredith’s appalling encounter with police. He should excuse himself on the grounds that he is living in a different century to everyone else. Monica Turik, Mona Vale
People suffer
The Democrats are out to show that the Congress can oppose, if not control, Trump (“US government shuts down as Trump, Congress fail to agree on spending”, October 2). The problem is that ordinary Americans are caught up in a lose-lose situation. It appears that Abraham Lincoln’s vision of government of the people, by the people and especially for the people is, once again, under threat from the self-styled people’s champion. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Truly old and wise
My mother might well be evidence for Trump’s approach to preserving his heartbeats (“Debunking Trump’s theories of exercise”, October 2). Alive and kicking at 96, she has in recent decades eschewed any form of serious exercise altogether, devising her own series of “stretches” that include cat-kneading and gentle foot rolls. She lives in her own home supported by a retinue of paid and unpaid staff, but here the comparisons with Trump end. A mostly cheery soul, nothing gets her heart rate up faster than our lively discussions about this appalling man. Felicity Biggins, Cooks Hill
Heavy duty
On a recent visit to America, l was shocked at the glaring obesity epidemic fuelled for generations by a diet of cheap and easily available burgers, fries and sugary cola. Donald Trump himself, a self-professed burger lover, shows the results. It’s hard to believe that Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy has not vigorously addressed this obvious problem, rather than attacking vaccines and headache pills. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is going to have “slim pickings” as he tries to seek change and fill his recruiting requirements (“The Pentagon’s weight problem”, October 1). Greg Vale, Kiama
Vice President JD Vance and his trademark facial hair.Credit: AP
Is US Vice President JD Vance, in Pete Hegseth’s terms, a “beardo”? David Brown, Robertson
Pete Hegseth wears orange shoes. Robin Gibson, Darlinghurst
Poor priorities
So Anthony Albanese is taking partial credit for encouraging Israel and the US to agree to a Gaza peace plan (“Statehood call ‘led to Gaza plan’” , October 2). This is surely a bit of over-reach from someone who has not yet had a meeting with Donald Trump, yet who claims that Trump was influenced by his recognition of a Palestinian state. Our PM might do better to first concentrate on solving Australia’s housing and climate issues before turning his attention to creating world peace. Irene Nemes, Rose Bay
Correspondent Shayne Chester’s concerns about the Gaza peace plan seem to be based around the contention that Palestine has been brutally occupied and oppressed for nearly 80 years (Letters, October 1), yet throughout this period Israel has periodically agreed to Palestinian statehood and has always yearned to live in peace with its neighbours. However, it has been subjected to constant rejection and terrorism by those who deny its right to exist. Hopefully, this plan will be the start of reversing this, and can, ultimately, lead to peace and self-determination for all. Alan Shroot, Forrest (ACT)
Stand up for Australia
Critical minerals are becoming more important to the world’s economy and Australia is fortunate to have good reserves (“PM lobbies to counter China on minerals”, October 2). The PM is calling for other countries to invest in developing these reserves. But we have seen this before, with multinationals taking over our mines and avoiding paying reasonable taxes to Australia. The US wants more than reliable mineral supplies – they want control. This time Australia should stand up to retain ownership and control of what has become a strategic asset, and not allow an expensive repeat of what happened to our gas industry. Graeme Pattison, Lilyfield
The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.Credit: Bloomberg
Out of reach
Elizabeth Knight’s excellent article exposes the folly of the government’s approach to housing (“House prices are going up and the banks are going to war”, October 2). Trumpeting the new first home buyers scheme, the government claims it will increase house prices by a modest 0.5 per cent over five years, yet on the same day as the scheme launched, industry figures show a 0.9 per cent increase in September alone and an annual increase of 4.9 per cent. As Knight points out, the scheme coincides with the arrival of a fifth major player in the housing finance sector, which will only fuel demand. Meanwhile, the government’s national housing accord of building 1.2 million homes by 2029 has fallen further into decline, with August building approvals falling by 6 per cent after a 10 per cent decline in July. Even the RBA governor is admitting supply is failing to meet demand. The government is boosting one side of the equation and failing on the other. Existing homeowners are the winners, while aspiring entrants to the housing market can only look on in despair. Mike Kenneally, Manly
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
Can we just pause the housing policy scrum for a moment and consider the term “affordable housing”? It is defined as 80 per cent of market rent and is brandished by the government and compliant councils like a light sabre. Eighty per cent of Sydney rent? Cheaper? Yes. Affordable? No. Shirley Prescott, Forest Lodge
Pension stands
Thursday’s correspondents, obviously no fans of Ms Berejiklian, would like to know how such a “corrupt” politician can continue to draw their pension (Letters, October 2). The answer is simple. Such a pension can only be revoked if the member has been convicted of a serious criminal offence while in office. She wasn’t, so the pension stands. Simple. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth
For good of all
Vale, conservationist and ecologist extraordinaire Jane Goodall (“Conservationist renowned for chimpanzee research dies at 91”, October 2). She inspired many, not just with her work over seven decades, but also with her kindness. Fittingly, her acronym was APE – animals, people and environment. The organisation she founded, Roots and Shoots, will continue to empower young people to take action to make the world a better place. May it go from strength to strength in her memory. Ray Peck, Hawthorn (Vic)
Jane Goodall with a gorilla at Melbourne Zoo in 2008.Credit: Craig Abraham
Safe is sound
Steve Dillon uses the “Coolgardie safe” as an example of an impractical object (Letters, October 2). I object! The meat cooler, a freestanding cupboard surrounded by fly wire and cooled by evaporation using old, wet towels draped over it, is both practical and environmentally sound as it uses nothing but the gentle outback breeze as a power source, particularly where electricity and ice is scarce and becoming ever more expensive. Robert Hosking, Paddington
With respect to Steve Dillon, may I suggest that given the reality of global warming, a dinky-di, tried and true Coolgardie safe will prove more practical than either AUKUS subs or a Pentagon safe. Cheaper too, and made in Australia. Maralyn Lawson, Greenwich
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