Pray for the best
Your correspondent (Letters, 14/12) believes, regarding entitlement rorts, that “if you want to get the best possible people to lead the country, you have to pay for them”. I would suggest that if we did in fact have the best possible people leading our country we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Julian Guy, Mt Eliza
Poorer bear burden
The government will have spent over $6 billion dollars on subsidising home batteries. Those who own their own home have government subsidised, rooftop solar panels now have access to taxpayer-funded home batteries.
For these households, the taxpayer funded renewable programs are a great financial benefit. Their power bills will reduce considerably.
However, those households in apartments and or are renting don’t have access to these government handouts. Their power bills are increasing dramatically, especially now the government has stopped the electricity rebates.
They are the ones for who are carrying the burden of very poorly planned renewable rollout.
Ian Bennett, Jan Juc
Keep the rebate
Increasing the amount for subsidies on home batteries is a fine idea for those who can afford the initial cost, but continuing the electricity rebate is an even better idea in a cost of living crisis.
Annie Wilson, Inverloch
Watching supermarkets
The government is finally doing something about the price gouging that has been going on with our two major supermarkets, Woolworths and Coles (″Unlevel playing field: Supermarkets hit back at price gouging ban″, 14/12).
In 2024, Woolworths made a $1.39 billion profit, while Coles made $1.08 billion profit. These profits were some of the most profitable for any supermarkets in the world.
The profits are from the groceries we buy; the basic need that we all have to put food on the table, and that some are finding it harder to do. How many of us have experienced buying groceries one week then finding the next week they have increased? Or price discrepancies at the register that ring up more expensive than the advertised price?
It is hard to always pick up on this at the time. l’m wondering if the paperless receipt that is never a choice unless you ask for it, makes it even harder to pick up overcharges. This is a positive move from the government and sends a strong message to the two supermarkets that finally someone is watching you.
Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris
Wells’ furore timing
I’m still waiting for someone to explain exactly what Anika Wells did wrong. She probably couldn’t explain the cost of the airfare to New York because someone else would have booked it, and she may not have even known the cost. Any travel agent will confirm last-minute bookings are very expensive.
Certainly, she has used her full family reunion entitlements, but there are 27 other MPs – Liberal, National, Labour, Greens – who have spent more than she. It is suggested Minister Wells should have exercised better judgement, but if she is entitled, and sticks to the rules, what better judgement are we talking about?
Should she have used half her entitlement? a quarter? How much? There are many aspects of life in which some people are entitled to things others are not – tax policy, access to welfare benefits, corporate salary ‘perks’. It may be unfair, but it does not follow that those accessing their entitlements are wrong.
The cynic in me can’t help but think the timing of this furore is suspiciously very fortuitous for the social media companies.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
Ex-PM benefits
I do not object to politicians receiving family reunion allowances, but suggest that they only allow such reunions to take place in Canberra for a maximum number of visits each year. This would eliminate the issue of reunions conveniently taking place in the snowfields, at grand finals etc.
If the government remuneration tribunal reviews the current rules and conditions, I hope it will also look at the benefits paid to former prime ministers. Apart from their superannuation payouts, they also receive generous allowances for overseas travel, office and staff costs, car expenses (including leases, fuel and servicing).
Before I retired, my salary package incorporated an office car; however, this privilege quite rightly ended on the day I retired. I also lost the use of my office and administration staff.
Former politicians often move into well paid corporate positions after retirement and I do not think they need or should receive these extra, taxpayer funded entitlements.
Tony Wheeler, Templestowe Lower
Just for starters
Given the furore over politician’s snouts in troughs I am pleased to see that The Age paid the $14 for Nick Reece to enjoy the two anchovies doused in olive oil (13/12).
Robin Martin, Coburg
Tax deductibility
I wonder whether one possible resolution of the guidelines that seem to allow politicians to make questionable claims would be that they pay for the costs themselves and then seek to claim them back from the ATO as a tax-deductible expense.
Geoff Sheahan, Glen Waverley
Yes, we can do it
How good to read the story about eradicating cats on Kangaroo Island (“Animosity kills the cats”, 14/12). On the Dudley Peninsula, 1700 cats down, 150 to go. Birds, geckos and penguin chicks are just some of the native species enjoying a revival.
Throw in similar success on Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island, and the claim that “Australia is a world leader in feral eradications on islands” rings true.
The ingredients of these successful campaigns are easy to name. A clear assessment of the threat, a decision to act, a scientifically-based plan of action, adequate funding, and an unswerving determination to do the hard work. ]Imagine what a difference it would make to the wealth of Australia’s flora and fauna if the same recipe was used to eradicate pestiferous fossil fuel emissions.
Tom Knowles, Parkville
Rating critics
Reading the Sunday Age (14/12), I noticed that nearly every show or movie received a three-star rating. A few received 3.5 or 4 stars, but the vast majority were three.
Is this indicative of widespread mediocrity in entertainment, or mediocrity among the critics? It would be nice to see reviews that offered more than milquetoast takes.
Kevin Campbell, Kooyong
AND ANOTHER THING
Good cheer
Scores of bikies with their lights on, decked with tinsel and flanking motorcycling Santas, roared along Bellarine Highway on Sunday morning. They put some much-needed Merry in Christmas.
Glenda Johnston, Queenscliff
I am over people bagging Melbourne! Yes, there have been terrible incidents, but there are also many excellent examples of cooperative, helpful and polite behaviour. My experiences on trams, in crowded streets and lifts have all been positive. I recommend a change of approach and attitude.
Kathy Diviny, Coburg
Trump world
Surely, the remaining AUKUS issues could be resolved by a sub-committee?
Jim Pilmer, Camberwell
The US security plan declares that Europe is ruled by weak, corrupt elites. Talk about hypocrisy on steroids.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South
Anyone preparing to attend the World Cup in the US next year, start posting on social media how wonderful Donald Trump is. And don’t forget, you’re all the way with the USA, even if you don’t mean it.
Christo Krousoratis, Templestowe
I wouldn’t travel to America if you paid me.
Dan Drummond, Leongatha
Furthermore
Re ″Crisis as state funding for disabled dries up″, (13/12). The disability sector’s wish for 2026 is that the Allan government will show as much concern for Victorians with a disability as for its Big Builds.
Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick
As a retired doctor and scientist, I object to the claim there is scientific evidence supporting supplements. Science has proven that most of the supplements mentioned (“The wellness industry wants your cats and dogs”, 14/12) have no effect on humans, let alone pets.
Dr. Ralph Frank, Malvern East
Finally
Adelaide Test starting on a Wednesday. What chance any weekend cricket?
Doug Perry, Mt Martha
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