Migrants in all facets of life make this nation great

If ever there was a fake news item, then our so-called major immigration issue is it. I didn’t spend a night in hospital, but months recovering from a critical illness that left me immobile, unable to swallow and fed through a tube (“Before you rail against migrants, have a night in hospital”, October 19). From my expert haematologist of Polish extraction to my African nurse turning me over in bed, to my rehabilitation team led by a caring woman of Indian background and many, many more. Other than my faith, my family and friends, if it wasn’t for them, I’d be dead. Get real, Australia. Matthew Holani, Concord

The toxicity in the debate described by Brendan Nicholson hurts. This week I rode with a taxi driver who came to Australia as a five-year-old. He is now 57. He asked: “How long will I be a migrant?” I am haunted by the poignancy of his question. Anne Eagar, Epping

In commenting on the dependence for staffing of hospitals by nurses and others from outside Australia, an important fact should be noted. As at August this year, according to the Australian College of Nursing, 70,000 registered nurses were working outside the profession. Perhaps people from other countries are more likely to put up with the pressure, stress and lack of support from above that is prevalent in our hospitals today, largely because of constant cuts to public sector funding by successive governments. Heather Phillips (retired RN), Wahroonga

My husband and I met an Afghan man 10 years ago when he was driving a cab and also working in construction. We discovered he’d come as a boat person, one of the persecuted Hazara whose relatives had been shot in front of him. He told us we were the only Australians – in six years – who had spoken to him beyond the necessities. His wife and children, having just received their visas, were finally about to join him, and we decided to mentor this family. Many years of hard work at multiple jobs later, they own their home with a pool; one daughter became a nurse, a son is in the police force and another daughter is a lawyer with the federal government in Canberra. All are contributing to, and grateful to, the country that gave them sanctuary. Most migrants do not sponge off the system, but are driven to get ahead. One problem I had to solve a couple of times was when locals refused to pay this man for his labour. Jennifer Bacia, Newstead (Qld)

Brendan Nicholson warns on underestimating the importance of skilled immigrants in our country. Immigration policy, I think, is a mystery wrapped in a puzzle. My recent medical accident highlighted the role of Irish health workers. After meeting my fourth one, I asked her who was looking after the Irish. Oh, she said cheerfully, we’ve got health workers from the Philippines. Chris Commens, Rosebery

Brendan Nicholson is right to remind us that before railing against migrants, we should spend a night in hospital. Our public health system depends on skilled nurses and specialist doctors, many born and trained overseas. Yet this benefit to Australia comes at a cost to countries whose already stretched health services lose professionals trained with scarce public resources. Even the United Kingdom now experiences this brain drain. As a specialist doctor who was educated and trained in Brisbane, I recognise the opportunities Australia has afforded me and the responsibility to give back. But our hospitals rely on more than doctors and nurses. Many cleaners in my Brisbane hospital come from Tibet and Papua New Guinea, doing essential work that too few Australian-born workers appear willing to undertake. The same applies to delivery riders and other workers who keep our cities functioning. We should acknowledge both sides of this equation: migration enriches Australia, but can impoverish the health systems of countries that migrants leave behind. Above all, those who sustain our hospitals deserve respect, not resentment. Joseph Ting, Carina (Qld)

While I agree that a stint in hospital demonstrates the benefits of our immigration, I can be in perfect health and learn the same lesson. I can chat to a neighbour, buy things in shops, visit a friend in aged care, go to my local cinema, attend events put on by family and friends or just stay home. Everywhere, every day I enjoy the benefits of our multicultural country. Judith Fleming, Sawtell

Thank Trump for inflation

If there are any Australians still thinking that “Trump isn’t all bad”, they should read Shane Wright’s article (“Surge in oil prices the RBA’s worst fears”, October 19). The US administration’s reckless entry into the Iran conflict, and the ensuing broader war, has damaged the entire world. Whether it be the direct cost of fuel, fertilisers or the disastrous impact on food prices, people worldwide are suffering. Here in Australia, the grinding damage of inflation has seen interest rates rise, hurting mortgaged households with already high levels of debt. Unemployment is increasing. Wright reports that Australian inflation would have fallen in August were it not for increases in petrol prices that month. I am surely one of many Australians looking forward to the US midterm elections, hoping that the people of America will direct its political class to address the mess it has made. As the American’s say “enough already!” Cathryn Callaghan, Croydon

Why is the Albanese government risking a backlash from Asian gas buyers over a gas reservation scheme that will achieve so little (“Gas export rules risk uproar from Asian buyers”, October 19)? It is unlikely to cut gas prices. It won’t raise a cent more in tax or royalties from the gas giants. It does nothing about gas pollution, and it may even encourage new gas projects we can’t afford, climatically or economically. All the diplomatic risk, none of the reward. Larni Dibben, Glen Iris (Vic)

US voters, end this madness!

The wonder of Donald Trump is not only that he was elected in the first place but that, with the acquiescence of some highly placed Republicans, he maintained his role as damaging power broker. As the Herald’s editorial details (“Midterm poll leaves Trump facing reality”, October 19), Trump has proved troublesome in so many deleterious ways to allies of the United States and a majority of US voters. Hopefully, the coming midterm elections retard Trump’s capacity to cause further harm and hasten the demise of his dictatorial reign. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free, free to pull the plug on AUKUS. We are not committed to sinking more money into the US’s questionable ship-building industry but should be if we continue. The US may well have the ability to activate a kill switch in the military capability of an ally’s weaponry. It blatantly demonstrates its ability to turn on a kill switch over Ukraine (“The test result that reveals a dangerous Trump betrayal”, October 19). This clearly demonstrates why we should stand on our own two seaworthy feet and invest in home-grown appropriate maritime defence technology. Let’s avoid AUKUS coming up Trump’s. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

I met a young American family from Oregon. Their son was at a local infants’ school, which my grandkids attended, in Barcelona. I asked how long they were staying in Spain. The husband replied, “We are staying permanently as I don’t want to live in a country where my son has to wear a bulletproof school backpack to attend school”. Their child was definitely more valued than a gun (Letters, October 19). John Cotterill, Kingsford

GST hike proposal is so flawed

The Grattan Institute proposal to raise the GST from 10 to 15 per cent, and to include all food, in order to fund income tax cuts for low-income earners is nothing less than a call for low-income people to fund their own cost-of-living relief (“GST increase touted as a remedy for tax equity”, October 19). Not only that but, under current tax system structures, cuts in low-income taxation are enjoyed just as fully by high-income earners. The answer to the problem is to cut low-income tax and compensate for loss of revenue and for the unnecessary gains enjoyed by high-income earners by introducing a new, fine-tuned income tax scale and a broad wealth tax. At present, the top 10 per cent of household wealth holders in this country hold about 45 per cent of household wealth, with an entry threshold of $2.6 million. By contrast, 50 per cent of households hold less than $579,000, and indeed the bottom 20 per cent hold less than $35,200. This is not even accounting for the grotesque distortion that our top five individual billionaires between them hold – $138.2 billion, or the equivalent of the total wealth held by 3.9 million in the bottom 20 per cent. A broad wealth tax can be done in a way that still encourages productivity. If we want to continue to see ourselves as a lucky country, and as a relatively classless country, we must introduce a fair wealth tax. Tom Mangan, Woy Woy Bay

Paul Sakkal posits (based on a Grattan Institute report) that the GST be raised to 15 per cent on everything and that some of that money be used to increase funding to low-income families, pensioners and JobSeeker. The GST is a regressive tax, and this report clearly demonstrates this by the necessity to compensate some for the rise. Seems a bit like a “robbing Peter to pay Paul” solution to the need to increase government revenue to provide much-needed services. As a self-funded, part-pension retiree, I am concerned that such compensation may not exceed the increased cost of living. Before changes are made to GST and PAYE taxes, the government should look elsewhere. For example, how about not giving away our mineral resources for a song and closing loopholes that allow multinational corporations and other companies to pay zero tax despite their massive profits. There are other ways to fund health, education, NDIS and other services this nation so desperately needs, and I suggest raising the GST should not be the main priority. Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs

How about using the initial years of an increase in GST to pay down federal and state government debts. This move would stop the increasing drain of paying out interest on government debt. This would ultimately benefit those on the lowest tax brackets and create a more sustainable future for everyone. As a resident in a small, indebted territory, this may also affect rates. It goes without saying that, after that, future government debts should then be avoided. Susan Tregeagle, Yarralumla

Funny how the prime minister can cut essential funding of $2 million from Ask Izzy, which provides amazing services to the disadvantaged Australians, but can find $600 million for a new NRL team in PNG (“Revolt builds over Labor’s $2 million cut to essential service”, October 19). No wonder we are so disillusioned by the antics of politicians who have the power to change things for our betterment but wimp out at the urging of powerful lobbyists. Those from sport, gambling, gas and climate inertia come to mind. John Burman, Port Macquarie

The politics of plague

Regarding the cartoon (Letters, October 19) depicting Xi riding a virus passing a baton to Putin riding the plague. No one knows the origin of COVID-19, but this didn’t stop Scott Morrison seeking China’s investigation. Last week, we heard scant details, perhaps rumours, spread about a plague virus escaping from a Russian laboratory. As a Chinese Australian, to this day since COVID-19, numerous Caucasians walking past me on my morning walk along the beach close their mouths tightly as if they are afraid to inhale some contaminated air I breathe out. Paul Lau, Dolls Point

Grim reality of Israeli poll

The fact that a number of Australian-Israelis are making the obligatory trip to Israel to cast their vote in next week’s election (“Australians join global poll pilgrimage to oust Netanyahu for ‘soul of country’”, October 19) underscores the historic importance of this ballot. Some have voiced their motives as wanting Israel “to go back to normality”, “to nudge the country to the centre rather than the right” or “to get this extremist government out” in favour of one that is less “nationalistic, militaristic, religious”. How widely shared these hopes are by Israeli voters remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Palestinians in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank have little to hope for. No candidate has expressed any sympathy for their plight or support for their recognition. On the contrary, all have sought to outflank the present regime with promises of even tighter security measures. The best that Palestinians can hope for is the “least worst” option – that a change of leadership might open the door a tiny fraction to something more stable and predictable than the current chaotic malice they must endure. There’s a tragic mismatch between their intense interest in the outcome of the election and what it might actually deliver them. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)

Matthew Knott highlights Australians travelling to Israel to vote against Benjamin Netanyahu, but how many are actually making the journey? The estimate of 53,000 Israelis living abroad is not a confirmed turnout, and the article provides no breakdown of those travelling from Australia. The article also gives little space to Netanyahu’s supporters. Polls suggest that, despite dissatisfaction with him personally and with his government, a significant share of Israelis continue to see him as a suitable leader. Security is a major concern for Israeli voters, and personal unpopularity does not necessarily mean a lack of confidence in a leader’s ability to protect the country. John Kempler, Rose Bay

Social mortgage

The Archdiocese of Sydney’s refusal to transfer the Turner Street property to the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern is a profound theological failure (Letters, October 17). It directly violates the core tenets of Catholic Social Teaching. The Church teaches that all property carries a “social mortgage”. It exists strictly to serve the common good and human dignity, particularly the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable. For 55 years, the AMS has upheld these exact principles on this site, providing healthcare to Indigenous communities. Archdiocese of Sydney, please don’t prioritise institutional wealth over Jesus’ Gospel call, hand over the title to the traditional custodians! The Leadership, Sisters of Mercy North Sydney

Recipes for success

Like many others, I endured the overcooking of food and vegetables in the 1950s and ’60s and the resulting smells. In answer to Jeremy Brender’s plea (Letters, October 19), I offer: Lightly trim the base of a Brussels sprout, cut an X in the base, remove loose leaves, place in a covered microwave dish with 1 tbs of water, zap on high for 2½ minutes. Done. No smell, not flaccid, colour and vitamins retained. Enjoy! Ian Torrance, Dunlop (ACT)

As healthy as oats boiled in water are, they taste like the cardboard box they come in. The remedy is to cook them in full cream milk to start with, then halfway through, add a chopped banana and some chopped nuts, then after serving, sprinkle some drinking chocolate on top. Healthy and delicious.
Peter Kamenyitzky, Copacabana

Charges are lower

I always jiggle the petrol bowser nozzle (Letters, smh.com.au, October 18). If petrol runs down the side of the car, then I’m at risk of the car bursting into flames. It’s totally an irrational fear thing. Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay

I always like to jiggle my petrol hose but, alas, it’s not the same using my electric charger. Amanda Jordan, Artarmon

Yes, Peter Butler, I’m female and a nozzle jiggler. Apparently middle class, too, although I always thought it was just frugal. Gail Dengate, Dee Why

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