I totally agree with Marvyn Smith ("Education system gives young time to grow", Letters, 30/8), arguing that children should be allowed to grow and mature educationally.
However, in my opinion, our tertiary education system fails to give many youngsters sensible direction and guidance to hone their skills and talents in order to help them choose a direction to pursue.
I was interested to read in another Herald article about the high level of self harm seen among young men in the Hunter. I'm sure that a big part of this "self hate" comes from a sense of hopelessness, as I've seen this in my family.
Our son hated high school and, although an intelligent and able kid, was generally bored apart from doing sport and manual arts. Many of his mates were the same, good kids basically lost in an educational system that seemed irrelevant to them. At that time we were very worried about him and his mates.
We got him through to year 10 and once he started working, his attitude changed totally. He did a carpentry apprenticeship and qualified through TAFE then then qualified as a builder. He never missed a day or night at TAFE and has never looked back.
So many young people go through our education winding up with huge HECS debts and working in areas that they are unsuited for when some sensible help and guidance at school might have worked effectively in steering them in a better direction.
Chris Taylor, Tea Gardens
- Support is available: Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
Dutton has critics on all sides
Your correspondent ("Peter Dutton attacks are unfair", Letters, 6/9), decries the "usual suspects" who have expressed support for Treasurer Jim Chalmer's characterisation of Peter Dutton as divisive.
Paul Strangio, Emeritus Professor in Politics at Monash University, author and recognised authority on Australian political leadership, recently wrote of Dutton: "he relentlessly and recklessly pushes the hot buttons of fear and resentment in the electorate, especially on issues of race".
Just last week, John Hewson, former leader of the federal Liberal-Nationals Coalition, wrote: "He (Dutton) cares for diversity as long as it doesn't include Indigenous or Muslim people, or Black Africans. For years Dutton has tried to gain political advantage by stoking anxiety among the many Australians who have an irrational fear of 'others'".
Are these two respected, experienced political commentators to be included among the "usual suspects"?
John Ure, Mount Hutton
Pitch for selling it yourself
Online do-it-yourself ads for house sales have increased by 30 per cent. I believe this is great news as home owners realise in the age of the internet you no longer need an estate agent to sell your property.
After buying and selling houses for 40 odd years I have often wondered, now we have such great technology, why people are still putting themselves through dealing with some of the most noxious people you'll ever encounter. Is it all the blah about we only work in your best interest? Yeah, sure.
I always felt the need to take a shower after each pitch to cleanse myself. I once tried to sell privately and was continually harassed with fake inspection appointments and endless phone calls from what I suspected were agents. This was before the internet.
I question what they really do that any organised person can't undertake themselves. Get a sign made, engage a photographer, make your home look great, engage a solicitor, have a contract and show people through. A bit of work, but think of the savings. It's all worth it.
Now we have the added nonsense of a buyer's agent who also apparently acts in your best interest for even more of your precious money. I reckon artificial intelligence can probably take over this whole smoke-and-mirror industry and we will all breathe a sigh of relief, keep more of our hard-earned money and never have to deal with snake oil salesmen again.
Sarah Taylor, Merewether
Soft power is the greater weapon
I'm disappointed as I usually find Mike Sargent's letters quite interesting, but I admit to being quite puzzled by his latest contribution ("Aggression demands a defence", Letters, 6/9). It seems he has found a new way of raising the old 'reds under the bed' cry.
At least he tries to articulate who our enemy is, China in his view, which is something our politicians seem incapable of doing. But the Chinese don't need to invade us with a military force, or fire missiles at us. They buy urban properties, they buy farms, and mines. They sell us most of our household goods, cars, electrical appliances etc.
They have so much economic power over Australia that a military threat is not needed to exercise the degree of control they may seek. The only military threat might be China taking out the US bases and infrastructure that are becoming more prevalent in Australia. The biggest military danger Australia faces is from other nations seeking to neutralise the threat the US poses to them, and we insist on letting ourselves become a prime target.
Daryll Hadfield, Redhead
SHORT TAKES
Delivery times behind the pace
We are constantly being told by the people in positions of authority that the companies are losing money, despite billion-dollar profits. I've always found this amusing. I order products from Liverpool, England, quite often, and from the time of placing the order online to dispatch it is very fast. Usually it's less than a day. With transport to the airport, customs clearance and flight time, it takes three to four days. Then, here's the amazing bit: from Sydney to Newcastle, a distance of 170 kilometres, takes almost a week excluding weekends. Why?
David Edge, Maryville
Blockade won't make difference
Zack Schofield and Rising Tide, we don't need or want your 5000 outsiders protesting on Newcastle harbour. You say China, Japan and Korea are rapidly transitioning to renewable energy ("Rising Tide wouldn't stop a cruise ship, so what's the go?", Opinion, 5/9). If this is true, they won't need our coal and exports will stop anyway. Australia needs to import most of its solar and wind infrastructure from China. If you really want to protest you should take on the world's biggest polluter, China. You would need only one-way air fares, and I'm sure China would give you free accommodation.
Phill Payne, Gateshead
Labor didn't inflate woes alone
Please allow me to respond to Greg Hunt ("Peter Dutton attacks are unfair", Letters, 6/9) with a question. How is your memory, Mr Hunt? Do you remember the rate inflation was when Labor was elected? Do you recall the debt inherited by Labor? Do you recall the number of times a budget surplus was delivered as promised over the term of the LNP government? Do you remember the sections of the community Dutton has called out - black South Africans, Muslims, Palestinians, Indigenous people - as being bad for Australia? Sorry Mr Hunt, but Dutton is divisive, and his track record in most portfolios he held as a minister was a disaster.
