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School funding
Why should private schools, selected by parents who choose not to use the government system, garner a special exemption on payroll tax, when the state system of education is so run down? Children in a democracy should be educated together, not segregated by religion or income. There was a time when the poor were not educated at all; now they are, but still they are segregated.
Marion Harper, Reservoir

Important choices
Much has been made of the inequitable effect of payroll tax on private schools (“Join payroll tax fight, parents argue”, 1/6), but payroll tax is just another pointer to the inequitable structure of our school system. We have a class system and one of the most unequal education systems in the Western world. Ultimately it is not about who pays for what, but about the sort of society we want for our children.
Bryan Long, Balwyn

Wealthy should pay more
Before private school leaders cry poor they should look to their significant bank balances and fantastic facilities (assets) compared to local state schools. If their complaints related purely to the policy change being a surprise and creating problems in planning their budgets I’d have some sympathy. Otherwise, why shouldn’t the wealthy pay tax?
Rosita Vila, Aireys Inlet

Think of it as compensation
To the school principals complaining about having to pay payroll tax for the first time, just think about it as a way of paying taxpayers back some of the money wrongly given to your schools by the federal government.
Peter King, Caulfield East

Circular payment
So, private schools don’t pay payroll tax. Why? And why undo it for some private schools only, rather than all of them? And why make government schools pay that tax – effectively the government paying the government, a meaningless accounting exercise that makes government schools hand some of their funding back.
Geoffrey McNaughton, Glen Huntly

Scrap tax for public schools
The argument that wealthy independent schools should no longer be exempt from payroll tax because government schools are not exempt from payroll tax is misguided. Government schools are funded by the government. The government provides the funds, some of which government schools then return to the government in the form of payroll tax. Whatever the payroll tax on a school is, the government pays it.

The broader question to ask is why the government gives with one hand and takes away with the other. Why not simply avoid the administrative costs involved in this double transfer. There are very good reasons to require wealthy independent schools to pay payroll tax, but a comparison with government schools is not one of them.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster

Shortfall raises broader questions
Principal Rita Grima asks why should our families be asked to balance the state budget. Given the country’s current financial situation why should any schools be exempt from payroll tax? Why shouldn’t churches pay tax on business activities?

Scott Morrison talked often about giving hard-working employees more of their hard-earned money. More is reasonably demanded from governments while the view Morrison promoted is we can concurrently pay less tax. How can this be? We need a complete revamp of our approach to taxation. Unfortunately any party that proposes necessary changes to taxation may incur the wrath of electors at the ballot box. John Howard’s introduction of GST was a major commendable change that was accepted but unfortunately it does not now raise enough to pay current bills.
Howard Brownscombe, Brighton

THE FORUM

Take the pressure down
Thank you for your balanced opinion piece about China (“Suboptimal: Our China paradox”, 1/6). As Colin Heseltine observes, President Xi has stated that China has peaceful intentions and said that “no country that has tried to achieve its goals through force has succeeded”. In the past 40 years China’s only military action has been infrequent tussles between Chinese and Indian border forces in the Himalayas.

It is time the Australian media followed the government lead and stopped focusing on China as a military threat to Australia. In fact, if no one said anything about military threats for the next year or two, we might develop a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship with China.
Daniel Cole, Essendon

Consistent message
Finally, a rational assessment of the China-Australia relationship refuting the overblown rhetoric and unfounded allegations of recent years that China poses an imminent threat. He acknowledges Xi has consistently denied any intention of expanding borders and waging war and points out cogent reasons why such an action is inconsistent with everything China has said and done.
Geoff Warren, Anglesea

Robot wars
Much of the discussion surrounding the threat to mankind from AI seems to view it as AI vs humans, but as we humans aren’t and never have been unified, I believe the real threat will come from one or more groups like terrorists or nation states using AI to attack and destroy others. Regulation will not stop that scenario happening. More realistically, it’s likely to be our AI vs their AI.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne

Smoke and mirrors
Jacqueline Maley wonders why smoking has regained some of its old “cool” and “hip” associations. (“It may be written in cigars but where there’s smoke there’s ire”, 28/5). No mystery really when you consider that so many ultra celebrity actors are happy to light up on screen, sometimes looking rich and glossy, other times grungy and sexy.

I smoked for over 40 years but now the sight triggers revulsion. All my friends and family have kicked the habit, so in real life I hardly ever see it. The occasional (off screen) smokers I do see look seriously down on their luck, and the sight is depressing and uncomfortable. And yet I am frequently subjected to it in the entertainment I pay for. Can we please have a smoke warning added to the film classifications?
Patrice McCarthy, Bendigo

Another tilt
Tim Smith has indicated an interest in restarting his political career by having a tilt at the Warrandyte byelection because of a “desire to remove the Andrews government”. He says the Victorian Liberals are not attacking Labor enough (“Byelection peril for Pesutto as Tim Smith weighs return”, 1/6). Ryan Smith has cited among his reasons for vacating the seat of Warrandyte that his departure is because of the “growing negative tone of politics, both internally and more broadly”. Tim Smith has a history of preferring a negative attacking style of politics rather than a style of delivering more convincing and positive ideas. His reputation is somewhat tarnished by his drink driving misdemeanour and his clash with Matthew Guy. These are surely not candidate credentials that the Victorian Liberals are advertising for.
Paul Miller, Box Hill South

The honourable option
Simple as it is to understand what the Voice referendum says, I nevertheless accept that there are citizens among us who do not as yet know what it means nor have made the time to access the information they require to make an informed decision.

What is concerning though is the advice being given to them by the naysayers: that if they do not understand it they should vote No. Surely logic dictates that if you do not understand what the referendum is about nor made the effort to inform yourself about it, you lack not just the information to vote Yes but also the information to vote No. Indeed the only honourable course of action open to you then is to abstain from voting altogether.
Prabha Kutty, Colac

Reputational gain
The consequences of the Voice referendum will not be restricted to Australia. Long ago I spent over a decade in Europe. I was surprised that foreigners had heard of the White Australia policy. They were contemptuous but it actually concerned them little; they were white. Nor did this malodorous reputation concern us too much: with the exception of Japan, non-white states were of minimal importance to us. But that was then.

Now, Indo-Pacific states are of pinnacle importance for Australia’s economy and security, and they are all non-white. Foreign Minister Wong has done wonders to raise Australia’s regional prestige from the reputational nadir permitted by her LNP predecessors. A No vote will instantly reactivate in our neighbours our latent reputation for racism and at a stroke negate Wong’s achievements.
We need all the regional friends we can get in these insecure times, but I doubt that Wong could apply her diplomatic balm twice. That’s a big price to pay.

On the other hand, what is the worst possible cost of a Yes vote? It’s nothing; that is, it might produce neither material benefit nor harm for Indigenous people, but at least it would add to rather than detract from our reputation internationally.
Donald Newgreen, Brunswick West

Culture of progress
The Hawthorn saga has been months in limbo and evidently now dropped (“‘Clarkson relieved’ at AFL finding”, 1/6). The answer lies in cultural differences and is expertly explained in Eddie Betts’ book on the importance of family and kinship. So even when enmeshed in the football community, the strength of core community bonds must be maintained. And this is contrary to the ethos of the code where you must expel every distraction and ultimately prioritise team performance.

What we are now seeing are clubs engaging former Indigenous football heroes to be the listening ears and advisers for their Indigenous players and that practice should be applauded and strengthened for the betterment of both players and clubs.
David Anderson, Geelong

Opportunity cost
Rather than punish PwC based on their earnings from their alleged misconduct, perhaps any punishment should be based on estimates of what it has cost the Australian taxpayer. That would focus a few minds going forward.
Rob Smith, Rye

Risk of fires rising
Thanks to environment reporter Miki Perkins for clarity on the four conditions for an El Niño (“Winter’s here, and all’s clear”, 1/6). I guess with two conditions already met, we are halfway there. However, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, there is a 60 per cent chance for a transition to El Niño during May-July rising to 80 per cent for July-September. It’s clearly time for the Albanese government to dust off the 80 recommendations of the bushfire royal commission.
While the previous government accepted in principle “most of the 55 recommendations directed at it”, progress is unclear. Since then, cooler, wet conditions from consecutive La Niñas have shifted the focus.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn

Rural pain
It is disappointing that Australian governments show little concern for the problems of the rural sector. The prices of beef, lamb and wool have fallen dramatically in the past six weeks (nearly half the price of 12 months ago), with seemingly no explanation to the ordinary farmer. This, as always, will have a negative flow-on effect to all rural businesses, and leaves no certainty for future viability and planning.

There is a lack of awareness of this calamity, and there should be more concern for the future of one of the country’s major economic resources, let alone the social wellbeing of rural communities.
Ruth Murphy, Pipers Creek

In the dark
After the footy at the MCG, walking through the paths and car park to get to Brunton Avenue at night is a dangerous exercise. The only lighting is from very dim lamps atop high poles, partly blocked by trees. Shuffling along with 80,000 odd people doing the same in semi-darkness is a hazard. The powers to be need to install flood lighting outside to make it safe. This is not good enough for a world-renowned sports stadium.
Geoff Lipton, Caulfield North

Book your bike
The state government and V-Line are to be congratulated on the recent introduction of the drastic reduction in fares for travel to regional Victoria this year. This will undoubtedly increase tourist traffic and therefore be an economic benefit to all regions throughout the state which are serviced by the V-Line system.

Yet there continues to be an issue for anyone planning the use the system for cycle touring, in that it is not possible to book a bicycle on a V-Line train, with bikes accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that you could have a cycle tour planned, with accommodation, etc, paid for, and not be able to get your bike on a train to commence the planned tour.

It is hoped that V-Line will see the benefits of allowing people to book a place for their bike to hopefully avoid the potential for ugly scenes when people with trips planned are told that their bikes cannot be accommodated.
Russell Patterson, Heathmont

It’s been long enough
Surely Julian Assange has spent quite enough years imprisoned. It’s time he was released to spend his life getting to know his wife and children.
Merle Mitchell, Mt Eliza

AND ANOTHER THING

Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding

Dangers of AI
What exactly is the existential threat that AI poses (that the printing press, cotton mills, horseless carriages, computers and smartphones have failed to deliver)?
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale

First, we destroy the environment putting us at risk of catastrophic climate change and death. Then, our extinction is doubly threatened by the proliferation of artificial intelligence. Go figure.
Jane Ross, San Remo

I only now figured out why politicians are worried about AI. Used judiciously AI could replace politicians.
Jack Morris, Kennington

State Liberals
I’m sure John Pesutto wakes every morning thinking, “Why do I bother doing this?”
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne

Surely Tim Smith has hit the wall with his political aspirations in Victoria.
Chris Rodier, Glen Waverley

Furthermore
It’s hard to feel sympathy for high fee schools being put on notice about payroll tax. Their generally vast assets are so proudly on display along many of Victoria’s most beautiful streets.
Fiona White, Alfredton

It’s not all-day headlights that we need for road safety – it’s the all-day light bulb in the brain to remember speed kills, as does even micro-second inattention.
Stephen Lindner, Kew

As Yeats might have said: Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; The Yes lack all conviction, while the Noes are full of passionate intensity.
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn

So when Russia sends hundreds of drones and rockets over Ukrainian territory it is acceptable, but when Ukraine allegedly sends a few drones over Russian territory it is a terrorist attack?
Marie Nash, Balwyn

And finally
Melbourne averages 648 millimetres of rainfall a year. Sydney averages 1213 millimetres a year. I rest my case.
Robert Kelly, Langworthy

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