At 95, my wife and I recently had our first vaccination at our local GP’s. It was a memorable experience: well organised, compassionate, efficient attention, painless jab, no after-effects whatsoever and peace of mind. Highly recommended, if only for selfish reasons. – Jim Ayling, Kirrawee
Dutton’s war on wokeism weaponises intolerance
Defence Minister Peter Dutton uses “woke” as a pejorative term: it is not (“Going for woke: Dutton aims at tea and sympathies”, May 22). If members of the Australian Defence Force, and the public servants that support them, were fully cognisant of the various issues that concern social justice and racism in our world, they would be less likely to trample on them when undertaking their duties here and abroad. Shame on Dutton. – Mick Grimson, Leumeah
A morning tea to celebrate diversity in the ADF wouldn’t mean anything to Dutton but it would mean the world to any serving gay personnel seeing their sexuality being recognised and celebrated. What sort of signal does this send to any gay person thinking of a career in the military? – Bruce Ingrey, Elizabeth Bay
It is an apt coincidence that Dutton’s ruling against the “woke agenda” within our ADF chimes with the centenary of British code-breaker Alan Turing’s birth. Turing is widely credited with making the single most important contribution to the winning of World War II. Post-war, he was found guilty of (what were at the time) homosexual offences and was chemically castrated by government authority. Turing subsequently took his own life. In this day and age, you would have to think that Dutton’s ministerial priorities need serious adjustment. – Peter Thomas, Rose Bay
“Woke” is a term used by those who do not have empathy, a concern for their fellow human beings or an interest in the common good to describe those who do. – Keith Binns, Goulburn
For so long, conservative politicians have condemned the so-called “cancel culture” in society, which they say is an aggressive manifestation of political correctness. Now Dutton has cancelled the morning teas at his department. Being such an interventionist in civilian activities shows that Dutton doesn’t have enough serious work to do. – Kim Woo, Mascot
The role of the ADF is to fight martial wars overseas, not culture wars within Australia. Dutton seems to think that “woke” is some form of stinging insult. Being woke, defined as alert to injustice and social issues in society – especially racism – is a fine thing. – Rob Clifton-Steele, Chatswood
The Liberal Party portrays itself as the party that defends “freedom” and “freedom of speech”. But Dutton wants to tell people what they can and can’t wear and words they can and can’t use. He has gone so far to issue it as an order. The party of “freedom” reveals itself as the party that just loves control. It’s almost Orwellian. – Brendan Jones, Annandale
“Woke” culture cancelled at Defence, and plus Dutton has cut public servants in his office to an absolute minimum. He has my vote. – Helen Flanagan, Mudgee
Banks offer mining industry no coal comfort
Let me get this straight: mining companies can’t get finance for projects “due to banks and regulators’ approach to climate change” (“Banks ‘acting like zealots’ against fossil fuel industry,” May 22). So, instead of seeing the writing on the wall and acting sensibly for their shareholders, the arrogant and entitled mining executives – their heads in the sand along with George Christensen (who else?) at the helm of a ridiculous inquiry – resort to name-calling and bullying to get their way, citing anti-fossil fuel sentiment as “groupthink supposition”. Sounds about right. – Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
I’m not a big fan of our banking system, but I’m beginning to come around. – Margaret Grove, Abbotsford
Climate change
The NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell should realise that schools don’t have a monopoly on learning. (“An inconvenient truant: climate strikes are back”, May 22-23). The young Australians who chose to miss a day of school to strike for climate action have demonstrated an ability to critically investigate misinformation on climate change (much of which comes from politicians and parties with vested interests), to stand up and take action based on integrity and principles for the good of our world. As a climate activist in his 70s, it gives me hope to see young people taking positive action against climate change. – Keith Woodward, Avalon Beach
It is hardly surprising that these courageous young people are taking their future into their own hands, when the adults responsible for them have done such a poor job of looking after their world. – Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa, ACT
Nats unbelievable
How can this be (“The Nats are back”, smh.com.au, May 23)? After all the pork barrelling, sports rorts, dodgy land deals, sex scandals and the worst environmental record in Australia, they still win the seat of Upper Hunter. Clearly nobody cares about any of the above. Self-interest wins again. It’s enough to make you weep. – Judy Hungerford, North Curl Curl
Mark of characters
Unless you are like James Ruse High and get to pick and choose the absolute cream of the state’s young minds, school HSC results are highly dependent on the particular cohort of that year (“School board schism over fraud, debt, falling results”, May 22-23). Often parents who send their children to over-the-top expensive private schools fail to realise that it’s not a guarantee of a high HSC result. It’s more to do with the networking which may benefit their child later in life. – Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
Building false hope
Lorraine Phillips (Letters, May 22-23) doesn’t get it quite right when she talks about unrealised revitalisation plans for Parramatta Road and Oxford Street every five years. She forgot William Street, the fabled “neo-Parisian boulevard”. – Tony Mitchell, Hillsdale
Your correspondent left out the plan to build the new fish markets. Each time I visit, I look for the first exciting sign of shovels. – Laurie Le Claire, Epping
Elizabeth Farrelly has nailed it (“A demolished bridge too far: the unholy rush to replace charm with concrete”, May 23-24). “Philistines” comes to mind when thinking of those responsible for the proposal to demolish Cuttagee and other valued wooden bridges. – Karen Joynes, Bermagui
We live in strange times – from Elizabeth Farrelly’s article about bridges – where the Bega Valley Council want to “capture heritage ” by building a new bridge – to the bizarre concept of turning Oxford Street into a “cultural and creative precinct” by increasing building height (“Taller buildings, cultural spaces to bring ‘new life’ to Oxford Street”, May 22-23). Just go to Milsons Point to see how that works. Across the railway track, Kirribilli shows that low rise is much more successful. I despair at all the stupidity and greed. – Anita Brown, Granville
Gillard is golden
Bevan Shields suggests Julia Gillard had a choice when she lost office in 2013 to either dwell in the past or to contribute to the future (“Gillard garners Brit popularity for $6.5b education fund”, May 22-23). Thankfully, she chose the latter course, unlike some of her contemporaries. Through her actions, she has made an international contribution creating better educational opportunities for girls around the world. Suffragettes mobilised under the motto “deeds not words”. I can’t think of a better exemplar of these values than Australia’s first female prime minister. – Gordon Lambert, Kiama Downs
Eight years ago, Julia Gillard had a choice. It was not to snipe and provide commentary on political events in Australia but to use her considerable talent and work to influence matters on the international stage where she is highly respected. How good would it have been to have had Julia Gillard and Jacinta Ardern working in concert in our corner of the Pacific to shore up the big health, education and environmental issues facing both countries? Opportunity lost Australia. – Lyn Savage, Coogee
Traffic takes its tolls
Ask anyone who knows about transport and they will tell you that the NSW government’s plans won’t, in the long term, ease traffic in many parts of the city – like Military Road for instance – as they do nothing for public transport (“Saturday noon high time for traffic jams”, May 22-23). Transport Minister Andrew Constance, however, appears to realise that by making cuts to and privatising the bus network you can make driving more attractive, increase traffic volumes and hoodwink the public into supporting $20 billion to $30 billion in new ineffective toll tunnels that will then need to be paid off by many generations of NSW residents through their taxes or eToll accounts. – Ken Wilson, Willoughby
One of the greats
I am 60 years of age and my childhood just ended (“Manly legend and NRL Immortal Bob Fulton dies aged 73”, smh.com.au, May 23). As a child if I heard that my hero was out of the game I didn’t want to go. The greatest player I have ever seen. – Simon Squires, Hornsby
Work-off art
Saturday’s Spectrum tells me the Archibald Prize is “Sydney’s answer to the Melbourne Cup” (“The crowd-pleaser”, May 22-23). If that’s true, can I look forward to a public holiday this year? One hundred years is a long time to wait for it. – Meg Smith, Umina Beach
Jibber Jabber
Had my first AstraZeneca jab last week. No side effects other than an increased level of smugness. – David Farrell, Erskineville
No Clare Perry (Letters, May 22-23), I would reckon ‘jabs’ are here to stay – or at least until election time. I’d surmise Scotty from Marketing is building a formidable array of ‘jab’ enticements for the entire nation – “jab creation”, “jab training”, “rural jab opportunities”, and of course “jab equality for women”. The latter understandably to be offset against the current perception of unfair “jabs for the boys”. – Peter Bower, Naremburn
Playing golf the day after getting the jab there was a discussion about the after-effects, namely feeling tired with slightly achy bones. As I feel like that all the time I soldiered on with the game with a slight improvement in my score. A win-win situation either way. – Vicky Marquis, Glebe
The digital view
Online comment from the story that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
“Upper Hunter byelection result disastrous for Labor”
From Is Est Quis Is Est: “Gladys and a limited number of her team have truly shined throughout the pandemic. The electorate took notice and voted accordingly. As for Labor, there is an overwhelming need to reinvent themselves (and quickly). Some may disagree, however the result speaks for itself.”
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