Tsunami of financial distress a sad indictment of society

The lending rules of our banks have contributed to the mortgage crisis people now face (“Economic distress swamps helplines”, July 8). When interest rates were at record lows, banks were only too willing to allow borrowing. They surely would have been aware this would be unsustainable when interest rates inevitably rose. Jeff Birse, Northmead

Excellent article by Shane Wright; ordinary workers can’t keep up with mortgages, rent and bills – even with multiple jobs. The situation now is far worse than in the past and with so many factors involved won’t be fixed quickly. Of concern to me is so many experts predicting another rate rise. Key factors considered in the rate rise decision include the cost of services, including rents and insurance. Both are high and continue to rise, and insurance costs for owners will cause them to increase rents. Rents continue to rise driven by rises in interest rates. It feels to me like a circular argument. Margaret Wright, Sydney

That thousands of Australians are in acute financial distress is a sad indictment of our society. It reflects deep inequality and a failure of government to protect the bottom 30 per cent of households. This desperation is happening in a context where the number of Australian billionaires has increased from 117 in 2020 to 159 in 2024. Oxfam has calculated that since 2020 the wealth of the three richest Australians increased by $1.5 million an hour. A report by UNSW and the Australian Council of Social Service revealed that in 2019 (latest data available) the top 20 per cent of households were worth 90 times that of the lowest 20 per cent. Clearly, something needs to be done to start dissipating this intense inequality and thereby prevent any further fraying of the social cohesion that Australia prides itself on. Alan Morris, Eastlakes

I recently decided to walk through Hyde Park and was stunned to see the number of rough sleepers. The current situation where we are seeing charities and the National Debt Helpline being overwhelmed by this tsunami of distress cannot be allowed to continue and the Reserve Bank and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority must be allowed to rein in the ridiculous increase in accommodation costs by selective use of all available means. If these tools are deficient, more innovation is an urgent requirement and both organisations can no longer ignore the need for more selective policies. Lance Dover, Pretty Beach

Australia is currently building the second-largest housing in the world by floor area (“‘A diabolical mess’: How did we get into this housing crisis?”, July 3). At 238 square metres per dwelling and an average occupancy of 2.4 persons, the amount of floor space being constructed per person is now about the same as that which accommodated a family of four during the 1950s (138 square metres). Perhaps this insatiable appetite for floor space is making housing unaffordable and contributing to the housing crisis. To what extent is the housing crisis self-inflicted? Is the lack of housing affordability simply a reflection of unsustainable desire?Peter Woof, Mollymook

Artwork removal paints bad image of Christians

The artwork entitled Jesus Speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem isn’t my kind of art (“‘Looney Tunes Jesus’ picture pulled from Sydney exhibition after protests”, July 8). I’m not sure what message it is conveying. And free speech shouldn’t be unlimited. But speech is supposedly excluded if it inhibits the practising of religion without “fear, persecution or ridicule”.

So, tell me, how does this picture create fear in the Christian community? How does it expose them to persecution? And how does it expose them to ridicule – them, not the figures portrayed? It seems that actions by the Christians themselves does more to expose them to ridicule than does the picture itself. David Rush, Lawson

My faith is not so fragile that I am offended by misrepresentations of my prophet’s visage, nor attacks on his person. He wasn’t perfect. His message has been reinterpreted since he was born. And often these artists say something that I may have missed. I am Christian. But these comments apply equally to anyone who takes umbrage at negative comments or images about their founder. Get a life friends. Complain about poverty and injustice. Not pictures or words. David Neilson, Araluen (NT)

The Streisand effect strikes again. Philjames’s artwork has been on display for two months and was due to be taken down in two days, but Bakhos’ intervention has ensured that the artwork will get even more publicity. Is that really what he wanted? David Gordon, Cranebrook

All those indignant, religious people should perhaps reflect on the possibility that God, if there is in fact such a deity, may have a sense of humour. And if their God is all-knowing and all-powerful, he/she is unlikely to be upset by a mere human’s humorous depiction of a religious subject. Remember, the god of saints and sacraments can also be the God of Daffy Duck and cartoon characters. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

As a mainstream Christian living in Sydney, I had heard nothing about the “Christian community” that is objecting to a painting in line for the Blake Prize for religious or spiritual art. As I read Kate McClymont’s article I discovered the people objecting are from fringe group Christian Lives Matter. When Jesus was asked what the most important commandments were, he responded “To love God and each other.” I find it incredibly sad that this group seems to hate more than love. To other mainstream Christians, let’s continue to shine God’s light, reflect God’s love, and reject hate. Jan Syme, Newington

Selective not always best choice

The selective schools’ model, at least in NSW, is flawed as it is heavily weighed towards children who come from educationally-advantaged homes, given the cost of expensive tutoring for the entrance test (“Doubts cast on advantages of selective schools”, July 8). Extreme competition, sometimes a narrow academic focus and an unbearable busyness schedule must have impacts on the child’s mental health in the long run. Having a mix of children who went to selective and non-selective schools, I can confidently say that the one who went to a selective school is not more satisfied, confident, and better adjusted in life than their sibling who went to a neighbourhood Catholic school. I try to relay this message to family members whose children are on the cusp of entering the selective school whirlwind, but no one listens as the temptation of a high-paying career for their kids is a tempting offer while invisible long-term life satisfaction scores are too distant to worry about. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

Asking selective school students if they are satisfied with life at ages 15 to 25 doesn’t seem relevant to the role of school education with the current cost of living debate. Clearly data suggests that coming from a well-resourced home has a positive impact on academic results let alone wellbeing. Then surely the discussion needs to be on how to balance the inequities in factors that give students not only satisfaction but an even chance at a good education experience. The cost of living pressures aren’t going to disappear for many so just maybe politicians and others might give greater consideration to making state schools the more attractive, not just the more affordable option.
Jill Napier, Phegans Bay

Hamas hurts us all

Chip Le Grand’s analysis is published nine months after the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas took place (“The fight against fakes”, July 8). How tragic that what has emerged from this period of gestation is a toxic nexus between agitators at both ends of the left-right axis who, for their own extreme ideologies, seek to discredit what survivors and witnesses have testified took place. How tragic that the real victim of this horrendous day (which Hamas have said they will repeat again and again) is the true meaning of what took place; i.e. a strike at the heart, not only of Jewish people, but of all humanity and the free world. Shirley Leader, Darlinghurst

Man’s best fiends

I’d like it to be known that not all of us like dogs and they are certainly not “TV viewer’s best friend” (“Fads come and go, but dogs are a TV viewer’s best friend”, July 8). There is so much hype about dogs and I want to say there are just as many people who are averse to dogs and all they entail. There’s the never-ending chore of picking up after them; so many dog attacks; they are top of the list for complaints to councils, etc. How about mentioning those things? No. Just keep on pushing them as the best thing in the world. Well, it’s definitely not true for many of us. Kay Carroll Donaldson, Hamlyn Terrace

Testing our limits

While I in no way condone tailgating I believe the underlying cause of such behaviour needs to be addressed ie the confusing, inconsistent and unnecessarily slow speed limits which apply throughout the country (Letters, July 8). In NSW drivers are confronted with speed limits starting at 40 km/h and increasing in 10 km/h increments to 110 km/h. The posted limit will often change with no apparent change in road conditions. As one who has driven extensively in rural or regional NSW I am frequently astounded at speed limits of 100 km/h for hilly, winding two lane “goat tracks”, while modern six lane expressways with wide median strips are limited to only 110 km/h. Also, on a modern expressway in a vehicle less than 10 years old, 110 km/h is a ridiculously low limit. The limit on Italian autostradas is 130 km/h; the same general limit as on German autobahns (which also have extensive “no limit” sections); and on the expressways exiting Abu Dhabi the limit is 140 km/h. I suggest that there would be much less frustration on our roads if limits were logical, consistent and reflective of best practice elsewhere in the world. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach

Tailgating is certainly a problem on our roads but so are roundabouts, or more specifically the dangerous and incorrect use of them. Roundabouts have proliferated and can be an excellent aid in traffic management, but I have lost count of the number of times I have had to give way to a driver who should have given way to me. It’s as though giving way is a sign of weakness and is another sign of aggressive driving so prevalent on our roads. We are bombarded with campaigns about speeding and seat belts, so surely it’s about time we had an advertising blitz showing how to use use roundabouts safely and correctly. Stephen McDonald, Goulburn

Change of preference

Your correspondent is apparently dedicated to the ALP (Letters, July 8). He thinks it is wrong that an MP elected on a particular political platform should continue to be paid as the representative for the electorate if he or she changes their political party allegiance and adopts a political platform on which the electorate has not voted. The answer to the conundrum is simple. In our system, despite what the PM and his colleagues would have us believe, voters vote for candidates, not for parties or platforms. Party allegiance and platform are just two of many reasons voters may have for voting as they do. It’s a personal choice. Any voter unhappy with the performance (be it failure to adhere to platform, too rigid adherence or general inadequate use of the brain) of an MP for whom they previously voted, is free to vote differently at the next election. Ross Drynan, Lindfield

Bungling Boris

The disillusioned, the disgusted, and the downtrodden are among the many in Britain who failed to vote in the UK general election (“Ditching Boris sealed Tories fate”, July 8). There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest must be their distrust in politicians in general and people like Boris Johnson in particular. In eulogising Johnson and bemoaning his “political assassination” by his own party, George Brandis misses an important feature of his downfall. The “charming” Old Etonian bounder’s lying over Partygate was only the last in a long line of porkies going all the way through his career in journalism and politics - right back to when he was sacked from his first newspaper job for making up quotes. It took an extremely long time for the Tories to wake up to Johnson’s MO - but it turned out that in the end the truth does matter, even to the Conservative Party. Nick Franklin, Katoomba

Too much choice on TV

The Herald television guide today recommends shows from seven different pay services on one page. The one I subscribe to does not even rate a mention. Surely it’s all too ridiculous? I don’t know the answer but I am starting to think it might be a good book! Donald Matthews, Fennell Bay

Biden’s sad decline

Dr Parkinson said of the disease; “so slight and nearly imperceptible are the first inroads of this malady, and so extremely slow its progress, that the patient (rarely) forms any recollection of the precise period of its commencement” (“Calls grow for Biden to step aside”, July 8). Watching Joe Biden today, the loss of facial expression and the limb stiffness when he walks seem typical of Parkinsons. Andrew McDonald, Menangle

In 2000, the late Chester Porter QC, then aged 74, retired from his busy practice as an eminent senior counsel. In his memoir he wrote that he was “a little tired of being a daily gladiator in the courts.” Privately, he had also opined that it was “better to leave the stage while they’re still clapping.” President Biden would have been wise to have followed that advice.
Robert Baker, Chatswood

• To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
• The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.