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A proud and well-respected university is almost broke now that it is no longer propped up by international students – "Race to save La Trobe Uni as cash crisis bites" (The Age, 3/5). Governments came to rely heavily on these students' fees rather than supply adequate and secure funding to universities, a practice now clearly rebounding.
Illustration: Jim Pavlidis
Over the years, university admissions departments have taken a somewhat cavalier approach to assessing the capabilities of prospective postgraduate international students. My experience (admittedly quite some years ago) teaching those who volunteered to be part of the worldwide Cambridge University RSA English teaching program based at La Trobe led me to wonder how they would manage. They were about to enter postgraduate courses: this was basic English, and yet they were struggling.
Much worse were the privately run and bogus language 'schools' that were actually shortcuts to paid employment, never mind the English. Despite subsequent developments such as courses run by Australian universities based in overseas cities, significant damage would already have occurred. What price Australia's reputation as a worthwhile destination for overseas students?
Margaret Jacobs, Aireys Inlet
Desperate need for a strong higher education sector
I am dismayed that universities and other tertiary institutions have not only been the most neglected of all workplaces, but will be even more disadvantaged as the nation struggles to recover from the pandemic-caused recession. University employees are not covered by the JobKeeper program, despite universities being severely impacted by the loss of international students who have been a major part of their "business" and a major provider of their funding for many years. Now as we struggle to "restart" the economy, they seem to be left out of the calculations again.
Universities are facing massive staff losses through redundancies, and some face the real prospect of insolvency. Surely now governments should realise that well-funded universities and other higher education facilities are precisely what we need to withstand the next global health crisis and to bring us out of this one.
Not only is it within universities that the vaccine, or cure, for COVID-19 and other diseases will be found, but universities and other higher educational institutions train and produce professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, agriculturalists etc to get our economy moving again, and rebuild the nation. Cutting money for education diminishes a nation, far out of proportion to the amount "saved".
Cheryl Day, Beaumaris
We must start to properly funding tertiary education
When did we turn one of the world's best publicly-funded tertiary education sector into a pseudo-privatised business that now is looking at bankruptcy in the face? If we are to be the clever country, we need to properly fund it.
Mike Fajdiga, Beaumaris
An increased focus on learning and exploring ideas
Elizabeth Farrelly's piece on the decline of universities (Opinion Online, 30/5) spoke volumes. It is timely to focus on the important values of society and humanity in broad terms. What is education without a real focus on learning together, exploring ideas and (perhaps most importantly) harnessing the potential for the more vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our communities? Hefty fees and "credential box-ticking status" aside, the real value of education is coming to the surface in our somewhat Orwellian world. A peaceful, pragmatic revolution is certainly in order.
Stephanie Ashworth, Pascoe Vale South
And the vice-chancellors keep getting richer...
Reading Elizabeth Farrelly's article prompts one to wonder why the vice-chancellors of 12 Australian universities, paid more than $1million per annum, are not subject to independent remuneration tribunals such as the one which stipulates that the Prime Minister receives around $550,000.
Jo Monie, Flinders
THE FORUM
Exclusion of the needy
If we needed more evidence that the federal government is out of touch with the real world, its latest scheme to assist the building industry (The Age, 4/5) is it. The eligibility figures and time frame put access to it out of the reach of all but those in the upper economic bracket. It excludes those who most need assistance but it will no doubt appeal to Coalition voters with a bank balance – sports rorts by another form.
Where is the assistance for social housing, the homeless, family violence victims, the arts, the small trader who fell between the JobKeeper cracks, etc? The building and allied industries will be the ones which benefit from this poorly considered scheme. Would these be the same tradies who often failed to show up to inspect and quote on a job, or the ones who insisted on part-payment in cash before they took on the job?
Mike Trickett, Geelong West
A missed opportunity
The Morrison government has found another way for taxpayers (current and future, given our new levels of debt) to subsidise improvements to some people's private properties. How is this sensible economic management? Our elected representatives need to subject this half-baked scheme to some proper scrutiny.
Most galling is that the opportunity to support jobs in the construction industry, by putting more money into building and renovating much needed social housing, is being squandered. Spending on social housing would have a lasting public benefit. I suspect that construction contracts for social housing, which is generally highly regulated, will also be less open to rorting than HomeBuilder.
Kate Jackson, Kew
Forgotten fire victims
Scott Morrison's HomeBuilder scheme is designed to encourage homeowners to begin a renovation partly to "support the more than one million builders, painters, plumbers and electricians across the country".
I hope he is also planning to "incentivise" those same tradies to rally on behalf of the many people in fire-ravaged areas who are still waiting to have their blocks cleared, let alone their rebuilds started. I am sure many of those will satisfy the means test, having had not only their homes but their livelihoods destroyed. You do remember the fires, Mr Morrison?
Ken Hurle, Ivanhoe
There goes my guttering
Let me get this straight. In order to receive $25,000 from the government, I have to borrow at least $150,000. Any thoughts of replacing my aged gutters have been dashed. And, of course, tradespeople will provide realistic quotes.
Rowena Hazelden, Box Hill South
Lifestyle repairs come last
Where should government support for the construction industry be targeted? Perhaps 1) housing for the homeless, ahead of 2) affordable public housing to attend to the backlog of neglect, and then 3) repairs and renovations to existing housing to attend to safety, health and energy efficiency shortfalls. At a later stage there might be room for new home subsidies. Once all that is done (you wish), we could think about "lifestyle" renovations.
Jim Spithill, Ashburton
Pensioners come first
How about grants to people who live solely on the aged pension and whose homes are desperately in need of expensive repairs, instead of subsidising renovations for the more well-off?
Robyn Lovell, Epping
A once great nation
Donald Trump constantly denigrated and corralled journalists at his rallies, telling them: "You are total fakes". In American cities today, police are inspired by his rhetoric to take licence and bash reporters and cameramen with batons and hurl them to the pavement, while peaceful protests descend into riots. Once the greatest nation on earth, the United States is truly rotting from the head down.
Peter McCarthy, Mentone
In Jesus's own words
In the United States and Australia, leaders who pose with the Bible should commit to following its teaching. So what did Jesus say about law and order? Jesus called out the power-hungry leaders of his day. He said, "Everything they do is done for men to see". And, "You have neglected the more important matters of the law; justice, mercy and integrity" (Matthew, 23:5, 23.)
Geoff Francis, Doncaster East
Multi-rich, desperate poor
The stark dichotomy in the United States to which Malcolm Fraser (Letters, 2/6) refers is not so much the very best with the SpaceX mission against the very worst as seen in the riots in response to institutionalised racism.
Instead it is exemplified by the staggering wealth of an individual and big corporations to fund space missions juxtaposed with those who face institutionalised discrimination and racism, and extreme economic and social disadvantage.
Lisa Frazer, Templestowe
No longer the deal maker
When Donald Trump leaves office and his presidential library is established, the empty shelves could be filled with unsold copies of The Art Of The Deal.
Peter Gurry, Mornington
Force's systemic racism
In a week where the United States has torn itself apart over the senseless killing of an unarmed African American man, the actions of a New South Wales police officer in kicking the legs out from under an Indigenous teenager, who was not resisting arrest, and pinning him to the ground demonstrates a severe lack of judgment at best.
At worst, it represents systemic, prejudiced undertones against our Indigenous community. The NSW Police Commissioners' suggestion that the officer was having "a bad day" does not pass the sniff test. Real leadership means recognising where you have wronged someone and owning it, not dismissing it.
Eben Rojter, Coburg
Our shifting loyalties
When four police officers were killed on the Eastern Freeway on April 22, there was a general outpouring of grief as we realised that the police bleed, have families and loved ones, and have feelings too. It was briefly fashionable to regard the police as heroes. Then a stressed-out young policeman over-reacts to abuse from a young man who happens to identify as Aboriginal, and suddenly our police are racist thugs again, just like (white) American police. How soon we forget.
Albert Riley, Mornington
Rise, Minister Gittins
Age columnist Ross Gittins for treasurer, or finance minister or whatever portfolio take his fancy. If only those who are currently in power had half his nous and sense of decency. We can only dream.
Ann Maginness, Cheltenham
Too dangerous to rally
How deeply we may regret Saturday's planned rally against Indigenous deaths in custody. When every life matters, why are Indigenous leaders encouraging protesters to risk their lives in a march where organisers and the police cannot enforce social distancing? The rally may lead to the spread of the virus, in many geographical directions, amongst people with compromised health issues. This could lead to a second spike in infections. Please organise this march for the first Sunday in spring.Then, hopefully, more innocent lives will not be lost.
Chris Taylor, Hawksburn
The Premier must act
Current restrictions, under guidelines from Victoria's Chief Health Officer, allow outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people. Will Premier Daniel Andrews instruct Victoria Police to enforce this restriction when protesters gather in the city on Saturday? If not, community members concerned about public health and safety should report any gathering of more than 20 people to police by calling the Police Assistance Line, as is advised on the Health Department's website.
Dr Henry Zeimer, Caulfield North
An alternative 'rally'
Normally I would attend the Black Lives Matter Rally. However, I would not feel safe and I fear that I would not be assisting the very successful campaign to defeat the coronavirus. Instead of this very worthy rally and march, may I suggest that the organisers ask people to stand outside their homes, at a specified time, all over Melbourne and surrounding areas, with placards supporting the Black Lives Matter Campaign.
Rod Oaten, North Carlton
Splash the money around
On July 1, Victorian ministers and senior MPs will collect the second half of their 11.8per cent pay rise. Is this part of Premier Dan Andrews' coronavirus-recovery stimulus package? What will they rush out and spend their money on? And what productivity increases will we get in return?
Verity Webb, Yarraville
The end of 'our' market
According to your report, a new civic square abutting the Queen Victoria Market will provide "community space for reflection, relaxation, and informal recreation" and space for cultural activities and events (The Age, 2/5).
However, close reading of the council's "economic justification" documentation makes it clear its plan is to create a concrete, lettable event space surrounded by multi-storey buildings and lined with cafes and bars. More than half the current market area, including five or six of the 11 historic sheds, will be repurposed for entertainment, hospitality or hireable spaces.
Traders will lose vehicle access and have nowhere to leave their trucks, while their rents are planned to double. The small, migrant-run family businesses will be no longer be viable and they will give way to franchises and upmarket craft stalls. Is this repurposing of the market what Melburnians want? And does Melbourne really need more wine bars?
Miriam Faine, Hawthorn
What really matters
The COVID-19 restrictions, the hardship and the privation will count for nothing if Collingwood does not beat Richmond on Thursday.
Alex Risk, Geelong West
AND ANOTHER THING
The United States
America, Trump's apocalypse.
David Seal, Balwyn North
Trump stood on the roof of his tower and, holding the Bible high, said: "I am God, bow down and worship me".
Warwick Spinaze, Tootgarook
Hands on hearts, singing God Bless America, may be replaced with uplifted hands and the desperate cry, "God save America".
Susan Caughey, Glen Iris
Are there tears cascading down the Statue of Liberty?
Stan Marks, Caulfield
Go Terrence Floyd, you beauty.
David West, Strathmore
To false followers speaking and acting in his name, Jesus said, "I never knew you; go away from me".
Lorraine Parkinson, Doncaster
Trump wants to send in the army. Could Minneapolis become the new Tiananmen Square?
Walter Valles, Clayton South
One man holds the Koran while another holds the Bible to justify atrocities.
Ruth Davis, Carrum
Trump uses his Bible the way a drunk uses a lamp post, for support rather than illumination. And his base loves it.
Peter Salway, Beaumaris
Reduce the G7 to G6, please.
Phillip Payne, Mandurang
Politics
So who are the better economic managers? Not the Liberals. Hello recession.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights
Who will Josh blame for the recession we had to have?
Shaun Lawrence, Richmond
Why expect an apology for robo-debt? The idea was to screw the leaners.
Roger Green, Ferntree Gully
Let's make the economy work for the people rather than the other way around. Then we can work to make Australia happy.
Patricia Rivett, Ferntree Gully
ScoMo's renovations package provides upmarket welfare for the rich.
George Reed, Wheelers Hill
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