Ageing towns struggle to attract care workers

I retired to Port Stephens in 2000 and moved to a retirement community in 2003 (“These greying country towns are the canary in the coal mine for the aged-care crisis”, September 5). However, there have been regular changes in staff; rents and home prices have been driven so high that accommodation has all but disappeared for staff, especially those working in aged care and hospitality. A recent consultation with residents on the issue of high-rise housing saw general opposition. When I asked where they expected the staff for their future care to live, as our care facilities needed staff, most people had not considered the issue. A friend sold up and moved back to Sydney to be sure there would be care staff. Our communities are nearly full during holidays, but there’s a rapidly decreasing number of workers to care for me and my fellow aged. Frank Ward, Shoal Bay

Shane Wright draws attention to the fact that the populations of country towns are ageing rapidly. At the same time, health facilities are being scaled back. This has led to inadequate health care. In Bombala there is a nurse at the hospital during working hours, but no doctor. To go to a hospital it is necessary to go to Bega (two hours away) or for more critical care to Canberra (three hours away). So much has been spent in Sydney on metros and expressways but country areas have been not only ignored but downgraded. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights

The exodus of young people has led to a rapidly ageing population in our rural and regional towns. As people age they need more care and fewer people are available to provide that care. We have watched this trend for decades and no one with the ability to make decisions has chosen to do anything about it. Someday our leaders will work out that it is far cheaper to maintain people in country towns than in cities. In the meantime, I can only despair. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

Why are our country towns fast turning grey? Could it be that people want out of our cities because they are fast becoming unlivable, alien and soulless, so older folk in particular seek the sanctuary of the country? Or could it simply be because cost pressures are becoming too much to bear in the cities? Or perhaps it’s because successive governments have failed to make a start on developing new industries based on renewable energy that would provide employment for young families? The dearth of imagination and positive ideas in relation to country development is extraordinary. David Catchlove, Newport

Misguided message

Elle Macpherson was an adult; she had the right to refuse treatment (“Here’s what experts think about Elle Macpherson’s cancer treatment”, September 4) That she asserts that her experience is evidence for her remission is facile and erroneous. The protocols she derides are based on the research findings of thousands of women around the world. Universal protocols are more persuasive to my decision than a celebrity praying on a beach. She could have chosen to exercise her power in a more nuanced, responsible way, by telling the whole story. Anne Eagar, Epping

Elle Macpherson, a model and actress, has caused some concern after she wrote about treating breast cancer with “holistic” approaches rather than conventional medicine. The best approach to any health problem is the time-tested and proven path which involves doctors and then following their recommendations. I am sure she meant no harm in telling her personal story, but people would be advised to enjoy the story of her acting and modelling achievements and leave the medical work to the doctors. Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill (Vic)

I would hope Elle’s publicity tour for her book includes a tranche of documentation; the official advice of 32 doctors on their professional letterheads and the certified medical diagnosis of her condition, with test results. Until then, I remain a sceptic. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill

We are today mourning the loss of a close friend who after a heart-breaking struggle finally succumbed to a body riddled with cancer. She opted for alternative therapy rather than following medical advice to undergo a mastectomy and chemotherapy for her breast cancer some years ago. Did she regret that decision? Absolutely, but it was then too late. I fear wide coverage of Elle Macpherson’s refusal of chemo will send a very wrong message to vulnerable women facing a very confronting decision. This is not the time to be just trusting in your body, cancer kills and not pleasantly, Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick

Nuclear spending shield

It is interesting that the Coalition is promising to throw around cash like a drunken sailor (“Cash splash for nuclear towns under Coalition plan”, September 5). When the sites were announced the mayor of Lithgow, one of the proposed sites, said on radio she had heard nothing from the Coalition; no phone call, no email even on the morning of the announcement. She heard about it through the media.

If you look at the new reactor being built in Britain, Hinkley Point C; the first cost estimates were for £25 billion in 2015, the latest estimate is £47.9 billion and the finish date has moved from 2023 to 2031. It is anyone’s guess what the price will be on completion. Also, the estimated production price was £24 per MWh and it is now £89.50 per MWh.

Another point to remember is that Britain has a long-established nuclear industry, whereas we would be starting from scratch. Tell us please Peter Dutton, when do you expect to turn a profit on these things? Ron Wessel, Mount St Thomas

It is appropriate that the Coalition would look after the communities closest to any new nuclear facility. I hope they also include a supply of iodine tablets in the gift bag. The Swiss supply iodine tablets to five million citizens who live within 50km of their multiple nuclear reactors. They are to be taken in the event of a leak to prevent thyroid cancer. The Canadians do the same but I am unsure if the Russians did so after Chernobyl as they tried to keep the accident secret and were only found out once the radiation reached Sweden. Fifty kilometres from the Hunter Valley in NSW goes from Nelson Bay and Newcastle to the Central Coast.

Risks with nuclear power can be compared to aviation risks, which are both incredibly safe until there is a rare but devastating accident. We all accept the aviation risk as there is no viable alternative to cover large distances. However, there are multiple viable, and much cheaper, alternatives to nuclear electricity, so why would you fly on Ted O’Brien Airlines? Peter Kamenyitzky, Castle Hill

Let me get this right. Communities that compulsorily host a nuclear plant are to be showered with cash. However, nuclear projects could be cancelled if the government of the day, of which there will be a few between now and 2040-ish, decided money could be spent in better ways – as it obviously can. What a conceit to imagine an uninterrupted Coalition reign of one to two decades to keep the illusion of nuclear supplying a small fraction of anticipated national power demand alive politically. Jim Allen Panorama SA

Heroic Trump review

If they award Grammys for music reviews, surely describing a song as resembling “a wild hog and a sack of rusty cans being thrown into an industrial wood chipper” is worthy (“Lara Trump’s new Hero song met with derision”, September 5). Jeff Apter, Keiraville

Bill can take bow for bravery

As a staunch Liberal voter, I would like to express my appreciation to Bill Shorten (“The man who wanted to be PM, Bill Shorten, announces retirement”, smh.com.au, September 5). The job he has done on the NDIS has been truly outstanding. Managing the NDIS is an impossible task – saving money is always considered cruel yet without these savings the NDIS cannot survive. He has shown wisdom, courage and honesty in this role. The nation owes him a massive “thank you”. John Franks, Nelson Bay

Bravo, Herald

The Herald has been pointing out for years the damage gambling is doing to our society through crime on the streets, domestic violence, family breakdown, drug addiction and suicide (“These charts show why Australians are the world’s biggest losers”, September 4). Report after report has shown what needs to be done. But the gambling industry has such a hold over both parties that real reform is still very slow. We should cherish organisations such as the Herald for its investigative journalism and the Grattan Institute for thoughtful independent reports. We need more of them. Gary Barnes, Mosman

The Grattan Institute report concludes that gambling is one of Australia’s “most politically powerful industries”, which makes reforms politically risky. Isn’t this more reason why we should ban all political donations and thus remove all incentives for a government to support those industries with the deepest pockets? Imagine a world where decisions are made without fear or favour and only for the betterment of the public. Tim Douglas, Dulwich Hill

RBA v reality

Shane Wright tells us that the Reserve Bank expected household consumption to grow 1.1 per cent instead of the 0.5 per cent which occurred (“Cookies crumble as interest rates bite into household budgets”, September 5). It’s no surprise to people in the actual world. One wonders if they ever go near a supermarket and see the weekly increases in prices. Ever come west of the Blue Mountains and see businesses closing because people aren’t spending or are seeking the most affordable option online? And, of course, they are not trying to manage a mortgage or rent on Australia’s median salary. Their apparent disconnection with reality is deeply concerning. Peter Thompson, Grenfell

Visions of hell

I can’t stop laughing (Letters, September 5). The party that wants to run this state actually picked someone to help fix their organisational problems without asking them first? Really? Andrew Taubman, Queens Park

Richard Alston is one of the troika appointed to run the NSW Liberal Party. Alston has just published a book about the poet Dante whose verse vividly portrays scenes from hell. Reading the scary Dante is an excellent preparation for dealing with the dysfunctional NSW Liberal Party.
Stephen Holt, Canberra (ACT)

None the richer

I have worked in public schools for more than 30 years and have witnessed what was once arguably the best, most vibrant inclusive education system in the world, totally stripped of resources (Letters, September 5). The links between participation in sport and academic achievement are well established, so if we want healthier, smarter kids, equal access to opportunities is essential. Imagine walking past one of these elite private schools with multi-million sporting facilities, knowing that your tax dollars helped to build them, but you can’t afford to send your children there. The grossly discriminatory funding model benefits the few at the expense of the many. It enhances privilege and we are all the poorer for it. Craig Jory, Albury

Teachers pressed

Excellent suggestion by Rosie Beaumont to have more productive parent-teacher interviews (“Today’s parent-teacher interviews fail the test”, September 5). I’m sure teachers would love to see many parents more frequently and for longer time periods, but parents are restricted in their time too. Much better than writing those pesky hundreds of reports every term. It is possible to arrange interviews as well.

Unfortunately, the logistics of regular and long parent meetings are impossible, given the workload of teachers, teaching anywhere between 30 and 200 every week. There are serious teacher shortages in nearly every school and 500 school leaders have just been sacked. They were the teachers who led the massive recent syllabus changes, leaving teachers to research and develop resources themselves with no professional help. Not the best time to be demanding ever more from the profession. Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

Labor’s achievements

In the past weeks, there has been much criticism of the government, some deserved (Letters, September 5). However, in the wake of this criticism, the achievements have been forgotten. Immediately on coming to office, they faced multiple foreign affairs problems. They succeeded in restoring trade relations with China after their predecessors provoked a trade war and we lost a lot of export trade, restored relations with Pacific Island nations who had been neglected and restored relations with France. They have also brokered various trade deals. Regarding the cost of living, they have given relief on electricity bills, given subsidies for child care, rent relief and more. Give credit where credit’s due. Elaine Murray, Artarmon

Scientists deserve better

Thank you, Professor Peter Banks, and your team for your innovative environmental research and congratulations on winning the prize at the nation’s top science awards. (“Mice follow their noses. To stop them damaging crops, farmers are turning to smell”, September 5). It is, however, sobering to read that the team and 18 others will share just $180,000 in prizemoney. Each team will receive a fraction of what our Olympic medallists receive. If only we had a philanthropic billionaire with assets that include extensive agricultural landholdings who could step in and make award-winning environmental science prizes truly worthwhile. Paul Wynn, Wentworth Falls

What a wonderful outcome for Professor Banks and team. Since the 2021 mouse plague, there has been a huge decline in raptors, owls and native creatures who were all poisoned by eating afflicted rodents. If this method can be employed in all cropping areas, the balance between pests and predators can be regained and farmers will benefit by not having to use expensive and deadly poisons. Kris Mckeon, Goonellabah

Bracketeering

If you are nesting ideas (of various types [such as formulas {including calculations} that may be easily misconstrued] that may be unfamiliar to the reader) within the one sentence, then you have the opportunity to use all three forms of brackets. Tom McGinness, Randwick

Independents’ day

To Andrew Brown’s Ted Mack, I would add the name of John Hatton. Kathleen Chivers, Vincentia

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