Thanks, Clover, but it’s time for fresh thinking

How interesting and timely is the article on Clover Moore’s record-breaking 44-year career in politics and as Lord Mayor of Sydney (“All over for Clover?” September 7). She’s going for her sixth successive four-year term as Sydney’s leader (an Australian and possibly a world record). While she has many achievements to her credit, she is now approaching 80, and it is time for her to retire. Like all of us who have aged, she and her administration have slowed down and, in many cases, it is now arthritic in its vision, decision-making and service delivery. The election of a new, younger leader is needed at this time of change. Don Beresford, Surry Hills

While I am a committed Clover fan, there’s a time for turning for us all. She has weathered many a manic media bombardment from “the best” (or should that be “the very worst”?) of Sydney’s shock jocks, and now we should consider her achievements. She has delivered multiple epoch-defining projects, enlivened George St and introduced safe cycling for commuters within lanes, to name just three. Arguably more significant, she has changed the city’s culture. I would be taken aback if she hasn’t mentored a suitable replacement to carry on revitalising the city. Whatever the call, l thank you, Clover and your team, for your persistence, diligence and endless enthusiasm for making Sydney a progressive, imaginative global city. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

Until 1998, I lived in the CBD near the Australian Museum, and I remember when the City Bowling Club, across Boomerang Street from St Mary’s Cathedral, was demolished to make way for a park and swimming centre to be built. Work had started on this project a few years before my departure with a schedule of 24/7, which meant little or no sleep for many residents while jackhammers pounded away day and night. Application to the construction firm for respite fell on deaf ears. At that time, Clover Moore was new in the job with the council (long before her mayoral role), and she was approached. A letter-box drop was done advertising a protest meeting and Clover attended. Within a couple of weeks, a curfew was brought in that work ceased between 10pm and 6am (although this did not stop the trucks arriving around at 4am to park in Haig Avenue, their backing indicators beeping away). Despite the early wake-up call, many grateful residents managed a bit of shut-eye for at least six hours. Joan Gandy, Alstonville

Clover Moore, for all the good she has done, should follow the example of Bill Shorten and resign while she’s in front. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer

Clover Moore is older than Donald Trump. Having the same political leader for more than 20 years is not good for democracy. The City of Sydney would benefit from another person as Lord Mayor. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

My dream is a Sydney arts precinct again. In the ’30s and ′ 40s, theatres lined Pitt Street. From the ′ 50s to the ’70s, it was George Street. It can be done. Peter Farmer, Northbridge

I’m over Clover. Lesley Brown, Paddington

Falling Shorten

I would belatedly like to add my voice to the appreciation shown for Bill Shorten’s role in public life (Letters, September 7). His failure to win government because of his eminently sensible but sadly dangerous policies was a great disappointment to me, and the subsequent disastrous three years proved what a lost opportunity that was. It also, arguably, lead to the timidity being shown by this government to do anything even vaguely radical, especially in the face of Peter Dutton’s emulation of the Abbott style of opposition. Anthony Albanese is a decent man, but it seems politics and decency don’t mix so he is regarded as weak. What an indictment that is. Mary Billing, Allambie Heights

Voters disappointed by Shorten’s election loss in 2019 would probably agree that our present economic situation would be better had more voters appreciated his vision to deal with inequalities (take from the rich and give to the poor). Coalition voters can only blame themselves for their cost-of-living woes. Judy Nicholas, Kambah (ACT)

More than growth

The problem with economic engineering and associated political comment is that it always employs the same tired presumptions and formulas that mean nothing to ordinary people (“Spending to avoid recession is a good thing, says Chalmers”, September 7). The world has changed – growth is not the only thing. We could equitably distribute what we have, get the RBA’s self-serving outlook under control and fix supply chains. Julius Timmerman, Lawson

While I appreciate the even-handedness with which the Herald reports, it is still depressing to read the negative comments in the paper. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor’s belittling comments about “homegrown inflation” seem to me to ignore the insights of many other economic commentators and are another example of the negativity of the federal opposition. Please keep reporting sensible comments such as Chalmers’ in the hope that such voices of reason can cut through the opposition’s noise and inform, not alarm, the voting public. Sharon Warner, North Turramurra

I don’t know why the opposition is harping on about government spending as if it is a new thing to keep the country out of a recession. All governments were Keynesian during the global financial crisis and the pandemic. All governments of all kinds – socialist or conservative – had no problem printing money like confetti during those crises to avoid a recession and mass unemployment. It is better now the way the government is handling the economy. Rather than printing money, the Albanese government is spending in areas such as Medicare, pharmaceuticals and others to avoid recession and mass unemployment. I know which option I like. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

In a historical context, Australia’s interest rates are not particularly high. The real issue is the extraordinarily high cost of housing and the consequent impact that any interest rate rise has on the cost of living of Australians with a mortgage. The Treasurer and the Reserve Bank are both hamstrung by the cost of housing. We can thank John Howard and Peter Costello for their contribution to distorting the housing market through tax concessions, but at some point the electorate needs to shoulder some responsibility for allowing it to continue. In 2019, Bill Shorten offered a well-considered policy change that could have eased the pressure on house prices. He was shot down by a negative campaign, served with a decent helping of self-interest. It will take a lot of courage for Labor to take on negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions again, but it must be done. Let’s hope we don’t let that opportunity slip again when it happens. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

With polling showing the two major parties 50/50, it is worrying that so many people are willing to blame Labor and the RBA for high inflation and high interest rates and expect the Opposition to be able to do a better job. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has reminded us that when Labor took office nearly two and a half years ago, the inflation rate under the Coalition was 6.1 per cent, and it now sits at nearly half that. For those who think Peter Dutton and his team would do a better job, just think about it. Would you really want to take the risk? William Tuck, Mosman

Incisive take on cancer treatment

Once again Julia Baird (“Elle, if not for science I wouldn’t be alive”, September 7) cuts through the bull regarding Elle Macpherson’s approach to her cancer diagnosis: the irresponsible reporting and the privilege and finances to move to Arizona with 32 specialists. It doesn’t sound like she ignored traditional medicine at all. I’m with Julia, listen to the experts. We’re lucky in Australia to have scientists and doctors who know their stuff as well as such places as the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. For us, scientific propaganda is not required and should not be listened to. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill

Julia Baird asks, “Have we forgotten wellness warrior Jessica Ainscough, who died at age 29 after trying to cure her cancer through alternative means?” Well, I was not aware of Ms Ainscough, but when I read the article about Elle Macpherson all my alarm bells went off and I vividly remembered the death of a person I was aware of (and on whose product I’m writing this letter): Steve Jobs, of Apple fame, of whom it was said, “Jobs’s faith in alternative medicine cost him his life, he had the only kind of pancreatic cancer that is treatable and curable. He essentially committed suicide.” I have never forgotten his story. Carsten Burmeister, Mosman

Julia Baird’s article is both compelling and disturbing; compelling because it proffers sound advice on a serious health issue and disturbing because it lays bare the dangers of disregarding scientific evidence. We might think of science in terms of laboratories and test tubes, but it is no less than the pursuit and accumulation of reliable knowledge. Science entails the systematic observation of phenomena, theorising, testing ideas and arriving at the most probable conclusions, including dependable facts. Hopefully, the braveness and clarity of thought that marked Baird’s own harrowing health journey will be inspirational to others experiencing such life-endangering problems. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Thanks for your excellent article, Julia Baird – I’m glad you are travelling well. Elle Macpherson is dealing with her personal grief, shock and overwhelming reaction to her cancer diagnosis. Most of my patients would never have had the opportunity to share this with the world. It needs to be accepted for what it is – her journey. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath

In late 2023 at 77 years old, I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. After a lumpectomy and four weeks of radiation therapy I am now “in remission” and feeling fine. My GP, surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist are all women and I owe my life to them. I am incredibly grateful for their expertise, experience and compassion. I do not have the wealth or opportunities of Elle Macpherson, but even if I did, I would not choose to make a different decision as to my treatment. Christine Tiley, Albany Creek (Qld)

AI works, at heart

We have some home care for my sick husband. Scheduling of workers is clearly a complex and constantly changing craft that AI could help with (Letters, September 7). Anyone who has had experience with scheduling or timetabling will appreciate how AI could be of benefit. They will also know that “AI” doesn’t run the place – the prompters or owners are the task makers. Any AI system could be set up with specified tasks – say elderly father with a 20-year-old carer friend, and efficiently work around such tasks. The “orders” were given by those in charge (of money, not heart). Barbara Aroney, Annandale

Systems for managing rostering and scheduling – not necessarily driven by AI techniques such as machine learning – have been available for several decades, providing benefits in terms of efficiency, client satisfaction and so on. I don’t believe that the problem lies so much with the adoption of such a system, as with the company’s failure to use it effectively, by stipulating conditions such as a client’s preference for a particular carer. Mark Horn, Lane Cove North

Law of averages

The use of average speed cameras for all types of vehicles is long overdue (“NSW drivers to be tracked in average speed camera plan”, smh.com.au, September 8). The current use of signposted and advertised speed cameras doesn’t really change driver behaviour. It only stops them from speeding in a particular spot for a few seconds. On passing the speed camera, they speed up again. And for those who tout the proposed changes as a revenue raiser, so what? As speeding is a major cause of accidents, injuries and deaths, why shouldn’t speeders assist with the associated costs to the public by paying for breaking the law? Peter Butler, Wyongah

Seismic waves

Is it possible this sequence of quakes is caused or partly caused by the widespread and various types of mining over many decades in the valley (“Power outages as earthquake shakes the Hunter and Sydney”, smh.com.au, September 7)? Let’s hear from the geologists. Richard Hambly, Potts Point

Another Hunter region earthquake puts the Coalition’s nuclear-powered electricity generation in further doubt. Clearly, when Dutton and his shadow energy minister, Ted O’Brien, released their policy on a yellow Post-it note they forget to consider the seismic environment that the plants were to be built on. A previous devastating earthquake in the Hunter, in 1989, would have told them it was not safe ground. They failed the test of diligence, potentially putting the people of Hunter in danger for their own political purposes. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA)

Shining examples

If there is an Inspiration Award for a family who never gave up, it should be awarded to Alexa Leary, mother Belinda and father Russell plus her four siblings (“How the sunlight shone on a golden girl”, September 7). Alison Green, Bellambi

Over the past couple of weeks, I found myself tuning into the Paralympic games night after night. Our Olympians are remarkable and are such fantastic role models, but our inspirational Paralympians deserve our utmost admiration. Their journeys towards their goals are heart-warming and always bring a lump to my throat. Vincent Wong, Killara

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