Tolerance is the way forward
WHAT wonderful words spoken by the Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt that are worth repeating, “Reconciliation means walking together with respect for one another and differing views, not rejecting or enforcing one point of view” (Mercury, January 22). We are a pluralistic society and thankfully do not suffer from actions of extreme political views as in other countries. Tolerance and acceptance will enable us to continue to progress. Jim Garrigan
New Town
CELEBRATE WITH RESPECT
NOBODY I know who finds the idea of celebrating Australia Day on January 26 appalling is anti-Australia Day. Just not on January 26. It’s not rocket science. It’s just being mature, considerate and respectful enough of the pain associated with the 26th of January by the Indigenous communities of Australia. There is no traditional argument which bears any merit whatsoever, because January 26 was only set as Australia Day in 1994. Celebrate to your heart’s content but change the date, Australia. Mike Radburn
Leslie Vale
COURT DESERVES IT DOUBLY
MARGARET Court, the greatest female tennis player ever, thoroughly deserves her latest honour, for having to put up with men like Senator Nick McKim, Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (“Court gong cops serve,” Mercury,
January 23). Whatever happened to tolerance and respect for diversity? Michael Watts Cradoc
NOT ACCEPTABLE ANY TIME
ALDERMAN Blomeley from Clarence City Council asserts, “Although there are occasions in our nation’s past that, in a contemporary context, are totally unacceptable, the answer is not to rewrite or edit history through a particular lens” (“Fraught with danger,” Letters, January 23). I would have thought murder, rape, genocide and annexing of land without the custodians’ agreement are not acceptable in any context or when viewed through any lens.
Joanne Marsh
Bellerive
CHANGING THE WORDS
THIS journey leading to equality and inclusiveness of all Australians will only be achieved when Commonwealth and state governments were to: Include in the Anthem a verse in First People’s language; Fall in line with Commonwealth countries with a Treaty with the First People; Follow New Zealand in having a public holiday for First People. It could be on June 3 and called Mabo Day; Change Australia Day to January 1 (date the Constitution was passed); Excise box to tick on all documents that asks if you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; and Enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution that would empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Donald Ramritu
South Hobart
POLL UPS AND DOWN
IN an online poll about changing the date of Australia Day, it is interesting to note that No rated 79 per cent while Yes had 29 per cent. These figures are at odds with widely acclaimed ones of slightly more in favour of the change, with the minority being made up of those who voted against it and those who had not voted. Reminds me of the story of an applicant for an accounting position being asked “what does two plus two equal”? Reply, “anything that you want”. He was successful.
Syd Dwyer South Hobart
UNITING AUSTRALIANS
LETTERS in the Mercury and elsewhere show Australia Day ought to be cancelled. The same goes for Australia Day honours, where some are selected and not others. Desire to change the flag and the question of the treaty are other dividing problems. All these matters need to be solved to create an Australian nationality, which seems absent. Public holidays since the British came were Christmas, New Year, Easter, Anzac Day, Cup Day, Regatta, show days, labour and Queen’s Birthday. With a new way for Australians to be united, new holidays could be created. Maybe it is time to look to the future? H. Stevenson
Lauderdale
VIRTUOUS NEW NAME
PERSONALLY I am getting pretty tired of all this virtue signalling around Australia Day. Why not be done with it to call the day, Virtue Signalling Day. This would provide scope for all virtues, both positive and negative. A sort of truth in marketing if you will.
Evan Evans Lindisfarne
BITTER-SWEET
SO very nice that many letter-writers have come around to my view that Australia Day be moved to the last Monday in January as it was before 1995. My first letter on the subject was in 2000, so Randall Corney (Letters, January 25) despite your protest that “every year we are subjected to the same bitter arguments for and against particular dates but never a solution”, here is the solution. Make it an Australia Day not an Australian Date and make that day the last Monday in January. It is so simple. Colin Corney
Beaumaris