Social media abuse must be called out to safeguard human dignity

Thank God ABC chair Ita Buttrose finally called out the racial abuse being unjustly directed against Stan Grant (“A station divided”, May 27). He has given a powerful voice to the pain at the heart of our nation. He speaks not only of the pain of Indigenous peoples being forcibly removed from the land, but of the pain in having one’s dignity forcibly removed from what it means to be human. May his time at the ABC be a living testament to the infinite worth of all who suffer such indignity. Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT)

Social media is a blessing and a curse and now unleashed is likely to remain both forevermore. Front line media tackling the curly issues of the day must expect nutters to have a crack at them from a secure armchair. Having read Kate Halfpenny’s piece and noting the absurd slurs made towards her, I think those who receive these attacks must ignore this noise, rise above it and get on with it, presenting to the many who applaud and appreciate their work (“Social media is growing more poisonous and I’m sick of it”, May 27).

The ABC cannot climb into the stables of each of its leading journalists and hold back this vitriol. It can, and does, put forward statements demonising this behaviour. The recent criticism of the ABC regarding appropriate support seems a bit harsh. This nonsense is a societal issue that feeds the likes of Donald Trump and our shock jocks. Bruce Hall, Avalon

I have noticed that people, not only in Australia but throughout the world, seem to be angrier than they’ve ever been. They rail against anyone who disagrees with them; they criticise and racially attack those they think are different and pose a threat to how they live their lives. The appalling racial attacks on Grant, the strident opposition to the Indigenous Voice to parliament and the social media attacks on so many journalists reveal this undercurrent of severe rage. This anger seems to cross all opinions: those on the Right rail against those on the Left and vice versa.

Were we always this angry, or has social media simply given us the means to vent it? What strategies can be used to allay this terrible behaviour? Merrie Carling, Nicholls (ACT)

While the internet was hailed as the information superhighway, social media is more like a sewer. To effect some control over the filth spewed out, why don’t the owners of the platforms – or even governments – have the courage to make users identify themselves so they can be held to account? Hiding behind anonymity is cowardly, and without consequences, hate speech, vilification, outrageous lies and misinformation will only proliferate. Judith Campbell, Drummoyne

Social media may once have been useful for a journalist, but is it still? The solution is for all who find it obnoxious to stop using it or, like me, don’t even start. Greg McCarry, Epping

A timely coincidence that two of our most famous Indigenous people – Adam Goodes and Stan Grant – were featured in Saturday’s paper (“Adam Goodes’ war cry tribute”, May 28). Both of them forced to abandon their careers due to something many of us will never experience: racism. Hopefully, Grant will return in the near future; however, I’m not confident he won’t have to face racism again while doing his job. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

When I saw the Adam Goodes statue I saw a man loving and proud of what he was doing and celebrating it. A great tribute to the man. Aidan Cuddington, Umina Beach

More slings and arrows for Abbott, but also bouquets

I seldom agree with former (short-term) prime minister Tony Abbott, but he is right to criticise the Albanese government’s lukewarm support for beleaguered Ukraine (“Abbott laments lack of Ukraine support”, May 27). Ukraine needs all the support it can muster, especially in view of the recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, close to the Polish border, in readiness for “a battle for the survival of Russia against an aggressive West”. Putin has taken doublespeak to a new level. The whole world, outside the Russia-Belarus alliance, knows the war in Ukraine is a battle against the Russian invasion of a peaceful neighbour. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT)

Can someone tell Tony Abbott that he is no longer PM, and he is not entitled to travel the world criticising our elected government and promising military aid? Furthermore, who is paying for his travels, and where might he appear next? Lorraine Hickey, Green Point

My heart missed a beat as I read of the rigours that the former PM faced to get to Kyiv to be applauded and showered with unrestrained emotion on his arrival. He told his audience that he faced a 24-hour flight (first class), six-hour drive (in a luxury heated car) and 12-hour train trip (first class) – what bravery! What sheer guts! On top of that, he was prepared to do it again to suffer these “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”.

What a contrast to the refugees fleeing persecution who faced days in an open boat, drownings, starvation, abuse and many other torments, only to be greeted by his government with detention for years in unhealthy spots in the Pacific. Denis Doherty, Glebe

It is unprecedented that I agree with Tony Abbott, but I am embarrassed that for months we have ignored Volodymyr Zelensky’s specific request for Hawkei light-armoured vehicles. We’re not using them, we have plenty – please send lots of them, as soon as possible, Anthony Albanese. Charles Kent, Hunters Hill

Could someone please explain to me the relevance of Tony Abbott’s visit to Ukraine? Also, what are his qualifications for the comments he made about the prime minister? Did the taxpayers fund his long and arduous journey to get there? Give me a break! Susan Chan, St Ives

Abbott goes to Ukraine to criticise the Australian government’s contribution to the war effort. I’m still waiting for the green army he promised for this country. Maybe he could organise to send them to Ukraine; they’ll definitely need them. Chris Gresham, Upper Lansdowne

Garden Island great for cruise ships, but defence? No

It is high time we realised the true potential of Garden Island for the people of Sydney (“Garden Island cruises into view for super liners”, May 27). But what a wonderful place for another overseas terminal. Incidentally, it seems a great folly to have a major defence site in the middle of the city. David Golovsky, Point Piper

The Yarra Bay activists have had a win, but they should remain vigilant. Rather worryingly, they had support from NSW Ports, which was concerned about its capacity to grow. It obviously has its eye on Yarra Bay for containers, so the fight is not over. NSW Ports should forget those plans and allow the much more sensible development of the port at Newcastle for containers and take the pressure off Port Botany. Seppo Ranki, Glenhaven

Cruise ships are a breeding ground for COVID, and the industry has proven itself incapable of introducing effective controls to limit transmission. We don’t need another terminal.v Peter Mahoney, Oatley

Floodplain follies

Good stuff (“Dodgy house builders on notice”, May 27), but what’s the go with local councils still providing green lights for developers to build on floodplains? Allow me to remind Premier Chris Minns that in November 2022, as NSW opposition leader, he announced a Labor government would prevent developments in flood-prone areas of the state. Does the cat have our government’s tongue? Col Shephard, Yamba

Fire hazards

Having spent a lifetime on the Darling Street ridge of the congested Balmain peninsula, I’ve witnessed three fires affecting nearby pre-1900 structures: the negligence of a dry-cleaner ignited one and arsonists the other two (“Firefighters detect wall moving at Surry Hills inferno site”, May 27). Though only in low-rise structures, flames fuelled by warrens of dried ageing timberwork engulfed them within minutes and the subsequent removals of debris (which also involved forensic scrutiny) were prohibitively costly.

The speed at which fire recently consumed a former Surry Hills high-rise heritage warehouse, even in daylight hours, should not be surprising. It’s my view that the Surry Hills conflagration should prompt an urgent and overdue review of security and fire safety codes and compliances governing heritage structures across all inner Sydney residential precincts. John Williams, Balmain

Funny business

Lest readers believe stand-up comic as an art form is a foreign import in China, as claimed by some mentioned in your report, I wish to point out that the art form existed in China in the mid-1800s, during Qing Dynasty (“China cancel culture no laughing matter”, May 27). Some historians trace it back to the previous dynastic period of Ming (pre-1662). Known as xiangsheng, meaning crosstalk or comic dialogue, it has enjoyed great popularity ever since. Xiangsheng may indeed look like Western stand-up comedy, with the comedians delivering all manner of banter and humorous dialogue standing on stage, but it is home-grown. Kim Woo, Mascot

True north

Nordic countries’ capacity to adopt a collaborative approach that empowers workers and gives them an equal voice with employees, thus influencing their happiness index is not limited to industrial relations (“Nordic view sunnier than Australia”, May 27). In Finland, there is an equally collaborative approach to mental health called Open Dialogue that empowers patients and involves them in an open conversation with professionals in relation to their mental health needs. There are promising results in preventing repeat hospitalisation and the approach has appeal to many around the world. Glenn Larner, Freshwater

Archer’s target

The feature about Bridget Archer only confirms what I’ve thought for some time (“Arguing for the future of the Liberal Party”, May 28). And that is that for the Liberals to find their way again, Archer needs to be in a leadership role. Peter Dutton’s leadership is hopeless and apart from Archer, there is no one capable of reuniting the party or more importantly, the voter base. Her life skills far outweigh those of a negative thinking and ageing former policeman. Will it happen? Probably not. John Nelson, Mudgee

Leeser inspires

I was delighted to hear Liberal MP Julian Leeser’s excellent speech in federal parliament outlining reasons to support constitutional recognition through a guaranteed Indigenous Voice (“From non-goth to Spider-Man: Leeser gains new lease for life”, May 27). It will make a practical difference in the lives and futures of Indigenous Australians, who for too long have been kept at the margins and excluded from an active citizenship. Every person and certainly every parent knows that giving people a say in decisions made about them gets the best results. The idea that the Voice gives a special privilege is nonsense, for those in remote communities especially. This is about survival and overcoming extreme disadvantage. Leeser has acted with empathy and integrity, showing he is a future contender for the Liberal leadership. Kerie Hull, Smithfield (Qld)

Look eastwards

Your editor and correspondents debating the Voice need only look across the ditch to the 155-year-old example of democratic representation set by our New Zealand cousins (“Voice debate must not turn into vitriol”, May 27).

The Maori Representation Act was passed in 1867, creating four Maori electorates that today have grown to seven. Maori have the option to vote/stand in either Maori or general electorates (but not both). Indeed, not only is recognition of Australia’s First People way past due, but the proposed constitutional change is way less radical than opponents of the Voice claim. Peter Allen, Castle Cove

Your editorial went some way to realising the utter politicisation of this issue being spouted by Peter Dutton. But your faint hopes that hatred and division will be avoided between now and the referendum ignore the reality that Dutton has nothing else to offer by way of opposition. It will only get worse. Jeremy Eccles, Clifton Gardens

Your correspondent writes that proponents of the Voice must explain what executive government is (Letters, May 28). I refer her to Chapter II (sections 61 to 70) of the Constitution which is headed “The Executive Government”. William Kennedy, Jordan Springs

Gordon gets going

Dear Tim Schroder, of Gordon, thank you for the invitation to come and live in peaceful Gordon, on behalf of the Evangelical Outdoor Tunnelling Death Metal Trombone Ensemble. We’ll be right over (Letters, May 27). Stein Boddington, St Clair

Not true, Tim. I recently saw a magpie swoop on a person in Gordon. Admittedly, that was the most excitement I’ve had for a while. Tony Hunt, Gordon

Fairbridge distress

It is outrageous that the Prince’s Trust does not pay the surviving Fairbridge litigants the compensation ordered by the UK High Court (Letters, May 28). I can’t imagine how distressed the litigants must feel. However, the coronation was not paid for by the royal family or the Prince’s Trust. It was paid by the British government. Wendy Cousins, Balgownie

US on crack

How far can the bar be lowered, a correspondent wonders (Letters, May 27). The rise of Trumpism has opened the floodgates for any out-and-out crackpot to put his or her hand up for the presidential nomination, no matter how dodgy they may be. The days of gravitas and dignity in American politics could be gone forever. Let the sideshow begin! Joan Brown, Orange

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Big four consultancies win $1.4 billion a year in taxpayer-funded contracts
From LeChatBlanc: ″⁣Who would better serve the Australian people? A properly funded, non-politicised, independent public service or self-interested profit machines? It is pretty obvious, isn’t it?″⁣

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