Sirius, not stadiums, needs a sporting chance

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This was published 6 years ago

Sirius, not stadiums, needs a sporting chance

Pru Goward claims the sale of the Sirius building for an anticipated $100 million will enable the state government to build "a lot more social housing" ("Brutal fate: Sirius goes on the market for development", December 7). But there's already a couple of billion lying around in the coffers, apparently – it's just that this government prioritises unnecessary sporting stadiums over the very real need to address homelessness and housing affordability for the state's vulnerable and disadvantaged. But then, social justice has never been a priority for Liberal governments at any level, so Goward's lame justification for the Sirius sale shouldn't surprise.

Kim Hatherly, Gymea

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

I find it astounding that the Minister for Social Housing, Pru Goward, can stand in front of the Sirius building and tell us that through the proceeds of the sale of this iconic building, "a lot more social housing" can be built. They expect $100 million from the sale. That seems like peanuts compared with the $2.6 billion to be spent on the rebuild of a couple of sporting stadiums. How many social housing homes and units could be built with $2.6 billion?

If the government was to spend even $100 million revamping the social housing units within the Sirius building we would have some of the social housing problems solved. Then again, you wouldn't want poor people having their breath taken away by those incredible views...or would you?

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Pamela Cunningham, Camperdown

The NSW government funds social housing by selling social housing. Why can't it fund stadiums by selling stadiums?

Dan Howe, Crows Nest

It would be very interesting to know how many of the Millers Point residents, thrown out of their homes by Minister Goward, feel that their lives have been improved as she claims is the reason "at the heart of the decision" for the evictions. I thought it was purely a financial decision. The government has a tough job convincing us it can't afford public housing in the wake of the stadiums proposal.

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Richard Tainsh, Potts Point

Ms Goward, oh how you patronise the multitude of community members, architects, artists, historians and especially the former tenants of Sirius when you say "There's no doubt it's part of a memory of Sydney from last century that people probably do have some affection for". I can tell you that you and your government will be in the long-time memories of generations for the way you have destroyed and/or sold off so much of Sydney's heritage.

Adrianne Hannan, Bowral

If the NSW government is serious about providing public housing, rather than selling off another state asset (again), Gladys Berejiklian should immediately announce that the stadiums be refurbished only, at a significantly lower cost, and the rest of the funding be allocated to providing far more sustainable and low-cost homes than the sale of Sirius would ever provide.

Hannah Lane, Wollstonecraft

Thoroughly outrageous that in 2017 (almost 2018) women who write research grant applications are not able to take credit under their own names because if they do they are less likely to receive the grant. It is reminiscent of an era when women could only be published authors under male pseudonyms ("Women using male names", December 7).

Gordana Martinovich, Dulwich Hill

Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin had to use the male name Miles Franklin in order to have her novel My Brilliant Career published in 1901. In 2017, many female researchers have to use male names in their attempts to receive research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is clear that female equality still has a long way to go.

Rob Phillips, North Epping

Where, I wonder, are the female commentators for this year's Ashes series? If ever the time was ripe for Channel Nine to shake up its long standing boys' club of Chappell, Slats, Taylor et al, it's now. How wonderful to have some of the current stars of women's cricket, such as Ellyse Perry or Meg Lanning, or legends like Cathryn Fitzpatrick, take a turn at calling the action and sharing their insights and experiences. Especially so, having just completed such a successful and popular Ashes series themselves. So come on, Channel Nine. Women cricketers have shown us how brilliantly they can play – let's hear what they've got to say as well.

Paul Smith, Terrigal

Deaf to other views

Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse nations and yet Parliament is overwhelmingly white.("A suburb of old, white men: Parliament's demographics", December 7). If Parliament should reflect society, this lack of diversity could result in certain issues not being heard – or not heard loudly enough.Yet another glass ceiling needs to be cracked open.

Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

Keep the bastards honest

I heard this morning on ABC Radio that the government had failed in its attempt to have certain social security recipients drug tested before receiving benefits in specific areas. My suggestion: all members of the Federal Parliament have a test on section 44 of the constitution. Should they have been illegally in the Parliament they have to repay all salary and emoluments for that period. Should a byelection be required they also pay the costs of such election. Just the same as any person who improperly receives social security benefits.

Peter Lowing, Port Moresby

What a relief that the same-sex marriage bill will pass through the House of Representatives unencumbered ("Parliament to pass historic bill", smh.com.au December 7). Additional amendments and exclusion clauses purporting to protect religious freedoms are unnecessary and an embarrassment to a great many Christians and people of faith. Religious freedom is already sufficiently guarded and fully practised in this country. Inviting people into new forms of discrimination by legislating specifically to allow them is counter-productive, and flies in the face of our open and inclusive society.

(Rev) Meredith Williams, Dee Why

Tony Abbott says he will go to his Sister 's wedding, now that same sex marriage is legal. Is that not hypocricy?

Elizabeth Blackmore, Broken Hill

The Advent of marriage Equality will be a time to give thanks for those whose courage has given us permission to think differently.We trust that our elected representatives will highlight the difference between religious freedom and institutional control and hope that religious institutions regrettably on the wrong side of history on votes for women, divorce and respect for diversity will not be established as ghettos of intolerance continuing to prejudice life outcomes for LGTBIQ people. It would be right for the people of Australia to anticipate an apology for faith based discrimination and a migration by clergy as well as parishioners away from churches that continue to discriminate and toward institutions and communities that support traditional values of respect, compassion and equality.

The Venerable Peter MacLeod-Miller, Archdeacon of Albury and the Hume

Bishop's response a fail

The nations of the world, including Britain, France and Germany, have recoiled in disgust and despair at President Donald Trump's ignorant decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ("Donald Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in reversal of policy", December 7). And while Pope Francis joined the chorus of condemnation of the move, stating that "Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims", the best response that the nemesis of China and North Korea, the bold Boadicea of Australian diplomacy, Julie Bishop, could muster was a servile whisper that the decision "was a matter for Washington". Just so "adult".

John Richardson, Wallagoot

With his plan to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, ("US to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital", 7 December) President Trump has at last revealed America's true Middle East position. Since 1956, America, despite constant claims, has never been an honest broker trying, or pretending, to move along the "peace process". There has not been anything like a just peace and, certainly since 1967, there has been no process. What President Trump has done is deal America out of any influence it had in the Middle East, outside Israel: apart from bombs, America now has nothing to ontribute. So who will take America's place -- Europe, Russia, China? Whoever it is, this could be the beginning of a movement toward a just peace in the region.

Rory McGuire, Pyrmont

The decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel by Trump is another example of his North Korean strategy. He provokes Kim Il Sung to frustrate any peace initiatives. His latest decision will end the peace initiatives between Palestine and Israel. Trump is doing what past US presidents have done. He is just carrying 'the big stick but not speaking softly'. Why do US presidents fear peace breaking out ?

Reg Wilding, Wollongong

There have been many condemnations of President Trump's decision to refer to Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to move the USA's Embassy there, claiming that decision disqualifies the USA as an "honest broker" in any Israel/Palestinian peace negotiations, but those countries which have recognised "Palestine" as a state are no longer "honest brokers", as they have pre-judged the outcome of any such peace negotiations.

Kevin Sekel, Nowra

Let's cut to the chase

I do not like the way you have conducted your stadium campaign. Please indulge me an analogy. Your child comes home from school and asks you to buy him a very expensive new cricket bat. You acknowledge that indeed, yes, his old cricket bat is not perfect, but that it "does the job". You then proceed to direct the conversation to his upcoming trip to the orthodontist. Does he not realise that he is currently set to get mediocre braces, and wouldn't he prefer better braces to the cricket bat? This backs your child into a corner. Well of course he wants the best braces. Let's bring the stadium conversation back to whether we need or want better stadiums. And if there's too much "money for the boys" going on, let's talk about that too. And then let's not forget to talk about whether or not kids' sport, or the hospitals or schools are actually underfunded.

Luke Ringland, Coogee

Opponents of the government's plan for the stadiums ("knock 'em down and build new ones") had better be careful that Gladys doesn't try Joh's old tricks in Queensland and start demolition in the middle of the night one cold winter weekend.

Allan Miles, Stanmore

Wait for the backflip

To all those not in favour of the demolition and rebuilding of the SFS and Homebush stadiums don't worry, the Premier will probably do a backflip. After all the government has form.

Patrick Hennessy, North Narrabeen

Whenever the government announces some new proposal, I instinctively run the Sir Humphrey test over it, is it acceptable to the voting public or is it simply courageous? Sir Humphrey could reduce minister Jim Hacker to total panic if he suggested the minister's proposal as courageous. Sadly, replacing the two stadiums is courageous in that the public clearly don't want money spent on it and the minister will suffer electoral defeat because of it. What a pity that our governments don't have a permanent,statutory position called the Sir Humphrey Question Office.

James Prior, Sylvania Waters

Research a lifesaver

In response to Jenny Moxham's heartfelt question (Letters, December 5) regarding the "enormous/massive suffering" of numerous animals in the name of progress, 10 days ago my healthy husband generously donated one of his kidneys to our 22-year-old son who now has perfect renal function. A miraculous gift that has lifted the burden of 22 years enduring enormous and massive human suffering. An impossible achievement without copious hours of scientific research undertaken on many animals and humans over decades. An enormous and massive undertaking with far more significant ramifications than described as "just so the lives of our own species can be moderately enhanced". Sincere thanks to all the dedicated hard work of myriads, especially those at RNSH.

AACTA awards badly timed

Rebecca Anderson, Turramurra

I cannot argue with all the AACTA awards that deservedly went to the film Lion ("Feel-good film Lion takes home a pride of prizes", December 7) but surely they would have been of more benefit to the film and its producers if they had been awarded while the film was still in general release. The AACTA's more famous counterpart, the Oscars, are always timed to boost the films' receipts at the box office and they are then promoted as being nominated for or having won an Academy Award. It makes commercial success and similar timing here provide a much needed boost to the local film industry.

Garth Clarke, North Sydney

Christine Keeler's death reminded me of a limerick at the time when Profumo misled the Parliament ("End of an affair", December 7). "Oh what have you done?" said Christine./ "You've disrupted the Party machine; / To lie in the nude is not very rude, / But to lie in the House is obscene."

Gavin Williamson, Narrabeen

The death of a famous person, even (or especially) with notoriety attached, gives pause for thought and reflection. I am of the generation who read all the salacious details of her affairs, gaped at the famous photo of her by Lewis Morley and wondered about the high society of Britain. Certainly, Keeler was born in poverty and died in notoriety. The most telling words in the article were "She moved to London, where she was worked as a topless showgirl and hostess." Typo or truism?

Pam Connor, Mollymook Beach

Bushrangers please

Might I suggest an ancestry DNA test for all politicians ("Liberal MP's citizenship legal advice inconclusive", December 7). Those related to bushrangers should remain, and that also would be a most suitable qualification for any political candidates.

Richard Merrell, Penrith

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