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Myopic rugby board must go

After the loss to Wales this morning I must express my exasperation as to the past blindfoldedness of rugby administration. In 1992, I was the president of Wests Rugby Club in Sydney and was invited to a presidents’ annual get together. Topics included the advancement of the game. I put forward the modest expenditure of supplying the outer suburban schools of Sydney with shorts, socks and the like, knowingly full well that the private schools were in no need of such assistance and that the talented players were more often than not coming from public schools. I was rewarded with titters of laughter and left empty-handed. Peter Dwyer, Sutherland

Wallabies captain Eddie Jones and players after losing to Wales

Wallabies captain Eddie Jones and players after losing to Wales Credit: Getty

A successful team starts in the front office. The Rugby Australia board needs an overhaul with fewer GPS alumni and more local high school representatives. John Dinan, Cheltenham

A torrid time for Australia at the World Cup, where our lack of depth in the playing group has been brutally exposed. In light of the results, surely the Wallabies and the Wallaroos must now combine in order to field a competitive side. Mike Kenneally, Lisbon (Portugal)

The great rugby league coach Jack Gibson was once asked the secret to being a good coach. He replied having good players. There lies the problem for the Wallabies. We have neither the quality nor the depth of players needed to be successful when up against the best teams. I think I’ll be making a reference to my Welsh grandfather quite a bit today. Simon Squires, Hornsby

While many would have cringed watching the Wales game, it was worse being in Lyon. World Rugby ran an event based on hospitality from 100 years ago. France is renowned for its love of wine and champagne but at the game, it was beer or soft drink. Apparently, World Rugby thinks all Welsh and Australian women drink only beer. Robert McElhone, Lyon, France

What now for Eddie Jones, who was supposed to save Australian rugby union’s reputation, which is now in complete tatters? Peng Ee, Castle Cove

Your report of Eddie Jones’ secret interview before the World Cup kick-off to coach Japan confirms that he is smarter and a better predictor of outcomes than I thought. Well done Eddie! Your hit and run campaign for the Wallabies has worked a treat. They’ve been hit to a new low, and you’re running. Ian Wylie, Paddington

The Rugby World Cup has exposed the disastrous performance of the Rugby Australia board’s recent coach selection decisions. I call on the whole board to resign immediately. This is the only way to improve the Wallabies’ performance. Richard Edmonds, Morisset

I wonder how quickly Ange Postecoglou could learn rugby rules. Angie Miller, Bondi Junction

Surely it’s time for the ARU to see if Ted Lasso is available. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

Come back Dave Rennie, all is forgiven! Rob Baveystock, Naremburn

I feel sorry for the athletes who now play a game dominated by behemoths wrestling each other at endless set pieces with virtually no ball movement, punctuated by referees imposing themselves and thus determining the result by virtue of overvalued penalty goals. The game has lost its way if this is the best it has to offer. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Political ambition has no place in the public service

No one should be surprised at the behaviour chronicled in the messages exchanged between Scott Briggs and Michael Pezzullo (“Pezzullo’s power play”, September 25). There is a pattern here which runs from the “hollowing out” of the service through robo-debt, the capture of policy by the “Big Four” and the withering of capability. These problems are being perpetuated by a service which continues to hire from within, cementing relationships both inside and outside the service, of the kind highlighted in today’s paper and the imbalances underlined by the Senate in its recent inquiries. There is a need for a refresh. Rob Ritchie, Mosman

Former Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs Michael Pezzullo

Former Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs Michael PezzulloCredit: SMH

So much for our democracy. We are now informed that Michael Pezzullo was so rapacious for political power that he worked “to promote conservatives, oust enemies and revamp the national security regime”. On one occasion he informed Liberal Party powerbroker Scott Briggs that he would like to see Dutton come back to Home Affairs and began expressing his opinion with “I don’t wish to interfere, but”. One cannot be more hilariously hypocritical than that. Vince Scoppa, Tennyson Point

The outstanding work by the Herald and the Age investigative reporters has yet again been shown to be important in ensuring the integrity of those in positions of power. It was gratifying indeed to see how little time elapsed between the release of their findings and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil’s action in reporting the matter to the Australian Public Service Commissioner. The work of these journalists obviously comes with high stakes and personal costs at times but is to be highly lauded. Louise Dolan, Birchgrove

Mike Pezzullo’s political inclinations have been evident for many years. It will now undoubtedly take decades to recover from the depredations of the Morrison and Abbott governments into the ethical standards of Canberra bureaucrats. Gone are the days when senior public servants took great care to be apolitical and impartial. Adrian Lipscomb, Urunga

And who, pray tell, does Mike Pezzullo think he is? Sir Humphrey Appleby? Machiavelli would be so proud. Tim Overland, Castle Hill

I was flabbergasted when reading the results of the investigation into the machinations of Michael Pezzulo for two reasons. The first was that the political power and influence of a senior public servant could continue over such a long period of time, and the second was that much of
the communication that Pezzulo had with Briggs could have been lifted verbatim from almost any episode of Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister. Mark d’Arbon, Chittaway Bay

Passing the buck

The Albanese Government has no mandate to increase migration “to almost 500,000 per year” in the face of multiple national issues (“Coalition calls for cuts to student numbers, pandemic visa to slow migration”, September 25). However, the Coalition has no credibility on this either given they primarily represent business agendas for more consumers and lower wages.

What of the housing supply crisis, finite resources, environmental destruction, highest per-capita emissions and the destructive human footprint of mass immigration? No worries, apparently. Then the astronomical costs of this insanity is transferred to the states, leaving little choice but more privatisations. Big Australia should be the subject of a referendum. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville

Cold Christmas

As we approach the “goodwill to all” season I sadly reflect on the past year and wonder if we’re just heading towards a brick wall. Be it the machinations of a Pezzullo power play; the likelihood of a negative referendum outcome; the revelations of yet another Catholic priest’s assaults; the crazy antics of a BBC pop radio star; the ongoing daily results of Putin’s invasion; or the possibility of a couple of geriatrics going head-to-head to govern the USA. By now I’m only one-third into the pages of my morning read. Seriously wondering if the Christmas baubles will remain in boxes this year. Where are the leaders to lead by example and give us a chance and a reason to celebrate? Greg Vale, Kiama

Voters’ choice

George Brandis needs to broaden his sources to describe accurately the looming US presidential contest (“America faces a woeful choice between criminality and senility”, September 25). It is better described as crazy senile criminality versus competent and productive (mild) senility.

On a day last month when Trump was again indicted, the “visibly feeble” Biden went bike riding, swimming in the ocean, and took in a dinner and a three-hour movie; while the obese Trump, just three years Biden’s junior, has been sweating his way through rallies, at one of which last week he implied that he defeated Obama in the 2016 election and warned that Biden would start “World War II”. Also, Trump is yet to pick his running mate. Biden’s VP will be Kamala Harris, elected successively to citywide, statewide and national office and plainly competent, intelligent and rational. The choice is clear. Richard Cobden, Woolloomooloo

US President Joe Biden, 80. Former and aspiring US President Donald Trump, 77.

US President Joe Biden, 80. Former and aspiring US President Donald Trump, 77.Credit: AP/Getty

When George Brandis calls the 2016 election between Trump and Hilary Clinton a “dreadful alternative”, it rings of misogyny. Clinton has long been a leading advocate of women’s rights and a well-credentialed politician. That she won the presidential popular vote shows the strength of her candidacy. Had Clinton won, the world would have been in a far better place than it is today. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge

Actually, US voters have a choice between senility and senility. Republican powerbrokers knew full well Trump was quite senile from very early on in his rise. To hide the fact that he is also ignorant and stupid, they have attacked Biden’s mental decline to create a false equivalence. Both men and their parties stand for something quite distinct: autocracy versus democracy. Unfortunately, most Americans think having elections makes them a democracy, so they remain blissfully unaware. Trump is just the man to teach them what it is by taking it away from them in 2024 and beyond.
Paul Davies, Crows Nest

Rupert Murdoch is 92 and only retired last week; the late Queen carried out her duties well into her 90s. No matter what you think of these two people, they performed their roles competently. This, of course, doesn’t preclude the need for younger – indeed, young people – to head governments, run business or be monarchs, however it does question the comment that age implies senility. George Brandis is just showing his ageism. Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont

Strong and proud

When I look at Jacinta Price I see a strong, passionate woman who speaks up for her people and is determined to succeed despite the odds. I don’t see anything of Trump in her, but a lot of her Indigenous mother and white father who raised their daughter to be strong and speak up for herself, not to succumb to victimhood. It is disappointing to see her feminism and her emotional strength decried in the way some media are doing. We should be celebrating a woman who is able to speak so passionately. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

Real numbers

It is worrying that the unemployment rate is always quoted as a percentage of the total workforce (“A woeful idea is keeping us from full employment”, September 25). At present, an unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent may seem low, however this equates to over half a million people consigned to long or short-term poverty. It should be appreciated that the families of the unemployed are also severely negatively affected, thus adding to the huge number of Australians living below the poverty line. This percentage definition of employment rate obscures the associated level of poverty and should be shelved. A more realistic measure is the actual number of unemployed and the number of families involved, which should pique the conscience of both government and economists.
Geoff Harding, Chatswood

 An unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent equates to over half a million people consigned to long or short-term poverty

An unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent equates to over half a million people consigned to long or short-term povertyCredit: Getty

Short-term squeeze

The cost of rental in Sydney is a major concern and requires action (“Time to slay sacred cows pushing up house prices”, September 23). Essential workers simply cannot find affordable accommodation. Short-term rentals are the biggest single cause of this issue. In Bondi today, for example, there are 350 properties listed for long-term renting and 3054 listed on the short-term rental sites. That’s 91 per cent of all rentals unavailable for nurses, teachers, etc. The same picture would exist in most coastal areas in NSW and elsewhere. The NSW government needs to urgently amend the Residential Tenancies Act to outlaw any form of rental contract of fewer than 90 days. That will immediately put thousands of properties back onto the long-term rental market and bring down prices. Peter Pitt, Potts Point

A good news story

What a pleasing contrast to read of someone who has put others before himself rather than the corporate boss who walked away with $24 million and the other similarly disheartening articles that usually take precedence over humility, decency and generosity (“Bequeathed sea views will feed thousands of homeless”, September 25). Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

Malcolm Mawhinney and his Clovelly house.

Malcolm Mawhinney and his Clovelly house.

Possible resentment

The thought that people could “be paid just for the fire season” is fraught (“Nation ‘much better prepared’ for bushfires: minister”, September 25). Not only would there be resentment by volunteers towards paid people working alongside them, there would be a significant leakage from our volunteer firefighters to the paid force. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

Jesus’s voice

Christians need to ask themselves, “how would Jesus vote if he was able to?” (“Tension rises over church stances”, Sept 25). Olga Stosic, Gordon

Unwise hooting

Have you ever wanted to strangle an owl at 3am! Give me a koel any day. Jane Waddy, Boronia Park

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