The YWCA has secured funding and support from both Commonwealth and ACT governments to provide housing for 10 older women at a site in Ainslie.
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After initially being approved, this modest and well-considered project is currently being obstructed by some of the residents who live in the vicinity of the planned development.
It is saddening, in reading over the transcripts of their appeal, that we encounter the argument that the project would result in what is tellingly described as an "over-concentration" of people experiencing poverty in that street.
It is deeply offensive to speak this way about the 10 older women who, given the support I believe we can muster as a broader community, will hopefully still be housed by this excellent project.
Sadly, these arguments are unexceptional, with objections regularly made by some against ACT public housing developments and wonderful social housing projects such as Common Ground.
How can we expect to see the political will at the national level to prevent the expected 240,000 women over 55 becoming homeless if we fail, at the local level, to overcome the prejudices that help maintain and boost inequality and exclusion?
If we want to be an inclusive jurisdiction we need to raise our voices. And, even more importantly, we need to amplify the voices of the women in desperate need of safe and appropriate social housing. We in the ACT community should warmly support this project. It will mean the difference between catastrophe and safety in these women's lives.
Dr John Falzon, Canberra
A challenge for conservatives
So the future King of Australia has made remarks widely interpreted as urging Scott Morrison to do something unpalatable: attend the Glasgow climate conference.
Ironically, our most ardent supporters of the British monarchy include some of our most ardent deniers of climate change. Will they be conflicted about an interventionist monarch who not only supports British sporting teams, but also speaks truth to Australian power? Can they ignore our next head of state when his public views are not to their liking? We shall see.
Roger Bacon, Cook
Francophilia abounds
Unlike Ian Pearson's amusing story about "le Grand Charles (de Gaulle)" and the great Winston (Churchill), Ian Jannaway has a very unfunny version of French 20th century history (Letters, October 13).
The Rainbow Warrior incident, many decades ago, was NZ's responsibility, not ours. They were the bravest of allies in WWI, beside our ANZAC heroes and the Brits who also would have been overrun by the German Wehrmacht were it not for the English channel and Uncle Sam.
The same great President de Gaulle buried the age-old hatchet with modern, democratic Germany, surely the greatest Entente Cordiale of all time. Citizens of the world should say "Vive la France".
C Lendon, Cook
No French surrender?
Ian Jannaway (Letters, October 13) said that the French surrendered to the Germans in World War II.
I think it would be more accurate to say they were overwhelmed.
The only reversal imposed on the Germans during the Battle of France in 1940 was by a French armoured division commanded by then Colonel Charles de Gaulle.
Michael Lane, St Ives, NSW
Consider Brisbane
As the MLA responsible for Light Rail Stage 2 has Chris Steel considered taking a study trip to Brisbane to look at their new electric bus network?
Brisbane, which is now in the process of gearing up for the 2032 Olympic Games, is putting its best foot forward.
The new electric buses - "more like a train carriage than an articulated bus" (Engineers Australia, September 2021, p17) can run all day using a "flash-charging system" whilst en route.
The 21km network with 18 stations is costing $1.2 billion.
So Chris, how about a quick visit to Brisbane?