As the the discourse continues about the violence at Calwell High School and our children have now returned to school, we have conveniently forgotten where the core of this problem lies; with the bullies themselves.
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Teachers and carers, shackled by the constraints of political correctness, are either unable or unwilling to take disciplinary action.
The perpetrators are now the victims.
Marginalise yourself and you are free from normal behavioural expectations.
The old mythological excuse "society is to blame" is now a reality.
Observations, experiences with my own children and discussions with other parents have shown me that bullying is widespread in Canberra schools, irrespective of socio-economic status, gender or race.
Numerous independent reports have proven that bullying, unless dealt with quickly can have long term adverse effects for victims and perpetrators.
The trauma of the victims and the behaviours of the perpetrators are carried into their adult lives, into the workplace, their homes and families.
One recent study from the United Kingdom concluded that "bullies were more likely to have trouble keeping a job and honouring financial obligations and were more likely to be unemployed".
And: "Being bullied in primary school has been found to both predict borderline personality symptoms and psychotic experiences, such as hallucinations or delusions, by adolescence".
Schools need to be able to enact a "first strike and you're out" rule that can't be revoked until the offending students and their parents can prove the perpetrator is taking serious steps to address their anti-social behaviour.
Declan McGrath, Gordon
Fire questions linger
I am still waiting on the Coroner's report into the Orroral Valley fires, started by a Defence helicopter, which threatened Canberra and burnt out much of the ACT. There are many questions that remain unanswered thanks to the Chief Minister and Shane Rattenbury opposing an inquiry into the circumstances.
As someone who flies a helicopter from time to time, I am amazed that the Defence helicopter did not land as soon as possible to inspect the damage done to it and to call in the fire to authorities.
I find this inexcusable and wonder what the Defence Department has done, if anything, to ensure that a similar disaster does not happen again.
I am hoping the Coroner will be able to provide some light on this issue, even if Defence uses excuses not to provide information relative to the inquiry.
Shane Rattenbury, who presided over what was probably the greatest environmental disaster in ACT history, needs to explain why he felt an inquiry was not necessary.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
Integrity is essential
Chris Aulich ("Developing a culture of integrity in government goes beyond an integrity commission", canberratimes.com.au, April 27) explains in detail why integrity is central to this election, the steps that need to be taken to ensure it and that a good swathe of independents in Parliament is how these changes may be achieved.
He supports Zoe Wundenberg's analysis on independents from April 26. This is why as voters we need to make careful choices about who we vote for and to whom we give our preferences.
Karen Barlow's piece in the April 27 issue explains how this can apply in the Senate election and reminds us how important our preference allocations are for choosing who we want to represent us in the Senate for the next three years.
The Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy Election 2022 webpage has more information on how the vote and vote counting systems work for those interested.
Peter Tait, convener, Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy
Voices of concern
What moves me most about this election are the citizen voices of compassion ... voices of people who choose to speak of their concern for other people rather than focussing on the impact of a policy on themselves.
I am moved for instance by people who worry about the impact of climate change on future generations, about the impact of war on the people who are victims of it, about the suffering of thousands of old people who don't have adequate bathing, food or wound care in aged care facilities and about young people who are not being trained and paid properly in health care where they could find rewarding and life long employment.
I am also moved by people who worry about children who are not receiving high quality education because too much is being spent on private schools, about people who suffer and eventually die in the agony of toothache because they can't afford dental care and about people in the south Pacific whose homes may soon be permanently inundated.
It is by following our instinct to insist that everyone's welfare needs to be considered, rather than tightening up with anxiety about our more private concerns, which will lead us to choose good government in the coming election.
We need to hold fast to this simple truth.
Jill Sutton, Watson
Wong went too far
Senator Penny Wong, whose political nous and intellect I respect, has demeaned herself when she referred to Liberal Senator Zed Seselja as a "junior woodchuck" while talking about his unsuccessful attempt to dissuade the Solomon Islands leader from signing an agreement with the Chinese government on security matters.
Senator Seselja is not on many Christmas card lists in the ACT (including mine).
While my leanings are to the left there comes a time to say such demeaning personal terms are for others, not the Labor Party, nor any party.
Let's lift our game, people.
Greg Simmons, Lyons
Who's the bully now?
Whatever gives Australia the right to bully or coerce China or Solomon Islands and tell them what to do? One interpretation is that Australians were colonisers both in China in the early 1900's (as representatives of British Overseas Territories, one of the eight occupying powers) and in Solomon Islands as the legacy and anger of Blackbirding still shows today. We've got form.
Another is that Australia just isn't the reliable or responsible country that we think we are.
Australia needs to do more in the Pacific. When in Fiji during the Howard years we were refused service because we were Australians. It was post a damaging cyclone. Many other countries, especially New Zealand, had done so much more to help.
Pacific countries need help from many quarters. In Vanuatu, Cuba provided much needed medical staff. Chinese technology provides Ni-Vanuatu farmers methods of methane gas capture for heat and light from pig manure. Japan provides solar lighting in remote villages on Efate and China provides JUNCAO tropical agricultural technology in Fiji and PNG. Australia must step up.
Regarding China, we take our riding instructions about them from the US. Their State Department promoted the "China threat theory". We believe that too, despite the evidence to the contrary.
It is little wonder China and Solomon Islands, both developing countries with independent policies, cause so much hysteria in Australia. It highlights our continued tinge of colonial racism. It smacks of bullying.
Ken Doyle, Bonner
Are we listening?
During the political brouhaha occasioned by the Chinese involvement in Solomon Islands, no mention has been made of the federal government's five-decade-long, substantial financial support of the University of the South Pacific (USP).
With its main campus in Fiji, USP now services 12 member states in Oceania, and among its graduates are several senior political leaders of Pacific island parliaments.
One might therefore suppose this regional university has a large role to play in enhancing the future welfare and development of the south Pacific communities it serves. In the event Australia is currently withholding its agreed financial support to the university, notwithstanding the fact that an Australian sits as a member of the university's council.
That withdrawal of support relates to current allegations of corruption within the university, but apparently no questions were raised when the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications established a Confucius Institute in the University in 2012.
I wonder if our political antennae in the south Pacific are as well tuned as they might be?
Derek Anderson, Paddington, NSW
Newfound wealth
Wow, $250 from Scotty from marketing. I'll have to seek advice from Elon Musk about how to invest it.
Hugh McGowan, Holt
TO THE POINT
MASCULINITY ON SHOW
Having seen President Macron photographed shirtless on the cover of Garcon magazine, as has Putin been photographed shirtless on a horse, I am wondering if Morrison might follow their examples.
Felicity Chivas, Ainslie
CUTTING BACK
Bread's going up? Let them eat cake.
N Ellis, Belconnen
FOOLS ARE FOOLED
Note to Mario Stivala (Letters, April 25) and other statistics sceptics. On a visit to a Sydney university when the late Prince Phillip was introduced to the statistics professor he said "Ah, lies, damned lies and statistics". To which the professor replied, "Only fools are fooled by figures". Phillip was silenced.
John F Simmons, Kambah
MORE FREE KICKS
Australia is down on oil refineries; only two left. The Coalition is giving grants to both companies (Australian residents' money). Should Australia be granted shares in these companies to the value of grants? Mr Morrison is very generous with our money.
Alan Collins, Goulburn, NSW
WAS HE JOKING?
Would Greg Adamson (Letters, April 26) really be happy with someone like Peter Dutton having his finger on a nuclear trigger? And would he really be happy when Indonesia inevitably followed Australia's lead and also armed itself with nuclear weapons?
Peter Dark, Karabar
PEACE OF DEATH
Excuse me Mr Adamson (Letters, April 26) I've got a question. In what conceivable reality could medium and long-range nuclear weapons possibly "provide the security our allies require in the Pacific region"? Does your definition of security involve obliteration?
G Williams, Gowrie
PUT WAR TO A VOTE
If this rotten LNP mob are so keen to unleash the dogs of war then there should be a full debate culminating with a vote by both chambers of Parliament. This is too important a decision to be left solely to a Prime Minister and possibly their Cabinet and Defence Minister to make.
Graeme Rankin, Holder
THE FEAR OF GOD
China must be quaking in her boots after being confronted with a virtual red line. It's not the line that is intimidating; it's the fleet of virtual submarines that will be sent to reclaim the Solomons in 25 or 30 years time. Let's get some adults in charge of the country, soon.
W Book, Hackett
IRONIES ABOUNDING
As Australia condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we celebrate Australia's participation in the invasion of Turkey and our "defence" minister talks up war with China.
Leon Arundell, Downer
MODERN XENOPHOBIA
Please let me know if there's a revival in Australia of the political correctness of the term "yellow peril".
M F Horton, Adelaide, SA
REPORTING EXCELLENT
It was refreshing to read the reports on the dirty tricks campaign against Mr Pocock. We don't see enough reporting on the dishonest practices in electioneering.