Illustration: Alan MoirCredit:
The motives of many senior shareholders who utilise the generous Howard-era tax treatment of both superannuation funds and franked dividends on shares have been revealed ("A reverse death tax that helps the rich", February 8).
The dividend issue we are told costs us all $5 billion per year. The drain on taxation caused by our super taxation rules must be gob-smackingly higher. Super is being used as an inheritance vehicle, rather than a means of providing retirement income.
At least, pension payments should be mandatory for all SMSF owners who have reached pension age. If unspent, the money would be back in the taxable economy.
Without changes, the super system will be an unsustainable burden on dwindling taxpayers.- Ian Shepherd, Elizabeth Bay
To maintain fairness, there is a simple solution: continue to allow franking credits to be paid to everyone to avoid double tax on dividends.
Make superannuation pensions taxable as income. There are plenty of tax concessions available in amassing super funds, why should they be tax-free in pension mode? - Dick Barker, Epping
The current system for handing out franking credit refunds is unsustainable and inequitable. However, the proposed policy is poorly designed and smacks of superannuation industry fund lobbying.
A sensible and uniform policy would simply halve the rate of imputation credits for all superannuation funds.- Graeme Troy, Wagstaffe
Why can't Labor apply their ruling to people still working and let the current self-funded retirees continue to live on these credits instead of pulling the rug out from under them (Letters, February 8)? - Margaret Grove, Abbotsford
All Keating did was remove double taxation on company profits. The decision in 1987 was that only one party, the company, should have to pay the tax.
When Costello allowed the "excess credits" to be refunded to pensioner shareholders, who pay no tax, this made the company profits tax-free at the expense of other tax payers.
Someone (company/pensioner) should pay tax, which is all this bun fight is about. - Phillip Schmidt, Newrybar
The type of person the Liberals are putting forward as an example of who they are trying to "protect" is a millionaire who pays zero tax but receives a $30,000 payout from the government annually. - Dean Fraser, North Balgowlah
Baby Boomers have scammed the system for too long. We have been the beneficiaries of a prosperous period in history, yet demand more. Time to give back. - Tony Walbran, Dee Why
Based on Tony Dillon's logic I had better tell the gardener not to bother paying his tax as I have already paid tax on the money I have earned and out of which I am paying him ("Let's be clear about franking credits", February 8) .- Lou Collier, Surry Hills
Heads roll but little else likely to change at banks
The NAB board does not appear to recognise the changes it must undergo ("Bank chiefs quit", February 8). Departing chairman Ken Henry said he is to be involved in the selection of a new CEO.
Given the commissioner's comments about the chairman, this brings into question the capacity of the board to set a new course and navigate the required changes. - Malcolm Harper, St Ives
Could Henry and Andrew Thorburn refrain from saying they "failed" their customers. That suggests they actually "tried". The only thing they tried to do was rip them off - and in that they succeeded royally. - Simone Wong, Murwillumbah
The NAB is obviously a bank of mates who look after one another no matter what they do to their customers.- Ken Dixon, Woy Woy
Heads are rolling and they will be replaced by – you guessed it - somebody else from the Old Boys Club. And that will change the culture? - Alan Parkinson, Weetangera (ACT)
The royal commission charade continues with ritual public beheadings but seems to have failed completely to address the problem of the primeval predator-prey banking culture. - Adrian Gibbs, Yarralumla (ACT)
Why does the board of the NAB need to launch a global search for a new chief executive? What's wrong with Aussie bankers? - Carolyn Wills, Cremorne
Could it be time to review the make-up and appointment of board directors? - Christine Ahern, Byron Bay
Damaged leaders of the big banks will be replaced by bankers. This follows on from the knowledge that when you vote, you get a politician. Depressing really. - Pauline Paton, Centennial Park
Henry has said he is deeply sorry but, let's face it, if he and the federal government had got their way and the commission had not been held, then nothing would have changed. - Alynn Pratt, Killara
Midsomer Murders top value
Like your correspondent, I find Midsomer Murders delightfully soporific, and excellent value as I can watch the same episode over many, many nights before the murderer is finally revealed (Letters, February 8).
It's almost as good as reading Australian Audit Standards before bedtime and so much better than watching those annoyingly riveting programs which keep me awake for hours as I promise myself just one more episode before bedtime, and then have to retire with that disappointed feeling, knowing it's over.- Philippa Thomas, Connells Point
Not a whole county, George. All but one. Somebody had to commit those murders.- Terry McGee, Malua Bay
My friend's mother once told me that she enjoyed the show Homicide, but found it disappointing that there was a murder in every single episode.- Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton
Journey to who knows where
I nominate "journey" as word of the year (Letters, February 8). Everyone seems to be on some sort of journey, even when seated comfortably at home.
Do tell, are we there yet? - Mary McClure, Armidale
"De-platforming", denying someone a platform from which to express their views, is already becoming too prevalent in many countries around the world in 2019. - Rob Phillips, North Epping
"So": put so at the start of every answer. It seems to have replaced yes and no. - Elizabeth Mackenzie, Bulga
Weather excuse for pollution problem sparks storm
The NSW government blames the weather for all the dead fish in the Murray-Darling, now it is blaming the weather for poor air quality ("The Sydney suburbs at risk from worsening air quality", February 8).
I guess it's the weather, and not the NSW Port Authority, that is planning to re-industrialise Glebe Island and create all manner of pollution that will risk the health and wellbeing for all surrounding residents. I'm glad that's been cleared up. - Stephen Paull, Pyrmont
Ben Ewald said one of the factors implicated in the falling air quality in NSW was the increase in the number of ageing diesel vehicles on the road.
Today a cruise liner berthed at White Bay. During its eight-hour stay it will burn about 700 litres of heavy diesel an hour.
Sydney's air would be so much better if the shipping industry switched to the same diesel as used in cars or adopted the gold standard of shore-to-ship power as mandated in North America and western Europe. - Cornelius van der Weyden, Balmain East
Trump's nuclear risk
There is nothing more dangerous for the entire world to come out of US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address than his bold pronouncement of a new nuclear-arms race between the US and Russia following the collapse of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty ("Trump's speech lacks global vision", February 8).
By promising to outdo and outperform both Russia and China's nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles that can circle the globe within minutes, he is taking a high-risk gamble of unimaginable proportions that will test, like never before, humanity's ability to put mutual co-operation ahead of mutual annihilation. - Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT)
Rarely, if ever, have I witnessed a more pathetic, uninspiring, disingenuous, egotistical speech than that delivered by Donald Trump. It made me cringe. Surely even his own party must realise he is now a liability. - Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
Blair unconvincing
Minister Niall Blair now leads the Nationals into a world of trusting the science of climate change ("Sands shifting: Minister opts to push climate cause", February 8).
I would alternatively classify his gestalt moment as being dragged kicking and screaming into acknowledging the necessity to conserve the viability of natural assets that underpin all economic activity.
Can the community now expect that the advice of the government's own scientists will cause the minister to make evidence-based decisions regarding a wide range of environmental issues?
My fear is that Mr Blair may decide to wait for yet more disturbing images of different environmental disasters before he acts consistently on his newly discovered environmental principles. Watch this space. - Gary Schoer, Oatley
Latham's self-interest
Mark Latham predicted the Trump presidency would be "a poke in the eye for the self-interested political elites, for establishment figures everywhere ... who cravenly guard their power at the expense of regular people" ("Civilisation as we know it will survive Latham", February 8).
This far too eloquently describes Latham's narcissistic legacy, given he comfortably changes hats for personal advantage, frequently aiming to keep himself and his white noise in the spotlight, and his snout in the public payroll trough.
What does Latham know about "regular people", and where's evidence he has anything but contempt for most others, while indulging in the delusion he can represent them?
Latham, the 2019 version: One Nation, no notion. - Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville
Home-schooled
NAPLAN, for the moment, is a fact of school life and the exam results can be both beneficial to schools and parents alike (Letters, February 8). Unfortunately, many schools do teach to the exams as it is done in senior schools to meet the needs of the HSC.
Parents need to understand is that "schooling" begins at home.
Talking, reading to and encouraging curiosity in young children gives a good foundation on which the classroom teacher can build, bringing confidence to students when a challenge such as NAPLAN arises. - Patricia Slidziunas, Woonona
Sound judgment
My congratulations to Arthur Moses, SC, for taking positive steps in regard to integration ("Judge not: Lawyers back Muslim community", February 8). This is particularly so as it seemed to be the only story in the front of the paper that did not involve greed, self-interest, self-absorption, stupidity or a combination of them all. - Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West
Send message to Thailand
Australians should reject Thailand as a travel destination until Hakeem al-Araibi is returned to our shores. - Peter Ryan, Newington
Sick of refugee stance
Kerryn Phelps is proposing what looks like an entirely sensible bill that will see refugees under Australian care. It makes the case that if someone gets so sick as to not be able to be treated unless hospitalised in Australia, they are sent here then returned to Manus or Nauru. ("Home Affairs refers leak of Phelps bill advice to AFP", February 8).
According to the Liberal Party this will bring more boat people again. How exactly? The ocean is patrolled by Border Force and I don't see how five years or more imprisonment, and getting deathly sick to be temporarily moved, much of an inducement to anyone. - Ray Smith, Blacktown
Drag back in time
The reason your correspondent has noticed an increasing amount of cigarette smoke shrouding our film and TV screens is because the tobacco industry donate vast sums for new films and series to be set at a time when smoking was not only allowed, but a necessary part of a cool character who couldn't solve crimes and seduce women without a fag hanging out of his mouth, and women who couldn't be seductive without being hidden in a haze of smoke (Letters, February 8). - May-Brit Akerholt, Springwood
Chain comes the raw prawn
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, it seems we have a sushi chain operator trying to come the raw prawn with their staff ("Sushi chain underpaid workers almost $300,000", February 8). - Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Not easy being green
I suspect that top of the pops in the elevator music at the Greens' headquarters is the Kermit classic It's Not Easy Being Green ("Mass exodus of members amid party's civil war", February 8). - Garth Clarke, North Sydney
PM's clothing out of sight
Your correspondent is right; let's move on from appearance-based judgments (Letters, February 8).
However, if our Prime Minister wants good photo ops then he should not dress in camouflage gear. I, for one, didn't see him. -Stewart Smith, Tea Gardens
Do clothes maketh the man? Who better to answer than someone from Clothiers Creek? - Anne Ring, Coogee
I was very sceptical when I read a letter about judging people on the basis of their attire signed by a correspondent from Clothiers Creek. A quick search established it does exist in the Tweed Shire in northern NSW. Apologies for being a doubter. - Stephanie Edwards, Roseville
Only in the Herald would you find a letter on matters sartorial from a gentleman in Clothiers Creek. Sublime. - John
Postscript
Cheerio to the people who write to us the old-fashioned way. Alas, not every topic will still have currency by the time their contribution arrives (adorned with a reminder that Australian stamps are pretty). But 96-year-old Don Robson, of Hunters Hill, is onto a keeper: "Last Australia Day was the time for singing of our national anthem. I noticed that the good old English word 'girt' causes some worthy citizens much annoyance. The solution is simple. Substitute the word 'surround' for girt. It fits the rhythm of the music perfectly. I know because I have sung it to myself many times."
Along with the banks, Labor's proposed changes to tax, specifically franking credits, was the hot topic this week. For many, the current system is a rort. Forceful counter-arguments come from people who have acted according to the law and are angry that the goalposts may be moved.
The same letter received polarised responses: "It really annoys me when people distort the truth" / "XX is quite right". Another contributor's "argument must be dismissed" / "XX is so right". And so on. We are interested to hear from readers for whom this issue is a vote-changer.
"At a time when individualism, self-interest and greed are in the ascendant, I found it inspirational that the Herald has principled letter writers who would be willing to forgo franking credits in the interests of a fairer society," commented Alan Jones, of Narraweena.
Alas, the thought that a substantial number of recipients of the franking credit would really forgo their share of the booty "for the greater good" does raise an eyebrow with this crusty cynic, otherwise known as ....
Mark Sawyer, Letters co-editor