Every day, we publish a selection of your emails in our newsletter. We’d love to hear from you, you can email us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au.
Monday July 27
“Like any geopolitical fix, this one [to fix ocean chemistry] is ‘naturally’ fraught. There are positives and negatives – which constitute political chemistry. But can we perhaps dissolve these opposites to precipitate a clear solution? I think we can. Use less stuff – a lot less! Of course multinational corporations, self-interested politicians and insatiable consumers may demur, given the benefits derived from the neo-liberal equilibrium. But the depleted planet and the millions of nonhuman species we are driving to extinction would doubtless appreciate this radically humane experiment.”
Peter Chapman 
“I read with interest the article ‘As the games begin, what does the Commonwealth mean and what purpose does it serve?’, which reminded me of the role the Commonwealth played in ending apartheid in South Africa, and particularly that of Malcolm Fraser as one of the Eminent Persons group established by the Commonwealth in 1985. Malcolm, a very strong opponent of apartheid, was appointed by Prime Minister Bob Hawke to facilitate dialogue to that end. A successful part of the ending of apartheid only a few years later and South Africa rejoining the Commonwealth.”
Philip Blake
Tuesday July 28
“I read the article on cigarette and alcohol costs with interest, particularly the finding that Melbourne and Sydney ranked highest on the index. It’s worth noting that these lifestyle choices impose substantial costs on the healthcare system, and taxation should reflect that. Countries with lower taxes are, in effect, subsidising the costs of unhealthy behaviour. This is consistent with the broader evidence that tobacco and alcohol impose major economic and health burdens in Australia, and that targeted taxes are a standard tool for offsetting them. It seems only fair to non-smoking, non-drinking taxpayers that these significantly unhealthy products be taxed at a level that covers the cost they impose on the economy.”
Jonathon Piasente
“Surely the best way to fund tertiary education is to apply a Medicare-style levy, for life, on all graduates who achieve an income over a nominated amount. Because it is retrospective in its application, it reflects the actual benefit a student gets from their course, rather than the potential benefit a student might get. It would also allow students to study for the joy of study, rather than for a specific outcome, because being well educated provides a general social benefit beyond specific employability. If employers want 'job ready’ graduates then they should put up scholarships and pay for them themselves. This system would also abolish the current iniquitous system which burdens students with vast debts before they have even graduated.”
Simon Duncan
“Rather than linking tertiary education fees to future income, wouldn’t student fees be better driven by the current perceived value to the nation (and/or to ‘in need’ communities) over the first 5-10 years of paid employment in any given career path? This would give employers and students clear signals on the demand for particular skills and knowledge, as well as signaling affordability, where priorities lie, and the corresponding amount and length of time for payback of fees to students and public funding.”
Greg Estall
Wednesday July 29
“So gambling can’t be fixed because of our federal system where Canberra controls income tax and the states rely on gambling taxes to fund all their services. From time to time, there is talk of how to deal with problems like this, something like a commission for the future designed to stand back and look at the long-term but it never seems to get far. As I approach my 90th year, having outlived my parents by more than 10 years, I wonder if there is not a way to harness the extra years we now live in retirement to give back to the country as some sort of grandparents for the future body to look at the ‘too hard to fix’ basket and provide an annual report to Parliament with suggestions.”
Gary Barnes, Mosman NSW
“Someone once said the only opinion poll worth worrying about was the one on election day. But media and political parties are now driven by polls conducted nearly every day, with parties announcing new, improved policies in answer to perceived poll shortfalls. Young voters distrust both major parties and Labour needs to lift its game by reverting to its principles. Until Labor remembers what it stands for, its slide in the polls and on election days will continue.”
Stuart Kennedy, Oatlands NSW
Thursday July 30
“As a Boomer, I had the luxury of growing up in a quarter acre home and garden with time and space to roam and daydream. It was not a perfect time by any means, but there was always a connection to nature. We know children, especially preschoolers, learn through their senses. Use of devices in childhood is already affecting brain development, and we rarely hear about it. We need more information on this impact on all areas of health and development. I would argue that access for parents and children to nature in city/estate planning is crucial for a healthy childhood.”
Jane Davis, Melbourne
“I love the story about singing. It makes me dream of passengers on trains and public transport bursting into song between stations. Who knows? That might just improve work satisfaction and even dial down stress on the way home.”
Hilary Ash
“I just got full marks for the quiz. But you didn’t ask anything about prices causing inflation. I am no economist but the way I see it, it’s the biggest problem we have. So waving the big stick at investors and house buyers does nothing to stop prices going up. There are other factors at play: war, greed, climate change losses for a start. Raising interest rates don’t help if you don’t do something about those as well. I am in the fortunate position that I don’t have a mortgage, but it pains me to see those less fortunate struggle with things beyond their control.”
Jenny Mountford
Friday July 31
“Thank you for the great article on free TAFE courses. One thing I have noted in these courses is the other expenses incurred, for example, student fees can be quite high, such as $500 per term. Textbook fees, uniform fees, photocopying fees. The requirements to have expensive laptops and internet access. These can also be a material barrier as well as mental barriers to completing courses. It all adds up.”
Wyaneeta Roberts
“Does the Department of Culture utilise the knowledge of past generations? For centuries, our First Nations people managed to survive and maintain a mostly parched land without destroying the environment. Land preservation was a normal practice. Maybe it’s time to seriously listen to the elders before their knowledge completely disappears. They could teach us so much in a current environment that’s quickly being destroyed.”
Jennie Clarke, Hobart