Court finding for MSO is chilling for artists

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FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Justice Hill’s finding that the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra did not unfairly cancel Jayson Gillham because ″⁣it was protecting its own business interests and reputation″⁣ (″⁣Pianist ‘disappointed’ after losing unfair dismissal case against orchestra″⁣, 11/7) confers the power of patronage over the artist. For all the artists and many others who have spoken out against Israel’s assault on Palestinians in Gaza, this is a chilling finding.
Despite MSO’s claims that it is ″⁣dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that transcend borders and connect communities″⁣, its actions follow a pattern seen in other state cultural institutions, including the State Library and the National Gallery of Victoria, where artists and members of the public critical of Israel’s actions are uninvited or cancelled to appease major pro-Israel donors.
Kate Kennedy, Mentone

Heart-on-sleeve performance
Yes, Jayson Gillham did show his heart on his sleeve at that memorable recital.
He started with Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude, and included a very moving piece written by a Jewish musician in a concentration camp. All very dangerous and political!
He then introduced his contentious item with a tribute to Palestinian journalists who are murdered while covering the war. At this point, the people in the row ahead whipped out their phones and obscured our view as they waved them up and around, muttering rudely.
That was my only complaint, and I am not aligned with either side.
Pamela Lloyd, West Brunswick

No, they were not journalists
Jayson Gillham, who just lost his unfair dismissal case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, had his remaining concerts cancelled after telling concert-goers Israel was deliberately killing journalists in Gaza.
Israel has long stated the alleged journalists it intentionally targeted were, in fact, fighters.
Late last month, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) announced it was reviewing its list of journalists killed in the war and had removed some after “militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) published obituaries identifying as combatants individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists”.
I wonder if Gillham and his supporters are aware of this, or if they even care.
George Greenberg, Malvern

When does war become war crime?
In response to Jillian Segal’s criticism of the ABC, your correspondent asks if it’s possible to paint alleged war crimes in a positive light (“And another thing”, 11/7).
Maybe not, but it’s certainly possible to continuously portray as war crimes fighting in accordance with international law against terrorists who embed themselves among and pretend to be civilians.
Shane Shmuel, Elsternwick

And when does activity become atrocity?
What I found most noteworthy when watching Jillian Segal, the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, making a submission to the royal commission on that subject criticising the objectivity of SBS and ABC reporting of Israel’s actions in news bulletins, was her use of the word “activities”.
She used this when referring to the IDF’s actions in Gaza which, by most accounts, were in retribution for the murderous attacks by Hamas on civilians and soldiers in Israel on October 7, 2023.
It is one thing to be described as a special envoy.
It is unworthy of that term to use that platform to minimise what the United Nations Independent Commission of Enquiry and many other agencies have described as genocidal and war crimes.
Michael Kennedy, Pipers Creek

THE FORUM

Not for all mankind
AI tech giants, and their investor friends, put a gloss on the rapid roll-out of frequently unwelcome data centres, (“Green energy giants see $155b data centre boom as win for net zero”, 9/7), with Nick Toscano’s article revealing Australia is “home to 162 operating data centres”.
The reason for such indecent haste cannot just be achieving greater efficiency through ‘aggregation’ of computing activities. Part of the explanation must be massive ‘recursive self-Improvement’ processes, as multi-billionaire AI leaders race each other towards ‘artificial super intelligence’, where machines will not only keep improving themselves but - by some unforeseeable accident - might even take over!
We cannot assume that unchecked development of AI is a smart pursuit for mankind. Elon Musk declared, in 2018, that “I was on the cutting edge in AI and it scares the hell out of me… Mark my words, AI is far more dangerous than nukes… It’s insane”. *
The Albanese government must level with the public, arrange belated community consultation for every data centre already here, and introduce a moratorium on all new data centre until there is a strong regulatory framework and transparent disclosure of risks and benefits for Australian taxpayers.
Robert Firth, Red Hill, ACT

Silly One Nation ideas
One Nation Senator Sean Bell’s recent call for all Australian government services to be delivered in English and to abolish the Office of Multiculturalism and therefore the Commonwealth Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) appear as if One Nation favours a White Australia.
Bell’s idea is nonsensical and unworkable given mass migration from non-English speaking countries for the past 70 years. Without interpreting services for the many who may not speak English well, the legal process can’t continue if a matter is before the law, medical treatment can’t continue if the doctor can’t give the patient their diagnosis and government services can’t be accessed if one can’t navigate the online system. Put simply, Australian society for newly-arrived or some established migrants, stops.
One Nation is not fooling anyone. Abolishing the Office of Multiculturalism and interpreting services is just two more of One Nation’s utterances in what looks like quest for a modern day, brutal White Australia policy.
Dora Houpis, Richmond

Migrants needed
My fabulous 99 year old mother resides in an aged home facility on the Gold Coast. She is extremely happy, and carefully cared for by a Samoan, a Vietnamese, a Sri Lankan and other wonderful staff from various countries.
Her doctor is a marvellous chap from India. I hope that Pauline Hanson does not, in future years, need care and attention. She’ll be in trouble with her monocultural stance.
Anthony Straker, South Yarra

More info needed
I welcomed Chip Le Grand’s article on his interview with Jess Wilson (11/7). While I believe there is a strong case for a change of state government, I still think much more policy detail is required from the LNP.
Specifically, I’m very concerned about any back pedalling on moves to adopt renewables (many of these projects require state approval) and the earlier commitment to rip up the treaty with First Nations people in Victoria.
In addition, a clear plan on significantly addressing Victoria’s debt problem needs to be put forward. How can that be achieved if a number of existing taxes are to be reduced? The Age needs to press the LNP for answers to all these questions.
Phil Ritchie, Balaclava

Hastie lifts standards
Given the shifting ideological identity of the Liberal Party and the ongoing dynamics involving One Nation, Andrew Hastie’s book deal to chart a new path for conservative politics in Australia is not before time (″⁣Andrew Hastie signs book deal″⁣, 10/7).
With Liberal Party polling at record lows and a recognition that the party has lost the centre-right to Labor, Hastie has made it clear his intention is to fight, not capitulate to the existential threat of ON.
We know Hastie is anti-net-zero and anti-immigration, both of which may lessen his appeal to mainstream voters. He is however, “open-minded” on several progressive tax reforms, sympathising with how hard it is for younger Australians to break into the housing market.
He claims the system is not working for many and believes the system needs a “massive overhaul”. Hastie has shown he is a deep thinker about politics and policy. You may not subscribe to all Hastie’s arguments, but if he ever gets to lead the Liberal Party, the quality of political debate in the nation will rise markedly. Hastie’s book is eagerly anticipated.
Neil Hudson, East Melbourne

Dissatisfied customer
To say energy companies need to convince millions of Australians to hand over control of their home batteries means energy companies need to play their role in commissioning home solar installations.
We have been waiting for AUSNET to commission ours since March 6 this year. When ours is finally commissioned, if ever, given the tardiness of our power company, I’m not sure I will do anything to help their bottom line. Their treatment of their customers is appalling and not in line with the government’s policy on meeting net zero.
David Greenwell, Heathmont

Missing link
Liberal Party policy tells us that self-regulated privatisation is the way forward, but when a self-regulated private business (Telstra) fails, they blame the government. Am I missing something here?
Cathy Wheel, Castlemaine

Lack of boffins
Odd isn’t it, that the CFO of Telstra had to front the media and not a technical expert? Oh! I forgot! Telstra is run by bankers not boffins.
Linda Lewis, Watsonia

CBD in shadows
The proposed lifting of height limits for the Town Hall Place development will be the beginning of the end for good urban design in our city, a sentiment also felt by Norman Day in his opinion piece (11/7). Akin to the infamous Whelan the Wrecker company which managed to destroy many of Melbourne’s gold rush buildings during the 20th century, this development, if approved, will set a devastating precedent for more inappropriate developments that will plunge the CBD into a shadowy abyss.
Angus Macmillan, Hawthorn

Gas and fuel again
The appalling, revised proposal to surround Young and Jackson’s pub with bland buildings some 76 metres (16 storeys) brings back memories of the (now) demolished Gas and Fuel buildings that occupied the space now known as Federation Square. Those buildings were 17 storeys high and just as ugly.
Architect Norman Day is correct in calling out the major disadvantages these revised plans would deliver – severe shadowing, wind tunnels and vanilla aesthetics. It’s as if the developers are nostalgic for the lost Gas and Fuel Corporation towers and would like to resurrect them in close proximity to the originals. A sort of architectural memorial.
Don’t they appreciate the history? It is encouraging that the Melbourne City Council has rejected the proposal. It seems the final decision will be made by the state government. If common planning sense prevails this proposal will be demolished by the government faster than you can say Gas and Fuel Corporation
Geoff Allen, Parkdale

Assisted dying
There is another category in the voluntary assisted dying debate for which I would like to advocate, and present a possible solution. This is for the person who knows that are heading for a mental decline in the future. Those who wish to avoid that, with all the associated difficulties for the sufferer and their families, should be able to establish that they wish to access voluntary assisted dying when they reach a certain stage of mental incapacity.
This wish, and the agreed point, could be established and recorded with two different doctors. When the sufferer reaches that point, they should be able to access voluntary assisted dying. It would be a kindness to them, their families and society as a whole which would be relieved of the burden of
caring some poor soul who never wanted to spend their final years sitting a chair and waiting for death.
Jacki Burgess, Port Melbourne

Barn fresh
I was pleased to see dietician Joanna McMillan mention ‘pasture laid’ and ‘free range’ with clarification in the egg article (“Barn laid, free range”, 5/7). I wish all your articles dealing with food covered when and how our food gets to us.
Those people who care ethically and morally about what they eat, disliking abattoirs and battery cages, have a right to know.
Virginia Lowe, Ormond

Next in line
President Trump has apparently left instructions that “if Iran assassinates him: ‘Literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before’“.
And I thought that the vice-president (and subsequent presidents) got to run the country in such circumstances.
Martin Hunt, East Malvern

AND ANOTHER THING

Crime control
(Re ″⁣Terrifying efficiency of Big Crime″⁣, 11/7). Australia certainly punches above its weight in sporting prowess, but less creditable is our global record for gambling losses, illegal tobacco, and cocaine and heroin consumption in the English-speaking world. Why can’t our federal and state governments just fix this?
Caroline Leslie, Hawthorn

Jess Wilson has boldly promised setting up a royal commission, cleaning up the state, and fixing all the potholes before Christmas if she’s elected in November. But what does Pauline think about all this? That is the question.
Mark Kennedy, Sebastopol

Pam the Bird
For those named Pam, Pam the Bird has made our name cool, unlike the Karens who oppose it I guess
Pam Papadopoulos, South Yarra

I hope Pam the Bird does not get the deadly avian flu, for we need her as a reminder of the imminent threat to the lives of all our native birds and mammals.
Elizabeth Meredith, Surrey Hills

Your correspondent’s letter (″⁣And another thing″⁣, 11/7) raises a bigger question: was Bill Posters ever prosecuted?
John Hyslop, Somers

Telstra
Is the recent Telstra outage an inevitable outcome of ‘engineering businesses’ being managed by accountants, preoccupied with cutting costs?
Haig Poulson, Ashburton

Alison Pennington summed it up beautifully (“We’re ignoring the root cause of our inflation scourge. When will we learn?” 10/7). Privatisation has cost us dearly but did we have an option in the early
’90s. It’s time to buy back the farm.
Ian Anderson, Surrey Hills

Re “Old servers led to collapse” 11/7. Let me spell it out for anyone who still supports privatisation of our services: it does not work.
Vaughan Greenberg, Chewton

Finally
Is Iran at war with the USA, or with Donald Trump?
Ron Mather, Melbourne

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