VCE RESULTS
A bright boy forced to jump through hoops
High-achieving VCE students deserve to be congratulated, but the future is not so rosy for some students with a disability. My grandson is high-functioning autistic. He got a healthy ATAR score, despite the anxiety that accompanies him during exams. However, he will not be able to undertake his first-choice university course – or any university course – because his English score does not meet their prerequisite.
My grandson has been reading with comprehension since he was three and has a better grasp of grammar than most adults. He won a scholarship to a well-respected independent school for his secondary years, which he would not have done if he were illiterate.
AFR.01/03/2012.Photo by ROB HOMER ............ Pictured generic images of the university of nepean at kingswood in sydneys western suburbs. generic university , education , students , school , lecture , employment Credit: Rob Homer
He did not attempt year12 English as it focused on the study of fiction, which is not something his autism allows him to grasp easily. Instead he did English Language. He wonders why English is compulsory and maths (at which he excels) is not.
Universities will not even read the "special consideration" information he has provided, which sheds light on his problems and abilities. His only option is to do a TAFE certificate 4, a diploma and then a degree.
Illustration: Dyson.
Why is achieving a higher education qualification made so difficult for some students, when there is a focus on those with a disability contributing to society and their own economic security? His mother suggested to a university that if the issue was concern about his basic literacy, he could take its English language test for overseas students, but this was rejected. Organisations supporting autism could offer no helpful advice as "most autistic students don't make it to VCE".
This one did, with the help of a caring, supportive school, only to find that everyone's efforts have been for nothing. We are in a situation that fosters anxiety and depression and requires a young person with a disability to jump through hoops.
Karin Bicknell, Oakleigh South
In praise of the late bloomers
English teacher Dale Hughes' article (Comment 17/12) is depressing. He asks those students who achieved a poor ATAR score what they did wrong, whether they could they have tried harder, and how much time they committed to their work. He seems to suggest it is a matter of blame.
My heart goes out to those students who worked hard and still scored poorly. Many things can cause this: a change of teachers, family dysfunction, ill health or a need to take on paid work to supplement the family income.
Beyond that is the statistical item that Mr Hughes should know: normal distribution or the bell curve in any test of any cohort will produce a high performance group and a low performance group, with a majority in the centre. Students with lower scores can take heart as there is the phenomenon of late development, which some tertiary institutions recognise.
Graeme Lee, Fitzroy
A high score on what really matters
Could private school principals please be a bit more modest in the coming days and stop claiming that their high ATAR scores are a reflection of their great school and dedication to their students? Private schools get to pick and choose their students, and give scholarships to the best and brightest to boost their own educational ranking.
Congratulations to all the students who completed VCE. It all seems to be harder and more stressful, and the ranking system more mystifying, than in my day. Having a red hot go, and having charisma, a spark and a kind heart are not "scored" by education bodies but they are by everyone around you.
Katie Fisher, Kew
Broken promises
What a wimp the federal Treasurer is with regard to big business and tax ("Hockey backflip on company profit shifting, The Age, 17/12). If he and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann cannot stand the heat, they should get out of the "kitchen".
Let someone who has knowledge of the tax system – and a bit of feeling for Australian-based companies which cannot, or do not, take advantage of these loopholes in the system – ensure that they get a fair go.
Once again, as pointed out, we go back to laws introduced under the conservative Howard government in 2001. Before the last election, yes, of course they would vote for the repeal of section 25-90 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
But now, no. Their big mates have got to them. A broken promise? Sure is.
Merril Bolton, Glen Iris
Did Rupert say no?
A Joe Hockey backflip on multinational profit shifters was a
given. Rupert Murdoch's companies are major multinational profit shifters. The Liberals were never going to bind the hand that promotes them.
Ray Frost, Jan Juc
Ask the people
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says: "Following consultations with stakeholders and the ATO, it became very clear that a targeted anti tax-avoidance would be ineffective".
Well, how about giving it a go to see if it is really ineffective? And, Minister, who are the stakeholders that you consulted? Not just BHP or Rio Tinto or Ramsay Health Care or other multinational corporations, I hope.
What about the vast majority of us common folk who pay our fair share of taxes? We are all stakeholders in Australia's economic wellbeing.
Teresa Martina-Lim, Brighton
Thanks, but no thanks
Where is the evidence for Peter Martin's alarming statement that "if it (the GST) was higher and income taxes were lower, we'd put in more hours" (The Age, 17/12)? Would we?
Overseas evidence from similar economies to ours plainly show that countries with higher GST rates and lower income taxes are certainly not enjoying booming economies.
Even assuming work was available and his statement were true, there is no point working longer hours if your hourly rate has not kept pace with inflation. And coupled with our falling dollar, raising the GST rate is guaranteed to raise inflation.
No, Peter Martin, this strategy has been tried before and has always resulted in what its ideology-driven proponents want – a wealth transfer from the poor to the rich.
Norman Hughes, Flinders
Seeking safe havens
This week I attended a CFA information session at Warburton. We were impressed by the CFA volunteers' knowledge and dedication. However, more could be done to promote "leave early options". To advise that people go to "friends" or "shopping in Melbourne" ((The Age, 17/12) does not suit many families.
What our fire-prone communities need are "code-red partners" in safe areas. Universities are underutilised in summer and could provide refuge. Student volunteers could be called on for support.
Similarly churches, local councils with halls, public libraries etc could provide "places to go" partnerships – perhaps coordinated by the Local Government Minister and publicised on the ABC. When disaster strikes, the community pulls together. Surely we can draw on that spirit to provide more assistance before there is a code-red fire.
John Carmichael, Hawthorn
Well done
Thank you to all those brave men and women of the New South Wales police force for putting their lives on the line to end the siege at Martin Place in Sydney.
Brian Mitchell, Moorooduc
Seeking answers
That New South Wales police waited 17hours before acting, and then apparently only after a hostage had been shot during the siege, raises serious questions about their strategy in handling criminals with extremist views. A negotiation approach may sometimes be appropriate but this chap, once identified, should have been shot.
Serious questions must also be answered by the NSW judiciary and government as to why he was kept out of jail. Other unbalanced criminals are being kept in jail indefinitely and policy must be changed to allow this with persons such as this man.
The federal Attorney-General needs to meet with his state counterparts and come up with a tighter policy in handling extremists. Immigration policies on admission of refugees must also be reviewed.
Des Moore, South Yarra
Mixed emotions
I understand that Man Haron Monis was a lone gunman, am proud of the #illridewithyou campaign, and embrace my Muslim countrymen and women as true Australians for the way they have responded to this event.
However, I am still disturbed by things that I see perpetrated in the name of Islam, here and overseas. Is that racist or is it time for Islam to get its house in order?
James Dickson, Daylesford
Just call me sheik
We read and hear that the criminal responsible for the siege , Man Haron Monis, was a self-styled "sheik" and self-declared "imam". Can anyone wise in such things explain how such titles can come to be effectively "invented" and self-bestowed?
Ian McKendy, Kew East
The good fight
During World War II, Albert Camus was a member of the French Resistance. In a letter to "a German friend", he wrote: "We are fighting for the distinction between energy and violence, between strength and cruelty, between sacrifice and mysticism, between the true and the false". Seventy years on, the same distinctions exist and are to be fought for.
Peter Hotchin, Ashwood
What goes around...
Tony Abbott said "We are a peaceful nation, not at war with anyone". What are the thousands of Australian troops doing around the world? On holidays? The Italians say "chi la fa l'aspetti" – whoever does it has to expect to have it returned to him.
Pamela Andressen, Fitzroy North
Better, fairer quotes
The complaints regarding under-quoting of property prices (Letters, 16 and 17/12) show a fundamental misunderstanding of the role and qualifications of estate agents.
The majority are not qualified property valuers. They are primarily sales agents who rely upon crude and incomplete sales statistics and "gut" feel to determine the potential price. On this basis, the estimate can vary wildly between agents as well as a seller's aspirations.
Should the government be serious about stamping out under-quoting, it would require the initial reserve price of a property to be based on the valuation of an independent certified property valuer.
Michael Kennedy, Melbourne
Show some generosity
I feel sad that the federal government has made savage cuts in Australia's overseas aid budget (The Age, 16/12). Last year, we helped to vaccinate almost 3million children and give safe water to more than 2million people. This prosperous country now becomes one of the least generous on Earth.
Neil Tolliday, Altona Meadows
The poor get poorer
Australian foreign aid falls to 0.21per cent of national income. According to the Australian Council for International Development, that is the lowest level since records began in 1954. How could any government with a conscience allow that to happen? It is all very well to wish people peace and happiness at Christmas but if that is the best the world's rich can do, then do not count on it.
Chris Groom, Ascot Vale
Follow London's lead
The mention of Rod Eddington (Editorial, 16/12) reminded me of his 2007 report on an east-west rail link from West Footscray to Caulfield. It also renewed my distress when Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas announced doubt over the building of the link.
Why do governments wimp out when faced with infrastructure developments which are wanted and expected by the community? What is wrong with a government going into debt to build essential infrastructure?
Recently SBS screened programs on London's Super Tunnel, a 120kilometre cross-rail connecting Heathrow Airport in the west with Canary Wharf in the east. The scope of this project amazed and excited me. I also puzzled over why it is difficult for our decision makers to provide essential infrastructure.
Vin Underwood, Brighton
AND ANOTHER THING
Federal
"Backflip on company profit shifting" (17/12). You have to be well off to appreciate the Liberals' philosophy.
Peter Johns, Sorrento
That's the go, Joe. We don't bother chasing the multinational companies because it is too hard.
John Johnson, South Yarra
Robin Hood is supposed to take from the rich and give to the poor, not the other way round.
John Cain, McCrae
It appears the federal Liberal Party is being run by faceless women.
Rob Martin, Oakleigh South
$200 million to the Green Climate Fund? Didn't the government have a mandate not to do anything about global warming?
John Ackerman, Keilor East
Siege
How did he get the gun?
Janie Spier, Seaford
And why wasn't he deported?
John Alford, Mordialloc
What religion is Julian Knight again?
Patricia Bodsworth, North Carlton
So terribly sad that two innocent people died. I hope their poor families are offered state funerals.
David Bignell, Seddon
Will the Age do a 12-page wrap-around for the 126 people murdered in a Pakistan school?
Roy Arnott, Reservoir
Ballad of a Sad Cafe.
Rowena Ryan, Fairfield
Furthermore
Michael O'Brien, if the business case for the East West Link was so good, why didn't you release it?
Geoff Schmidt, Fitzroy North
Age discrimination has been eliminated from staff recruitment. It's been replaced by the much nicer "generational change".
Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick