Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text sizeTo my dismay, my grandson has been enrolled at a Catholic high school this year, and the reasons have little to do with perceived ideas about a better education or more discipline (“Parents choose private and Catholic schools”, February 18). The two reasons were that his friends were going there, and that he could play school rugby. Public schools have bled so much funding that sport has been a major casualty, and they can no longer afford to bus students to venues or offer decent competition. Private schools have great facilities, their own buses and can pay coaches, thanks in part to increased federal funding. No wonder they are attracting more children, especially the schools with lower fees. In Britain, state schools are selling their playing fields to pay for teachers, and it looks as if that will happen here soon – at least to the ones whose fields are not covered by demountables. It’s not fair. Mary Billing, Allambie HeightsDallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW. Credit: Rhett Wyman The head of Catholic schools is quoted as saying “Parents value our focus on academic standards and behaviour with a strong values framework that is hard to find elsewhere in the community.” Is he saying public school parents do not share these values? Wow. Stephen Hughes, PetershamI am aware there is a cost-of-living crisis for some at the moment. I witness this every week at a food bank under the auspices of Anglicare. However, with private schools overflowing, overseas travel at an all-time high, children with smartphones and coffee shops bustling, it doesn’t seem that the cost of living is the problem it’s made out to be. Robyn Lewis, RaglanQuestion with no answerNo wonder school students have such a poor understanding of how our system of government works when the people setting tests about them don’t seem to understand it either (“Seven in 10 high school students fail civics and citizenship tests”, February 18). One of the questions was about the requirements for changing the Constitution by referendum, but the correct answer wasn’t even offered in the list of options. John Higgins, Cook (ACT)The results of the civics and citizenship test for primary school children may be embarrassingly poor, but let’s be honest, when it comes to working knowledge of our parliamentary and legal system, would the adults perform any better? Isabella Jeans, Tuross HeadEnglish, mathematics, history, science, art, health and sport have allocated hours each week to ensure proficiency in communication, understanding and wellbeing, with mixed success. Each day is full, so where would the touted civics hours fit in? Gordana Martinovich, Dulwich HillRate cut at lastSo the Reserve Bank drops the interest rate, proving the economy is on track (“RBA cuts rates for first time in four years”, February 18). Australians should not expect improvement through positive policies from a Coalition led by “do nuttin Dutton” and his team of leftovers from the Morrison era. Colin Pampling, Kaleen (ACT)The rate cut is welcome news for Australians with mortgages. It’s amazing how Peter Dutton just last week was suggesting it is too soon to cut rates. If he were to become prime minister rates would probably rise because the Coalition is bereft of properly costed policies. Peng Ee, Castle CoveAnthony Albanese’s election timing will be influenced by Michele Bullock’s decision to cut ratesCredit: Michaela PollockThe problem with LaborContributors continue to highlight Dutton’s lack of policies and his perceived character flaws (Letters, February 18). But the real problem that Labor has to confront, and party members are all too well aware of it, is why has primary support for the party dropped below 30 per cent? You don’t have to look far to find the answer. Over the past decade, a fear of being wedged by the Liberals, both when they were in government and now in opposition, has caused Labor to shrink away from bold policymaking. Where is the Labor Party with the philosophy and resolve to grow the economy and then more fairly distribute the wealth? For all the complaints about Howard, Dutton et al, they have succeeded in forcing timidity on a great party; worse, there seems to be no one in the parliamentary Labor Party who can forcefully argue their policies. Tony Everett, WareembaYour correspondent Graham Lum outlines at great length what he perceives to be the negative qualities of Peter Dutton. It is passing strange that he still has to argue so vehemently against Dutton, as in his letter of May 21, 2023 he announced “there is little doubt that Dutton will be replaced before the next election.” Just like all the Trump naysayers, I look forward to his comments continuing throughout the Dutton prime ministership. Rob Sinclair, North SydneyPeter Dutton is prepared to say anything to get elected, except possibly the truth, and to avoid wherever possible journalists who ask difficult questions. If his energy policy was pitched at consumers, investors or shareholders the regulators would prosecute him for misleading and deceptive conduct. It’s time Labor had “the blow torch applied to his belly”, as Neville Wran used to say, to expose his dishonesty. Denis Goodwin, Dee WhyWhen Dutton praises Howard all I can think of is the children overboard lies. This should never be forgotten as one of the Liberals’ lowest points. Zuzu Burford, HeathcotePassing the buckAn alliance of individuals and groups from within the Muslim community have released a “United Muslim” statement criticising the “co-ordinated outrage” in the community after the infamous comments of the two nurses in Sydney’s Bankstown hospital (“Muslim groups slam ‘selective outrage’ over Sydney nurse video”, February 18). The communique is endorsed by more than 50 leaders, mosques, state and nationwide groups, and signatories included mainstream bodies such as the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. Surely the true “outrage” is their confected victimhood, deflection of blame and their defence of the nurses. It seems we’ve all overreacted because the nurses were “clearly emotional and hyperbolic” and “the pair didn’t make good on that threat”, namely to kill patients. In fact, their demeanour was disinhibited, full of glee and enthusiasm. It was clear their hatred was genuine, even if their statements should not be taken as such. The broad Muslim support for this communique and failure to condemn the disgraceful sentiments recorded on film suggests the signatories are sympathetic to the nurses’ views. Alex Selby, Double BayOn one side we have the gutter press caught red-handed with a fake “undercover operation”. On the other side, a coalition of Australian Muslim groups deny that a video of two Bankstown nurses threatening to kill Israeli patients is antisemitic. I’d say “God help us”, except I think it’s God that has got us into this absurd and dangerous situation. Has there ever been a better time to push for a fully secular society? Phil Bradshaw, NaremburnArts bigwigs don’t understood artKhaled Sabsabi should be reinstated as Australia’s representative in Venice (“Venice Biennale backflip could turn pride into embarrassment”, February 17). The quisling Creative Australia board, on hearing from Arts Minister Tony Burke, cast aside the recommendation of a very impressive panel on the basis there might be a fuss. Council chief executive Adrian Collette says he was not informed about what he calls the artist’s “earlier controversial work”. There was no early controversial work. Khaled Sabsabi’s work may display images of violence and destruction but it never promotes violence. He has always sought to understand the causes of conflict. He does not promote conflict. Picasso’s famous painting Guernica portrayed the violence of the destruction of the village of that name during the Spanish Civil War. If Collette and the minister find out, can we assume they will deny funding to institutions that exhibit the work of Picasso? Judith Pugh, AshfieldThe Creative Arts board decision to cancel their chosen representative is difficult to comprehend. They state that they want to avoid controversy and “loss of public support”, but I wonder who they consider to be “the public”. Is it the powerful few who search for targets that don’t fit their narrow narrative and have them silenced, or the public majority who all appear to be dismayed by the decision? Are we, too, going the way of a world in which freedoms are slipping, fear is rising and control of the public is increasing? We, the common people, are the public, and our government and its entities are answerable to us. Or so I thought. Anne Lumley, PaddingtonArtist Khaled Sabsabi at the Campbelltown Art Centre.Credit: James BrickwoodHECS talkBoth Judith Rostron and Michael Blissenden offer up healthy doses of naivety on HECS (Letters, February 18). For Rostron it’s indexation. It seems that indexing debt is bad, but not indexing wage rises doesn’t even rate a mention. If employers actually provided staff indexed wage rises, salaries would keep in line with indexed rises in HECS. As for Blissenden, when was uni ever free? Years ago, all taxpayers funded about 10 per cent of the population to go to uni. (A personal thank you is in order.) Nowadays, about 40 per cent of the population has access to tertiary education, and the cost is spread more equitably. If we were ever thinking about offering something “free”, I’d be more interested in free love. It’s something the whole population could enjoy. Chris Andrew, TurramurraTaxi troubleCrooked behaviour in the taxi industry is nothing new (“Cab driver caught on CCTV abusing, ripping off passengers with disabilities”, February 18). Six years ago, when my wheelchair-bound mother was in an aged care facility, we had to use taxis to take her to medical appointments. On one occasion the driver took a very long, circuitous route to the hospital. When I challenged him he said it was the quickest way to get there, which I knew was wrong. The cost of the ride confirmed my misgivings. I was fuming, so I rang the taxi company, reported the driver and was eventually given a refund. But if I hadn’t been in the taxi with my mother there would have been no way of knowing what was going on. These taxi companies have known for so long that cheating is common but have done nothing to stop it. I am glad this criminal behaviour has finally been exposed. Unfortunately it’s too late for my poor mum, who is now deceased, but hopefully not too late for others. Lynne Egan, GlenbrookIt is not only the disabled that risk being “ripped off” by taxi services. On our recent return from the USA at the end of January we took a taxi home from Sydney International Airport. The meter showed $96 when I paid by credit card but my card was billed for $126. I filled out the taxi company’s email complaint/inquiry form, and followed up with another, but am still waiting for a response. It’s Uber for me from now on. Peter Menton, BankstownPlastic sucksMany of us hanker for the good old days, when our houses were insured for a song, we wantonly wasted water and the weather was less wild. Perhaps that’s why it’s popular for a president to celebrate the good times by bringing back plastic straws (“With Trump declaring war on climate action, is this the last straw”, February 18). It’s symbolism at its best. But let’s be careful what we wish for. Rolling back progress on environmental protection, or rolling out new nuclear power plants – at least 15 years away – ensure a future where coal and gas will prosper, solar and wind will flat-line, and the weather will become increasingly hostile. Changing tack next election to the Coalition may well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Karen Campbell, GeelongPlastic straws are a product of the fossil fuel industry. Why are we such suckers? Rather sip from a cup than inflict another piece of plastic on the environment that takes 200 years to break down and then leaches into our water supply in the form of PFAS. Janet Cook, WavertonNation’s shameThe revelation that Pauline Hanson was induced to recruit Barnaby Joyce to her One Nation Party after he was filmed mumbling obscenities while sprawled on a Canberra footpath provides a vivid insight into the personal characteristics that are held in high esteem by One Nation (“Hanson says she did try to woo Joyce for One Nation”, February 18). Any budding candidate will now know what past behaviour to highlight in their applications and on their resumes. Mark Pearce, SpringwoodPauline Hanson says she and Barnaby Joyce are on the same page.Credit: Michael HowardInefficiency driveYour article about the treatment of nuclear weapons workers being unceremoniously fired highlights the reckless, poorly thought-out implementation of Trump’s “efficiency” drive through Elon Musk and DOGE (“Nuclear weapons workers un-fired”, February 18). Governments should take lessons from history that times of great turmoil and uncertainty foster a climate for sabotage by disgruntled employees who feel betrayed, as well as creating opportunities for enemy agents to gain access to national secrets through them. Kim Woo, MascotBarangaroo sell-outSo the NSW Labor government has sold Sydney out and missed the lost opportunity for something very special on this last piece of Sydney harbourside land, by signing off on a slightly modified proposal by the Chinese-backed developer Aqualand (“Plans for the empty block at Barangaroo approved”, February 18). Where is today’s Joe Cahill, who had the vision for the Sydney Opera House? This should have been parkland with a twist, but they have completely missed the chance to design something special in that location. So very provincial in its scope, so boring, but the best we can expect of our political class in NSW. And they have used our taxpayer funds through Infrastructure NSW to sell out this wonderful site to overseas buyers. Rod Pomroy, Millers PointTrump schoolAs blue gropers might be disappearing from Sydney, far less attractive colours of gropers appear to have speargunned the White House. Tony Doyle, Fairy MeadowRed-hot tradiesCorrespondent Brendan Jones suggests that the construction of seven nuclear power plants would suck in all available tradies (Letters, February 18). Think about that for a minute. Tradies in their utes building nuclear power plants. Sheesh. John Elder, Brisbane (Qld)To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. 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