Re:- a letter in this esteemed journal on 22 June, I commend Stan Rosenberg for stating what had to be said. Stan’s self-described whinge was spot on, regarding the shiny galvanised railings along Alpine Terrace.

The installation seems a huge overkill and it has ruined the street-front aspect of the properties it passes. And for what purpose? Heading slightly south, the old footpath is closer to the road, and on a bend, but rails aren’t considered important there. I feel the top third of the newly installed rails could be dispensed with, which would reduce the eyesore, remove the awkward inward-bending bits, and still provide protection (though from what, I’m unsure). If the installation of the rails was due to a health and safety initiative from a well-meaning council team brainstorm, I would ask them to reconsider the implications of their decision. If, as many of us hope, progress continues on the Mountain and we get (TMPA members should stop reading at this point) additional footpaths, curb and channel, and horror, streetlights, it seems a reasonable conclusion that similar footpath rails may proliferate.
I’d suggest that would not be a good look for the Mountain, and shudder to think of the nicknames and memes that may end up on Lonely Planet and other forums from rails that are simultaneously ugly, confronting and somewhat controlling. There must be a better way. Let’s keep whingeing Stan, and maybe we, and others, can influence the outcome for the better. It’s still progress, after all.
Richard Lysnar
REFLECTING ON THE VOICE
It is a pity that public discourse regarding the upcoming Referendum on the Voice to Parliament has drifted into party political “foxholes” with the conservative parties by and large identifying with the ‘No’ case and the progressive parties promoting a ‘Yes’ vote. The result is a temptation by the voter who might usually identify with either side of politics to simply take on board the position of their preferred party.
Whilst acknowledging that there are thoughtful arguments for both sides, it is important to distinguish these from the scare campaign currently being undertaken, especially by those opposed to the Voice. In this context I offer the following considerations:
1.      The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to all Australians to acknowledge the prior custodianship of country of First Nations citizens (who were only acknowledged as citizens by the 1967 Referendum!).
2.      It asks us to acknowledge this by an amendment to our Federal Constitution. This is not racism, but an acknowledgement of historical fact in our foundational document.
3.      The Uluru Statement from the Heart further invites all Australians to undertake a journey to right “unfinished business” as regards the history of interactions between colonists and indigenous peoples, beginning with the establishment a “Voice to Parliament” whose aim is to communicate with greater effect the prioritized needs of indigenous communities to decision makers.
4.      It asks that the principle of the Voice also be included as an amendment to our Constitution, because most previous attempts to address needs have been ineffective, being ‘top down’ (needs reflecting policy rather than policy reflecting needs). The specifics of the Voice will be determined by Parliament. (Just as Parliament determined the specific implications of the High Court’s Mabo Decision by passing the Native Title Act 1992).
5.      Voices to Canberra are NOT new: Farmers, Miners, Hoteliers, Casinos, Small Business, Local Government, all have their Voices in the National Capital. In all cases, Parliament is still the forum for determining policy after these Voices have made their case. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament is advisory in a similar way, with the addition that being community based and constitutionally endorsed, it will better convey grass roots needs and not be susceptible to the short-term agendas that have attended Indigenous policy positions in the past.
I recommend a thoughtful reflection on the content of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, for it invites all Australians to own a history of thousands of years, not hundreds, and to walk together, finishing a journey whose destination will be equal opportunity for all in the great Southern Land.
Peter Mulder