Coalition super plan would be a gift to banks

Opposition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg wants to give a gift to the banks (“Super wars escalate as Coalition leans into mortgage plan”, September 23). At present, if someone gets into negative equity because of slumping house prices, it is not in the interest of the banks to send them broke by taking their deposit and selling the property to cover the mortgage. The value might not be enough, so the banks leave the borrower alone in the expectation that they will pay down the mortgage and restore the bank’s safety. But if the mortgage were secured by a lien over the borrower’s super, the bank would then have an incentive to call the loan and sell the house, knowing that the difference would be recovered from the super collateral whenever the super amount was larger than the negative equity. The bank could then lend the money to a lower-risk borrower. This would leave the original borrower homeless and poorer, having forfeited the deposit and some of their super. We cannot rely on the banks to act in the interests of the borrowers. Bragg should drop this idea like a hot potato. Alan Stanley, Upper CorindiLiberal leader Angus Taylor and opposition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg.Sitthixay DitthavongThe Coalition is now saying that people should be able to use their super “as collateral or to increase the size of a loan”. They’re still not happy with the decline (modest though it is) in house prices and think they’ve found a way to ensure their own financial benefit by ensuring that housing prices continue on the old path of exponentially rising. At the same time, they get to undermine Labor’s super program and ape their hero (One Nation) once again. So bad luck to the young, aspiring home owners who will have to keep paying more for their houses and will be forced to retire with significantly less super. Charmain Brinks, NewcastleYour correspondent (and probably members of the opposition) seems to lack understanding about the management of superannuation (Letters, September 23). He seems to think it is a source of money under the control of the government, but the government simply gives a tax benefit to encourage workers to save for retirement. To suggest that superannuation funds should be forced to invest in productivity boosting ventures in Australia would be like telling people who wanted to buy shares on the market that they first had to invest in ventures of the government’s choosing. Of course, superannuation funds, both industry and private, are free to invest in such ventures, but there must be a financial benefit to the members. Neil Reckord, Gordon (ACT)Fund ageism fightJenna Price is absolutely right to be ringing the alarm bells about parricide as the extreme end of a plague of ageism-linked elder abuse that is endemic in our society (“System failures drive deadly surge in family violence”, September 23). In 2025, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that 15 per cent, or nearly 600,000 people living in the community, had reported experiencing elder abuse in the past year, most commonly within their homes, with psychological abuse the most common and then successively neglect, financial abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. And, according to the WHO in an international 2022 report, the top priority for tackling elder abuse is combating ageism “as it is a major reason why the abuse of older people receives so little attention”. So, how crazy is it that the EveryAGE Counts Campaign, which was able to do sterling work battling the culture of ageism within Australia for several years while funded by the Benevolent Society, is now struggling to continue with its vital task since that funding was terminated? As a member of its steering committee, I can attest that it has been completely unable to acquire funding from any government or philanthropic source, despite the WHO stressing the necessity of “the additional resources needed to tackle the problem”. Anne Ring, CoogeeThank you, Jenna Price, for raising such important issues around domestic violence and elder abuse and trying to bring out the complex causes. Those causes are not just gender-based or the product of health system failings. They are about much deeper changes in our communities and the erosion of more traditional institutions and values. They are a consequence of the ongoing atomisation of society, of more “bowling alone”, accelerated by social media and a heavy focus on individual rights and identities, all supported by the state. This points to an underlying failure of our politics. We are growing generations with no stake in society, who see no way out other than to seize what they can. Our education system keeps kids at school when they might be better off pursuing trades. Our tax system denies them reward when they take a chance and succeed in business. “Productivity boosting” AI, welcomed by government, threatens their jobs. Our planning system denies them housing supply. Is it any wonder lashing out seems the new religion? Rob Ritchie, MosmanThe Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that 15 per cent of the community had reported experiencing elder abuse.Dionne GainThe soon-to-be introduced Caitlin’s Law is a welcome step that would provide much-needed succour to grief-stricken families of domestic violence victims (“After Caitlin’s death, her family lost control of her body. This law will change that”, September 23). It is also heartening to see the Minns government’s focus on putting in place reforms in the realm of domestic violence and sexual abuse, including in the way sexual assault trials are held. While rooting out domestic violence completely may not be possible, that should at least be the objective of the government and policymaking bodies when reforms are being deliberated. Increased sensitisation starting in schools, more conversations and advocacy within communities, media campaigns, and more timely and empathetic intervention by authorities might build a strong narrative to make this a reality. It should not take the tragic passing of Caitlin Thornton (or Molly Ticehurst) for reforms and legislation to be passed. Aparna Banerjee, BalgowlahValue of veteransAs a returned serviceman who transitioned to teaching after nearly two decades of service, I read the Coalition’s new education policy with a mix of curiosity and amusement (“Pride in flag, Western culture, and soldiers in schools: Coalition unveils education plan”, September 19). The policy itself seems shaped by the usual misguided tropes of what a soldier is, but the subsequent rebuttals have been equally wide of the mark (Letters, September 21). Let me spell out what a veteran actually brings to a classroom. Yes, there are the mundane life skills like polishing shoes, sewing on buttons, and tying a tie. But more importantly, we instil foundational habits: punctuality, organisation, self-discipline, attention to detail and the simple respect of looking someone in the eye when speaking. Beyond that are the deeper principles of resilience, accountability, dignity, empathy and integrity. My students know they always have a safe place in my classroom, but they also know they will be held to high standards. They have a fierce advocate in me, even when they make mistakes, because learning from failure is part of the process. Some might argue these values should already be standard in our schools. The reality is they are not, at least not to the extent required. The critical difference is that a serviceman is trained by people who may one day have to fight alongside them, creating an unparalleled motivation to train well. A university degree simply cannot replicate that. Dean Clark, MoorebankPower and responsibilityIn his address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump emphasised freedom and US sovereignty while dismissing the threat posed by climate change (“At UN, Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran but predicts deal after midterms”, September 23). The principle of equal liberty calls on us to maximise our own freedom without interfering with the freedom of others. Human-induced climate change is causing sea-level rise. Consider the millions of Bangladeshis who are farming on land that is within a metre of high tide. Their freedoms should be meaningful as well. And have we forgotten the horrific flooding in Nepal that devastated communities there after a glacier collapsed as a result of climate change? How different Trump’s view on climate change would be if he was the head of a small island nation whose survival is threatened, even though it has contributed very little to global emissions. Although liberty is a fundamental right, the flip side of every right is a responsibility. Indian scientist and activist Vandana Shiva points out that the “separation of rights and responsibilities is the beginning of any destructive enterprise”. America has extraordinary power to shape the world, and it should embrace that responsibility through climate action. Terry Hansen, Wisconsin (USA) Photo: Megan HerbertAfter excluding mainstream news organisations from the White House press pool over what it sees as unjustly critical coverage, the Trump administration is now lecturing Australia on free expression, branding its social media harm-prevention measures as censorship. Apparently, irony still has a press pass (“US asks Australia to withdraw social media reforms”, September 23). Nic Andrews, Bellevue HillGeorge Washington was the general who led his revolutionary troops to end British rule in America, and as general he became the first president of America, thus creating the custom written into the constitution that the elected president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This is a terrible flaw in the constitution. Congress should be the body that determines what role the armed forces should play. When James Madison and his colleagues wrote the American constitution in 1787 they gave no thought as to who might become president in the years ahead. If the USA is to remain a democracy and a power that uses diplomacy wisely, it must alter its constitution. The alternative is to see international impoverishment and, ultimately, world war. President Trump should keep in mind that the USA has not won a war since World War II. Bill Widerberg, Dover HeightsCircular argumentIt is extraordinary that the latest Intergenerational Report makes not a single reference to transitioning to a more circular economy (“Chalmers can try to predict 40 years into the future, but he’s really talking 2028″, September 22). The European Union’s Circular Economy Act 2026 is set to introduce a wide range of regulations and standards relating to local and imported goods regarding recycling, modular design, extended producer responsibility and repairability. The aim is to reduce waste, pollution and energy consumption, and preserve our natural environment for future generations. Unless Australia adopts a similar act, we risk becoming the dumping ground for an increasing number of products destined for landfill. Phil Jones, Elanora HeightsAre politicians aware that the global population has quadrupled in the past hundred years and that we live on a planet with finite resources? Essential fertilisers like phosphorus and potassium are likely to run out by the end of this century as they are dug up like coal, yet governments around the world want growing economies and more people. Shouldn’t we start thinking further ahead than just the next election? Most children born today would appreciate still having food in 2100. If you don’t put the nutrients and water in plants, they won’t give you anything back at harvest. It doesn’t matter how superintelligent we become or how many data centres we build, if we run out of food we will disappear like any other pest. Your children will, too. I frequently read letters from readers worried about falling birthrates but we actually need that if we are to survive as a species. The longer we pursue relentless growth, the harder will be the collapse for humanity. It’s not difficult to understand. Henry Schneebeli, MoreeSomething to build onCredit to the Herald for reminding us of the many victims of Jean Nassif and his associates (“Jean Nassif told ICAC there were ‘minor defects’. Owners are spending $10 million to fix them”, September 22). Financial Counselling Australia’s December 2025 report on forced bankruptcies found that strata bodies were driving 12 per cent of all bankruptcies. These are up 33 per cent nationally, with NSW sadly leading the pack. Anthony Segaert’s story on the defect-ridden Riviera building in Parramatta is shocking. A $10 million price tag to fix major and avoidable defects is being faced by ordinary people. NSW cannot truly embrace apartment living until shonky and incompetent developers and builders are driven out of the industry. It’s a job not just for the NSW government but bodies like the Property Council. Cathryn Callaghan, CroydonNoise solutionI have not always agreed with Peter V’landys, sports administrator of racing and rugby league, but his comment on ABC News this week was spot-on: “People go to the football to watch football, not to hear a rock concert.” In recent years I have avoided major sporting events because of the incessant, blaring noise that’s used as a drawcard for younger people: “Come to our place, it is loud, loud, loud”. I reminisce about the days when one could go to the horse races or the football and the only noise came from the cheering fans. Michael Walsh, CroydonSports administrator Peter V’landys.Oscar ColmanWell done, Peter V’landys, for cancelling the grand final entertainment and giving the million dollars to grassroots league (“Fallout with star leaves NRL with no pre-game entertainment for grand final”, September 23). I suggest you put on earlier games showcasing women, junior league or the (NSWRL/QRL) cup competitions. The crowd come to see football, not 11 minutes of expensive, unnecessary entertainment. Denis Suttling, Newport BeachWe are told that the NRL will reallocate money for entertainment to the development of junior players. Good idea. Perhaps tickets to the SCG will now be available at a reduced price. With his influence, V’landys might also look at ridding the major NSW race days of the unnecessary fashion parades, post-race discos, etc, and concentrate that expenditure on the welfare of horses. Harry Evans, MosmanTo submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.