Q&A's two-party "balance"
The ABC's Q&A's format has predictably resulted in a deliberate search for Coalition supporters to achieve audience "balance". The cause of this problem is the format of Q&A, which is built around politicians of the major parties. This is quite different from the predecessor program Difference of Opinion, which was productive of a much greater panel variety than the sterile two-party context.
The idea of "balance" that Coalition supporters are always so concerned about for ABC programs, especially the Howard appointees, is a direct product of Australia's dysfunctional two-party system which itself lacks diversity.
The so-called "balance", between Government and Opposition, is itself an imbalance because of the lack of diversity in political representation, a direct consequence of Australia's undemocratic electoral system. That system should be replaced by proportional representation used in a very large number of modern states.
Q&A now presents the same phony and boring adversarialism Australia's political establishment and the commercial media are engaged in on a daily basis. It is still a mystery why the ABC shelved Difference of Opinion, as this excellent program, presented by Jeff McMullen, was highly regarded by the public.
Klaas Woldring
Pearl Beach, NSW
Insufficient stimulation
The $9.7 billion promised for school buildings as part of the economic stimulus package is not even close to what is needed to get our public schools up to scratch.
The impact of a school's infrastructure on the quality of education is profound. After decades of Labour/Liberal neglect, most state schools I have taught at still house children in "temporary" buildings dating from the 1970s!
In an isolated classroom, a single disruptive child has the power to bring teaching of an entire class to a halt. A modern building with interconnected classrooms allows teachers to work together to more effectively manage students and deliver a higher quality of education.
On top of this, we need a return to the teaching of trade skills, with trade classes offered at all secondary schools. This requires more than just physical infrastructure. Finding the staff to teach these trades will only be possible if the current shortage of qualified tradespeople is addressed through subsidised, well-paid apprenticeships being offered to anyone who has the desire and aptitude to take up a trade.
Alex Milne
Melbourne, Victoria