June 26, 2026 — 8:00pmBadiucaoTo submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.CULTUREIn 1950 in Meanjin magazine, one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious literary journals, A.A. Phillips applied the term “cultural cringe” to describe how Australians viewed their own arts, literature and intellectual pursuits as inherently inferior to those produced by foreign cultures, in particular the Anglo-Saxon culture. The cultural cringe was often apparent in writers who compared themselves negatively with, for example, a “cultivated Englishman”.Now, almost 33 per cent of our 27.8 million population was born overseas. As a result of this, we have developed a diverse culture based on the contributions of many different nationalities and cultures.The idea of abandoning our multiculturalism and reverting back to a uniform Anglo-Saxon culture similar to that of 200 years ago is a version of the cultural cringe. This idea appears to be driven by a lack of imagination and education and failure to appreciate the diversity of humanity. The idea of a pursuing a monoculture should be rejected.Leigh Ackland, DeepdeneBig money and interests talkUnder Anthony Albanese, the ALP has moved further from its traditional interests to more often favour the interests of big money.Climate change a problem? Nah. Let’s approve more coal mines. Gambling a problem? Nah. Legislating against it upset those making money. AI using up precious water supplies? Nah. Our rich friends need more money. Go for it.Support for our disabled and disadvantaged? Oops. Too much money. Forget the mothers, wives and daughters who in most cases looking after these people, let’s just cut the budget and see how that works. Change the AUKUS agreement? Nah. Might upset Donald.Even fixing capital gains taxes and negative gearing exploited by the wealthy ended up looking weak. You might disagree with Hanson, but she doesn’t look weak.To make it worse, the opposition shot itself in the foot by getting rid of yet another good woman and pretending all our problems can be fixed by going into reverse. No wonder Hanson looks good.Jenni Colwill, PrestonMelbourne passes pub testYesterday I watched the Socceroos in a pub, and it was more than just a game: friendly faces and a diversity of our city and strangers all talking to each other about life and sport. Upper-middle to working class drinkers and a diversity in faces too, along with families all celebrating an Australian team. It doesn’t get better than this to unify us all.Mel Smith, BrightonHappily ever aftersThe answer to question five of your Superquiz (26/6) made me laugh. Growing up in class-conscious England, I could tell to which class a person belonged by how they described a meal’s final course. The upper class called it pudding, the middle class called it dessert, and the working class (my family) called it afters.Ann Banham, WilliamstownTHE FORUMReligions’ tax statusOnce again, The Age draws attention to a religious body participating in political and business activities (“Exclusive Brethren, Advance may be forced to face inquiry”, 26/6)Surely, it’s time the tax-free status granted religious institutions was reviewed. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is famously quoted as claiming, “The easiest way to make a million dollars is to start a religion”. Say no more.John Mosig, KewParty politicsI am surprised that shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, doesn’t know what the newly formed party Community Strong Australia stands for (″⁣Spender and Steggall have the power to handpick teal party candidates″⁣, 25/6).The merits or otherwise of such a party will be debated in the months to come, but it is clear from initial information that they broadly stand for what the community independents have long advocated – integrity, action on climate change, prosperity and fairness for all, among other principles.As an MP who holds his seat by a 0.5 per cent margin after narrowly defeating a community independent candidate in the last election, Wilson should be very interested in the progress of this nascent party.Judy Williams, BeaumarisBillionaires’ motivesPauline Hanson sounds aggrieved. Trump’s voice also sounds aggrieved, and his billionaire backers know this sound captures votes. Now, those US billionaires have tripled their wealth while millions in the US are left with no healthcare and a record high cost of living. So why is Australia’s richest woman backing Hanson?Tori Sommer, HightonLandlord lamentFederal Housing Minister Claire O’Neil is deluded if she thinks the current downturn is a normal market correction. It’s long term.She, like many of her colleagues, does not understand capital flow. When taxation law changes, capital reacts. Money is mobile.The reaction is well advanced in Victoria since the hideous hike in land taxes. It’s now going nationwide with Albanese government’s tax changes.In my case, I’ve sold my retirement nest eggs, two investment properties in Melbourne. Neither was negatively geared. The buyers in both cases are owner occupiers.Net result, reduced rental properties. Reduced rental properties are direct result of government policy. The housing crisis will only get worse with these policies.Anton Whitehead, PortseaIsraeli crimeOnce again, cartoonist Cathy Wilcox (26/6) encapsulates a truth and reality of the UN’s Independent International Commission inquiry accusing Israel of deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian children, Not only shooting at their ‘vital organs’, but using drones and snipers.The killing of these children is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable against innocent children. As expected, the Israeli government rejects the findings of this inquiry.Judith Morrison, NunawadingOne-sided cartoonOnly a fool would believe Hamas’ October 7 slaughter and capture of Israeli civilians would not have bought about a heavy-handed response by Israel. The UN commission of inquiry into the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children, on which Cathy Wilcox relies to authenticate her cartoon, only shows Israel’s involvement in this heinous crime (26/6).Apart from the report’s failure to verify and identify the Israeli culprits, the report also chooses to ignore the reality of Hamas’ entrenchment of its military infrastructure and its network of tunnels in locations such as hospitals, schools, relief centres and other public facilities, in anticipation of Israel targeting those places.Israel has a lot to answer for, including its tactic of starving civilians. However, one cannot exclude Hamas’ complicity in these crimes.Henry Herzog, St Kilda EastHeatwaveJust how will Australia cope next summer with the increased levels of heat apparent now in the northern hemisphere, as well as a political leader like Pauline Hanson, who is adamant global warming doesn’t exist? It’s time for Australians to wake up now; the big pretence is over.Doris LeRoy, AltonaLimit heightWe should not have – nor do we need – a high-rise project double the maximum height limit for this part of the CBD (26/6). This is an iconic area of Melbourne, Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s cathedral greet visitors on a human scale.Katriona Fahey, AlphingtonGas and fuel againI wonder if the venerable Melbourne journalist Keith Dunstan ever stopped rolling in his grave, but he must be taking a turn over Lendlease’s appalling grab in its Town Hall Place proposal.Buildings should not be allowed to overshadow or over-impose on this most significant corner in the CBD. Can’t make the project financially stack up? It must be terrible to be them.If built, this edifice would surely make its way to the top of Keith’s Register of the National Distrust, reminiscent of the old Gas and Fuel building which blighted Flinders Street for decades.Hamish McTavish, Brunswick EastAI spruiking zealotryWaleed Aly’s insightful commentary on the burgeoning social unrest around AI infrastructure in the USA and Australia, (″⁣Fighting against a common enemy″⁣, 26/6), has a historical resonance. The 19th century industrial actions by British textile workers, now referred to pejoratively as Luddites, bore resemblance to the concerns expressed now in 2026 by anti-AI employees in relation to the unchecked introduction of new forms of automation, workers’ security, pay and inequitable conditions.The top-hatted, rapacious industrialists of yore anticipated today’s AI trillionaires in their spruiking zealotry, impervious to potential social devastation. The physical attacks on machinery by Luddites underscored the sense of frustration now felt by communities with huge, noisy and water-consuming data centres in their midst. It is very illuminating, as Aly cites, that in the USA a conservative such as Steve Bannon and a leftist such as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, have found common cause in questioning this socio-economic phenomenon. Crucially, AI industry proponents have not triumphed yet.Jon McMillan, MorningtonAdopt a dogCarolyn Webb’s article (25/6) about the difficulties of adopting a dog from a shelter rang a bell for me. A veterinary nurse who worked for me had similar problems.It didn’t matter that she and her partner were DINKS (double income no kids), had owned dogs before, and oh yeah – did I mention she was a vet nurse?My suggestion is to contact some breeders of the breed of dog that she likes. Often, they will give away (or sell for a small amount) dogs that have finished their breeding career and can retire with a new loving owner.Kerry Bail, Beaconsfield UpperCats and dogsYour dog-averse correspondent (Letters, 26/6) asks if “next (dogs will be) watching movies in a cinema?“.What’s wrong with that?Cats do it. TS Eliot wrote a poem Gus: The Theatre Cat and, for years, the Astor had a resident puss who sat in patrons’ laps. My pup Otto would love to come to the pictures with me.Arthur Roberts, ElwoodYay, TürkiyeLike your correspondent (Letters, 26/6), I too “love the letters showing us how we have ruined the language”. However, despite “language (being) a living evolving thing”, pedantry, or respecting the integrity of a language is important. Particularly, it might be argued, in a multicultural setting.For example, consider the word, ″⁣Türkiye”. Its correct pronunciation is with the emphasis is “Tür”, and the “yeh” sound is pronounced like the word “yeah”, but slightly clipped.It’s jarring then, when our national broadcaster, a firm supporter of multiculturalism, consistently mangles this nation’s name. How Turkish listeners must wince when they hear their homeland constantly referred to as “Turkey-yay”.Susan Caughey, Glen IrisAND ANOTHER THINGRoyal familyI’m pleased to see King Charles keeping to the St James Palace event’s jacket and tie dress code, even while “pictured receiving fan-assistance from the master of the royal household, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt”(“King Charles feels heat as UK swelters on hottest June day”, 26/6). Decorum is everything.Lawrie Bradly, Surrey HillsThe bloke holding the fan for King Charles obviously forgot to suggest that he removes his jacket.Robyn Carey, North FitzroyThe royal family’s immense wealth makes for interesting reading (26/6). However, the bigger question is ” where did it come from, and from whose expense it was amassed.Bill Howard, EssendonVictorian Liberal PartyMoira Deeming has done the near impossible by making me feel sympathy for Matthew Guy.Steve Melzer, HughesdaleMoira Deeming, the gift that keeps on giving to the Victorian Labor Party.Dean Virgin, StrathmoreFurthermoreOverpaid, macho TV stars with inflated egos such as Kyle Sandilands and Karl Stefanovic seem intent on aping the worst of US shock jocks. They’re neither entertaining nor amusing.Kevin Burke, SandringhamA deadly earthquake in Venezuela, an unprecedented heatwave in Europe, but Karl Stefanovic’s departure from Nine makes headlines throughout the country. Priorities please.Annie Wilson, InverlochPauline Hanson’s assertion that soccer is an essential element of our nation’s ‘monoculture’ is positively un-Australian. I demand a royal commission!Leon Burgher, Stony CreekFinallySchool kids watching the Socceroos on TV in the middle of the day on the last day before the school holidays? (″⁣Schools lean into Socceroos watch parties″⁣, 26/6) That’s nothing. At my old high school in Canberra, they played the Melbourne Cup on the radio loudspeaker in the assembly hall during the Higher School Certificate English exam.Penny Hawe, LorneThe opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. More:LettersAnthony AlbaneseGina RinehartKarl StefanovicPauline HansonALPIsraelKing Charles IIITrump's AmericaAntisemitism royal commissionFrom our partners