The article regarding tradie qualifications being issued without testing or proof of competency is a classic example of the success of neoliberalism (“Out the back of a Haymarket suit shop, you can get your tradie qualification without sitting a test”, April 14). No longer do governments face the cost of providing the relevant training facilities and teachers, instead they have been replaced by profit-seeking backroom businesses that have no concern for educational quality, or indeed student competency. The fact that this leads to shonky buildings, well that matters naught, simply because those who seek “small governmenthe wt” and the removal of red tape are happy, and they have other issues within the building trades that they want to concentrate on. Andrew Brown, Bowling Alley Point
The purported Sydney office for Australian Skills Certification doubles as a luxury tailor.Credit: Steven Siewert
Yet another failed privatised venture by a coalition government at the expense of a once first-class TAFE system. The folly of privatisation of any public entity such as education, private building certifiers, child care, age care etc. requires additional taxpayer funds to pay the private facilitators, resulting in a second-class system. However, the cost to taxpayers doesn’t stop there, with the entry of fraudsters and unqualified tradies resulting in building defects and failures, which requires further policing bodies, a building commissioner, licensing authority for tradies, and a star rating system for consumers based on payment by the developers to be rated. What’s next? An expensive public enquiry following deaths, injuries, unjustified government spending, broken system, or media/public concerns. So much for good economic management. Brian McDonald. Willoughby
It’s Albo’s vibe
Chip Le Grand’s bio of Anthony Albanese calls him “careful, stable, even prosaic.” That description is missing one key word – decent (“He’s careful, stable – even prosaic. But Albanese may just have nailed the mood”, April 13). In a world where leaders seem increasingly erratic, opportunistic and populist, we have a prime minister focused on simple but admirable principles. While Trump makes hubristic boasts of leaders wanting to “kiss my ass” and Putin plots to rebuild a lost empire, we have a prime minister who talks of opportunity, affordable healthcare and better real wages. He celebrates friendship and our capacity to triumph over adversity. His guiding principle is no-one left behind and no-one held back. It is often said that a nation’s leader reflects its identity. We should be congratulated for choosing Daryl Kerrigan over Gordon Gekko. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga
Show our colours
It is good to see Canada asserting its resistance to Trump’s overtures, and also to read about how much Australia and Canada have in common in their history and culture (“‘Elbows up!’ How Canada stopped playing nice with Trump”, April 14). However, one important step in their evolving independence that Australia should learn by was their adoption of their own flag, featuring the maple leaf. Now that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer with us, we should replace the Union Jack with a more appropriate symbol, such as the Aboriginal flag, or, less controversially, a gum leaf or a sprig of wattle. This should be our first change, before we start making a move towards becoming a republic. Jill Tuffley, Turramurra
A visitor to Washington wears a Donald Trump mask in front of a Canadian flag in outside the White House.Credit: AP
Experience required
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