Corruption rewarded

I have to agree with the Herald’s position on Gladys Berejiklian (“Corrupt? No big deal. Collect a $200,000 pension”, September 30). It is ridiculous that the state can afford to pay a corrupt former politician $200,000 a year but won’t pay someone wrongly jailed for 20 years more than half of that at Gladys’s rate. I say sign it all over to Kathleen Folbigg. David Earp, Dulwich Hill

How come the government can find $200,000 to give a corrupt ex-premier every year for the rest of her life, but it could only find $2 million for a woman who was robbed of 20 years of her life, after being wrongfully incarcerated following the tragic death of her four babies? I don’t get it. Cecily Grace, Stockton

Business model

It should be no surprise that there is a correlation between sport, gambling and alcohol (“Toxic mix fuelling surge in violence”, October 1). The game of rugby league has long ago moved on from its parochial origins of the local community cheering on their local players. It is well and truly a corporate business that promotes gambling and alcohol. The game is merely the vehicle, the players expendable and the community harm is collateral damage. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale

Mind your manners

With all the current reports of “free speech”, the latest of which is Senator Ralph Babet’s urging supporters to take action against the comments posted by a TikTok user regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, it may be an appropriate time to recall the definition of “free speech” by the late High Court judge Justice Lionel Murphy. Justice Murphy said: “Free speech is what is left over after due weight has been accorded to the laws relating to defamation, blasphemy, copyright, sedition, obscenity, use of insulting words, official secrecy, contempt of court and parliament, and censorship.” To that, I would add just responsible, thoughtful manners. Ann Grant, Randwick

Positions of no power

My concern, Mary Julian, is that an Australia head of state chosen by the people would indeed turn out to be a cricketer (Letters, October 1). We already have two titular heads of state – the King and the governor-general. Neither have any real authority or responsibility, and neither can speak for Australia or engage in important dialogue at an international level. What would be the point of another expensive figurehead? The only Australian head of state I want to see is the prime minister of the day, like other mature nations. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay

Super (tax) markets

Your correspondent champions Coles and Woolworths because they pay tax from the profits they make from overpriced goods (Letters, October 1). The question is, will the new supermarket underpay its employees and treat customers with disdain? Todd Hillsley, Homebush

History lesson

Speaking of snail mail (Letters, October 1), I also recently received a certificate from a government department in the post. It was from the Department of Education acknowledging 40 years of teaching service. I retired in 2014. Ross Storey, Normanhurst

Oh lucky Donna, Jenny and Frank, who are able to buy a print copy of the Herald to complement their online subscription (Letters, October 1). I have moved to Perth, so it’s subscription only for me. How I miss a paper Herald. PS: I still miss Zits comic too. Barbara Stacey, Scarborough (WA)

Why are your correspondents skiting about getting the print copy of the Herald when they already have the online version? To me, having access to the online version saves some trees. These people should rather take a walk to their local library where they can read the paper version, if they must. Pen Layton-Caisley, Marrickville

I subscribe to the online Herald and buy the paper version of another newspaper, so the cats have something to read while on the loo. Jo Rainbow, Orange

Your correspondents are not very economical. If they bought a print subscription, they would receive online access for nix, plus the newspaper gets delivered to the door. John Christie, Oatley

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