If grocery prices are too high, don’t buy

A significant component of the cost of groceries involves transport of raw materials and finished products over this wide brown land (Letters, January 11). The fuel costs, the distances to be travelled and wages all contribute. My internet monthly charge has increased 26 per cent in the past two years and airfares are quite ridiculous too – so I wonder whether the inquiry into grocery prices will reveal significant overcharging by the grocery chains, or just a reflection of the costs of getting goods from the farm gate to the shelf. Government regulation is a huge cost of doing business. These companies deal with a huge amount of legislation. The Grocery Code is there to protect suppliers – particularly the small ones – as is the unfair contracts legislation. The consumer law is there to look after consumers. We don’t need an inquiry, and we don’t need any more legislation. If prices are too high, don’t buy. Vote with your feet. And as a last resort you can always buy the company – Coles and Woolworths are both listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Kerrie Holmes, Kensington

I am no apologist for the big grocery chains nor am I a mathematician, but I do wonder at their role in price-gouging and inflation. If you take the annual profits of any of the big three supermarket chains, then divide it by the number of shops in their chain, then divide that by the number of shopping days in a year, the daily profit per store is really quite small. If you consider that against the daily volume of sales, then the profit margin is minute. I have no doubt price gouging is going on, but I do wonder if it’s more at the supplier level. Greg Phillipson, Aranda (ACT)

Amid all the outcry about how supermarkets are gouging customers due to their duopoly status, the inconvenient truth is that for the most part, they are pricing reasonably. Coles is a standalone publicly listed company, so its financials are in the public domain for all to see. A quick check shows that while their “exorbitant” and “super” profit in the FY23 financial year of $1.1 billion may seem like a huge amount, this net profit was based on sales of $41.5 billion. This equates to a profit margin of 2.65 per cent. To put into perspective, if you sell me something for $10 and make a profit of 26.5 cents, would you consider this price-gouging? Everyone should just chill out and stop listening to politicians, or stop believing everything they read.
Greg Lan, St Leonards

If consumers want to send a message to the big two supermarkets they should boycott them for a month. Try shopping at independent grocery stores. You may be surprised not only by the prices but also the quality of the fruit and vegetables. Relying on government to do something about prices could be a long wait. Voting with your feet is the best way to get the message across. Greg Thomas, Annandale

Daniela Catalano asks “how long before we start to see changes ... at the checkouts?” My advice to Daniela: don’t hold your breath. Alexis Lander, Kensington

Why Donald Trump really wants to be President again

In his infamous but proud boast that he “could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone” without losing any votes, Donald Trump long ago revealed his true colours. Now we know why he’s convinced he’d get away with it. According to his lawyer, presidents should be immune from any charges resulting from actions during their presidency (“Lawyers argue Trump cannot be prosecuted”, January 11). It’s now clear why Trump is so keen to be re-elected – he believes the most powerful job in the world comes with the special right to break laws at will, without any chance of prosecution. Nick Franklin, Katoomba

The Herald’s editorial (The Herald’s View, January 10) is absolutely correct. It now seems past time that all world governments, clearly and truthfully, tell America and Americans what the outcome of a re-elected Trump would mean both for them and America’s place in the world. The first Trump presidency brought us the world as we now know it - unstable, in danger of imploding from the encouragement given to dictatorial regimes; see Russia, North Korea, China, South America and some middle eastern counties. If we in Australia cannot afford a second Trump presidency we must stand up now and declare it. Robin Humphrey, Springwood

In the event of a second Trump presidency: should our AUKUS submarine deal fall through, it could be a blessing in disguise. Submarines, without nuclear weapons, would be a limited deterrent. The alternative of land-based very long range ultrasonic missiles, in larger numbers than could be launched from submarines, could be a more effective weapon and deterrent. The cost saving could be great and the ability to be launched from any position on our mainland would be advantageous without the long development time projected for submarine acquisition. Neither would we be committed to the international policies of other nations. Allan Hicks, Blackheath

The US Constitution provides that the president shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States except in cases of impeachment. The US founders either thought a self-pardon was untenable or never considered the point. The US Supreme Court would ultimately have to decide on the legitimacy of a self-pardon, but it is another issue for US voters to consider. Your editorial refers to the turmoil and tragedy imposed by Trump’s previous term in office, and the President’s power to pardon would add another uncertainty. James Moore, Kogarah

Maybe the US deserves another four years of Trump. Geoff Teys, Chippendale

Which Cronulla buildings will be saved?

It is heartening that NSW Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe will foster a “pointy discussion” with NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman re his “spurious” request for the preservation of a “shop” in Cronulla (Letters, January 11). The shop is in fact the Old Giddings Store and the historic building next door, built in 1898 and later housing Cronulla’s first shopping centre. Historic photos show horses and carts outside the building, followed by a tramway, both predating the railway. Numerous meetings were held there including a meeting leading to the establishment of the Cronulla Surf Club. Sharpe’s comments beg the question: Which of the precious few historic buildings left in Cronulla does she consider worthy of preservation? If what is arguably the oldest commercial building in Sutherland Shire is unworthy, then what, if anything, would she save? Sharon Burke, Cronulla

Much of Sydney’s historical built form has been saved by ordinary citizens. The Berejiklian government planned to demolish many of the Bankstown railway buildings and replace them with pre-fabricated pods, but we fought back and won. The magnificent Rocks precinct was saved through community activism. These valiant efforts should be celebrated, but too often community push-back is labelled NIMBYism, especially if there’s money in it for someone else. We know good workmanship. Countless good citizens sink their life savings into their old homes to update and preserve them, and 100 years later they look a lot better than Mascot Towers. Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park

Asbestos theory

It’s perhaps a measure of our cynicism that some of us Balmain/Rozelle locals assumed the discovery of asbestos in our much heralded new park is likely part of a plan to divert our kids to play in a new Transurban Pay-per-Play toll park (“Asbestos find closes Rozelle green space”, January 11). Tim Parker, Balmain

We will continue to find asbestos in all sorts of places, including dumped in bushland or under soil in backyards, until we have a government-funded amnesty on asbestos disposal. If taxpayers are concerned about the costs of such an initiative, they should consider the public health costs of ongoing exposure of the community to asbestos. Further, current and future governments need to be much better at holding industry to a much higher standard before it is allowed to unleash new products on an unsuspecting market or we are doomed to repeat history every few years (asbestos, PFAS, engineered stone). Elizabeth Haigh, Naremburn

SUV issue

Carbon emissions are not the only issue with SUVs (Letters, January 10). As a driver of a smaller car, I am constantly finding that the large vehicles’ headlights are blinding because of the relative elevation, front and back. This is further exacerbated by the modern use of high intensity headlights, with the UK College of Optometrists reporting that a growing number of patients are giving up driving at night. Modern headlights have a bluer spectrum which disables night-adapted vision to a greater extent than the yellow of the old halogen headlights. Alan Hargreaves, Kincumber

Dental recourse

In her article, Carol Hart spoke about having no recourse following unnecessary dental procedures (“My dentist is a dud, but the watchdog is toothless”, January 11). All dentists are registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Dental Board of Australia. They have complaints processes where the health professional will be investigated by the board themselves. It is absolutely weighted towards protecting the community (not the health professional). It is free to make the complaint and means that the patient does not need to have the expertise as others investigate on their behalf. Sophie Smith, Lane Cove

Some dentists will offer to restore the smile to your face, only to send you a bill that wipes it off again. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

Good graves

The article by Andrew Probyn about John Bevan Todd resonates (Letters, January 11). As the Manager of Waverley and South Head Cemeteries it is not uncommon for family members to reveal to us significant information about their relatives’ contribution to society while visiting their graves. We record and store this for posterity; as we say “every grave tells a story”. Ken Shelston, Bardwell Valley

Action failure

Matthew Knott writes that “Australia may not be a powerful player in the Middle East, but the importance of expressing our views on the global challenges of our time and trying to make a useful contribution to solving them cannot be overstated” (“Wong’s Middle East tightrope”, January 11). We all know that actions speak louder than words. Our action, or failure to act, in refusing to send even one support vessel to the Red Sea defence force speaks far louder than any words Wong may utter during her tour. Alan Slade, Dover Heights

It’s informative to speculate upon Wong’s visit to the Middle East and the complex situation that exists there. I feel however that she is well aware of the strengths and limitations of Australia’s influence on attempting to bring about a ceasefire and an end to the slaughter of Palestinian peoples, as well as understanding the domestic ramifications of her visit. If any minister can bring about concise, rational and sensitive diplomacy to the many issues involved, whilst influencing the move towards peace, it is surely her.
Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

Sydney rules

Your Summer in Sydney series has inspired me to explore suburbs I’d never thought of visiting. It’s fun reading the stories by people with such fond memories of their backyards, neighbours, parks and swimming spots. Croydon and Summer Hill sound terrific. Rob Mills, Riverview

I have really enjoyed Summer in Sydney. The variety of locations and suburbs has been so diverse and interesting highlighting many places I would now like to visit. From Mosman to Blacktown, Sydney shows itself a remarkable, liveable and loveable place with great places for recreation, eating out and secret places to admire. Maureen Casey, Breakfast Point

Missing link

If palaeontologists are looking for a modern-day link with prehistoric man, they could study the participants in the annual Summernats get-together (“One of palaeontology’s big, very big, mysteries solved”, January 11). Michael Deeth, Como West

Be warned

Not sure where cricket will find the Next Big Thing, as suggested by your correspondent (Letters, January 11), but I predict a run on T-shirts proclaiming “I’m the Warnest”. Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale (Vic)

Deaf ears

In my defence, my son’s letter confirming I’m good at telling people what to do negates the fact that most of the time no one takes the advice (Letters, January 10). Janet Scilly, Wollstonecraft

Bad grammar

Your correspondent Phil Rodwell appears not yet to have heard the modern form of apology; “my bad”. Tom Mangan, Woy Woy Bay

No fair go

Now that some school fees are risen above $50,000 a year, maybe it’s time the Macquarie Dictionary reclassified the word “egalitarian” as archaic (you know, that ye olde Aussie concept where we had a sense of social equality). There’s simply no need for it any more (“Sydney’s school is Australia’s priciest as fees pass $50,000”, January 11). Barry Ffrench, Cronulla

• To 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.