On the continuing statue outrage

John Poppins writes: Re. “How to get rid of a statue”  (Tuesday)

It would be most appropriate for our Prime Minister to express proportionate outrage at the corporate and government approved destruction of many hundreds of rock art works dating back over tens of thousands of years on Western Australia’s Burrup Peninsula.

This is one of the world’s most significant prehistoric art sites, and arguably the largest. The remaining art works are now threatened by wind borne acidic gases from flares and other industrial processes.  

On authoritarian government in Egypt

Robert Johnson writes: Re.”Egypt’s government tightens authoritarian control” (Tuesday)

In yesterday’s Crikey, Salma Islam refers to “public criticism over cuts in food and fuel subsidies”. To the extent that this is so, it is more likely to be criticism from a comparatively small group benefitting from very poorly and inefficiently directed funds.

The Sisi government has resolved to redirect and substantially expand funds instead to cash transfer schemes (Takaful and Karama) that deliver greater benefits to households most in need, including the poorest households, households with vulnerable children for health and education purposes, and people with a disability. This aims to approximately quadruple budget outlays for such purposes by the next financial year.

This is a particular reform that it is to be hoped the Egyptian government sees through. The challenge is to ensure the pace of expansion, commitment of the funds in upcoming years, and sustained focus of funding on those most in need. This in no way changes or challenges anything in Ms Islam’s article, which correctly draws attention to the latest deterioration in civil and political rights that continue to plague Egyptian society. It’s a pity that the Trump administration is not so interested in economic and social rights, as witnessed by his cutting of support for international human development programs.