Perth Voice Interactive

Discrimination?

I READ with interest the article on the availability of mens urinals at the WACA (“Slash on the off side,” Voice, August 26, 2023).

Whilst I agree with Mr Collins in essence, I was amazed that he squeals “discrimination” as being part of his argument for more urinals for men.

The comment which I refer to is as follows: “It has the potential to be discriminating against men because it makes their use of toilets far less efficient”.

I would like to advise Mr Collins that women enjoy efficient use of toilets also.

Women don’t enjoy the inconvenience of hunting down toilets and then waiting to get use of the toilet any more than men do.

I would also like to mention that women do not require the use of a “cubicle” every time they use the toilet, just the same as men don’t require the use of a private cubicle every time they use the toilet.

In fact most women find the experience of hovering over a dirty toilet (trying not to touch anything) as a damn nuisance.

Women’s toilet facilities never include female urinals.

When I was travelling in Asia I was delighted not to be faced with the usual long line of women waiting to use a toilet when the night coach that I was travelling on stopped at a huge service station for a 30-minute break.

The female toilets at that service station included multiple female urinals each partitioned off, but none of which had complete privacy.

The urinal was a simple trough-like drain embedded into the floor.

There was nothing else on the floor other than tiles.

The female urinals were clean and a pleasure to use as there was no hovering over a toilet trying to avoid contamination.

It became clear to me when I was given the opportunity to use a female urinal that most women would gladly forgo privacy to have efficient use of urinals, as men do.

I therefore agree with Mr Collins that urinals are highly efficient and very practical, but unfortunately they are only provided for men.

Now that’s what I class as discrimination!

I am horrified to hear that the WACA are planning on having a shared sink area between the men’s and women’s cubicles.

What makes that proposal all the more horrifying to me is that men will urinate in wash sinks, rubbish bins and even drink fountains if they feel they are being inconvenienced about not having enough urinals provided.

I find shared toilet facilities for both sexes quite disgusting simply because men often make a foul mess of bathroom facilities – whether intentional or not.

I agree that urinals should be made available to prevent others having to endure mens antisocial behaviours which will result if urinals are not readily available to them. 

Lynda Robertson

Australia’s Day

I FEEL as though there is a racial wedge being hammered into our society. 

I feel as though there is no common thread we can, as a society, jointly pursue. As a multi-cultural society, we need to shift our focus and concentrate on something achievable, that we can all take ownership and pride in. 

To create a society that respects and understands each other we need to embrace the uniqueness of our individuality and the uniqueness of our Australian nation.

A common goal in which all Australians can aspire to is one where we become an independent nation on the world stage. 

A nation that values equality whilst acknowledging and understanding every individual who calls Australia home.

We cannot ignore history, but we can learn from it; using the good and being mindful of past mistakes will forge a stronger and unified Australian community.

An independent Australian nation where every member of society would feel proud to stand on the winner’s dais draped in our flag that represents trust, respect, understanding and acknowledgement. 

To celebrate on our nations day of independence will help bring us together as one society proud to be Australian and proud to call Australia home.

Peter Trivett
Melville

The Ed says: What a great time that would be to shake off our Colonial constitution and bring in a newy with a cracking preamble that recognises our long and proud history, and maybe an in-built Voice to Parliament? Pick a good date to make the change and you’ve also found yourself a new Oz Day?