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I’m beginning to become more and more concerned about the momentum and rise of interest and support for One Nation. In much the same way that I was completely dismissive of any chance that Donald Trump would have been elected, my worry is that because of the current lack of confidence in the Coalition and Nationals comedy sideshow, there are many people disillusioned with what is now on offer. And with the worrying trend that the far right is becoming more of a force, it worries me that the intransigence of our major parties could potentially see the same spectacle that occurred in the US. Imagine One Nation securing the balance of power in the upper house in the next Victorian election.
David West, Essendon
Liberals need to focus
To remain viable, the Liberals need to think more long-term and strategically rather than fight among their factions and with their former Coalition partner. But who is going to lead and steer this change? Australia is undergoing a change from the old two-party system with special interest groups. The Liberals and Nationals find themselves not clearly having a position and are poles apart on major issues. Australia has a room for larger parties that represent the left (Greens), centre left (Labor), centre right (previously Liberal, now moderate Liberals and teals) and the right (One Nation clearly leading here).
If the Liberals want to regain power, a focus on centre right and retaking the ground filled by the teals and other independents should be their focus. Members with further right leanings should be let go or align with this vision. The right and One Nation are enjoying immense popularity now, but is this sustainable or just a protest vote?
The Liberals could then align with the Nationals or even the Greens to form a majority. Continuing down their current path of trying to please everyone on the right is not possible or sustainable. This is a big call, but they need to put a stake in the ground and position their party to one that is tenable and relevant for the rest of the century, but they need to reduce their breadth of potential appeal. If you appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.
Andrew Crane, Richmond
Labor, stop the gloating and get on with it
David Littleproud is correct. This infighting between parties should not be in public. We all know what’s happening so let them be to sort it out. The prime minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers are not doing themselves any favours by gloating in parliament. They are wasting our time and losing our respect with these schoolyard antics. Parliament is the space for governing, so get on with it. Silence and decorum around the Coalition problems would be far more effective for the Labor Party if they ignored it and went on about the business of running the country.
Susan Merrick, Dingley Village
It’s the Nationals who need to learn
Your correspondent (Letters, 5/2) states that if we listened to the Nationals, we might learn something. What I have learnt is that many of the Nationals don’t believe in climate change and thus they are against our struggle for net zero. This is from the electorates that are most impacted by climate change, where floods, droughts and fires impact them the most. I wonder when the Nationals are ever going to wake up to this existential fact.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
This opining is a tough ask
Referring to the dysfunctional, divided federal Liberal Party, the ever-optimistic ″Mr Fixit″ Christopher Pyne told the National Press Club this week that ″the ship will right itself‴. It would help if the crew were working together and respecting the captain’s directives.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
THE FORUM
Rethink Barracks sale
The federal government’s decision to sell the Victoria Barracks should be reconsidered.
This magnificent bluestone property is situated on arguably the most beautiful boulevard in Australia and set among other iconic buildings like the Shrine of Remembrance and the National Art Gallery. Although heritage-listed, it should not be sold to developers. Here is a chance to showcase something uniquely Australian and attract local, interstate and international visitors.
Christo Krousoratis, Templestowe
Deflating realisation
Angus Taylor speaking at an AUKUS event at parliament this week got me excited. Quote: “It is not always obvious to Australians that by spending money today we ensure against threats of tomorrow.“
Then I realised he wasn’t speaking about climate change.
Ian Holton, Yarraville
A folly called AUKUS
I am extremely disappointed that the government is selling off precious public assets. Could it be a rush to fund the $4.3 billion we promised the US to boost their submarine building capacity, an amount over and above the $368 billion we have to pay for the actual submarines?
Australia would be foolish to stick with this folly. Time to cut our losses and step back from the deal. No more AUKUS mirage for us. Time for a new plan.
Alison Spencer, Northcote
Where to for Liberals?
Here’s a tip for Liberals so bored with question time, such as Andrew Hastie who had Sun Tzu’s Art of War, that he reads the cover of the book (″Taylor pushes back″, 4/2). For some reason known only to them (all disaffected males), the entrenched right of the Liberal Party wants to move appearance and policy to the right, even the far right beyond the Nationals. Perhaps they just want to play leaders, like Sun Tzu, or think this is how to differentiate Liberals from Labor while looking more like One Nation every day.
But where did all those urban voters come from to colour the urban electoral maps so red? They came from voters who had voted Liberal but who now preferred Labor or independents. For Liberals to win a federal election they actually need to become more like Labor so voters can reassert their traditional voting intentions. Try telling this to a rusted-on Liberal. Do they really need a compass and a water-bottle to find the middle ground?
John Whelen, Box Hill Sth
Give Ley a chance
While I have a great deal of respect for columnist Niki Savva’s acute observations (Comment5/2) of the parlous state the federal conservative forces are in and have been for some time, I also feel she has been too savage towards Sussan Ley and her assessment of her leadership abilities. The alternatives for leadership, Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie have been scrutinised and in many respects have been found wanting. Taylor’s performance as shadow treasurer under Peter Dutton’s leadership was limp and counter productive. Hastie, charismatic but far too right for middle Australia to embrace electorally has demonstrated a capacity to throw bombs to the detriment of his moderate colleagues.
I hope the conservative media won’t tear down the Liberals’ first female leader in Sussan Ley. It’s so easy to be destructive, but far more challenging to offer leeway to a woman who seems desperate to carve out a middle ground and rid herself of the tail wagging the dog scenario she has had to deal with in respect of David Littleproud and Matt Canavan.
If she falls, her resignation from parliament is a possible outcome, and that’s a sad option for women in politics and a boost for misogyny in general.
Maurie Johns, Mt Eliza
A welcome move on ADHD
Thank you for the article “GPs called in to speed up ADHD treatment” (3/2).
Those initial 150 GPs will certainly benefit from the accredited training – as brief as it may be. Children and adults, parents and teachers may experience relief that at last education and support are available.
The challenges now and into the future are formidable. Neurodiverse pre- and post-menopausal women, in particular, require careful and considered support and a diagnostic tool not solely based on the DSM-5, the outdated gold standard for diagnosing hyperactive boys.
A prescription for medication alone is not the complete answer. Education, patience and support must be included. This needs to be a team effort.
A short course for selected GPs is a welcome start.
Catherine Ann Bearsley, Mt Waverley
Wasted millions
I drive around Albert Park lake regularly. This year, more and more structures are being erected for the four-day that it’s like a war zone. People should have a look at what the state government spends our money on. When I speak to people not from this area I find they have no idea that it costs taxpayers $100 million each year. And now further millions are spent to extend the pit buildings grabbing more of our park. The government can cut money from vital services and cry poor but has no qualms about this cost every year, but is the effect on our park that is the worst. Take this event to a purpose-built track. Albert Park is not for corporate takeover. This weekend if you get a chance go and have a look.
Just think how much could be spent on new rail etc in the west with these millions.
Nola Cormick, Albert Park
Inspirational feat
What an inspiring story of courage, strength, survival and love to read of 13-year-old Austin Appelbee’s four- kilometre swim and two-kilometre run to save his mother and siblings.
His love of family was so touching and what pulled him through. It’s stories like these that reinforce our belief in the importance of the simple things. What a role model for the rest of us.
Peter Russo, West Brunswick
Endless growth destroys
A declining birth rate should be seen as an opportunity rather than a crisis (Comment4/2). The Earth’s capacity to provide the resources we need has already been far exceeded, and future generations of people will increasingly struggle to thrive as they inherit chronic water shortages, biodiversity loss and climate extremes. Stabilising our population and implementing policies that reduce inequality are essential if our grandkids are to have a quality of life that we aspire to. We need to value the well-being of people and our planet ahead of endless economic growth.
Jennie Epstein, Little River
The upside of decline
There is one aspect of declining birth rate which is hugely significant – doesn’t it make the discussion about our immigration numbers redundant? Without considerable numbers of immigrants aren’t we going to run out of enough people to move our economy, and tax base, along?
Michael Helman, St Kilda East
Cartoon cuts through
Cartoonist Megan Herbert take a bow (5/2). You have produced a cartoon that cuts through the economic realities of an interest rate hike, necessary to cool down the economy, in a way that no business article (which doesn’t discuss the human element of economics) can. Unemployment is too low. We need more unemployment to stop our wealthy spending so much.
Julian Guy, Mt Eliza
Carving up our wealth
The discussion about capital gains tax is welcome. Australia has one of the lowest net tax levels (tax to GDP) of the 38 countries in the OECD (Australia is 29th).
We have slashed tax on high-income earners (the top rate was once as high as 67 per cent in 1970s) and we abolished death duties around that time, too. We now tax the real generator of wealth (capital gains) at a massively discounted rate. Even then, it is only paid by those who can’t escape it through concessions, discounts, loopholes, and exemptions.
And so here we are, with not enough revenue to provide basic services for our community such as dental, health, housing, public schooling and roads.
Meanwhile some groups, are increasing their wealth dramatically because much of it goes untaxed. According to Oxfam, the wealthiest 48 individual Australians now own as much as the bottom 40 per cent of the population. The bottom 20 per cent have less than 1 per cent of Australia’s household wealth.
We must make serious changes to ensure the great wealth of Australia is used for the benefit of all.
Tim Mahar, Fitzroy North
Slam this mistake
The changing of the tennis title ″major″, to a grand slam (Letters, 4/2) has also seemed incorrect to me. The grand slam has only been won six times, with Rod Laver winning two of them. This propensity for now attributing every player with a grand slam every time they win a major diminishes the accomplishments of the greats who won all four majors in the one calendar year. If Carlos Alcaraz does win all four majors this year, what will they call that great achievement, which is the true grand slam?
Margaret Pardon, Box Hill
Let us all be polite
In the Comment piece ″Obsessed with Politeness?″ (5/2), Fotis Kapetopoulos seems to have his Greek heritage hat firmly stuck on his head. The word “polite” comes from the Latin word politus, meaning polished or smoothed. I do, however, believe that there are few more important things than politeness. Civility and politeness go a long way to helping us all work collaboratively as a society.
David Norton, Balwyn
Australia, stand up
Donald Trump’s recent failure to criticise Vladimir Putin over the bombing of Ukraine must be criticised by Australia. We can no longer stand by while the US is an apologist for a vicious dictatorship.
Denny Meadows, Hawthorn
AND ANOTHER THING
Departures
″My intention is to serve out my term,” Sam Groth said. Foot fault Mr Groth!
Andy Wain, Rosebud
Taking the deputy leadership, then announcing you’re quitting, then quitting slightly early to cause an unnecessary byelection: can you serve a triple fault?
Rob Brown, Ooralea, Qld
Sam Groth: retired hurt.
Rob McCasker, Murdoch, WA
If a sitting MP resigns, they should have to pay for the byelection. The only acceptable reason for a member resigning and not fulfilling their term should be a health issue.
Christine Hammett, Richmond
Furthermore
The Liberals should reinstate the Wets and the Drys to remind them of the increased floods and bushfires they are continuing to ignore.
Greg Cuttin, What
The Coalition’s shadow cabinet certainly lives up to its name. Now you see them, now you don’t.
April Baragwanath, Geelong
Which is the Coalition’s greater sin – being a terrible opposition, or allowing One Nation to become a credible alternative?
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale
The way house prices are going, will the Californian bungalow be overtaken by the Bunnings bungalow now the hardware chain is selling flatpack homes?
Des Files, Brunswick
Megan Herbert’s cartoon (5/2) summed it up perfectly. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank people automatically press the ″Rinse and Repeat″ button.
Geoff Schmidt,Richmond
The streets of Minneapolis and Donald Trump demonstrations are becoming eerily reminiscent of the Vietnam War and Richard Nixon demos.
Greg Lee, Red Hill
Finally
I suggest (Letters, 5/2) that a small fall in interest rates be described as a ″plummet″ or ″plunge″.
Simon Thornton, Alphington
