Good Weekend letters to the editor: July 22

Helen Goh’s mandarin and yoghurt cake with cardamom syrup [June 24].Credit: Instagram/@ac_brite

Inside job

I think I learnt more about the inner workings of government from Jane Cadzow’s story [July 15] on political chiefs-of-staff than I have from watching the evening news every night. What a revelation. I knew so little about these behind-the-scenes operators who wield so much influence. As Cadzow writes in the story, “Tim Gartrell [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s chief-of-staff] is said to have greater sway over the government’s agenda than most cabinet ministers.” Who would have known? Lidia Ivanovski, Richard Marles’s former chief-of-staff, gives a fascinating insight into what political chiefs-of-staff actually do, from telling Marles he needs to get his eyebrows trimmed to full-on crisis management and being across government policy. It’s interesting Ivanovski is still good friends with Marles, and has coffee with him a couple of times a week. Former US president Donald Trump burnt through four chiefs-of-staff in just a single term, and one of those, John Kelly, had been one of the armed forces’ longest-serving generals. Kelly said in one interview his stint with Trump had been “the least enjoyable job” he’d ever had. If that doesn’t say something about Trump’s character, I don’t know what does.

Chris Brown

Erskineville, NSW

The provocateur

Drew Pavlou is a publicity-addicted stuntman who hurls incendiary bombs to ignite social media and press outrage via media saturation [July 15]. Placard-hoisting students screamed the refrain “Free Drew Pavlou!” to try to disrupt Kevin Rudd’s China Matters Oration at the State Library of Queensland. My earnest protest that “the audience wish to listen to Dr Rudd” fell on deaf ears. Only when Drew identified himself publicly to declare he was not in captivity was Rudd allowed the floor. Pavlou supporters’ sloganeering paled in comparison to Rudd’s in-depth appraisal of China and Australia-China relations.

Joseph Ting

Carina, NSW

My grandmother’s secret

Most families have a secret [July 15]. In London when I was four, my mum got a “poison pen letter” about my taxi-driver dad. It was written in green ink. It said he gambled with other drivers while waiting for fares on the rank. She only told me in her very later years.

Myra Fisher

Brighton East, VIC

Reflections

Dugald Jellie’s Kindling Spirit [July 15] was a wonderful reflection of his childhood memories, and those he’s still making today. One can imagine that one day, Arturo will also look back and remember this kind-hearted man who has given him so much more than the opportunity to play soccer and go on camping trips.
Judith Caine

Donvale, VIC

Dugald Jellie captured perfectly the joy of giving in his beautiful story. Not the gift of material things, but rather, the priceless gifts of time and shared experiences. In our often hyped, rushed, overly technical world, it is the generosity of others who offer different adventures or teach us new skills that often captivate and extend us, especially when we are young and impressionable. Arturo is fortunate to have shared a weekend in the bush. May we all reflect on positive childhood experiences that resulted from the generosity of others, and “pay it forward” as Dugald Jellie has done.

Amy Hiller

Kew, VIC

Good food

Baked farfalle with tuna, silverbeet and peas: what a fabulous, versatile dish from Karen Martini [July 15]. It will now be a family regular.

Susan Munday

Bentleigh East, VIC

ONLINE COMMENTS

Inside job

Reading Niki Savva’s book The Road to Ruin, Peta Credlin was far more than a pivotal power player during Tony Abbott’s prime ministership. She was practically responsible for its destruction, though I doubt anyone could save Abbott from himself. No Term Dutton.

What an interesting article. It sounds like a job suited to a small group of people. These chiefs of staff seem very loyal to whom they work for. And that is an admirable attribute – especially these days. Lloyd Braun

In the end, who has the power – the politician or their adviser? Who did we, the people, vote for? Sometimes I’m not sure how decisions are made. Steph

Yes, but having done a similar job for a bank executive, the loyalty is one-way. Discerning Reader

Fascinating read. Peta Credlin, though, was anything but little-known. I’m not sure that who he considered his greatest ally did him any favours, either. kimba

Want to chat? We’d love to hear from you. Send your letters to goodweekend@​goodweekend.com.au. Or send us a picture or Instagram one of Good Weekend in your life, using the hashtag #goodweekendmag.

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.