Although David Littleproud and Bridget McKenzie are keen to stick with nuclear, it’s clear that cracks are starting to appear in the Coalition wall (“Scrap nuclear: Key Liberal senator wants radioactive energy plan buried”, May 7). And rightly so. It’s the very idea of cracks appearing in reactor walls that have turned the public off nuclear. That, and the exorbitant cost. And the unrealistic timeframe. And the extra emissions from delaying the closure of coal-fired power stations. Indeed, it’s hard to think of a single reason the Coalition would want to stick with nuclear, other than to keep the climate deniers in the National Party onside. Ken Enderby, Concord
Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
I am intrigued that none of the election postmortems mention what I think is the single most critical reason for the Liberals’ plight; the National Party. The Nationals have morphed from being defenders of the admittedly neglected needs of Australia’s rural population into becoming an advocacy group for stridently right-wing elements in the mining and corporate farming sectors.
This tight little band of bigots has a disproportionate influence on the Coalition, largely because of the secret agreement they made with the Liberals that governs the coalition itself. Nuclear power is but one of the absurdist policies the Nationals have foisted on the Coalition and was quickly seen by the electorate for the stratagem it is – to delay alternative energy decisions so fossil fuels continue to rule.
Why have not just women but all the major cities deserted the Liberal Party in droves? It is simply because the Liberals are seen as being in the thrall of the Nationals, a party which has one clear aim, namely self- aggrandisement. Clear the decks, Liberals, and return to your roots of championing individual and corporate rights and freedoms. It would be initially traumatic but eventually more fulfilling than trying to rebuild a “broad church” from the decrepit tin shed the Nationals have left you! James Archibald, Enmore
If the Coalition had indeed another four or five James Patersons, Labor may not have romped in as it did, or possibly at all! Watching Paterson articulately navigating his way through some challenging interviews revealed a young man with the diplomacy of a seasoned ambassador, the wisdom of Solomon, and the intellectual footwork of a graceful ballet dancer! However rather than poring over what went wrong with their campaign, a process that keeps the Liberal party machine gazing inwards, they might more intently examine what were the elements in the Labor Party’s campaign that gave rise to its landslide victory. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay
Those regions which not politically roused by an inadequate climate change policy are one unprecedented fire, flood, drought or cyclone away from being roused. Greg Thompson, Bega
The Coalition would be well advised to support Maria Kovacic in her call to dump their nuclear energy policy and provide bipartisan support for renewables as outlined by the government. Such cooperation would provide more certainty and stability for investors and could make Australia a world leader in renewable technology. Australia has the geographic advantages that other countries, especially those in Europe don’t have. The climate change-deniers in the Coalition might then need to accept the science of climate change. Brian Parker, Terrigal
Cycling home yesterday from the CBD, breathing in the ubiquitous noxious petrol fumes, I reflected that my commute would have been so much more pleasurable and healthy had, for example, Abbott not destroyed Gillard’s carbon tax or Morrison’s ridiculous “they’ll end your weekend” attack on EVs had not been so successful in 2019. Let us hope the Albanese government is now sufficiently emboldened to meaningfully address the “great moral challenge of our generation”. Kate Lumley, Hurlstone Park
One issue that needs urgent attention in a postmortem on Saturday’s election is the hard to follow preferential system of voting which was accompanied by an unacceptably high percentage of informals in some seats.
Thousands of Australians who voted have not had their voices heard nor their choices registered because of the avalanche of informal votes in many seats. The rules of voting set out by the Electoral Commission required all boxes to be sequentially numbered except for one square which would be treated as a last preference. In some seats with multiple candidates this was almost the equivalent of filling in a jig saw puzzle. The result was a high percentage and range of informal votes.
In Queensland, one of the lowest levels was in the seat of Lilley with six candidates and an informal count of 2.7 per cent. In McPherson, with 12 candidates, 7.8 per cent of the votes were informal. In NSW the informal vote in Wentworth was a low of 2.6 per cent while in Blaxland it was 10.79 per cent.
Given that some seats will be determined by a mere handful of votes, it is surely a tragedy that in many seats the informal votes topped 5000, and in one seat almost 10,000. The wastage of votes suggested an optional preferential system would result in a better reflection of political choices of the entire voting population with voters choosing to vote only for the candidate, or candidates, of their choice, but not necessarily all candidates. Surely these figures cannot be defended on the basis that what happened on Saturday is how democracy works. Bryne Smith, Gold Coast
Unless a Senate candidate has secured a quota they must endure a far longer wait than House candidates for a result. The Constitution and its interpretation by the High Court make simplification of Senate voting difficult. The Senate ballot paper-format and accompanying voting rules have been changed by parliament and contested in the courts many times. The parliamentary committee on electoral matters must again review the Senate ballot paper and voting rules as there is still a major inconsistency.
The AEC website advises we “must choose ... to vote ‘above the line’ or ‘below the line’, you cannot do both”. Immediately below is the confusing advice about “above the line” – “If you vote above the line you can vote for a party or group or a person not in a party or group”. The latter are only listed below the line. The inconsistency influenced my vote. The ballot paper and instructions need a redesign. Peter Egan, Mosman
Christopher Pyne has a useful bag of ideas designed to “fix” his party (“Voters gave my party a lesson. We Liberals can no longer cover our ears”, May 6). Did Dutton seriously think a religious sect who refuses to allow its members to vote and who turned up in Liberal shirts and harassed voters was a vote-winner? Similarly, the always-lazy party just picked up policies from the Minerals Council, BCA, coal lobbies, right-wing think tanks and Gina Rinehart; nothing to do with that “broad church”. And allowing themselves to be a voting system for Murdoch and Sky was just so dumb. As for the Nationals; whatever ideas they come up with, just say no. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights
Christopher Pyne you’re a dreamer. In fact the Liberal Party is no longer fit for purpose. I don’t recall its last decent policy. Your politicians are just that, politicians. They are not representative of our society. You want the party to be agnostic on social issues and conservative on economic issues, generalisations that don’t mean much. They suggest though that your party doesn’t really care about the impact of your decisions on individuals. Robo-debt was a good example. Your recent parliamentary leaders have been abysmal. Your party doesn’t have a heart. You’re a boys club. Grow up. Do you want to make Australia a better place, or just make your own lives better? Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Gina Rinehart is exhorting the Coalition to double down on Trumpist policies as they regroup. I was someone who handed out ALP how to vote cards last Saturday, and for the first time in my life, I loudly proclaim that I am with Gina (on this one). Joe Weller, Mittagong
Poor old Libs, what choices they have for a new leader? Angus Taylor, who as shadow treasurer will always be remembered for the cock up calculation he made of his attack on Clover Moore. And poor old Dan Tehan, who will not be remembered for anything at all. Coral Button, North Epping
‘Tutoring’ an easy way to pay teachers less
Dr Ben Zunica is spot on with the coaching industry (“Hiring a tutor for your children is like sending them to the wild west”, May 7). It does need reform and regulation starting with ensuring qualified teachers are employed and paid appropriately. Content and methods should also be reviewed.
It is time to limit the reach of colleges and extend better provision for high-achieving students in all local schools. A better answer would be to do away with selective high schools and opportunity classes, provide smaller school classes and give students the opportunity to be taught and learn effectively. Augusta Monro, Dural
Riot police were called to the selective schools test at Canterbury on Friday.
I agree with the above article regarding college tutoring. Having worked for three colleges; few employ qualified, experienced retired teachers who are paid more. Many employ university students who are not yet qualified or worse, achieving HSC students who may have excellent grades but are not qualified teachers and who may have never read a syllabus or program. Of course these “tutors” are paid less. Patricia Miller, Bexley
Concerns to regulate the tutoring industry are well-founded with many children at risk of growing anxiety and mental illness in attempting to reach impossible heights. However, many more are suffering with “holes” in their learning through illness, family break-ups and movements and even caring roles by children. For these children, additional tutoring proves very valuable. Many of these children are failed by the education system, but they could be helped by regulating tutoring for need rather tutoring systems merely promoting access to selective schools. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
I retired 13 years ago, but even then it was common to “encourage” students to do easier subjects in order to get Band 6 results for the school (“The ‘unfair’ HSC system distorting the subjects students choose”, May 7). A fairer method is to look at the ATARs achieved by the school and not the number of Band 6 results. A high Band 4 in Physics or Advanced Maths contributes just as much as a low Band 6 in an easy subject. I taught what is considered a hard subject but have family members who teach some of the “easy” subjects. I encourage my own grandchildren to choose subjects they love and are interested in. They will get a good ATAR if they pursue their interests, regardless of whether the subject is “easy” or not. However, they may not get the recognition for their hard work if they do not get a Band 6 because they have chosen “hard” subjects. Colleen Northam, Taree
Hope is needed for it warns
Matilda Emmerich’s painting, Where Hope Sits, is a challenging and thought-provoking artwork (“Teen artist striving for ‘hope’ during global wars banned from show”, May 7). Rather than be rejected by her local agricultural show, it should be hung in the National Gallery of Australia as a confronting and insightful work on the nature of the world today. Leo Sorbello, West Ryde
Detail of Where Hope Sits, a painting by 16-year-old Matilda Emmerich. The work weighed 4.5 kilograms and measured 57cm x 76cm.Credit: Matilda Emmerich
Before being killed in the last week of WWI, Wilfred Owen wrote “All a poet can do today is warn. That is why the true poets must be truthful.” Apparently Emmerich’s painting showed “the image of their flags being desecrated”. May I assure the upholders of the “purity” of the flags that the symbols have not been desecrated by the painter but by the actions of those who committed war crimes under the cover of their flag.
I grieve for a country where hope is banned; after 110 years of fighting for a “land fit for heroes” we have a land of old men, who would kill the seed “one by one” by repeating the mistakes of the sleepwalkers. We need hope – which is why I am writing this letter. Laurie Aldridge, Woonona
Taxpayers to foot the tab
I read with interest the proposal by the Australian Turf Club for the NSW Government to pay out billions of dollars up until 2041 for the land situated at Rosehill Gardens racecourse (“The Sydney housing plan we’ll be paying billions for until 2041”, May 7). Part of the proposal to ATC members is that they will each receive five years of free membership and a $1000 food and beverage voucher to be spent on track each of those years. If the government agrees to buy the land, it will have directly financed race club members attending the races for free and drinking copious amounts of alcohol while they do it. This hardly seems like a good use of taxpayer money. Kieran Fitzgerald, Potts Point
Rosehill racecourse would be replaced by housing if sold to the state government.Credit: Getty
Imperfect but extraordinary
Your correspondent is right to call for more nuance on Israel and Gaza but that nuance should apply across all conflicts, including atrocities that her letter did not mention, such as those in Sudan, Syria and India (Letters, May 7).
Australia’s recent election result – a landslide win for a centre-left party – suggests voters are more focused on cost of living, social cohesion, and housing, not imported polarisation and culture wars.
After a year in which both the far-right and far-left tried but failed to divide Jewish and Muslim Australians, the electorate has rightly rejected this divisive rhetoric in favour of what unites us: our imperfect but extraordinary multicultural country.
The ALP now has a mandate to focus on economic equality, climate action, closing the gap and democratic stability in a world frayed by rising extremism. Condemning oppression – whether by Hamas or the Israeli far-right – remains vital. The language and policies of Israel’s extremist ministers are not only morally repugnant; they endanger Jews and Palestinians alike.
But Australians, many of whom fled conflict themselves, want calm, not chaos. What they crave is not a side to cheer for, but a future they can believe in. Simon Tedeschi, Newtown
Dust to dust
I do hope that Elon Musk’s education included study of Shelley’s famous poem, Ozymandias. (“Welcome to Starbase: The world’s richest man is making his own city”, May 7). I am fondly picturing a future for the arrogant colossus, destined to lie in the dust of history. Lorraine Hickey, Green Point
How big is an elephant?
I can get my head around imperial units like pints, pounds, and perches, but really struggle with the ever-evolving metrics of the SUMU (simplified units for media users) system used to help readers visualise humungous things. Does anyone know how to convert elephants (“Big enough for 30,000 elephants, major Sydney metro station reaches milestone”, May 8) to olympic swimming pools or MCGs? Peter Fyfe, Enmore