If Donald Trump can be elected to lead his country for the second time, there’s every chance Peter Dutton can be elected to lead ours for his first (“Dutton takes the lead, but is he defying gravity?”, December 9). While Dutton may perform well as opposition leader – all he has to do is be overly critical of everything the government says and does – a win in the election would result in a very long list of broken promises for which he would undoubtedly blame Labor. While Labor will probably lose some seats, it is plausible that the Liberals may lose some of theirs to the teals, which could mean a hung parliament. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton Credit: Justin McManus
The PM endures a daily media blowtorch while Dutton goes unscathed. If Dutton is to be PM, he needs far more rigorous examination. Has he been grilled on his immigration policy, for example, or his economic plan? His nuclear plan is unfunded and unexplained, other than it will defund renewables and boost fossil fuels. Which government services does he propose slashing? His housing “policy” is inflationary and irresponsible. He’s negative and divisive on important issues that need mature consideration, the latest being his accusations of antisemitism against Albanese. Prime ministerial? Hardly. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Any government, particularly in the current economic and social climate, cannot make any impact without taking significant action to address problems the community faces. For example, a wholesale redevelopment of the social welfare system, a complete overhaul of the taxation and a complete review of defence spending and all our international relationships. It is in these areas that Labor is failing – as would the Liberals, were they in power. It is unfortunate that we have an electoral system that demands compulsory preferential voting rather than optional preferential voting. This system skews the poll results and enhances the two major parties that we have at the expense of community preferences. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie
It’s quite bizarre that so many people seem to think the Coalition would ease their cost-of-living pressures. Over the past three years, the Coalition has opposed many cost-of-living relief measures. The Coalition initially opposed modifying the stage 3 tax cuts. They voted against capping gas prices in 2022. They opposed every increase to the minimum wage. They sided with the Pharmacy Guild and opposed halving the cost of prescription medication. The list goes on. All were aided and abetted by certain sections of the media who appear to be on a mission to convince voters that white is black and Dutton has your back (if you have more than $3 million in super). Brendan Jones, Annandale
I’m disturbed by the emerging parallels between Australian and US politics. The public concern over our cost of living mirrors the US, which resulted in a Trump win, despite his vacuous, outrageous and racist policies. The Coalition opposition here is benefiting from the same concern without a hint of any policies to address this or any other issues, except spruiking a financially incoherent nuclear option. Please let us not go down the same populist route America is enduring. Darrall Cutting, Forestville
No-alition is misguided
The claim that just because sitting teals voted 75 per cent of the time with Labor/Greens indicates their vote is simply a support for a Labor/Greens alliance is a furphy (Letters, December 9). What is more telling is the legislation that was supported. The Liberal Party under Peter Dutton has done a fast trot to the right in conservative politics. The “no-alition” has opposed especially important social and environmental legislation without sound foundation. Paul Fletcher needs to be reminded that Bradfield, once one of the safest Liberal seats in the country, voted yes in the Voice referendum. The teals may well represent disaffected former Liberal voters, and that is what Fletcher and crew need to address, not wringing their hands over a hung parliament. Carolyn Pettigrew, Turramurra
Paul FletcherCredit: Cathy Wilcox
Isn’t there another way of looking at the teals’ voting patterns from the one put forward by Paul Fletcher? Perhaps they can see the nonsense in opposing a vote simply for the sake of it, as they have seen the Liberals do. Maureen Keady, Maroubra
If the teals voted with government 75 per cent of the time, that may be nothing more than supporting effective law proposals of the elected government. They, of course, voted no 25 per cent of the time. Sounds like voting on merit rather than for strategic purposes – fancy getting that from our elected representatives? Chris Downs, Stanwell Park
The teals do care about their community but they also care about what is the best for all Australians, and the No.1 issue is climate change. With the Coalition giving us a decade of neglect and obstruction on any attempt at addressing climate change for future generations, it is no wonder that the teals have had to work with groups that want to address this issue. Labor is the only major party addressing climate change, and with the teals looking at the checks and balances sensible legislation may be achieved. Ken Pares, Forster
It is irresponsible to call about 50 per cent of US voters in the US “deplorables” or unintelligent or conned for voting for Trump. The point is, don’t insult the voters. So the increasing number of the teal votes in Australia should not be characterised as the community being stupid or conned, as Paul Fletcher suggested with his “giant green-left con job” comments. Arvand Moddie, Mount Colah
Perhaps your correspondent should look more closely at the legislation that the teals supported, the amendments they proposed, the speeches they made. He might also read the newsletters sent by teals to their constituents. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
Your correspondent who attended the address by Paul Fletcher heard what he wanted to hear. Fletcher and his Coalition cohort epitomise what the statesman Talleyrand said of the exiled Bourbons: “They have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing”. Michael Frawley, Downer (ACT)
Dogged by reputation
Our want to anthropomorphise everything is itself a behavioural aberration (“Think your dog’s a good boy or girl? Think again”, December 9). It’s no great revelation that some dirt-digging, muck-raking researcher has found that essentially all dogs have behaviour issues. She may be a bit loopy but she’s lovely, so leave my pooch alone. A dog is a dog is a dog. Russ Couch, Woonona
Poor track record
Like a pressure-cooker, the recent outbreak of public servant pay claims can be laid entirely at the feet of the last NSW Coalition government (“Rail commuters face ‘delays, cancellations’ despite court blocking industrial action”, December 9). Its decision to limit the NSW Industrial Commission’s ability to award pay rises above 3 per cent while inflation was much higher was a recipe for future turmoil, which is now happening. It’s annoying that workers were restricted when companies made mega-profits and unseemly executive bonuses and salaries were rampant. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga
Class divide
Haven’t we just read about the elevated salaries at private schools and the millions of dollars in retained “earnings” at these schools which receive funding from the federal government (“Parents asked to pay $80K for teacher”, December 9)? It seems incongruous that Bondi Public School has had to go cap in hand to parents to attempt to raise a paltry (by comparison) $80,000 to pay for an apparently much-needed additional teacher. The late US economist Ken Galbraith referred to such a situation as “private affluence and public squalor”.
Stewart Copper, Maroubra
Man of action
This Trump character certainly has made an impact since winning the US election; Notre Dame has re-opened, the Assad regime has fallen, and Australia has levelled the Test series with India. Credit where credit is due. Barry Ffrench, Cronulla
President-elect Donald Trump in France at the re-opening of Notre Dame.Credit: AP
Stand together against intolerance
As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Victoria, I write to express my deep sorrow and condemnation regarding the burning of the Ripponlea Synagogue. This heinous act is not only a crime against the Jewish community but also an affront to the values of tolerance, respect and coexistence that are the bedrock of a harmonious society. Acts of hate and violence against places of worship should never be tolerated; they hold immense significance for communities, serving as sanctuaries of peace and spiritual reflection. Regardless of faith, we must all unite to uphold the sanctity of these spaces and work collectively to foster interfaith understanding and mutual respect.
I urge leaders, authorities and citizens alike to stand together in solidarity against such acts of hatred and reaffirm our commitment to creating a society where every individual feels safe to practice their faith. Let this tragedy serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and rejecting all forms of bigotry. Syed Moiz Mubashir, Clyde North (Vic)
It is simplistic or downright insulting to the Jewish community to attempt to downplay the significance of the incident at the synagogue in Melbourne a few days ago. The PM is to be applauded for labelling it as a terrorist incident. But we should recognise the fear and trauma emanating through that community at present, and seek to reassure them that they’re valued Australians. A greater police presence at churches and synagogues and mosques is required, otherwise the next time a building is firebombed or vandalised, the outcome could be tragic. Evan Parsons, Thornleigh
I strongly condemn the attack on the synagogue in Melbourne. This senseless act of violence against a place of worship is an attack on the core values of peace, tolerance, and respect that define our society. I call for a full investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. It is vital that justice is served to ensure such hate-driven acts do not go unpunished. Places of worship, regardless of faith, must be respected by all. Let us stand united in support of the Jewish community and uphold the safety and dignity of all religious spaces. Jazib Khalid, Cranbourne North (Vic)
Rabbi Laidl Wolff at the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, which was destroyed by fire in an alleged arson attack.Credit: Paul Jeffers, The Age
There is nothing to justify a brazen attack on a synagogue. No motive, no injustice, no act of revenge or supposed attempt to take an eye for an eye can be presented as an excuse to attack a place of worship. Australia was founded on the principle of giving everyone a fair go, and this attack goes against it in every way. I have high hopes that our law enforcement will bring the perpetrators to justice so that the Jewish community are reassured that they are safe to practice their faith as they please and without any fear of retribution. Naosheyrvaan Nasir, Quakers Hill
I am a descendant of a Jewish grandmother whose family fled the pogroms that swept Austria in the 17th century. So I have empathy and compassion for the members of the Adass congregation. However, I cannot unsee the widespread destruction, death and despair that the state of Israel is heaping on its neighbours. This in no way excuses or justifies the violence visited on the Adass synagogue, but violence has a context. That context is growing animosity in sections of the Australian community towards the state of Israel. The animosity is caused by grief and loss on a scale not seen in the Middle East and its diaspora for decades, if not a century. Could I respectfully suggest that ill-informed and opportunistic politicians keep their mouths firmly closed unless they have something educated, balanced and constructive to suggest? Richard Bryce, Shellharbour
Another new low in Australian politics: Peter Dutton singling out MP Josh Burns on the basis of being Jewish and accusing him of not standing up against antisemitism. This needs to be called out for the shameful act it is. Shaun Davies, St Peters
Energy antagonists owe an apology
I worked at the CSIRO for 27 years. Among my roles was part of a team that supported and monitored the quality of the organisation’s science (“Dutton, Joyce accuse CSIRO of bias in nuclear cost findings”, smh.com.au, December 9). To accuse CSIRO scientists of bias is ill-informed, offensive and irresponsible. Scientists can, at times, be difficult people. A scientist will not reach a conclusion without reproducible, credible data. They are careful to the point of pedantry in how they express their findings. Individual cases of scientific fraud are occasionally documented, but the idea that the entire organisation would conspire to deliver misleading conclusions is beyond ludicrous. There would be whistleblowers lining up to spill the beans. The ignorant accusations of Dutton and Joyce are motivated purely by political expediency and their desperate need to justify the unjustifiable. They should apologise. Tom McGinness, Randwick
Clear as.Credit: Andrew Dyson
Peter Dutton claims repeatedly that that his proposed nuclear power plants will provide cheap electricity. He is never challenged on this claim despite it being easily disproved. He says Australia pays some of the highest electricity prices in the world. This is simply not true. Of the 38 countries in the OECD, according to the Australian Energy Council, Australia has the 10th-lowest electricity prices. Even in France, home of many of Dutton’s beloved nuclear reactors, consumers pay more for electricity than we in Australia do. If such a simple metric is false, how can we believe anything else he says? Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic)
Peter Dutton is suffering some sort of cultural cringe when he states that “19 of the top 20 economies in the world” have nuclear power, with Australia as “the only outlier”. There’s a good reason many other countries use nuclear power. They have many large population centres over relatively small geographical areas, and they lack the renewable resources to do otherwise. Australia is the envy of the world because we don’t have to use nuclear power for energy. Why suffer its huge expense and polluting waste if we don’t have to? In Australia, we have large land areas and abundant renewable resources. How stupid would we be to adopt nuclear energy when we don’t need to? Julie Tipper, Hamilton
The world’s third-largest economy, Germany, closed its last nuclear power plant last year. Spain and Switzerland, the 15th and 20th economies, are phasing it out. Brazil (No. 8) started to build its third station in 1981; construction is currently suspended. China has dropped ambitious plans for nuclear and is building the renewable equivalent of five large nuclear plants per week. So really, nations with nuclear experience are getting out of it. Mr Dutton is being very economical with the truth. Lesley Walker, Northcote (Vic)
In choosing to attack our independent, trusted and world-recognised peak science organisation Dutton and Barnaby Joyce are copying directly from Trump’s playbook. Anyone for an injection of disinfectant? Casting doubt and throwing shade on people who have decades of research and expertise but no ability to respond is simply bullying, and the PM should call this disinformation out with full force. Martyn Frappell, Bulli
The CSIRO has released the latest costings for nuclear power for Australia, and they are obviously wrong or politically motivated. They neglected to take into account the cost savings realised when all street lighting can be turned off because of the glow. Ed Gaykema, Kiama
Green glee for Dutton
A thought-provoking piece by Daniel Cash (“Albanese just drove potential Gen Z voters further away”, December 9). The flaw, though, is that the only alternative is the Coalition, and many in their ranks have made it clear that they think climate change doesn’t even exist. The Greens might win a few seats on a protest vote but cannot dictate policy. Dutton must be reading this with glee.
Michael Blissenden, Dural
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