After a record-breaking defeat, the election of their first female leader must have restarted the pulses of many a Liberal supporter (“Ley takes charge of Libs,” May 14). In her first press conference, Sussan Ley acknowledged faults in their campaign and the need for unity to rebuild. Then both she and deputy Ted O’Brien immediately launched into the very behaviours that led to their worst defeat, namely the demeaning of their opponents, calling them weak, ineffective and more. The voting public made it clear that they are sick of this relentless negativity. To make it worse, they then raised the nuclear argument – hardly the time to raise such a contentious issue when you have just said that everything was on the table for review. Not a promising start. John Gelling, Merimbula
Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien at a press conference this week.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
A strong opposition is so fundamental to our system of government. Promoting Sussan Ley, a centrist woman, was a blessing. Hopefully, she can keep the right-wing conservatives in a box for long enough to allow her some momentum. However, listening to Ted O’Brien prosecute the nuclear option during the campaign was hopelessly unconvincing. I fear that by selecting O’Brien as her deputy seems to suggest she will endorse nuclear, which will surely keep the Liberals in their cave for some time. Bruce Hall, Avalon
It’s a step forward for the Liberal Party to finally choose a female leader. As federal environment minister in 2022, however, Sussan Ley fought in court to deny that she had a duty of care to protect young people from the climate crisis. Is this really the sort of leader Australians want? Amy Hille, Kew (Vic)
Ted O’Brien seems to think his elevation to Liberals deputy leader involves becoming platitude maker in chief. He speaks with conviction of Liberal values, as though they shape policy – “with effort comes reward”. Those who remember when the Coalition was last in office will reflect that they gave us robo-debt, sports rorts and colour-coded spreadsheets so government funding could be directed to their supporters. In the most recent election, they seemed to think people would vote for them just because they claimed they would be better than Labor. It’s time for less banality and a serious reflection on what actions they will propose to provide a genuine alternative government. Bruce King, Rushcutters Bay
Congratulations to Sussan Ley on becoming the first female leader of the Liberals. Congratulations also to Jacinta Nampijinpa Price for best headline grab for her ambition-driven defection to Angus Taylor. Apparently even more headlines were grabbed at Sky News, where she said “there were many Australians” who wanted her to be prime minister. Really, Jacinta, I must watch this Sky News to see just how the other half think. Mark Nugent, Lugarno
The fact that Liberal insiders were so concerned about the last campaign that they leaked information about the handing over of party data to the Exclusive Brethren suggests deep divisions about the party’s direction under Dutton (“Exclusive Brethren made nearly a million calls for the Liberal Party,” May 14). We can only hope the new leader can set a new course. What may surprise is that it is not illegal for political parties to disclose internal personal data, even though it is for companies. Nor is it illegal for politicians to lie in campaigns. Both major parties have resisted moves to stop that. There is a lot that is right about our democracy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve it. We are indebted to the Herald’s journalists for breaking this story. The Herald is one of the few remaining sources of investigative journalism and we need that more than ever in these troubled times. Gary Barnes, Mosman
Carolyn Pettigrew, a win for the Liberals in Bradfield might well be sad news for many in the electorate (Letters, May 14), but it’s good news for many more. So far, Gisele Kapterian has 38.22 per cent of the vote, Boele has 27.12 per cent. It’s only because of our absurd preferential voting system that she got anywhere near the Liberal candidate. But a vote for Labor or the Greens was a vote for Boele. It’s a pity, because according to her manifesto Boele would have reduced taxes, lowered the cost of childcare and housing and saved the planet – all while not actually being in government. Malcolm McEwen, North Turramurra
“Gladys Berejiklian’s protege”: The Liberal candidate at the federal poll for Bradfield, Gisele Kapterian.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Reality check. Describing Liberal MP Gisele Kapterian’s win in Bradfield as on “a razor-thin margin” needs to be tempered with the fact that Gisele received about 12,000 more primary votes than any other party. It was the preference vote system that made it a close call. Kate Foot, Concord
Correspondent Rosemary O’Brien says there are talented people within the Liberal Party (Letters, May 14). Who are they, why didn’t they contest the leadership and where have they been hiding for the past three years? Alexis Lander, Kensington
Could Rosemary O’Brien identify the “talented people within the Liberal Party”, or would their identification be a kiss of death for their political aspirations? David Gordon, Cranebrook
Plibersek perfect for new role
I was a bit disappointed by Tanja Plibersek’s new portfolio as Minister of Social Services, but after reading Jenna Price’s article I see it in a different light (“New role a perfect fit for Plibersek,” May14). She will do well in it. The photo accompanying the article also said a lot. The look between Plibersek and Governor-General Sam Mostyn captured a moment of two respected and respectable high-profile women displaying kindness and loveliness, something we rarely see between politicians. Good work, ladies. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
Tanya Plibersek as minister for social services gives me hope that funding and action will be delivered to reduce domestic violence in Australia. She has talent, experience, emotional intelligence and integrity in bucketloads. She is the sort of politician we all wish for. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Labor would do well to look to other countries for ideas about providing housing for the disadvantaged. For example, since 2020 Ireland has had a policy that 20 per cent of all new housing developments must be designated for social and affordable housing. This is part of the country’s broader “Housing for All” strategy, which aims to provide more homes for the not so well off and to promote sustainable communities. Gillian Baldwin, Windradyne
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek during a swearing-in ceremony of the new ministry at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
If Ron Sinclair thinks the current Labor government is a party of the centre-left he must have a very short memory (Letters, May 14). Privatisation of the banking sector, technical education and aged care provision have all occurred on Labor’s watch. The environment is being sacrificed in the name of a “big Australia”, which will primarily benefit the big end of town. None of that could be characterised as left of centre. John Croker, Woonona
E-bike danger is real
Your many correspondents expressing concern about e-scooters and e-bikes (Letters, May 14) should note that, within the last couple of days, an elderly man has died after being struck by an e-bike in a Melbourne bayside suburb. The apprehension about these machines is shared by many of us in this part of the world. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley (Vic)
So, the perturbations pertaining to pedestrians and pedallers persists. For my own part, as a pedestrian and a cyclist, I have had my share of near misses on footpaths, shared paths and on the road. Generally, I find that shared paths work well when everyone keeps to the left and looks where they are going. However, for those who insist on wearing earbuds or headphones and staring at their phone, no amount of bell ringing and verbal warning serves any purpose. Don’t get agitated if I “whoosh” past on my bike. Now, don’t get me started on dogs off-leash. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale
I am an old man with mobility issues. When I visit Canberra I ride an e-scooter and enjoy accompanying my grandkids on their long walks around the lake. Early this year I attended a forum on e-bikes conducted by NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman and MP Simon Kennedy. I got up to speak in favour of legislating for the use of e-scooters. I stood up and faced a hall of 120 angry old people. I looked over a sea of bald and grey heads to speak in favour of e-scooters. A few waved for me to stop and sit down. When I did sit down, the old man next to me got up and moved to a seat further away from me. Later, when mingling with the crowd, I met some people who did not believe in climate change, some people still only using cash, and some people who were obviously past their use-by date. By the way, you can ride your private e-scooter at all locations in Victoria, including the Melbourne CBD. This also applies to South Australia. NSW is once again late in adapting to change. Alan Nicholas, Sandringham
The new e-scooter legislation is government catching up. E-scooters have been available for years and numbers are growing rapidly. Crowded “stroads”, inadequate footpaths and shared paths, congestion and macho individualism create tense interactions. We need to invest in better infrastructure now. NSW needs to develop community wide, inclusive, active transport to ensure safety for all, which will help to curb the worst of our selfish street behaviour. Tim Coen, Ashfield
So the minister is going to allow e-bikes to share footpaths. Really? She might want to walk down King Street, Newtown on a Saturday afternoon to see how that will work. She might even have a bike rider spit in her face, as happened to me when I didn’t get out of his way fast enough. Harold Scruby, where are you when we really need you? Rebecca Kaiser, Erskineville
Time for sanctions
Israel’s Foreign ministry spokesman casts doubt on the opinion of international analysts about the state of famine that Israel is inflicting on the entrapped population of Gaza (“High risk of outright famine in Gaza,” May 14). But now, thanks to Palestinian reporters risking their own lives, we witness emaciated and dying children and babies on our television screens every day. These scenes are simply unbearable. Surely it’s time for Western governments to follow Norway’s lead and impose sanctions on Israel: the very least that we can do towards saving thousands of innocents. Caroline Graham, Cromer
Communal kitchens handing out cooked meals are virtually the only remaining source of sustenance for most people in Gaza.Credit: AP
Destruction doesn’t pay
How exciting to read that Edward Hoddle, an expat in London, organised the Koala Gala to raise money to preserve koalas and their habitat in Australia (“The koala has crashed the party – and London’s elite are paying attention,” May 13). This event raised more than £100,000 at what they hope will develop into a Big Give funding campaign. This was to be a chance for “Australians and their friends in the UK to reconnect with our roots and give back”. But how disappointed I was to discover on page 22 an opinion piece by Darleen Bungey detailing that over half of the area designated for the Great Koala National Park has been logged by Forestry Corp (“Koalas and taxpayers betrayed by NSW old-growth forest destruction,” May 13). This company, owned by the NSW government, runs at a huge loss. So the koalas lose habitat and the logging company isn’t making money. Sounds like a double negative to me. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights
Doctors’ fees crook
As a pensioner, I was quite shocked after a doctor’s appointment yesterday to receive an $8 additional “practice fee” a tax imposed on practices by the NSW government, which the patients end up paying, of course. So all up the charge was $83 for a short consultation (the “fee” increases with length of consultation). Yet my doctor’s visit is necessitated annually by the NSW government in order for me to obtain medical clearance for my driving licence. What is all this I hear about bulk-billing and reducing costs to the consumer? Hogwash. Janet Cook, Waverton
Fake crisis
Reading Ross Gittins’ column reminded me of a boss I once had who said if you ask people “what’s wrong?” they will dig up something – anything – just to complain. I feel that’s the case with the “cost of living crisis” that nearly became a deciding factor in the election (“Cost of living can go back in its box,” March 14). The reason this “crisis” could not sustain momentum against the Albanese government was because the Australian electorate reads the news. It correctly attributed inflation to the supply chain issues caused by the Ukraine war, the cash splurge to support the economy during COVID, a sudden surge in demand post-COVID and recently due to the uncertainty in the markets as a result of Donald Trump’s policies. In addition, people see the monetary policy of rising interest rates as a decision made by the RBA, an independent body, and hence are more forgiving of these. Australians don’t need three-word slogans to explain the world. That’s why nuclear energy policy, Trumpian rhetoric and the demonising of migrants didn’t work. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
Engaging news
Reading Steve Gambling’s letter about wedding dresses (Letters, May 14) reminded me of visiting a Chester Hill jeweller decades ago. Being a sociology graduate, I was curious about local “participation rates” within the younger community. “Is there a big demand for wedding rings?” I asked innocently. “No,” he replied, “but they seem to get engaged a lot.” Mike Fogarty, Weston (ACT)
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