Yet again, George Brandis trots out the tired, tatty and misleading argument that the community independent candidates are some sort of secretive, fifth-column party threatening our parliamentary system (“For transparency, teals must reveal”, March 24). Carefully mansplaining to those simpletons who think the job of politicians is to respond to constituents’ concerns, he claims they are policy-light and have nefarious intentions. He obviously hasn’t listened to the many independents who have a clear message on policies that respond to their constituents’ concerns and values. Which party will they support if they hold the balance of power? It will be the party that has policies and puts forward legislation that will prepare this country for the next 50 years, not just policies that are short-term pork-barrelling in preparation for the next election. I’m sorry the exercise of the democratic process is making him feel “nauseated”. It’s hard when someone threatens your power, especially when you feel entitled to it. Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga
Teal appeal: Independent MPs Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel and Monique Ryan.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Wrong, George. In most political democracies, coalitions are formed only after the election results are known. All parties then know what their bargaining position is. Even the Liberals and Nationals only settle their coalition agreement when the election dust has settled – and then keep it secret. Talk about transparency. Ian Shepherd, Elizabeth Bay
It’s amazing how many commentators and politicians are narrowly focused on petty fights between the two major parties, as if that’s all that occupies voters’ minds. By contrast, the teals are driven by values distilled from their communities: action on climate change, integrity in politics, and gender equity. They prefer an inclusive round table where serious discussions can take place, not the tiny politics, miserable carping, damaging division, petty and stupid squabbles that “one side” or “the other” routinely display. The teals won’t fall for your old tricks, George Brandis. They represent a different, more thoughtful politics, which so many of us are responding to. Sue Young, Bensville
Independent means precisely what it says, independent. The teals are under no obligation to any party and have consistently shown they are a voice for their constituents and consider every policy tabled in parliament on merit, free from party control and influence. For Brandis to suggest this shows a lack of transparency is not only disingenuous, but is a clear example of deliberate disinformation. Joy Nason, Mona Vale
It probably should be expected that a George Brandis piece is going to be an attempted advertisement for the Liberal Party. But criticising independent, and especially the teal, members of parliament for being independent is a particularly obtuse abuse of logic. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow
George Brandis would have the teals reveal what major party they would support to form government before the election is called and before the Coalition reveals the substance of their policies, or any policies at all. The teals may be politicians, but they’re not that stupid. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill
Brandis has missed the point. Teals vote for legislation that aligns with the views of their constituents, not as dictated by their political party. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
Brandis thinks “the most important question of all” for the teals is who they would support in a hung parliament. In the absence of substantive policy detail from the Coalition, except their willingness to match popular Labor policy commitments, how is anyone able to decide? On their central energy policy – nuclear – the Coalition has run dead since November. Nationals Matt Canavan said last December that his colleagues were “not serious” about nuclear but that “it fixes a political issue for us”. Oddly, their shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, has repeatedly avoided the question of cost by saying it was “44 per cent less than the alternative”. For Brandis’ transparency, let’s see some from the Coalition. Fiona Colin, Malvern East
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
Price check
Ross Gittins explains the politics of why our supermarkets were hit with a wet lettuce by the ACCC (“I can smell the politics of this supermarket report”, March 24). The outcome was never going to be any different, however, because the ACCC admitted in the report that “We have not sought to determine whether the prices or margins of ALDI, Coles, Metcash (or its banner stores) and Woolworths are excessive. Having or exercising market power, or charging high prices, or obtaining high margins, is not prohibited by the Competition and Consumer Act.” Unless the government is prepared to establish price-setting bodies for oligopolistic industries (of which there are many) as it has done for energy prices, the capitalist free-market system will remain unfairly inviolable. The setting of maximum prices (profit margins) for food and other everyday consumables is just as necessary as it is with energy. Peter Thomson, Brunswick (Vic)
Ross Gittins for me is the doyen of economists, always seeing the truth behind the statistics – until now. How could he fall for the populist attack on some of our tallest poppies (Coles and Woolies)? He must know this attack is mainly a beat-up. The first myth is lack of competition. Perhaps true in some isolated regions, but not true in our major cities and large towns. In the lower north shore I can drive easily to two Coles stores, one Woolies, an Aldi, and about five large independent grocers. We shop at Woolies because it is easy to park, it has a good range and lowish prices, but occasionally buy the odd item at IGA. The 67 per cent duopoly isn’t because there is no competition, it is because 67 per cent of shoppers think the Coles/Woolies offerings most suit their needs. When in our free enterprise system has it been wrong to make a profit? For years, I worked in the grocery supply industry and had close relations with the big two. They were tough customers, especially Woolies, but I can assure you they were never in cahoots. Both regarded the other as their main competition. Actually, it is this fierce rivalry, plus the arrival of Aldi, that ensures prices remain low. If an ignorant government for populist political reasons tries to split Coles and Woolies into smaller groups, the inevitable result will be significant prices rises to compensate for increased costs. Andrew Caro, Greenwich
If the government tries to split Coles and Woolies into smaller groups, prices rises will follow, writes Andrew Caro.Credit: iStock
Time to tax the gas gougers
I’m pleased the Herald reported the fact that foreign gas companies are making a killing exporting our gas when we have possible shortfalls coming in 2028 (“Imported gas may be only option to plug east-coast supply shortages”, March 22). The claim that gas exports “fetched Australia nearly $70 billion in export revenue”, however, is a distraction. Australia doesn’t prosper based on volume or price of exports if the (mostly foreign-owned) companies doing the exporting don’t pay tax or royalties. Gas gougers are making eye-watering profits while not paying their fair share of tax. In fact, our taxes are paying them billions a year through the diesel fuel rebate. At the same time, climate change is escalating and our roads, hospitals and schools need better funding. It’s time to tax the gas gougers. Karen Lamb, Geelong (Vic)
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers drew attention to budget provisions for recovery from “natural disasters” in discussing the 2025 budget deficit. The frequency and severity of such events are increasing on account of climate change. But Labor, with enthusiastic support from the Coalition, approves the opening of new coal mines and fossil gas extraction – which will further increase natural disasters. Both parties also support subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, further adding to the deficit. Since 1996, Norway has been taxing its oil and gas sector profits at 78 per cent. Despite that, the industry is highly profitable. Norway’s entire net cash flow from the petroleum industry is transferred to the government pension fund, now holding assets worth $1.8 trillion – about $350,000 for every Norwegian citizen. In Australia, about 70 per cent of the value of gas exported is subject to no tax, the benefits largely flowing to foreign corporations. Current fossil fuel taxing and subsidy arrangements, and their inconsistency with climate policy, are obvious evidence that the two main parties are totally captured by the fossil fuel industry. I look forward to the federal treasurer in his budget address, and Peter Dutton in his response, justifying the current fossil friendly budgetary arrangements. John Rolls, Vale Park (SA)
A Norweigan gas platform in the North Sea.Credit: AP
Dour? No(r)way
While stressing that Norwegians are no more homogenous than, say, Australians, I’d just like to point out that, for most, a Norwegian upbringing stresses the virtue of respect for other people and their personal space and privacy (Letters, March 24). This may come across as being dour, as correspondent John Croker writes, though I think the word “reserved” is more apt. Norwegians acknowledge their good fortune of living in a tolerant and affluent society, which is evidenced by this small country often being one of the first to offer foreign aid amid disasters. It is well known for promoting world peace. Most Norwegians are happy (and know how to have fun), they just don’t shout it from the rooftops. Randi Svensen, Wyong
Data dumped
The ongoing cuts to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration are not solely about reducing the US budget deficit (“Trump cuts could affect storm prediction teams”, March 24). Hampering the collection of data in relation to climate change is part of the strategy to obfuscate the reality of global warming. The US president has directed that data indicative of climate change be removed from the federal government web pages. It will then be a simple matter of labelling any contrary information “fake news”. Before we can blink, there is no such thing as climate change: it is all, indeed, a hoax. Roger Epps, Armidale
Good sports
Can anything good come out of the US? Well, yes. On Sunday, the win by a team with a coach from the US in a game imported from the US for a moment lifted the spirits of many people in the Illawarra, as the Illawarra Hawks NBL team claimed only their second championship win in 47 years by beating Melbourne United in a come from behind 3-2 finals series victory (“Beaten Dellavedova’s amazing gesture as Hawks crowned NBL champions” March 23). The icing on the cake was United’s former US NBA star, Matthew Dellavedova, sportingly presenting his series MVP award to the Hawks’ Will Hickey. In all, a desert flower in these times. Paul Casey, Callala Bay
Have pass, will travel
The availability of good public transport has been opening the school horizon for years, allowing out-of-area children to access schools beyond their immediate area (“Metro rewrites school storyline”, March 24). Proximity to Redfern station allowed my daughter to travel to North Sydney back in the 2000s. Her fellow schoolmates in year 7 had never heard of Newtown. By the time she was in year 11, the Goth movement had opened their eyes and they were asking her to take them on tours of Enmore Road. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
Students travelling for free adds to the problem of overcrowding on trains, writes one reader.Credit: Nick Moir
It seems odd that at a time when the cost of constructing the Sydney Metro is blowing out and the pressure on the state government’s budget is increasing, it still provides free travel passes for private school students and students at selective schools to cross the city, many kilometres beyond their local comprehensive public school. If parents want choice, and choose to send their children to these far-flung schools, then they should not receive free travel. The impact of this generous free travel scheme is destroying local public schools, and it overcrowds public transport for fare-paying passengers. Mark Berg, Caringbah South
Power to redistribute
The PM has promised all households a $150 energy bill payment (“Australians to get $150 energy bill relief”, March 22). Our household has no need of this money, as we haven’t paid an energy bill for four years now. I will, however, gratefully accept these funds, and promptly donate them to Greenpeace, the ACF, Nature Conservation Council or any group working to save our precious natural heritage and environment – something that seems entirely beyond the two main political parties. Marie-Louise Dreux, Dulwich Hill
Ignore the racists
As a Polish Jew, I feel for Zoya Patel and her son (“According to these influencers, people like me are the problem with Australia”, March 24). Why do you look at TikTok and other such rubbish? Rather read a good book and live your life. Ignore the racists. I survived numerous primary schools here, and Canterbury Boys High from 1962 to 1967. I was that “bloody Jew” at football matches, a common attitude even among other ethnic minorities. You’ll survive too. Mark Propper, Bondi
Playing the bloc shot
The idea of the Commonwealth becoming again an active trade bloc has merit (except that Donald now wants in). Let’s not forget other options for forming new trading partner groups. For example, the Cricket Playing Nations bloc. The idea of trade impasses being sorted out by a quick T20 excites me. Perhaps a bloc based on the use of the letter U. Big decisions settled by a spelling bee. Oh, the options. Sharon Buckley, Blackheath
Win some, loose some
Your Tripologist, Michael Gebicki, has related an unfortunate encounter with travellers’ tummy, known throughout the world by names such as Delhi Belly or Motezuma’s Revenge (“Despite my long experience and best efforts, ‘Delhi belly’ got me”, March 24). I once travelled to Nepal for a trek to the Everest basin. The tour company issued a booklet, which included the fact that it was almost inevitable to become ill at some stage through the trip, adding that in Nepal, travellers’ tummy was known as “too loose to trek”. Peter Forrester, Bowral
Thousands of ads spruiking Botox and dermal fillers have breached Australia’s health advertising laws.
Thin lippy
Could someone please come up with a campaign strategy to make thin lips fashionable? That might help resolve both a health and an aesthetic problem in one go (“Fears over illegal cosmetic jabs ads”, March 24). Denis Hannigan, Toowoon Bay
No cheers for rioteers
Do we now pronounce it pat-riot-ism? (“Emboldened by Trump, US Capitol rioters seek retribution”, March 24). John Bevins, McMahons Point
Vale, Tony Re
I wish to advise of the passing of one of your regular letters correspondents, my friend and colleague Tony Re, of Georges Hall. Sadly, Tony died on March 21 after a brief illness. He had been in hospital undergoing treatment. Richard Sutton, Berala
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