After another day of baiting, blaming and bulldust from the mouths of the prime minister and opposition leader, the collective voters’ sigh of frustration and disappointment becomes just that bit louder (“Get set for a bitter election campaign, fuelled by fear not hope”, January 14). As outlined by Matthew Knott, the electorate is far from inspired by the two would-be PMs and is far from content why the only choice is between the “weak or nasty”. On the one hand, PM Anthony Albanese is showing all the signs of having been in politics for too long, has fulfilled his lifelong ambition, and presents as a compelling example of the Peter Principle. Albanese has allowed himself to be unfavourably characterised with descriptors he will never now throw off, and it is abundantly clear that he is winding down to retirement. On the other hand, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton daily embellishes his image as a stereotypical Queensland copper, resorting to inflaming base attitudes and prejudices relating to minority racial groups while stoking fear and resentment through exaggerated statements of the prevailing circumstances in our community. The shortcomings of both Albanese and Dutton are obvious for all to see, and over the next few months those missing skills and abilities will be further exposed. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
Anthony Albanese has branded Peter Dutton as ‘mean and nasty’ as the Coalition ignites new culture wars.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer, Oscar Coleman
Dutton thinks he’s on to a winner, labelling Albanese weak while he is “strong” like Trump, we are meant to infer (“PM hits back at ‘mean’ Dutton in the culture war”, January 14). But what is weak to Dutton might look like strength to others. Strength is seeking to unite, not divide with peripheral issues. Strength is having fully costed sensible policies that don’t distract with outrage and grievance. Strength is resisting the fearful narrative and not peddling disinformation. Strength is not attributing your own negativity, divisiveness and pettiness to your opposition. Strength is rejecting prolonged fossil fuel extraction. Strength is refraining from incendiary talk to score political points from the Middle East conflict. Dutton looks weak to me, not Albanese. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Peter Dutton launched what was effectively an election campaign with what I considered to be a fine speech. He highlighted his personal background, the inadequacies of the Albanese government and the policies he will enact if he becomes prime minister. Yet, the following day, the Herald published 12 letters to the editor critical of the opposition leader and not one in support (Letters, 14 January). If this weight of opinion is reflective of the electorate, the Coalition is headed for the greatest defeat since federation. Louise Dunbar, Cammeray
What is a “strong” leader? One that doggedly sticks to retrograde energy policies and stubbornly ignores scientific advice? One that discards nuance and rails against the vulnerable? One that analyses voters’ concerns and prosecutes those with the greatest political effect? Or is a “strong” leader one that empowers a team and delivers election promises despite the political cost? Peter Hill, East Ballina
Press reports indicate that Dutton chose his “soft launch” here in Mt Waverley, Victoria, centre of the electorate of Chisholm, on Sunday because we electors of Chisholm are seen as a key swing seat. Yet, there was no prior notice to the electors of his impending visit – another “party members only” affair behind closed doors with no opportunity for the electors to meet or ask any questions of this aspiring PM. The tendency of political leaders to see themselves as above speaking directly to the people whose votes they covet is one of the more regrettable aspects of the current political world. Political apparatchiks are not an acceptable substitute. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley (Vic)
Albanese’s candid and thoughtful communication style is just one of his qualities. Let’s hope he doesn’t lower his stature by resorting to Trump-like insults. We know what we think anyway and are grateful for our prime minister rising above the dirt. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove
The nonsensical beat-up about citizenship ceremony dates again reinforces Dutton’s deliberate race-based obfuscation of the truth. A quick glance will demonstrate councils all over the country hold those ceremonies at regular intervals throughout the year, and many have justifiably decided that such a divisive date as 26 January should not be held sacrosanct. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow
Peter Dutton wants citizenship ceremonies returned to Australia Day, but many councils want to avoid such a divisive date. Credit: Paul Rovere
Nothing says proud Australian like refusing to stand in front of the flags of Indigenous Australians or making citizenship ceremonies mandatory on Australia Day. Coercive nationalism is a good fit for Peter Dutton and the LNP. John Bailey, Canterbury
There are many people qualified to lecture Anthony Albanese on how to prevent racist attacks in Australia. Peter Dutton is not one of them. The PM should refuse to be lectured on racism by that man. Bart Fielden, Lindfield
The worth of wealth
Your article (“Sara’s parents own two homes, but she won’t buy until she’s 80. Here’s why”, January 14) is misleading. You compare how much people have inherited between the ages of 50 and 70 with what younger people have inherited between the ages of 20 and 40 and then state that younger people are experiencing a tougher life. It has always been the case that if we are to inherit anything, it will probably be when we are older, as it usually only happens when our parents die. The people I know who are younger and have already inherited unanimously agree that they would prefer their parents still with them rather than having the money. If the Herald wants to compare the generations, I would suggest they look at the situation of each generation at the same age rather than twist the statistics to create intergenerational conflict. Judy Christian, The Ponds
I am a Baby Boomer, and when I got married in the 1980s, I could not afford a house in Sydney, so I moved further out and commuted to the city. My parents did not own two homes like Sara’s, and I had no opportunity to go to university until I was in my 40s. My super contributions did not start until halfway through my working life. Today I am ok, but who is better off I ask you? I am sure when Sara is my age, she will be ok too. Julie Droguett, Berkeley Vale
No easy choices on homes
Sorry, there’s no easy way to increase housing affordability (“There’s an easy way to increase housing affordability. But voters will hate it”, January 14). The solutions canvassed here are naive and simplistic. Increasing wages so that would-be home owners can pay more won’t do anything but increase prices and inflation. Decreasing interest rates would mean that buyers will be able to borrow more and push up prices for existing homes even further. Removing negative gearing and capital gains concessions to encourage investors to “leave” the market (and so increase the number of homes available for family buyers) is but pie-in-the-sky thinking in an election year – it’s a sure path to political suicide. There’s only one way out of a housing mess where demand increasingly exceeds supply – build more houses. Period. Our governments are not even passably good at doing that or encouraging the market to do so. The time for talking is long since past: It’s time to judge our pollies on results, not promises. Tim Lenehan, Ballalaba
Intergenerational wealth transfers could become the deciding factor for young people like Sara Chaturvedi when deciding to enter the housing market.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Mentally-ill treated like second-class citizens
The Minns government is refusing to budge on the psychiatrists’ request for a pay rise, putting patients with mental health issues at risk (“Hospitals act to cover psychiatrist exodus”, January 14). Emergency departments are already struggling to cope with increasing demands and there are insufficient beds for those requiring admission. Patients already in mental health facilities will face suboptimal treatment when the remaining psychiatrists are obliged to take on excessive caseloads. The mentally ill are being treated like second-class citizens. Shame on our government for devaluing these defenceless members of society. Dr Graham Lum, North Rocks
I have always been grateful for the vital support that the NDIS has offered my son, and I have sung its praises far and wide. While I totally understand and agree with the need to restrain an escalating budget, recent experience leads me to believe that the process may now be harming those who need it most. After a year in hospital (and a year is a long time) and 24 reports and declarations (including a forensic assessment) supporting increased hours of NDIS support, my son will be released with what the majority of those reports indicate as insufficient protection from self-harm, potential harm to others and the capacity to lead a life of dignity. This indicates to me that NDIS cost-cutting changes have definitely gone too far. Narissa Phelps, Lennox Head
Leaving aside the moral problem of poaching psychiatrists from other countries, the only way to quickly fill the vacancies is immigration (Psychiatrist walkout is not about money, it’s about saving lives). Not enough home builders? Immigration. Governments have cut university funding over decades, so they need overseas students to subsidise Australian students. Immigration again. Shortages in health services can be filled only by immigration. Both major parties tell us immigration needs to be curtailed because it adds to housing stress. I must be out of the loop because nobody has told me about Plan B. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
For many years, I had occasion to often consult psychiatrists. Fortunately, it was in a part-time role with the Official Visitors Program involving regular visits to mental health facilities to ensure, interalia, mental health care was being provided humanely and with dignity. As Dr Pramudie Gunaratne mentioned, patients in these facilities suffer the most severe mental illnesses. During past visits, I’ve witnessed some in seclusion rooms, and knew others who had committed suicide. Psychiatrists’ roles in the public health system are challenging enough. Understaffing and under-resourcing needs to be addressed now. Edward Loong, Milsons Point
Unfortunately Dr Gunaratne, no matter how you dress it up, it’s always about money. Yes, more money is urgently needed in mental health areas, but all areas in our hospitals are under tremendous strain. Emergency departments are unable to cope in most public hospitals as waiting times for help are unacceptable. It is all about money. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
The great leveller
As a US citizen, I see the poignant but terrible irony in Los Angeles of escalating numbers of homeless people, yet most now from the upper echelon of wealth and influence. Fire has reduced everyone affected to a common denominator. If no other benefit of this disaster, Americans might better empathise with those who have lived on the streets of arguably the wealthiest country on the planet. But no one should expect much from the incoming president famous for his narcissism and lack of empathy. In fact, he saw only political capital and creepy points-scoring that could be extracted from the disaster. Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri (NZ)
Multi-million dollar homes were completely destroyed in the Palisades fire.Credit: AP
Punish bad developers
The unresolved structural defects at the apartment complex on Halifax St in Macquarie Park, two years after the NSW Building Commissioner’s intervention, reveal a crisis in Australia’s building industry that demands immediate attention (“Transparency essential to reassure buyers on development project processes”, January 11). The root cause lies in our flawed building approval system. Private certifiers, paid by developers, face an inherent conflict of interest that compromises safety standards. Meanwhile, large developers seem to treat administrative penalties as mere business costs, while residents bear the crushing burden of repairs and depreciated property values. We should look to South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which holds corporate executives criminally liable for safety negligence. Australia needs similar legislation, alongside a complete overhaul of our building certification system. The Macquarie Park case must be our turning point. Without immediate reform to impose criminal penalties on negligent developers and establish truly independent building certification, more Australian families will see their dreams of homeownership turn into nightmares. Dong Chul Jeon, North Ryde
Time to change the rules
It is all very well to marvel at the power of today’s big servers (“Giant Frenchman ready to blast his rivals off the court”, January 14) but they diminish the tactical interest and entertainment value of tennis. Modern racquets and strings now give an unfair advantage to the taller, stronger players. The odd, skilful ace adds variety but 30 aces and umpteen un-returnable 200km/h-plus thunderbolts in a match can reduce the sport to a test of brute force. The serve is a free stroke. It should not end so many points without the receiver having the chance to make a solid return and begin a rally. Surely it is time to moderate this excess. Bringing the service line closer to the net has been suggested but that would require remarking every court in the world. Simpler might be to just abolish the second serve. Golfers aren’t allowed two drives off the tee, so why should tennis players enjoy that privilege? And speaking of second chances, why is the server allowed to catch the ball and start the point again after they’ve botched their first toss? David Salter, Hunters Hill
France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has the biggest serve on tour right now.Credit: AP
Mega-wealthy tennis star Novak Djokovic says that every time he comes to Melbourne for the Australian Open he feels that he might be arrested, as he was in 2022 for deliberately violating national COVID-19 protocols. He says he is still “traumatised” by his arrest. Diddums. His arrogance and sense of entitlement, then and now, is remarkable. Djokovic will not run into any trouble with the authorities here if he respects/complies with Australian laws. End of story. Michael Gamble, Belmont (Vic)
Moral fibre
Did the PM really “splash” $3 billion on an NBN fibre upgrade as the Herald reported, or did you mean to say that the government invested a further $3 billion in the NBN to bring it up to the standard originally intended by the Labor Party before Malcolm Turnbull’s copper wire replaced its plans? John Bailey, Canterbury
Desk mates
I have long enjoyed Tony Wright’s work. I empathise with his regard for his treasured reference tomes, the Oxford English Dictionary and Roget’s Thesaurus, seemingly the only constants in “the chaos of my desk” throughout his professional life (“There are literally dozens of words for the chaos of my desk”, January 14). Since 1958, I have kept on my many work desks my mother’s cherished Oxford Dictionary and, since 1983, its companion, a Macquarie Dictionary, a gift from my wife and son, with their inscribed plea, “we hope it helps”. Nary a day passes when these treasures are not sourced; to quell a Scrabble argument, solve a puzzles page or to scratch an etymological itch, such as the one just now. David George, Pearl Beach
My thesaurus too is also in a bad way, Tony Wright. Its appearance is bedraggled and its spine is battered. Forty years of writing primary school reports and doing the Herald cryptic crossword on most days will do that to a book and to a person. Robyn Ingram, Cremorne
As a fellow traveller in the messy desk department, I am consoled by a quote from another devotee, “A person with a tidy desk doesn’t have enough to do.” Jim Pollitt, Wahroonga
An antiquated Roget’s Thesaurus may be a relic of yesteryear, but it still exists as one of today’s great dinosaurs of assistance. Joy Cooksey, Harrington
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