Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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PETER DUTTON
Niki Savva (“Copycat Dutton’s role of a lifetime”, 6/2) has exposed the essence of Peter Dutton’s performative posturing and Trumpist tricks. Dutton’s method is to shoot and scoot, put out an asinine statement, then scurry away before scrutiny. The announcements have no substance; their purpose is to distract, deceive, and disturb. Then, before any serious analysis is produced, another ill-considered thwart bubble appears. Flooding the zone with grievance and gibberish, performing more stunts and slurs, all expecting to float into office on the sea of effluent he created.
We can expect more frequent distractions, more uncosted kites to be flown, more over-the-top criticism of Anthony Albanese and Labor, more divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. What we won’t see from Dutton is serious policy proposals or details, nor will we see him facing serious scrutiny of the flimsy fluff that he promotes.
The sad reality is that Dutton does what he does because it works; it worked for Tony Abbott, it worked for Scott Morrison, and it worked for Trump. But most importantly, he does it because large sections of the public and the media accept it.
Graeme Henchel, Yarra Glen
Trump sugar hit will leave bitter aftertaste
As always, Niki Savva points out the bleeding obvious regarding Dutton’s lack of policies and his divisive approach. What is more concerning is that the conservative media in Australia does not ask the hard questions about his policies nor examines the many outrageous claims that he makes. The concentration of media owned by powerful individuals and companies also appears to support his approach without respect for us, nor the best way forward for our country. Following Trump’s playbook will excite a lot of people who are not prepared or interested in analysing his comments or statements, and we will be the poorer for this if by chance the LNP opposition is elected.
Denise Stevens, Healesville
He chose Trump as a role model?
If you are going to copy someone, why would you do it with Donald Trump? Some Americans love his chaos, but most people outside of the US see Trump as a liar and grandstander who is divisive, narcissistic, and has been given too much power for such a terribly flawed human being. Dutton needs to show more moral fibre and not fly from Trump’s coattails. Making his own pathway, and giving us more information on his policies would be nice too.
Jane Cheong, Aspendale Gardens
Dutton needs to turn down the angry
I worry about the approach that Peter Dutton is taking. As the election looms, I hope that he can think about what he is putting out into the community and the impact that his many statements are potentially having on people.
He often comes across as negative, angry, oppositional, patronising, and as someone who is perpetually looking for a fight. Is this the type of leadership that we need in this overheated world that we are currently experiencing? I think not.
No matter who you decide to vote for, let’s at least aspire to a leader who is positive, focused on the greater good and who understands that they are absolutely fundamental to role modelling a constructive and peaceful community.
Fiona White, Alfredton
Trump prepares for rip-off
Peter Dutton thinks “Trump is a big thinker” and that “nobody’s ripping each other off” (6/2). Is he aware Trump hired a shadow writer for his book “the art of the deal”, that he has managed to send three casinos broke, and that he has a long list of traders and suppliers who have been forced into cents in the dollar settlements?
Trump is America’s most transactional president. Everyone will be ripped off.
Brigid Niall, South Melbourne
THE FORUM
Declare your hand
Prime Minister Albanese has said he will not offer a “running commentary” on Donald Trump’s remarks on his plan to take over Gaza. Trump has said he will remove Gaza’s people, “level” the territory and build something new in its place. To this, the prime minister has no comment. Well, PM, just about everyone I know has an opinion. As the prime minister, he, and all leaders and their parties, must have an opinion and make it known on such diabolical solutions as espoused by Trump. Therein lies my vote.
Ron Reynolds, Templestowe
Don’t do a Wuhan
The people calling for the prime minister to condemn Trump’s ridiculous statements on taking over Gaza need to be reminded of the last time an Australian prime minister tried to take the lead by making similar statements.
At the time, Scott Morrison’s call for an investigation into whether COVID started in a Wuhan laboratory were not outrageous, but he was negligent in not realising that China would react strongly, which would not have happened if it had been a joint statement with many other countries. It has taken the new government almost a full term of office to undo the damage to several vital export industries. Trump would also most likely respond with huge tariffs or even bans on some exports.
Ray Pilbeam, Camberwell
Dutton’s big thinking
Peter Dutton claims Donald Trump brings gravitas to the Middle East conflict – that he’s a “big thinker” and “genuinely wants to see a chance for peace”.
Not for Dutton, concern about the rule of international law or forced displacement amounting to ethnic cleansing. It appears ignoring human rights for a convenient political and commercial solution is acceptable. Yet, the Coalition still claims to support the two-state solution to the current conflict. One wonders for how long this can last given Dutton’s latest comments. Australians should rightly be concerned at this latest appeasement. We have a very important choice to make in the upcoming election. It would be tragic to be on the wrong side of history.
Vivienne Kane, Hawthorn
Wise words
Congratulations to the Jewish Council of Australia’s statement that they strongly condemn Donald Trump’s suggestion the United States will “take over” the Gaza Strip and “own it”, that that is a plan for ethnic cleansing.
Our world desperately needs leaders who can understand complexities of conflicts, advocate and support decent human rights for all, and support the United Nations policies. Will the JCA now be labelled antisemitic by one-eyed Netanyahu supporters?
Jennifer Gerrand, Carlton North
US plays by own rules
In ignoring successive UN resolutions condemning expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the US was at least complicit in exacerbating the Palestinian catastrophe. Its disdain for the UN led to the disastrous Iraq invasion. Donald Trump appears intent on reinforcing the US view that any rules-based order must be based on US rules. The world might be a better and safer place if the US committed to strengthening the UN and addressing its acknowledged deficiencies.
Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
Value independents
Perhaps a compelling and telling reason for the value of independents (Letters, 6/2) is the urgency with which both major parties – in a rare act of consensus – are rushing to implement legislation restricting the amounts of money independent candidates can raise for campaigning while at the same time furiously guarding their own huge ‘entities’. For example, the Liberal Party fundraising arm, the Cormack Foundation has reserves in excess of $70 million to spend campaigning. The LNP and ALP prioritise their parties, not their constituents.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn
Dutton’s public service cut
So, Peter Dutton is going to make savage cuts to government spending but won’t say from where. Presumably by reducing the workforce and consequently services to the public.
He should take some time to read the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides. It found that a contributing factor to some suicides was the inordinate delays in processing claims for physical and mental illness.
The policy of the previous liberal government to outsource this vital work might have been cheaper, but the assessments were slower and for some veterans unbearable.
The current government, to its credit, has already embarked on a process to expedite claims and the backlog is finally being reduced. This has involved the employment of additional public servants skilled in assessment procedures.
As an older veteran who has benefited directly from the current, faster process I would like to know before the next election if Peter Dutton intends to reduce the number of public servants performing this critical work?
Geoffrey Allen, Parkdale
Musk marks the spot
The article on Elon Musk (“Musk uses X as cost-cutting weapon” 6/2), proves that he is more unhinged, more vindictive, more ruthless, and more of a threat to society than his boss, Trump, could ever hope to be: And that’s saying something.
Chris Burgess, Port Melbourne
Chalk and cheese
Such a contrast. Trump swoops on a mega real estate opportunity in Gaza, while Australian scientists find a way around big pharma to treat river blindness in poverty-stricken sub-Saharan Africa (6/2). The former reeks of greed, the latter warms the heart.
Jane Ross, San Remo
Crime victims forgotten
To have the Victorian Minister for Victims Anthony Carbine, state in his role as police minister – that he “has things in his bottom drawer” when asked about a review of bail laws shows a complete lack of empathy, care for victims, or sincerity for the democratic process when crimes have been committed against communities, families, and individuals.
Given that our daughter was recently killed, and the alleged offender was given bail to prepare their defense he continues to divorce himself from involving those affected in the community in decision making – where are we in the terms of reference for consultation?
Certainly, I am not in the bottom drawer, nor are the hundreds of friends affected here by our daughter’s death.
Michael Hodder, Clifton Hill
Bail law optics
Jacinta Allan’s announcement of review of bail laws seems more to be pitched to the voters of Werribee and an effort to reverse declining poll figures, rather than genuine concerns for community safety. It marks a point of departure from Labor’s earlier program of decriminalisation.
The scope of the review and its timelines are rather opaque. Fractures within the government over the proposal are already appearing. The police minister is downplaying the review claiming that plenty of stuff already exists in his bottom drawer to hold offenders to account. Indigenous voices also have concerns about the review.
Without doubt, bail laws need genuine, considered reform. Using the issue to shore up the premier’s profile is not the way to improve community safety.
Martin Newington, Aspendale
Victim centred approach
For several decades, I’ve watched laws being created to effectively create different sentencing for similar crimes. These are mostly for so-called terrorism and hate crimes. Another way to look at this is that ordinary criminals are now getting softer treatment.
It would be better to use a victim centred approach. A murder still creates a dead person regardless of real or alleged motive. Charging and sentencing should reflect the crime’s severity and impact on those close to the victim. Different outcomes for terror and hate convictions are about political expedience not justice.
Mark Freeman, Macleod
Living with racism
I am following the ongoing Sam Kerr trial with a sense of amusement and a lot of sadness.
That Sam Kerr, a mixed-race woman slouching on the couch, staring at her phone while uttering the alleged offensive statement could cause such harm in the mind of the white police officer as to justify the police and legal resources to prosecute her is unheard of among those of us living within a ‘white dominant’ society.
I have lost count of the number of times I’m simply told to “ignore it”, to “toughen up”, or to “just grow a pair” when I am confronted with racial abuse, casual racist statements that have caused hurt and other forms of racism growing up.
Maybe the positive out of Kerr’s trial is that we can all use this to definitely establish just what racism really is for those of us that live it every day?
Chia-Lung Tai, Melbourne
The bird is preferred
Even though I’m an architect, I still think that Pam the Bird was an enhancement to the Novotel building, rather than a blemish. In my opinion, the owners should have embraced this free gift and allowed it to remain, remembering that Melbourne is one of the world’s graffiti and street art capitals, and accepting that community attitudes are changing. For example, many ambulances and police cars have recently featured graffiti demanding better pay and conditions.
Simon Thornton, Alphington
My kind of people
People are kind. I use a walking stick to stop me from falling (I’ve lost my sense of balance), and you can’t imagine how many people offer to help me. Making sure that I cross the road before the lights change, at the supermarket taking my trolley back to the trolley park and returning the token to me – these are a couple of examples of the kindness shown to me. People see me with the stick and want to make sure I’m all right. I am grateful, and can’t thank them enough.
Elizabeth Sprigg, Glen Iris
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
Trump
Trump calls Gaza “A demolition site”. But 2 million Palestinians call it “Home”.
Ron Mather, Melbourne
The world sees people dealing with tragedy. Trump sees a golf course and hotel.
Pete Garfield, Echuca
I don’t think anyone meant Israel and the United States by calling for a two-state solution.
Linelle Gibson, Williamstown
History repeats. In 1948, 700,000 Palestinians were forced off lands that are now the State of Israel.
Mary Bendeich, Camberwell
Perhaps the American people now realise that they have elected their very own Caligula.
Ian Braybrook, Castlemaine
Has anyone told Donald Trump that Gaza is not a strip club?
Christine Harris, Hampton
Trump fails to understand that peace is not just the absence of war.
Roy Olliff, Mont Albert North
Donald Trump’s grand suggestion for Gaza is also a giant distraction from his unravelling tariff war.
Lawrence Cohen, Blackburn North
West Palm Beach sounds like a very nice location for displaced Palestinians. What do you think Donald?
David Brophy, Beaumaris
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are not seeking a two-state solution for the Palestinians, They are seeking a real estate solution.
Denis Evans, Coburg
Furthermore
Elon Musk. White South Africa’s revenge.
Jim Davidson, Fitzroy
Where would Dutton have got his policies from if Trump had not been elected?
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Finally
Serial graffiti artist Jack Gibson-Burrell might reflect on his alleged vandalism if he was made to remove same at his own cost under roped supervision. We could get a bird’s-eye view
of his expertise.
James Casey, Richmond
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