Branch stacking is no surprise to Labor’s political masters

Messrs Andrews, Albanese and Shorten declare themselves “shocked” by the Victorian factional wars (“Stacking it: secret tapes expose federal Labor”, 16/6). These absurd statements show what little regard they have for the intelligence of the public. Politics is a ruthless game and these three individuals are active participants in it.

In denouncing their now factional enemy Mr Somyurek, they should be wary. He is no longer inside their tent and undoubtedly has some interesting tales to tell.

Bruce Watson, Mosman, NSW

It struck me as strange that The Age and 60 minutes, both from the left, would be out to nail Labor’s Adem Somyurek (“Stacking it”, 16/6).

Then it made sense: Somyurek is from the Victorian Labor right faction, so they are doing Daniel Andrews’s socialist left faction a favour at a time when he probably needs it.

Antony Blakeley, Winchelsea, Vic

The great dynasty of numbers men has continued in the glorious history of the ALP. They never get to be PM or premier, they always think they are the real power behind the leader and they invariably are cut loose by the leader or party when what they are doing to keep the leader in power becomes embarrassing or public. And as long as we keep voting them in they will keep doing it.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

Shameful spying

Many thanks to Steve Bracks (“Why is Bernard Collaery’s trial a secret?”, 15/6) for his insightful article on Australia’s spying on Timor Leste in 2004. As a veteran of Timor Leste (2006/07) I experienced the hospitality of the Timorese people Time and again during my deployment. So, I was shocked to discover that we had spied on that new, small poverty-stricken country.

To have the person who blew the whistle on that spying be hauled before a court in secret is a disgrace and a blight on our country.

A couple of years ago, with a group of Timor veterans, I visited Timor Leste and had lunch with Xanana Gusmao. I said to him that many of my Timor veteran friends are disgusted with the whole episode and embarrassed by our country’s actions.

Chaplain L Cowell (Ret’d), Caboolture, Qld

Sub-optimal choices

Surely Australia’s submarine programme is the biggest waste of taxpayers’ money ever. We choose what is possibly, but not proven to be the best submarine available, and then dismantle it because we are afraid of nuclear power, and so make it a second-rate ship. We, or the French, make it impossible for it to be delivered on time, or on cost, and as far as I can make out there is no indication as to the job these 12 enormously expensive submarines are going to do.

I believe only one torpedo has been fired in anger by an Australian submarine since 1914, so there must be some other reason for them. Surveillance can be increasingly done by drones, so it can’t be that. Is it just to keep up with the other “boys in the playground” that is the Pacific?

Technology has already rendered the new 12 out of date, and naval resources should be concentrated on fast patrol boats and ships which can transport large numbers of soldiers and or supplies to parts of the Pacific in trouble or need.

Peter Valder, Toorak, Vic

Open the door

Australia should open the gate to Hong Kong people seeking refuge. They are the ideal refugee candidate for our country – hard working, resourceful and not prone to establishing welfare enclaves. If Australia mixed these people with less well established refugees it would enable more of the latter to be taken in to our land “ with boundless plains to share”.

Robert Harcourt, Hahndorf, SA