Branch stacking is part of the political dark arts

Daniel Andrews and Anthony Albanese cannot credibly express surprise and dismay at the revelations of Victorian branch stacking and related behaviour because it is “core business inside Labor” (Editorial, 18/6). They are reacting to having their noses publicly rubbed in it, and are motivated by the desire to turn it to their internal political advantage.

All politicians are plotters and schemers, and the behaviour in question exists in all political parties. But it is particularly ingrained in Labor because it is so culturally anchored in its union base. Aspiring union officials are taught that in pursuit of industrial objectives they can say and do anything they like. Union officials then take this attitude with them when they put their political hats on.

Chris Love, Wahroonga, NSW

Allegations of branch stacking in the Victorian Labor Party are alarming because it undermines confidence in the entire system. This should remind us of the “broken windows theory” — if people are willing to sign up false enrolments to a party, might there not be a temptation to sign up fake enrolments to an electoral roll?

It is reassuring to see federal Labor responding appropriately to the situation in Victoria. I am confident that it would not engage in or condone such behaviour, but individuals can act inappropriately at times.

The Australian Electoral Commission should audit the electoral roll to confirm that names of voters listed on the rolls are legitimate. Only by doing this can voters have confidence in the electoral system and be spared scandals like the one emerging in Victoria.

William O’Connell, president, Vote Australia Inc, Edgecliff, NSW

The Victorian branch of the Labor Party is morally bankrupt. If it was a private company selling integrity it would be put into liquidation. To spare the few remaining non-stacking members of this once proud party further embarrassment. it should be deregistered.

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston, Vic

I have three simple questions for Daniel Andrews. What outstanding qualities did Adem Somyurek have that made him suitable for appointment to the Victorian cabinet? What outstanding qualities did Robin Scott have that made him suitable for appointment to cabinet? And what outstanding qualities did Marlene Kairouz have that made her suitable? Victorians deserve answers.

Patrick Vowell, Metung, Vic

They branch stack and they parachute. They are faceless and they are two faced. Long may Labor occupy the opposition benches. But democracy is contingent on a viable alternative government.

However, Labor’s surfeit of deficits — from credibility and personnel, to systems and processes, to policy and to trust — indicate that the next Labor leader is not yet in the federal parliament. While here’s hoping the cancel culture that many on the left promote, will be actioned, booting them out of office in the states where Labor supposedly govern.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

The antics of sacked Victorian minister Adem Somyurek should serve as a warning that we can never take democracy for granted. There are people such as Somyurek in all political parties whose aim is to use the duly elected process to build empires that benefit themselves first and foremost. These actions undermine and devalue our democratic system; the election of such people should snap people out of their apathy.

Once upon a time, people went into politics after they had gained work and life experiences, when they had something to offer, something to give back. These people represented their electorates; personal reward or gain in office was a secondary factor. But now we have career politicians with a sense of entitlement but little else.

This episode must not be swept under the rug and shrugged off.

Grant W. Petras, Hindmarsh Island, SA

The Liberal Party’s attacks on Labor over branch stacking in Victoria must surely be a case of the pot calling the kettle black; they also treat their paid-up members with contempt, not only by stacking branches but also through a head office power of veto over preselections and occasionally by a party leader’s captain’s pick whereby their claims to be a grassroots-driven organisation are proven to be a complete furphy,

Jock Munro, Rankin’s Springs, NSW