Coalition deserves praise for bringing the budget back to surplus

The Morrison government has delivered a welcome Christmas gift.

Without expecting any pats on the back, Scott Morrison’s government has been working hard for the Australian people. Its latest achievement is a doubling of the projected budget surpluses to more than $30 billion (“Coalition $30bn in the black”, 17/12). The government has delivered a strong economy, the lowest unemployment rate in seven years, and continues to keep our borders safe. That’s not a bad Christmas present to the nation.

On gaining office in 2007, Labor was gifted by the Howard government a $20bn budget surplus, and a nation free of net debt. With its defeat in 2013, Labor’s legacy was a budget in the red and net debt of $160bn. Labor’s border protection was breathtakingly irresponsible — 50,000 illegals arriving and more than 1200 people dying at sea.

If the public is toying with the idea of voting for Labor next May, they should think again. When it comes to our borders and our money, Labor puts out the welcome mat and spends like there’s no tomorrow.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

Sensible embassy shift

The Prime Minister’s decision on our embassy in Israel, while seen by Labor as a backdown, is a sensible compromise (“PM locks in shift to West Jerusalem”, 15/12). If Australia bowed to vocal opposition by threats of trade issues from Indonesia, Malaysia and other Muslim countries, it would only reinforce the perception overseas and domestically that Australia can be easily dictated to.

Australia does not tell foreign countries where they should locate their embassies in Australia. They choose the nation’s capital. Israel’s capital is Jerusalem so why shouldn’t Australia relocate its embassy?

Hugh Francis, Portland, Vic

Scott Morrison expresses frustration over the lack of any progress towards a two-state solution in the Middle East. His strongly pro-Israeli stance and lack of understanding for the Palestinians will do more harm than good as well as antagonising our neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia.

I’m waiting for the day for political leaders with vision and strength to recognise our rightful role within the international community to present an independent and confident foreign policy to the world. A constructive initial step would be to cease acquiescing to US governments, especially this erratic, inward-looking, nationalistic administration.

Kevin Burke, Eltham, Vic

Brexit chicanery

There are three options for the British — a no-deal exit from the EU; Theresa May’s proposal; or a second referendum. Of these, only the first will be true to the 2016 referendum verdict. Clearly there is plenty of double dealing happening. The word plot is appropriate.

Other European nations who wanted to adjust their membership of the EU were subjected to second referendums. The moral weakness of the second referendum option is that, first, much more money and other resources will be made available to the Remainers than to the Leavers.

Second, a kind of voter fatigue will happen, whereby a critical segment of the electorate will decide that there’s no point in voting to leave and surrender by voting to remain.

Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic

General to general

The appointment of retired general David Hurley as our next governor-general is to be applauded during times of uncertainty in the political arena and on the world stage. Handing the baton from one general to another is a symbolic move that I am sure will not be lost on many.

Bill Shorten’s character came to the fore by initially congratulating Hurley, then calling for a republic. So what happened to all the tripe about a fair go, mate?

Mike Flanigan, Toowoomba, Qld