Defecting politicians must remember the rights of the electorate

Since the May 3 federal election we have seen two politicians – Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, re-elected using Nationals funds, and Dorinda Cox using Greens funds – defecting to the Liberals and the ALP. What these politicians seem to forget is that voters gave them their cushy jobs at least partly because of their party membership and these voters have been betrayed.

Across the years we have seen politicians from all sides betraying voters in the same way.

Isn’t it time the rules were changed? If politicians, particularly those who have just been elected or re-elected, want to switch party then their seat should be declared vacant to give another chance to put forward a new candidate to fill the vacancy.

Both Nampijinpa Price and Cox seem to think the seats they occupy are theirs to do with as they wish, that the voters have no rights. They are wrong. The voters own those seats and it is we who say which party member sits in them.

Robert McCormick, Bridgewater, SA

Greens’ nightmare

Troy Bramston provides a valuable analysis into the massive failures of the Greens (“Dreams in ashes, the Greens must decide what they stand for”, 3/6).

The lurch of the Greens to an extremist, anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas position was a key factor. They are no longer soft, tree-hugging environmentalists. The huge drop in Greens votes and the loss of three seats are key measures.

Common sense prevailed. A poorly informed and brainwashed Greens – mostly younger voters and inner-city academic elites – remains, for a while.

L. Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Libs need courage

The Liberal Party failed voters with Labor-lite cowardice.

It is time for the party to focus on moral and political conviction ahead of weak populism, appeasement, poll addiction and woke hypocrisy.

The Coalition cannot move forward with any credibility until the nuclear ban is lifted and nuclear energy becomes our future to freedom and prosperity while gas exploration increases. As a natural result, the unachievable Paris Agreement must be dumped. Only then will prosperity return.

There will be an incentive to return to manufacturing and primary industry, with hope of a reduction in energy costs. Only then can we avoid the fate of Spain and Portugal of a blackout brought about by over-reliance on energy sourced from renewables. The Coalition has a blueprint to electoral success if it demonstrates courage.

Mary-Anne Higgins, Rose Park, SA

Economy’s scorecard

The potential legacy of the Albanese government, having won a second term in office, is already looking extremely inferior to that of the pragmatic and economically successful Hawke-Keating Labor governments.

Through major economic reforms encompassing financial deregulation, the floating of the Australian dollar, reducing protectionism and other initiatives, the latter increased competition and investment and set up decades of sustained, elevated economic growth.

In contrast, under the ideologically focused Anthony Albanese, who has bet our future on a failing renewables energy superpower fantasy, the economy is barely moving and living standards are falling as unaffordable energy, increased red and green tape and increased unionism have led to decreased competitiveness and stifled private capital investment.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Deceptive pay rise

The 3.5 per cent increase in the basic award may seem like a positive development at first glance.

However, once income tax is considered, the real benefit to employees could be significantly less. In fact, after tax, the actual increase in take-home pay may amount to as little as half of the headline figure. This means that while the nominal wage rise appears substantial, the practical impact on workers’ day-to-day finances could be quite limited.

David Adams, Toowoomba, Qld

Is it a fair tax?

We should ask Treasurer Jim Chalmers a simple question: do you think, from a general philosophical perspective, that it is fair to tax someone on a profit that they actually haven’t made (nor may ever make)? Simple question that deserves a simple answer.

Paul Wray, Auchenflower, Qld

Bold Ukraine

Ukraine’s bold initiative to take the war to the Russian military machine was not before time.

It undoubtedly will have a massive blowback from Russia. Tsar Putin will not be pleased to be so embarrassed. It goes to show Ukraine would love to have continued US support but it is proceeding anyway. May Ukraine and its citizens prevail.

Claire Jolliffe, Buderim, Qld