Dutton must grab the chance to dwell on Labor negatives

Paul Kelly identifies the Coali­tion’s policy weakness as undermining Peter Dutton’s amazing clawback as an election contender (“Trump turmoil sets decisive challenge for Dutton campaign”, 9/4). Dutton’s debate performance was prime ministerial in detailed substance and tone when he was under fire from Anthony Albanese. He rebutted untrue criticisms about Liberal policy failures in past decades.

If we are marking down Liberals, however, let’s not forgive Labor for its many alarming policy misdeeds that have built-in landmines entrapping the next decade of government, whatever its colours.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA

Peter Dutton should remind the electorate every day of these Labor government negatives:

● The cost-of-living crisis during the past three years.

● The high immigration levels, including the insane decision to let 3000 Gazans into Australia.

● The appalling anti-Semitism allowed to be perpetrated by the Labor government.

● The climate change net-zero mania that will result in ruining this country and driving businesses offshore. Also, with all our resources of gas, coal and iron ore, the decision by Labor to discourage their use is counter-productive, especially when we are exporting these overseas.

● The voice campaign, which was clearly defeated but will result in a reversal if Labor is returned to power, especially with the Greens in minority.

● The red and green tape that will be revived if Labor is re-elected, resulting in slowdowns in productivity and businesses going under, which already have been happening under Labor.

● Our defence that is being degraded by China and the cosying up to Beijing by the Albanese government, resulting in a lack of respect for our nation. China is laughing at Anthony Albanese calling him “handsome boy”.

● The wasteful spending by this government, which has gone from having a surplus of trade through our coal, iron ore, uranium and other minerals, to losses, and therefore the necessity to attack the tax system in the form of imposing a tax on unrealised gains in super funds with more than $3m in total assets (not indexed). This could result in farmers, the backbone of our country and food supply, having to sell their farms to pay this extra tax.

● A further degrading of the tax system if Labor retains power, to fund its reckless spending – for example, bringing back inheritance tax, gift duties and/or paring back negative gearing, franking credits and capital gains tax exemptions. Also, a possible raid on the Future Fund, which was never intended to pay for Labor’s mistakes.

Stephen Cassrels, Bondi Junction, NSW

Fairness in investing

The Greens’ position on negative gearing illustrates a complete lack of understanding of how the economy works and of recent history. One of the first things the Jacinda Ardern government in New Zealand did when elected was to abolish negative gearing.

That resulted in an immediate exodus of landlords from the market, unable to offset their expenses against income. Those who did stay in the market increased rents to cover their costs.

The result was a level of homelessness that New Zealand had never seen before: people sleeping in cars and garages, or on the streets, as many still are today. The government was forced to house many thousands of people in motels at great expense to the taxpayer.

The desire to prevent landlords from offsetting expenses against income indicates a hatred of people investing in property to get ahead. Why should a corner dairy be able to offset its expenses against income but not a property investor?

All businesses must be treated the same, no matter what their business activity happens to be.

Mary Hackshaw, Northwood, Vic

Positive energy back

After a decade of Labor’s ideological energy obsessions, a wave of common sense is sweeping across Queensland (“Putting energy back into common sense”, 9/4). If Peter Dutton wants to win the upcoming federal election, he should take note of the Crisafulli government’s bold initiatives.

Queensland will keep state-owned coal-fired generators operating well beyond Labor’s threat to shut them down by 2035. The state intends repealing legislated renewable energy targets. And gas gets the thumbs up.

No longer are Queenslanders being sucked into supporting “ideologically fashionable projects”. This is responsible governance in action, something that is missing on a national scale.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

There is a glimmer of hope that sanity is returning to Australia with the news that one state, Queensland, has axed its climate targets and will continue to use coal-fired power plants.

All David Crisafulli now needs to do is back Peter Dutton’s nuclear plans.

Julie Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld