Election spendathon raises scary spectre of catastrophic crash

Henry Ergas returns to his area of speciality, economics, with a tour de force that should send shivers down the spine of every Australian (“Spending spree reflects narcissism of our age”, 4/4).

Fortunately, we all have to manage our personal and family budgets. So, most voting Australians know the basics of sound budgeting: managing debt responsibly, increasing earnings after tax and eliminating wasteful spending. The protected political and bureaucratic classes seem to be the only people who do not understand these basic financial concepts.

Hopefully, the wisdom of the ordinary Australian will save us from what Ergas refers to as “the catastrophic crash of a nation that has lost its way”.

Peter R. Tredenick, Laidley, Qld

Peta Credlin put the electoral situation into perspective (“Forget polls, election clash is just getting started”, 3/4).

It’s early in the campaign and polls can change. However, people will vote for what appears to suit them now and many will forget the failed $275 promise when new promises are made. Failures in economic management, public service growth, defence and unbridled immigration are critical points to bring to the front. Few families can ignore cost-of-living pressures or Chinese warships. Voters no doubt will be reminded of these realities soon enough. Punchy point-making is needed. The muddle that is now the national electricity supply set-up will make a nightmare of the recovery task. It should start with some truth telling.

Ken Dredge, Camp Hill, Qld

The teals still claim they are “independents” and not a party. That’s really odd because they share a name, campaign colours, policies, massive funding from similar sources, have the same cavalier attitude to their catchcry of “integrity in politics” and tend to vote most of the time with the left or extreme left.

One might even say they share the same demographic, when you see them all lined up together – not as a party, of course, quite separate and “independent”. So they are not a party? If they walk like a duck, and quack like a duck …

Helen Dyer, Ferndale, WA

First city for decisions

In 1962, my father was transferred to Canberra from Melbourne; his department, the Tariff Board, was a small part of the massive governmental transfers at the time.

When we sobbed about moving from bayside Brighton to a sheep paddock in Ainslie, he responded, “We are part of the Australian government and our capital is Canberra and we all need to be there.” I grew up in Canberra and loved it.

Many years later, my daughter, who is in the armed forces, is stationed in Canberra. She has had many postings in other places, but Canberra is where the decision-making is done.

Peter Dutton, if all you are interested in is a harbour view, by all means go to somewhere like Kirribilli House, but I will be voting for someone who chooses to be in a place that was selected since Federation to be our decision-making place – and this comes from a previously rusted-on conservative voter.

Cathy Cleary, Deniliquin, NSW

Climate forgotten

While the issue of international trade and the antics of a certain US president are understandably occupying media headlines, it is somewhat depressing that the approaching climate catastrophe is not receiving the attention it should in the context of national election.

One of the world’s largest insurance companies, Allianz SE, has warned that the vast cost of extreme weather events is likely to undermine the entire world financial sector, and that a 3C warming world will prove impossible for governments to manage or adapt to.

Unless there is a drastic and urgent shift away from burning fossil fuels, that 3C world will arrive within a few decades.

Australians like to kid themselves that our contribution is too small to matter, but that is patently untrue.

With our resources exports, Australia contributes around 5 per cent of world emissions, and our major political parties try to keep their donors happy by continuing to facilitate the exploitation of the resources that should remain in the ground.

Catherine Rossiter, Fadden, ACT

Chinese tactic

China is using intimidating tactics again by sending a survey ship, the Tan Suo Yi Hao, around our coastline and our Prime Minister has done nothing about this manoeuvre (“China backs ‘handsome boy’ ”, 3/4).

We are more at risk of war than ever before and at this critical time it seems that Anthony Albanese has not stood up for our nation.

This is the second time (that we know of) that China has “tested” Australia and now China’s leader Xi Jinping knows the “handsome boy” will not react.

China is a bully and Albo has allowed himself to be humiliated, placing Australians at risk.

Lizzie Haydon, Runcorn, Qld

The subs question

If France, Britain and Japan are confident that their subs will protect them from attack, then why aren’t we buying from them now?

We hoped to buy from the US in 20-plus years because we thought we were some favoured friend.

Most American voters and their governments seem to believe in President Donald Trump and his America First philosophy.

I know who I would trust for the supply and ongoing maintenance, training and armament of our subs.

John Langrehr, Leabrook, SA