Gutter politics and fearmongering Labor’s stock in trade

When campaigning either for re-election as an incumbent government, or being the opposition promoting itself as the alternative government, the message to ­voters should outline the party’s record and new policy directions it wishes to take to an election.

The Labor government revealed its intent for the upcoming federal election when it announced it would resurrect the “Mediscare” campaign by declaring in late December that Peter Dutton would undermine the national health insurance scheme and push down wages.

The recent posting on social media of an article, subsequently removed, which attacked Peter Dutton’s wife, was focused on ­personality politics and signals to voters that Labor lacks confidence in presenting and debating policy (“ALP leaders condemn attack on Dutton family”, 1/1).

This strategy of fear is vacuous, treating Australian voters with total disrespect by denying them the opportunity to discern what policies or actions the electorate would like a new government to take. Not focusing on what they will do, but merely attempting to scare voters, Anthony Albanese’s government does not deserve to be re-elected.

Ian Macgowan, Ceduna, SA

So the Victorian Labor Party, via its state secretary Steve Staikos, thought it was a good idea to get down in the gutter and post a ­derogatory publication related to Peter Dutton and his wife under the guise of a “comedic meme”. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s condemnation of the post was a little late. Of course, this is all part of a very well-planned and arranged attack on Peter Dutton, which now unashamedly includes his family as well. You cannot tell me or any other clear-thinking person that this was simply down to Staikos.

I now eagerly await Staikos to produce a “comedic meme” related to Anthony Albanese and his soon-to-be wife.

Peter Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

The Labor Party launches an unseemly personal attack on Peter Dutton and his wife and Anthony Albanese intervenes, ordering the Victorian branch of the ALP to delete the social media post. Yet when the Prime Minister is questioned as to why the Labor Party accepts Greens preferences he says it has nothing to do with him because it is a matter for the ALP branches.

The PM intervenes when there is political damage but abrogates responsibility when it assists his re-election. Is that political astuteness or hypocrisy?

Riley Brown, Bondi, NSW

The Victorian Labor Party has shown itself ready to engage in gutter politics by employing, in a partisan context, Kirilly Dutton’s heartfelt defence of her husband. While the Liberals won’t respond in kind, they might perhaps consider utilising Labor’s methodology in a more sensitive way.

They could, for instance, point out that rusted-on Labor voters resemble nothing so much as victims trapped in a party that will never change. Deep down, these unfortunates know they should leave, but they cling on, hoping they will change.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

Gutter politics seems to be Labor’s stock in trade. Anthony Albanese got into power with a character ­assassination of Scott Morrison, apparently without any thought of possible damage he was doing to the Morrison family. As Peter Dutton has requested, the ALP should respect the families of ­politicians as they are not elected members.

The Australian public would appreciate politicians presenting their policies rather than the ­distasteful sniping that we see far too often.

Valerie Donovan, Corinda, Qld

The meme concerning Peter Dutton and his family is offensive, inaccurate and damaging to the Labor Party as well. If you want to criticise him for political gain, then attack his policies and his love of nuclear power.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

The collective and belated condemnation of the Labor Party’s “error of judgment” over the personal attack on Peter Dutton’s wife reminded me of a line from an old American B-grade film in which the protagonist says “it was an accident, an accident on purpose”. This looks very much as though stage one of the usual ALP pre-election gutter politics is getting under way.

Barry Palmer, Jannali, NSW