Labor’s Victorian Right has got only half the message on women MPs

It’s interesting that the Victorian Labor Right has finally got the message: but it’s only half right. The new candidate for Higgins, Fiona McLeod, has great credentials to be elected to parliament. But like too many other women, she is endorsed for a seat held by the Liberals. Why was she not considered for the safe seats in Victoria held by the Right? Seats such as Gellibrand and Wills, the newly created seat of Fraser or to replace the retiring member in Macnamara.

So it’s just not the case that the Victorian Right replaces male MPs with women as claimed by the leader on Monday. Look no further than the recent case of Senator Jacinta Collins being replaced by a male from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association.

Statistics tell the true story. The facts are that only two of the 10 MPs from the Victorian Right are women. Hardly representative of the community at large.This falls far short of Labor’s affirmative action policies, which have largely been achieved by the efforts of the progressives in the party. The boys’ club in the Victorian Right will only be broken when women of the calibre of McLeod are contesting the safe Labor seats.

Jennie George, Mollymook, NSW

Morrison-Aly wash-up

It’s unsurprising that TV viewers see Waleed Aly’s interview with Scott Morrison through their own political lens, although I’d argue that the to-and-fro was far more unresolved and uncomfortable than letters (23/3) would have us believe.

Aly argued that Morrison had, if not set a climate for hate speech, allowed the views of an inflammatory minority to develop. Further, he claimed the asylum-seeker policy reflects further evidence of discrimination. Morrison vigorously denied Aly’s claims, with varying degrees of conviction.

It was an often tense exchange, partly because the PM is desperate to have his credentials accepted on this issue. Much is at stake as May looms.

Morrison’s initiatives with the Muslim community are to be applauded if they are as he outlines. However, he (and other male politicians) could well take some lessons on consistency, compassion and gravitas from Jacinda Ardern.

Julie Faulkner, Brighton East, Vic

Beware wannabe PM

Bill Shorten says “you can only build trust by keeping your transactions — that is the basis of trust” (“New era of ambition of wannabe PM”, 23/3). That sounds admirable and, if carried out, it would indeed make for a refreshing change not seen before in a politician. But, given the contradictions highlighted in Troy Bramston’s article, it would be wishful thinking.

If however, he makes good on his promises then the repercussions will be far reaching. Who is going to pay for the wage increase? Business will have to increase prices. How much of the cost of renewables can low and middle income earners and pensioners be asked to shoulder? Beware the wannabe PM.

Elizabeth Todd, Wyoming, NSW

Don’t hide beliefs

Douglas Murray writes that “during the past week an amazing amount of defamatory claims have been made alleging responsibility for the shooting” that occurred in Christchurch (23/3). Yet he acknowledges that over time the world has experienced many such actions by individuals inspired by beliefs of one kind or another.

These beliefs should not be hidden from the public. We should be aware that extremists derive their beliefs from the past and recognise the need for protection. Those beliefs still come from various sources, including the Koran that inspires action by extremists who are fighting each other and undertaking terrorist activity against others. Australia should re-examine its checking of potential threats.

Des Moore, South Yarra, Vic