Last Post: Premiers, police and staying ‘positive’

The Victorian police had an opportunity to show care and compassion for victims of COVID-19 by assisting in the supervision of hotel quarantine before the Victorian catastrophe occurred. Now the poor buggers are being required to harass and offend Victorians by enforcing the drastic, heartless and grossly unreasonable measures that Chairman Dan has inflicted on Victorians in the hope of dealing with a medical disaster the government and police helped to create.

David Coyle, Morpeth, NSW

Alan Baker (Letters, 2-3/1) is absolutely correct. Premiers are still using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Be warned, as a self-funded retiree, if any politician attempts to crack my nuts with a sledgehammer, I will fight back.

Greg Wickes, Jeeralang Junction, Vic

For how long are we going to tolerate and condone some of the greatest acts of bastardry perpetuated by various premiers since Federation? What has happened to the egalitarian Australian, the staunch defender of freedom and personal liberty? It appears we have meekly succumbed, and even applauded at times, the diktats of quasi-dictators masquerading as premiers. Gemma Tognini (“Pandemic reveals ugly Aussie is not an isolated case”, 2-3/1) nails it: “We are anything but one and we are certainly not free.”

Owen Reid, Dunlop ACT

If you want a positive 2021, stay negative.

Paul Haege, Darling Point, NSW

The trifecta. First, Bob Hawke in September 1982: There will be no capital gains tax under a government I lead. Second, Julia Gillard in August 2010: There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead.
And now, Anthony Albanese in January 2021: There will be no franking credits ban under a government I lead. Let’s hope the voters see through another hollow promise.

Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT

Anthony Albanese is announcing a new jobs policy. I have never seen a jobs policy produce one new job other than for the people who developed and wrote the policy. It will be interesting to see if Albo’s plan is any different.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

To the Prime Minister: Bury your pride, apologise to Christine Holgate and reinstate her as head of Australia Post.
To the Labor Party: If you want to “enjoy” the next five or six years in Opposition, keep Wayne Swan as national president and Anthony Albanese as Opposition Leader.

David Heywood, Bendigo, Vic