Leftist warrior Albanese is avoiding the big issues

No doubt during the election campaign Anthony Albanese will prefer to keep dishing up what Chris Kenny calls an agenda about as ambitious as proffering a toasted ham-and-cheese sandwich on MasterChef (“Caution neglects the big issues”, 16-17/4). Anything to avoid addressing the bigger issues on voters’ minds such as energy security.

A steady supply of secure energy is so important to the nation’s economic wellbeing that without it we would witness our vital industries grinding to a halt, businesses shutting down and the lights going out. Love it or loathe it, coal is the nation’s primary energy security provider. And Albanese loathes it. In 2020, when pressed by reporters if a future Labor government would allow new coal projects to proceed, Albanese said, “You may as well ask me if I support unicorns”.

So when he is asked if he believes coal is inextricably linked to energy security, what will Albo say? “Anyone for toasties?”

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

There are similarities between Anthony Albanese and the late Liberal prime minister John Gorton, and they are not comfortable for Labor. Albanese has a likeable, knockabout personality, a trait Gorton displayed in the restrained Menzies era.

But Gorton’s limitations as PM were revealed fairly early and in 1969, his only election as leader, he got home with a substantially reduced majority. By 1971 he was gone as leader.

The worry about Albanese is that, unlike Gorton, his political instincts are from the far left. Does a true-blue Aussie really forgot about his ideological mates when he holds the reins of power?

Albo, the decent bloke and member of parliament? OK. Albo, the prime minister? Thank you, no.

Bob Miller, Wembley, WA

Peter van Onselen argues there is a cultural shift towards citizens expecting more, not less, of government (“Economic jalopy splutters to kerb”, 16-17/4). In my opinion such philosophy is only central to supporters of the left side of politics. Middle-of-the-road and conservative voters want less government, not more. We are sick of red and green tape and tired of progressive governments that think they know what’s best for individuals and the community. Forget high taxes, which punish Australians who have worked hard all of their lives to make themselves independent of government welfare. We must not allow political parties (or newspaper commentators) to succeed in their push for inheritance taxes, taxing the family home and the euphemistically titled “reform of the superannuation system”. The best tax system is one that rewards hard work, not one that encourages lifelong reliance on government handouts.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

Our Coalition government has a great deal to say about the economy and jobs in relation to the forthcoming election. And so it should because the economy and jobs are, of course, of prime importance. But there are so many other extremely important matters, related to the environment, that somehow seem not to be on the radars of our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce

I expect that at the time of the election, May 21, a great many Australians will see that although the economy and jobs are essential, so are being able to have clean air to breath, a stable climate and laws that properly protect our fragile, and in many ways endangered, environment.

Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank, SA

Scott Morrison is fortunate he is not facing Jim Chalmers as opposition leader instead of the fumbling Anthony Albanese. Chalmers is young, has the smarts with a PhD and is very articulate, with numbers and facts at his fingertips. More importantly, he is a Queenslander and this would have attracted more seats in Queensland, as Queenslander Kevin Rudd did in 2007. With Labor holding only six out of 30 seats in Queensland, Chalmers could have made a real difference.

Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South, NSW

With an inner-city elitist, it doesn’t matter left or right. The defining moment in this election campaign will come when Albo is asked, “What is a woman?”. If the answer is not biological, expect a division between elitism and pragmatism to emerge.

Stefan Lewandowski, Wirrulla, SA