Love it or hate it, we face reality of a hung parliament

Simon Benson’s article accurately details the complexities of trying to ascertain the sentiments and intentions of voters on May 21. When people are physically inside the booth, pencil in hand, it is always a different game as to whether change is preferred (“Morrison is still hoping to laugh last … and the loudest”, 2/5).

Australia has just endured two of the most disorientating years in our civil history, in regards to fires, floods and a viral pandemic that had no accompanying playbook. It’s therefore important that the 17 million citizens able to vote resist the temptation to be hindsight heroes and take out their frustration for events that were simply beyond the control of the commonwealth.

However we are inclined to vote, what we must avoid is the unviability of a hung parliament, and giving considerable sway to the micro-parties. As Tony Abbott said in 2013, “they might be fun ... might be different” but they will not deliver the necessary consistency and stability between the upper and lower houses of parliament.

Granted, there needs to be a sense of accountability between the houses, but when a division of government is peppered with both single-issue candidates and members who see the chamber as their personal plaything, then it will not bode well for the future prosperity of this Great South Land.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

With scare tactics being hyped up almost daily, expect the campaign’s final weeks to be dominated by an unseemly auction of electoral bribes as the major parties strive to wedge each other. This tops the dizzying heights of economic lunacy and exposes the dark depths of democracy (“Life will be ‘cheaper’ under me: Albanese”, 2/5).

I’m appalled that neither major party has any plan to restrain our record debt and massive deficits or any interest in tackling desperately needed productivity reform, escalating inflation or wage stagnation. We’re hungry for genuine leadership, vision and conviction politics. Please cater for our better angels not our worst demons. Bring on the independents.

Fr Kevin Burke, Sandringham, Vic

I have been involved in state and federal election campaigns for the past 30 years. The present federal campaign would have to go down as the dirtiest and ugliest I have ever witnessed. GetUp has decided to run hard against Tim Wilson in the Victorian seat of Goldstein. As a result of how GetUp operates, I have never seen political advertising signs being vandalised to the present extent, as Wilson’s signs are constantly. It is very noticeable that the signs of Wilson’s opponent remain virtually untouched. Verbal abuse of people involved in letter box dropping is at an all-time high. Do Australians really want a Labor government that is backed by the likes of these people?

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

As John Ferguson reports, “in the past four years the world has moved on” (“Frydenberg casts himself as underdog”, 2/5). Since the last election, our world has become a more uncertain and volatile place.

In Australia, we’ve experienced horrific bushfires and flooding events that have woken up the public to the reality of a changed climate, which, according to Vote Compass, is now the number one issue of concern for Australian voters. I live in Kooyong. After two years of lockdowns, and amid a wave of apathy for the political status quo, I see excitement and engagement in the suburbs. People are seeking leadership that listens to their concerns and provides a realistic vision for a better future.

The groundswell of committed local volunteers within Monique Ryan’s team are most definitely “dishing out some tutorials” on community-backed leadership with integrity.

Dr Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic

The analysis in of Anthony Albanese’s election pitch shows that it is narrowly focused, not about Australia and Australians, just about more government and handouts for some people; he offered no compelling reason for change (“Albanese rhetoric-rich, policy-poor”, 2/5).

Nothing about nurturing and growing the economy, or about supporting agriculture, resources, trade, commerce or defence.

Frightening for people like me who live outside the green/left electorates around the cities.

Ron Robinson, Little Mountain, Qld