No defence for a campaign that ignores nation’s priorities

Greg Sheridan gives the ultimate fail-grade report card on the Albanese government, in terms of Anthony Albanese’s total ongoing neglect of our defence, in its current context of looming crisis (“Russia’s gibe at defence hurts most because it is true”, 22/4).

Troy Bramston gives the Prime Minister an alternative, rosy, credit-pass report card based on previous slippery election wins and losses (“If PM breaks the second-term curse, he must be bolder”, 22/4). The contrast between the two commentaries highlights just how perilously arbitrary elections can be.

This election is consequential. Just when we urgently need good government, a policy-free, tripartite parliamentary free-for-all is forecast. Uniquely weak and unionised Labor finally admits what it has denied until five minutes ago. Its preference deals confirm that it is indeed married to like-minded, woke, anti-capitalist Greens. Both value winning more than the hard reform the nation needs.

We prioritise survival in its historical context, so Sheridan’s report card wins. He also reminds us that Liberals are as deficient on defence as Labor, so we are devoid of good voting choices.

Voters disdain both major party leaders. They seem to concur with Bramston’s perception of Albanese coasting along just fine into a future of personal comfy choices.

Albanese’s major failings aren’t on the report card: defence and electricity supply failures are promised to continue; inept government delivery of unprecedented quick declines in our cost of living and standard of living are rendered invisible by blame games. A new record of election lies and bluster confounds the commentators.

The Coalition campaign has dissipated its claim to govern in a mass of piecemeal reforms that has drowned out the crucial issues of defence and cost of living.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA

Greg Sheridan is correct in castigating both Labor and the Liberals since John Howard for the current defence malaise.

When I can list about a dozen relatives who have served honourably and come out mostly unscathed, lost their minds in the trenches of World War I, died in action, were blinded, were captives of the Japanese for more than three years during World War II (a few more weeks and I would not be here), sustained permanent injuries carrying soldiers as many World War II nurses did or fought during the Vietnam War, our defence posture makes me feel physically ill.

As we approach Anzac Day perhaps somebody can calculate the number of relatives of our serving politicians who served the nation.

That would be eye-opening for the voting public in the upcoming election.

Peter R. Tredenick, Laidley, Qld

Clearly the polls are asking the wrong questions regarding the coming election.

The photo opportunities show the Prime Minister with footballs, walking the dog, hugging babies and little goats, going to church and turning barbecue sausages and smiling, while the Opposition Leader is adjusting bolts and nuts, walking the dog, going to church or turning barbecue sausages and smiling.

It’s obvious that running the country has nothing to do with overseas relations, building defence, improving the cost of living, providing reasonable energy solutions, and developing better health and education pathways.

Rosemary McGrath, Kensington, SA

What on earth is wrong with Peter Dutton? Or, more likely, the Liberal Party HQ with its stupefyingly boring election campaign? Labor lite, more often than not.

No opposition leader in the run-up to an election has ever had more ammo in his knapsack than Dutton, and he has more than enough to blow this divisive, utterly destructive, hard-left Albanese government clear out of left field and into total oblivion.

Yet he is merely dancing around some of the most critically serious and dangerous issues this country has ever faced.

For heaven’s sake, someone should energise Dutton’s election campaign.

We are five minutes to bringing in a terrifyingly unhinged, rampantly leftie government led by the nose, with Greens leader Adam Bandt yanking on the nose rope.

Stephanie Millar, Cremorne, NSW