Scare campaigns, economic failure Labor trademarks

There are now two sacred cows on the Australian political scene, Medicare and the NDIS. Any politician who tinkers around the edges of these two programs is facing instant political death thanks to the various scare campaigns that Labor continues to roll out. But something is drastically amiss when the NDIS, catering for 800,000 Australians, costs more than the whole of Medicare, which caters for 27 million Australians. I think that with the NDIS there needs to be more than tinkering around the edges. From a budgetary point of view, a cut in the petrol excise is a match winner that will be of far more benefit than a measly $5-per-week tax cut. Whoever dreamt that one up is indeed living in a dreamland.

Peter Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

Economics has never been a favourite subject, but today it seems to have fallen into total neglect. During my school days it was drilled into us that primary industries and the primary dollar were the keys to producing economic growth. It is of great concern that the Labor Party has chosen to disregard this truism. Despite Labor governments deliberately discouraging, and in some cases banning, many of our primary industries, they feign ignorance as to why the Australian economy is stagnating and businesses are failing.

Bruce Harvey, Marooine Rock, WA

The proposed budget tax cuts, which do not come into effect until 2026, are nothing more than a blatant election con. The cuts effectively start at $5 per week, barely the price of a cup of coffee, and are unlikely to make any appreciable difference to the many struggling to make ends meet. They are also discriminatory, as those at the bottom end of the income scale, who do not earn enough to pay tax, will miss out, and are the ones most in need. What will those who miss out get instead to compensate them? The budget completely ignores the welfare sector and the environment; it is also an extravagance that does virtually nothing to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis, and which the economy can ill-afford.

Mario Stivala, Belconnen, ACT

Peter Dutton has come up with a winner with the fuel excise cut. An immediate benefit for all those struggling with the cost of living. What’s needed now is a rethink of the nuclear power pledge. There is no need for nuclear plants to be taxpayer-funded and owned. There are expert builders and operators across the world who could give Australia nuclear power, for a cleaner and cheaper energy future. Just invite them in based on a tender model. The Coalition needs to look at this urgently – it is very exposed to a Labor scare campaign based on costs getting out of control under the Coalition’s government-developed and owned model.

Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT

Peta Credlin’s compelling commentary on the budget succinctly relates the essential shortcomings of the Albanese government and its continuing failures (“Dutton must show brave leadership to win power”, 27/3). As Credlin concludes, Australians are desperate for brave leadership and competent government. Most of all, they are desperate to hear, honestly and simply, a credible plan for all of us to tackle the challenges ahead. If those wants are denied we are lost and condemned to our present decline that can only end in disaster. With bravery and boldness on the part of the Opposition Leader we have a chance to make the change essential to our future.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW

Both major parties are failing in their duty of care to all of us. The collective inability over the past decade or more to address our massive debt is a disgrace – all for their own political gain. We’re now in a position where we cannot afford yet another economic downturn or some other crisis. We’re faced with massive global uncertainty. Political parties now refer to deficits and surpluses but shy away from any meaningful discussion regarding our growing debt problem. The major parties can be blamed for our cost-of-living crisis. The main drivers are interest rates, the housing crisis and massive energy expense hikes; interest rates staying higher for longer, simply due to government overspend; a housing crisis due to multiple government failures. Add to this higher energy bills due to multiple government failings and a lack of a cohesive energy policy.

James McAuliffe, Albany, WA