Spendthrift economy suffering from self-inflicted setbacks

Australians are entitled to expect that the federal Treasurer and Finance Minister will work as a team for the economic benefit of the nation (“ ‘Automatic’ excuse to justify Labor spending”, 17/12).

We got it with Paul Keating, the structural director of the economy in the Hawke government, and Peter Walsh, the incomparable and unflinching Dr No of unwarranted spending.

The unfortunate fiscal feature of the Albanese government is that we have Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has done very little to improve the productive capacity of our economy, and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who apparently cannot say no to any spending request.

Among the most ludicrous reasons given for Gallagher’s additional spending is relief for cost of living, a situation created by Labor in the first place.

Bob Miller, Leederville, WA

Head over heels in debt

As Victoria’s economy burns to the ground under 10 years of ALP rule, surely the same awaits the Australian economy if the nation’s finances continue down the same wanton spending strategy as we’ve seen in the past couple of years (“High debt, big spending, stiff taxes”, 17/12).

Everyone might soon start to realise that high government debt means the long-term impoverishment of our country. All Australians will then care a lot about our national debt and wonder what we have to show for it.

It’s never a good idea to entrust our national purse-strings to people driven by ideology rather than rational commonsense economics. Sadly, the commonsense flower does not grow in everyone’s garden.

Brian Barker, Bulimba, Qld

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan tells us what we already know about all Labor governments.

It is certainly Labor’s way to be high-spending, high-taxing and high-borrowing governments. What she forgot to tell us is that it always ends in tears before bedtime. There will be much weeping in the parlous state of Victoria.

Alexander Haege, Tamarama, NSW

Inexplicable sympathy

I’m with Kylie Moore-Gilbert on the topic of the disparity in the level of Australian government assistance extended to members of the so-called Bali Nine, culminating in the release of five into the community in Australia, as against the assistance provided to her and other innocent Australian citizens illegally arrested and detained as hostages by rogue governments.

The difference, in case the Prime Minister hadn’t noticed, is that the Bali Nine were found to have committed a crime. Sure, the punishment was harsher than they would have experienced under Australian law, but people who deliberately break the law in foreign lands should expect to suffer the consequences if caught.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

I have watched our Prime Minister do nothing since October 7, 2023, when Jews were pelted with hate speech and worse and there was never a word of sympathy for them. Now he has shown his caring side for drug dealers. Please explain.

Helen M. Wyland, Rockhampton, Qld

Hope also rises

Ernest Hemingway’s explanation for bankruptcy in The Sun Also Rises perfectly describes anti-Semitism in Australia, which has arisen “gradually, then suddenly”.

Anti-Semitism alarm bells did not ring when the Sydney Opera House mob made their hateful chants against Jews. Nor when the Melbourne Jewish school I attended, where armed guards are required to keep students safe, bore anti-Semitic graffiti.

Gradually, then suddenly is what it feels like to be a Jew in Australia and have your sense of safety and normality slowly sucked out of you.

But anti-Semitism does not simply warrant pity, it demands action. The announcement by Jacinta Allan to ban terrorist flags and symbols in public, ban face coverings at protests and introduce legislation to curb protests at places of worship is a step in the right direction, albeit a bit late.

My hope for Australia is that out of the ashes of the Adass Israel Synagogue terror attack this country will suddenly, then gradually and continuously stamp out anti-Semitism and return order to our streets.

Rami Maserow, Caulfield, Vic

Thank you, Turkish Australians (“Turkish groups back besieged Australian Jews”, 17/12). Your voice demonstrates empathy, principle and decency. What multiculturalism is all about.

Vic Alhadeff, Kirribilli, NSW

Did I miss the small print, or maybe it did not happen: did the International Criminal Court issue warrants for the arrest of Bashar al-Assad, who was responsible for the death of thousands of his own citizens during the 24 years of his presidency? Or is it permissible to kill your own in peace but not others in war?

Peter Gaspar, Caulfield North, Vic