The economy needs mastery, and Albo’s an apprentice

In order to convince the electorate that Labor would be a responsible economic manager, Opposition Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers (“If PM wants the election fought on economy, bring it on”, 13/4) really needs to put some details around that slogan “We have a plan to grow the economy into the future”.

More than anything else, growing the economy will require substantial private sector investment.

But how will Chalmers persuade his largely leftist colleagues to set up the incentives for the private sector to invest?

Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s political DNA is way to the left. And he gives every indication he is not much interested in matters economic.

Clearly, much may hinge on the ideas and influence of deputy leader Richard Marles.

Bob Miller, Wembley, WA

The exposure of Anthony Albanese (“Albanese rewrites his economic history”, 13/4) demonstrates not merely an economy with the truth, but an inversion of it.

For Mr Albanese would have the electorate believe that he has had a Damascene conversion abandoning socialism and embracing the centre.

In the corporate world, the inflation of his roles in prior ALP administrations would see him dismissed. Why should it be any different with an aspirant to the Lodge?

Bruce Watson, Mosman, NSW

I refuse to vote for a Labor prime minister when his total life experience consists of working as a “research assistant” to a Labor MP or serving as a trade union official. Hardly the broad work experience I would expect for this high office.

Get your hands dirty out in the real world first, and have some understanding of how the economy really works.

Alison Traill, St Ives, NSW

World peace is in the most precarious position since World War II, the pandemic is still affecting most areas of our lives and if the polls prove correct, Australia will have a leader with absolutely no credentials for the job.

Albanese’s CV is that of a hard-left political activist who has spent his whole life since university as a political apparatchik in the labour movement. His often-stated ambition in life has been “to fight Tories”, which seems to be the only thing he is capable of as evidenced by his ongoing vilification of the PM over his three years as ALP leader.

He resides in a total policy-free zone and his lack of experience in the real world was evidenced by his ignorance of the current cash rate and the percentage of unemployed.

And this is the person we need to lead us through the most dangerous time in generations? I think not!

Peter Jacobsen, New Farm, Qld

The shadow treasurer keeps expressing economic views that do not match reality.

A major cause of his obvious lack of understanding of the workforce is that he has never really been involved in it.

He may have a “Dr” title in front of his name but his understanding of wages growth and falling unemployment may have to be, as Paul Kelly highlights, pivotal (“Economic mindset vital for Labor’s success”, 13/4).

Do he and the Opposition Leader not understand that many people want to stay as casuals, receiving a 25 per cent higher rate of pay and flexible work hours?

After 12 months of continuous work they have the option of conversion to full-time permanent status. The majority choose not to.

If Albanese and Chalmers get out and talk to the workers, a whole new world will open up to them both.

Peter Fuhrmann, Watermans Bay, WA

The recent economic gaffes made by Anthony Albanese are virtually a storm in a tea cup, with almost 40 days of campaigning still to come.

However, what awaits Australia could be worse should Albanese win government. And that is he will be given instructions on how to run the economy from those that hold more sway – the unions.

It could be like a Gough Whitlam government again – and Albanese won’t resemble Hawke or Howard as pledged – with union wage demands without productivity gains.

Anthony Anderson, Templestowe Lower, Vic