The Victorian character is obedient and relishes rules and guidelines

While Niki Savva is generally correct in her analysis about Premier Daniel Andrews’ fate should there be a resurgence of the virus (“Cautious Andrews knows a third wave would sweep him from office”, 1/10), she is incorrect about the actions of Victorians in such an event. There will be no riots in the streets or mass protests in the face of further lockdowns. While the heavy fines and brutal actions by the Victorian Police are a deterrent, this is not the reason.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, something about the Australian national character. As first identified by the great historian John Hirst, Australians are obedient. While constantly deriding politicians, Australians will obey government rules and regulations to the letter, a source of some amazement to overseas observers (although, perhaps not Germans).

If this is true of Australians generally, it is doubly so for Victorians. The reach of government into every aspect of Victorians’ lives is extreme, something that was happening long before the pandemic. More rules and regulations have been enacted and enforced, principally because Victorians have demanded them.

Premier Andrews’ pandemic management style is something that could only succeed in Victoria. Moralising, fining, endless lockdown, wrecked economy, helicopters overhead, accusing Victorians of failing to obey the rules while the community actually delivers higher compliance than just about anywhere else in the world. Cometh the pandemic, cometh the Premier… It seems likely (if slightly incredible) that his style will be an eventual winner with enough Victorians to succeed at the next election.

Michael van Leeuwen, Fitzroy North, Vic

It would be helpful if Daniel Andrews would stop advocating zero COVID numbers and the likelihood of an imminent vaccine. There might never be a vaccine for this virus, just as there’s no vaccine for Ebola, dengue, HIV, malaria and others. We have learned to live with them, first because we have no option and second, because turning entire communities into a pack of cringing hermits isn’t the answer. All we can do is put sensible protocols in place to minimise the risk. Andrews has worked on drumming up fear instead of caution. The damage he’s done and the misery he’s caused is beyond estimating.

Julian Smith, Melbourne, Vic

Nuclear will have its day

Those brave enough to support the use of nuclear power (Letters, 1/10) for widespread use will have to be patient. It will eventually happen that nuclear energy will supply power to our homes and several gadgets, including all engines, and even cars. When Thomas Edison helped to bring electric lights to some homes in America, it took another 40 years before half of the homes in the US had electrical power and another 10 years for it to be widely accepted. Admittedly, the early application of electricity killed many before it was managed safely. Likewise, nuclear power needs to be harnessed safely before it can be widely accepted. Don’t let detractors, like the early electricity opponents, hold back development.

Joseph Buttery, Tennyson, SA

Putting the boot in

Theres no doubt many in the media have it in for George Pell. To listen to some callow young reporter on the Channel 9 news saying, “George Pell has sneaked out of Sydney tonight”. Putting in the boot. The cardinal is a private citizen. He holds no public or religious office in this country. He owes the media nothing. He is free as much as any of us are to do what he wants. He left Australia just as any other person with permission might. “Sneaked out”, indeed. Mutual respect between us all, including the media, which has no special dispensation, will help get all of us through this stressful period.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld