Unwise to draw federal parallels over WA election result

Unwise to draw federal parallels over WA election result

I don’t think we should read too much into Labor’s election victory in Western Australia at the weekend. Most Australians know the difference between the responsibilities of various levels of government. In WA the incumbent Premier and his predecessor managed the state finances and delivery of services to the electorate quite well. WA is a rich state, it knows it, and the government uses its wealth to care for its constituents. Federally, it’s a different scenario. For starters Anthony Albanese doesn’t have the confidence of the people who recognise his weak leadership. This is vastly different to Roger Cook.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

Although West Australian Liberal leader Libby Mettam had a mountain to climb, she nonetheless confirmed the accuracy of Tony Abbott’s “four Ls” observation that Labor-lite Liberals lose. Federally, Peter Dutton’s ascent to the top job is similarly challenging, but with the viable centre-right alternative government he is leading Anthony Albanese’s fate with sandgropers remains up for grabs. As Paul Garvey notes from the west, it is a “deeply unpopular Labor government in Canberra”.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Climate doomsayers

Chris Uhlmann’s excellent research demonstrates that the best method of revealing misinformation is by running down report references (“Doomsayers push climate fear as Alfred hits”, 8-9/3). His expose of climate doom claims based on misuse of information by activist organisations such as the Climate Council and UNICEF is concerning. However, this misinformation pales into insignificance when compared with the antics of UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres. All of this misinformation is then amplified by an echo chamber, including our Prime Minister and the hapless Chris Bowen.

Michael Neustein, Bondi, NSW

Chris Uhlmann is correct that there are fewer cyclones nowadays, but scientists confirm that they are, on average, stronger and more damaging. In Australia, the CSIRO and representatives of Melbourne and Monash universities agree that it is too early to say how much Alfred has been made worse by the higher ocean surface temperatures. But they report that warmer seas overall have fuelled cyclones to spread farther south, “dumping more rain than they used to”. The independent scientists at Climate Central in the US say: “Climate change increased maximum wind speeds for every Atlantic hurricane in 2024.” There are certainly “challenges associated with modelling tropical cyclones”, but other evidence confirms the warming oceans, with adverse impacts on people.

John Hughes, Mentone, Vic

Wise leadership

University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Emma Johnston and associate provost Marcia Langton have shown logic, decency and strength in their declarations (“VC backs ideal of a university”, 8-9/3). Universities must return to being places of learning in which the respectful exchange of ideas flows freely. What we have witnessed across the past 18 months, by way of intimidation and bullying of Jewish students by certain elements, is the antithesis of these values.

Let’s hope these brave women will lead the way for other universities to follow.

George Greenberg, Malvern, Vic

The University of Melbourne’s new vice-chancellor, Emma Johnston, has shown wise leadership by issuing new rules to ensure that “academe will prevail over anarchy”. Regrettably, the tolerance exhibited by certain vice-chancellors towards the pro-Hamas demonstrations on our university campuses has displayed a reckless misunderstanding of the respectful application of the tenets of academic freedom and freedom of speech.

Individuals are entitled to hold and express their opinions. However, disrupting lectures, breaking into libraries and offices, occupying halls and establishing encampments on university lawns are all examples of intimidatory behaviour and should not be tolerated.

Freedom of speech and the ability to dissent from prevailing wisdom are precious products of our democracy. They should be championed, protected and never abused. Codes of conduct should make this clear.

Allan Kalus, Windsor, Vic

Renewables rush

The promise of regional jobs, economic development and greater prosperity from the reckless renewables rollout just isn’t materialising. Workers are brought in from elsewhere, local manufacturers are being ignored in favour of importing components, and profits from the subsidised renewables developments by global companies are sent offshore. (“Country towns steamrolled in rush for renewables”, 8-9/3). The renewables juggernaut is out of control and must be reined in.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic