Upgrade scandal has led to public cynicism of our political class

While transparency and trust were lost in the pandemic, the Qantas upgrade scandal reinforces another threat to a well-oiled democracy: deep cynicism of our decision-makers and some of our prominent companies. As Janet Albrechtsen points out in her piece in The Weekend Australian, the ministerial code of conduct is worthless (“ ‘Upgrade Albo’ stumbles over heavy political baggage”, 2-3/11). Given government itself cannot eradicate the behaviour that induces such cynicism, why can’t Qantas itself be the catalyst for change? The first task for the John Mullen board should be to ban free upgrades altogether. If US airlines can invite all passengers to tender for upgrades why can’t Qantas follow suit?

It’s scandalous that upgrades go free to politicians and adult children of board members. Not only would such action be appreciated by the long-forgotten shareholders but our once proud national carrier could be rehabilitated. It would serve to lower our level of national cynicism.

Bob Miller, Leederville, WA

Trump derangement

In response to Gerard Henderson’s article in The Weekend Australian, I put my hand up as one of those with so-called Trump derangement syndrome (“If derangement persists, read your WWII history”, 2-3/11). This is even though I have read my World War II history. Donald Trump’s actions following his election loss in 2020, culminating in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, were well summed up by Janet Albrechtsen last Wednesday (“Democracy means losers must take defeat on the chin”, 30/10). The question for Henderson is whether he would be of the same view about Trump if he were from the left rather than the right. Democracy is weakened when partisan politics is put above behaviours.

Ross Clarke, Eumundi, Qld

Various journalists have offered their opinions about how dangerous Donald Trump may be if he’s re-elected for a second term as president. The most prestigious of them is legendary Watergate reporter Bob Woodward, the subject of Troy Bramston’s piece in The Weekend Australian (“Watergate reporter warns against ‘dangerous’ mistake”, 2-3/11). Among other notable things in this very good article, Woodward opines that Trump is “far worse” than Richard Nixon. Some strong US checks and balances have been severely tested in recent times. For example, on January 6, vice-president Mike Pence was lucky to escape being strung up by a violent mob.

Bob Cowley, Broadview, SA

Net zero blind spots

It was only a matter of time before experts in the fields of ecology and biodiversity started to ring alarm bells over the impacts from the widespread environmental devastation caused by the rampaging, out-of-control rollout of renewable energy projects (“Energy rethink to save our nature”, 2-3/11). Just as government strategies to counter Covid did not take into account the full gamut of societal and economic costs, so the renewables rollout is similarly negligent. As tragic as the industrialisation of once pristine and wild places is, along with widespread biodiversity losses, future generations will be burdened by lower living standards resulting from unaffordable energy and the massive system costs required to back up renewables, as well as reduced job opportunities resulting from the outsourcing of industry and the hollowing out of the economic structure. There is a workable solution, nuclear power, which would grow the economy as well as preserve the environment.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Israel’s success

There are grounds for optimism that the end of the fighting in the Middle East is in sight. Israel has achieved most of its war objectives (apart from the return of the hostages) and that’s hopeful. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel has dismantled Hamas’s infrastructure and capabilities. Israel’s own defence and security forces are beginning to press for a deal in Lebanon, arguing that they’ve degraded Hezbollah’s missile arsenal and removed almost its entire leadership. Hezbollah is privately signalling a willingness to de-link negotiations over Lebanon from the war in Gaza after it repeatedly said it would stop striking Israel only after a ceasefire in Gaza (“Ceasefire draft gives Israel 60 days to smash Hezbollah threat”, 2-3/11). It’s time for our government to finally acknowledge that Israel’s operational successes have produced results. There’s no serious security threat from the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah’s plan to invade the Galilee has been thwarted. Israel has strengthened its strategic deterrence. It has prevented most of the drones and missiles launched from Iran, Iraq and Yemen from hitting its homeland. Fortunately, Israel ignored our advice over the past year that when it comes to its security Israel’s best strategy was to just kick the can down the road.

Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT