Value of political integrity v hip-pocket cynicism

If Paul Kelly has made a new year’s resolution to not mince his words, he’s off to a cracking start (“Integrity busted but more winners”, 27-28/1).

Describing Anthony Albanese’s broken election promise on the stage three tax cuts as mandate-less, self-interested and integrity-busting, Kelly is also spot-on to call out the Prime Minister for resorting to the divisive politics of envy and for seeking to wedge Peter Dutton. Indeed the “policy does nothing to fight inflation”.

While Albanese’s “hip-pocket cynicism” will be tested at the forthcoming by-election in the federal seat of Dunkley, Dutton has already shown his leadership is competitive. His opposition to the voice was principled, his moral clarity on support for Israel crystal and his push to repeal the ban on nuclear energy sensible. It’s not a slam Dunkley, but it’s game on, Labor.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

In the 1989 movie adaptation of Tom Clancy’s book, Clear and Present Danger, James Earl Jones’ character, Admiral Greer, reminds Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) that “you are your word”. The line may be the product of a screenwriter’s imagination but it has enduring relevance in the real world – it’s integral to one’s trustworthiness and character.

It’s likely Anthony Albanese, in abandoning the legislated stage three tax cuts, has deeply devalued his word and with it his moral authority.

As Paul Kelly writes, it is a big gamble for the Prime Minister as it goes to his judgment about the Australian people.

Are they sufficiently euthanised against the political class’s habitual deception? Are they willing to turn a blind eye to this latest deceit for 30 pieces of silver? Or alternatively, will they regard Labor’s hitherto support for the tax reform – in its entirety – an article of faith and punish the government accordingly?

The Dunkley by-election may provide the answer but it’s clear – as Kelly submits – that Labor has reverted to type. It has spurned the aspirational class and re-engaged the politics of envy.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

By breaking the election promise on tax cuts that was legislated with Labor support, the untrustworthy “truth telling” of the PM and the Treasurer exemplifies politicians who “lie for a living” (“Labor’s word is shown to be utterly worthless”, 27-28/1). To add credibility to the current political debate, it’s time for Peter Dutton to find his strongest voice and call out such a blatant lack of integrity.

Jim Taylor, Brisbane, Qld

Robert Menzies broke his foolish 1949 promise to “put value back into the pound” because it was impossible to keep. Anthony Albanese, with the unanimous support of his caucus, has announced the breaking of a promise that would be very easy to keep.

The Coalition might now set an example by hotly debating the issue in both houses of parliament but then not voting against it in the Senate. Labor and the Greens have tried to make rejection of financial bills in the Senate respectable.

Now the Coalition has a great opportunity to establish again the role of the Senate as house of review but not obstruction. A government needs to have full control of budgetary matters and sink or swim accordingly.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

The breaking of the election promise regarding the stage three tax cuts, when seen in the context of ongoing reassurances that no such change was contemplated, should come as no surprise (“Broken tax promise raises important values questions”, 27-28/1).

Having learnt from the Shorten campaign that laying out Labor’s real policies results in electoral rejection, a false narrative was generated with the ALP rebadged for public consumption as the party of aspiration rather than envy, truly a Damascene conversion.

The broken promises on superannuation and now taxation have a common thread of negatively impacting only those the ALP perceives to be its opponents. Emboldened, we can now expect to see the government make changes to franking credits, negative gearing and capital gains tax under the false flag of changed circumstances.

Anthony Albanese promised to “change the way that politics operates in this country”. That has certainly occurred, but not in the way the electorate anticipated or deserves.

Bruce Watson, Kirribilli, NSW