Victoria’s new Liberal leadership hints at change in the wind

As The Weekend Australian’s editorial noted, the election of Brad Battin to Victorian Opposition Leader demonstrates what should already have been abundantly clear: disunity is death. The Liberal Party now has less than 24 months to establish itself as a genuine alternate government in Victoria, holding the country’s most destructive state governments to account.

The Deeming-Pesutto affair was a sideshow that should not have advanced to the Federal Court. The Liberal Party is supposed to be passionate about protecting women’s spaces and not allowing self-evident demarcations of gender to be undermined by progressive ideals. Starting in 2025, there cannot be any more mutterings about leadership challenges or attempts to be Labor-lite.

The change of governments in the Northern Territory and Queensland, and the moral clarity on display by Peter Dutton, indicates there’s an appetite – perhaps even in Victoria – for a reset and change.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

It’s about time Victorians stood up against the worst Labor government in its history. The Andrews government takes the cake on how to send a rich state to the wall with far-left policies (“Victoria: a Labor state in revolt”, 28-29/12). In some respects it was a feat of epic proportions, achieved by a union-dominated government. Financially the state is in turmoil. However, Daniel Andrews walked away, midterm, leaving a financial and organisational mess as he left. Former treasurer Tim Pallas, who, based on his fiscal performance, would struggle to pay a bar bill, also walked away, such is the murky state of affairs in Victoria.

Is it any wonder that a once dysfunctional state Liberal Party is now seen as a potential saving grace? Who would’ve thought that Moira Deeming could well be credited with being the catalyst that saved Victoria and brought sensible centrist politics back into power? It must be true, as the old saying goes, that a week in politics truly is a very long time.

Tom Moylan, Dudley Park, WA

Rebuilding Gaza

In an astute and lucid article, Robert Gregory has shown how “Palestinian Arabs have wasted the past century trying to destroy the Jewish homeland” blindly aided by financial support from the international community (“How Labor could actually help prevent the next Gaza war”, 28-29/12). And in just a few sentences he explains why the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees is a chief contributor to prolonging the conflicts and the plight of the Palestinians. Despite which the International Criminal Court of Justice has now agreed to issue an opinion regarding Israel’s ban on the operations of the UN agency.

Alex Selby, Double Bay, NSW

Despite Robert Gregory providing a timeline of some events that have hindered the establishment of a Palestinian state, it is unrealistic for him to suggest the international community will abandon the idea altogether. However, he does propose a pragmatic approach that may well be the status quo: no reconstruction in Gaza should occur until a moderate Palestinian leadership emerges, one that acknowledges Israel’s right to actually exist as a Jewish state. Predicting the trajectory of a Donald Trump presidency is challenging, yet based on his recent statements and some of his administrative appointments, it seems probable that Israel’s actions against Hamas will persist, and potentially escalate, until the terrorists capitulate and release the remaining hostages. Continued rapprochement with the Arab world, specifically Saudi Arabia, also appears likely. Future Palestinian leaders must now confront the reality that they have been bypassed as the Arab world no longer considers their plight a primary concern.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

Dubious claims

I am one of those misunderstanding Australians in need of remedial correction, as demanded by Chinese diplomat Xiao Qian (“China envoy: respect our claims”, 28-29). One of my misunderstandings relates to Taiwan and his dubious claims. My misunderstanding is that, if any country, Japan has a superior claim to Taiwan than China.

I also have the Cold War mentality that appears to upset Mr Xiao so much, in particular, my view that “China is going to challenge the existing international order”. Despite the ambassador’s grievance, it has been my understanding that China has already challenged the international order with regard to the South China Sea. China’s actions immediately provoked, and sustain, military confrontation with The Philippines, Vietnam and Japan. Nevertheless, Mr Xiao is totally understanding when he refers to China’s “extreme sensitivity to criticism” and he would no doubt view me as sorely in need of re-education, just like the million or so Uighurs in “protective detention” in Xinjiang. I’ve been a naughty boy.

Tony Hagar, Sandy Bay, Tas