Voters are facing tsunami of half-truths and falsehoods

Greens leader Adam Bandt will apply maximum political pressure to a likely Labor minority government to bring about an end to the nation’s coal and gas industries, which, in recent times, have contributed about $150bn annually to the economy, supported hundreds of thousands of jobs and provided our regional neighbours with much-needed energy products and industrial raw materials (“Bandt aims at Plibersek, Bowen over coal, gas projects”, 28/4).

Bandt’s dream, to replace these exports with hydrogen, is rapidly turning into a nightmare. Supported by the dreamy teals in a minority Labor government, the economically illiterate Bandt would impoverish the nation, increase sovereign risk to unacceptable levels and dramatically lower Australia’s standing and influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

If the polls are correct, Labor will be returned. There will be lots of backslapping at Labor Party HQ for a campaign well run.

But will this be a victory for the democratic process, or rather a victory for pork-barrelling and misrepresentation?

Labor has not presented a modicum of real policy to repay $1 trillion of debt; to face the structural budget deficits projected for many years; to defend us from those who might invade us for our wealth; to lift productivity; to provide cheap and reliable energy; to close the Indigenous disadvantage gap; to switch taxes away from personal exertion to consumption; to educate our children for the future they face, or; to provide real care for our ageing population. To the victor goes the spoils of governing. But unless Labor lifts itself from the mirage that simplistic solutions and deception are the correct way to govern, we face a continuing decline in our way of life for three more years.

Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT

Peter Dutton should win the election this Saturday but I fear the tsunami of half-truths and falsehoods from Labor will fool enough Australian voters to forgive Anthony Albanese and his cabinet for being the worst federal government since Gough Whitlam, and he was a shocker. Our economy has dropped over the past three years down a deep toilet yet somehow Albo (like Dan Andrews) continues to fool the voters that he and his merry men are worth re-electing. For the sake of our country and our children, give Albo the elbow this Saturday. Please.

Peter J. Burke, Mosman, NSW

We keep hearing Labor is on the nose but people feel the Coalition is not ready to govern. I would say to those of that opinion: How ready do you have to be?

Peter Dutton has been in government for many years and has successfully managed some of the most difficult portfolios any politician can have. I would point out he ran them all incredibly successfully. He took the hard decisions that worked when Labor wanted soft solutions that never worked.

Anthony Albanese has run us into the ground, which is an opinion held by the majority of Australians. So why would anyone vote for Albanese and think they will do better this time around? We need a fresh approach and only one party is offering that.

Ross Dillon, Murrumba Downs, Qld

With less than a week to polling day the latest Newspoll will have Coalition supporters down in the dumps. The findings almost mirror the result at the 2022 election and will give Labor some confidence that it can govern again without the support of minor parties or independents. History is that for the Coalition to win it must have a primary vote in the 40s and right now it is around 5 per cent away from the target. But if the maxim that an incumbent loses an election rather than an opposition wins it then there will be some nerves in the Labor camp. As Simon Benson reveals (“You’d rather be the PM but Dutton is not gone yet”, 28/4), only 39 per cent of voters believe that it deserves to be re-elected after just one term. The fat lady may be gargling but she’s not quite ready to sing.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

I find the results of the Newspoll baffling. The PM is apparently on the nose but Peter Dutton and his team are not ready. I would have thought the PM has demonstrated over three years that he and his team were never ready and are still doing more damage than good. By contrast, Dutton has demonstrated good instincts and superior leadership on most issues.

Hunter Ronald, Jerrabomberra, NSW