Voters must read the small print behind poll candidates

The election decider may not be the bribery war but a coherent, voter-friendly decoding of the political philosophy of all contenders. What makes them tick. What generates their policies and underlies their legislation votes, spending and media responses.

The conservative Coalition traditionally yearns to control all signs of mayhem, instability, unpredictable change.

The current Labor Left faction of the Albanese government seems to be striving for social justice for all victim groups, net zero whatever it takes, a government shield to protect society and the environment from the wealthy who are hoarding assets, as in the colonial past.

Go warily. There are no exceptions to the history of go woke, go broke. Bombarded voters could be assisted by understanding the drivers, the underlying belief systems of rival parties; the pluses and minuses of who is standing for what, in the current global context, now and in the future.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA

With the election announced for May 3, the race is now on. Cost of living and energy policy are already prominent issues. However, there are quite a few long-term issues that are just as important: excessive immigration, integration of those immigrants into Australian society, climate change, overcoming Donald Trump’s tariffs, foreign ownership of Australia’s resources, the declining Australian dollar, our depleted armed forces, housing supply and the rising dominance of China, to name a few.

In this campaign I want to hear more about those difficult, long-term issues.

Ken Moore, Chapel Hill, Qld

The muzzling of candidates by both Labor and Liberal parties, as reported, together with the presentation of small policy targets creates a political vacuum that advantages independent candidates who have no such constraints.

The political battle then becomes more about the calibre of each individual candidate where the major party candidates have their hands tied behind their backs.

Independent candidates can shine because they can present their credentials and represent the views of their constituents without being beholden to any party hierarchy.

The resurgence of independents is very much the failure of the major parties in not standing on policy issues that historically have been their forte and now is compounded by the muzzling of their candidates.

If the major political parties want to increase their primary vote, they will need to distinguish themselves by standing for something that will polarise the vote and allow their candidates to speak. Otherwise, electors will look for alternatives.

David Muir, Indooroopilly, Qld

Jim Chalmers seems to wish Australia should emulate other countries that have a much higher debt than we do at present.

We have a current deficit of nearly $1 trillion. That would pale into insignificance compared with what we could be “blessed” with.

John Bicknell, Bargo, NSW

The starter’s gun has officially been fired by Anthony Albanese for what promises to be an acrimonious election campaign. Labor appears arrogant.

It is typecasting Peter Dutton as a loser. This contrasts with the promise of the Prime Minister to sanitise politics with a new approach.

It seems that the imperative of winning an election when polls are proving an awkward wake-up call for Labor means the rules have to change.

So far the Opposition Leader has delivered in his budget-in-reply speech, with real-time, real-impact actions such as cutting the price of petrol and lowering power prices. These policies will capture the imagination of people more than a small tax cut in more than a year’s time.

Jim Chalmers is perhaps the most polished communicator in the parliament and a very good salesman. But that doesn’t mean the Treasurer can demean or belittle his opponents or that get away with rewriting history. It’s time for the truth.

People want substance, not name-calling, vitriol and items on a long-term wish list.

They also want a future for their children rather than worrying about paying off the national credit card loaded up with vote-winning promises.

Tim Sauer, Brighton East, Vic