‘Gladys is the only premier who has stuck to the strategy and it is working’

Readers have their say on how Gladys got it right on Covid, the divide in US politics, and the self-importance of being Cate.

Crowning achievement: Gladys Berejiklian has handed the other premiers a lesson in how to handle the coronavirus. Picture: NCA Newswire

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Tom Switzer and Robert Carling looked at most states’ heavy-handed response to COVID-19 and concluded that NSW’s Berejiklian government had found the best way, spending two months successfully using testing, contact tracing and isolation to suppress the virus wherever it popped up, without significant fallback to pre-July restrictions. Bill agreed:

“I recall months ago the PM outlining this strategy (of flattening the curve). Then for months I have watched with dismay has numerous premiers have ignored this strategy for obvious political reasons, and been able to get away with it. These politicians, aided by the media, have frightened the public to the extent that these new, unworkable policies have become popular.

“These policies have become popular because many members of the public have been unable to see beyond their own frightened selfishness and this has been doubled down on by premiers like the one in Qld. Victoria has become another country where freedom is being eroded very quickly. It is frightening. Gladys is the only Premier who has stuck to the strategy and, despite some mistakes, it is working. Good for you Glad.”

Terrific, said TJ:

“Gladys is my favourite politician. She is an Australian first and foremost, despite the increasing pressures of being the Premier of our biggest province. She has the right frame of reference for her decision-making. If the province stuffs up, she takes it on the chin and moves on. I don’t mind Scott’s efforts either, but as PM of Australia his job priorities are relatively crystal clear and straightforward.

“Contrast other provincial politicians who play divisive, hypocritical, dog-in-a-manger games – claiming to do so for the benefit of ‘their’ people. In an election year. Please!

I know whose actions come across as genuinely principled. A bigger human being.”

Edi was ambitious:

“Gladys for PM. I have never been more serious.”

No shade from Sheila:

“Gladys is the only State premier with the courage to manage the virus to the least detriment to the economy and to public. Great job Gladys.”

Gavin countered:

“You are forgetting the SA premier, it’s been a fantastic result compared to the eastern states, and things are pretty normal here, always have been. Now Zero Covid.”

Fumble: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk takes a punt on keeping borders closed. Picture: NCA NewWire

Fred was fierce:

“The public tide is slowly turning in Qld. This week, we heard that the closures will continue until we’ve had one month of no transmission. Within hours, we flew in 400 sports related people, in preparation for a grand final the week of the State Election. At the AFL press conference, the Premier said that the virus is contained. At the same time, people needing serious medical attention from Northern NSW are being locked out.

“The public are slowly waking up to the hypocrisy. Everything the Premier is currently doing is to try getting re-elected, not one decision is based on any other criteria. Hopefully enough people can see through the 7 years of destruction that led us here and vote for some kind of alternative (the LNP really needs to step up its game).”

John said:

“Queenslanders are similar to Victorians. Too many lefties voting for Labor and the Greens with the result being high unemployment and getting close to a $100bn debt blowout.”

From Jennifer:

“A well written article. You have clearly shown what the original agreed objectives were to manage the pandemic in Australia, along with the staged approach to reboot the economy.

Gladys Berejiklian and her CHO and police commissioner have shown how we can get the economy moving, people living relatively normal lives and enjoying leisure activities. For this she must be congratulated.

“One senses that in NSW the Premier seeks advice from her bureaucrats and as the elected representative makes the requisite decisions. NSW should be the model for Victoria to follow. The sledgehammer lock up of Melbourne has and continues to be a disgrace.”

John L explained:

“Well, Gladys is an engineer by trade, has held proper jobs and is NOT a political apparatchik like Dan who majored in political manipulation.”

Paul posted:

“Gladys makes Chairman Dan look like the narrow minded, authoritarian ideologue with no comprehension of where or how wealth is created, that he has proven to be.”

Charles complained:

“And Qld who has taken the lazy way out till the election at the cost to millions and billions of dollars lost in the tourism sector.”

Wal was wound up:

“Isn’t Queensland under Stacia showing real leadership? Close borders to all but people in sport, especially those that grab the headlines and pay enough. Deny entry to the seriously ill and advise them to go to ‘NSW hospitals’. Show zero sympathy (and entry) to the people of Mungindi who have just lost half their little town and now have to drive a round trip of hundreds of kms to shop or go to hospital (which is on Qld side) and not available. Remember the instruction, Queensland hospitals are for Queenslanders.”

Philip fulminated:

“It’s good to hear and see that there is a Premier in NSW who has seen what a huge problem it is and is attempting to rationally consider the situation on a commonsense level. Whereas here is Victoria, our leader, who caused the problem for the whole country delivers daily a brainwashing session.

“The fear session, the power session, the thank you session but never a contrition session. The repetitive nature of Andrews press conference is now beyond the pale and purely feeding the chooks, he has his press gallery on a leash now. The same platitudes daily, the same constancy of it’s our fault when it’s clearly not.

“The small numbers of tracers compared with NSW. His need for complete control and did deals with weak independents to ensure he get his way of majority in both houses is dangerous at best and totalitarian at its worst. He is avoiding the use of postcodes where the sources are now because that is not PC and are in his most held parliamentary seats.

“Our engine room will be run by the CCP through BRI initiative instigated by Andrews government. The sheep mentality is working, just look at the polls. The last thing that dies is hope.

“Our future generation needs strong leadership not socialist mentality peddled by a Victorian Premier who walks to the beat of a CCP drum. We used to be a state that was good to live but under 18 years of labour it’s now time for a change, It’s Time!”

Alison argued:

“NSW has done an excellent job, after quickly owning the Ruby Princess debacle and learning from it. In my Victorian border community we see the successful results of this just over our bridge. But the Victorian health department is top-heavy, too centralised to Melbourne (like most things in this State) and has been woeful in it’s management of hotel quarantine and it’s contact tracing. Even with numbers falling it is still way behind. And the border closure is causing grief for businesses and agriculture on both sides of the river despite no cases being recorded in either place for weeks.

“The Victorian system should be overhauled and structured along NSW Health lines — because it’s obvious which bureaucracy is functioning better. And grandstanding state remiers seeking re-election in other states should be taken to court by the federal government to reopen their borders and remind them that we are all Australians first, and in this together.”

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Illustration by Eric Lobbecke.

The US was polarised before Donald Trump, and his removal won’t heal political divisions embedded in the US, according to Janet Albrechtsen. Jeffrey shared his theory:

“I would suggest the US, as we do in Australia, has more than a political division; which is a division that can be bridged with open and free debate. What we are seeing in the developed western world is a concerted push from the political far left to radically change the system by using whatever means they can; except open debate.

“For example, the traditional left across the developed world calls themselves ‘progressive’ not because they want economic and technological progress, they want us to ‘progress’ to their goal of socialism, that benefits workers through social justice objectives. But the current far left political anarchy and cancel culture groups in the US and here, are about more than ‘progressivism’. It’s about anarchy and shouting down opponents because they don’t have any evidence to support their post-modernist theories. Instead, they are prepared to alienate their own centre left supporters by demanding radical social change through restorative social justice, which redistributes power and wealth based on group identity; not on the traditional leftist goal of universal equality for everyone. Except of course, their own establishment elites who get more.

“The last thing either group on the political left want is the system of reward through individual effort, competence, contribution and ability; even though it works and in the end is the fairest. It is what the majority want however. What none of the various ideological factions on the left accepts, is what they demand creates winners and losers, in fact. Which foments more anger. Hence the political elites of the left will lose more supporters whichever side’s mechanism to reach socialism gets to wield policy power. It is the political establishment and the infected institutions that have the biggest problem, because the majority just wants to get on with their lives and can see beyond the smoke and mirrors.”

John was jaundiced:

“Not sure where the US is going! Looks to me like with the polarisation/politicalisation of every issue and positions hardening there are no good options and it will likely end in tears not only for them but for the rest of us as well.

“As was written in this paper some weeks ago democracy depends on the losers accepting the judgement of the people and defeat. Once that fails to occur tolerance goes out the window and all bets tend to be off.”

Alan argued:

“There is no doubt that BLM protesters confronting diners is way over the top and does their cause no help at all. Those protesters, with their absurd demands should be given short shrift and be rightly condemned. On the other hand, where was the rage or moral indignation from the commentators when the video clips of Jacob Blake being shot 7 times in the back at point blank range or when a 17-year-old ‘thug’ who was strutting the streets with an assault rifle after shooting 2 men dead?

“JA calls out the NYT for the way they reported a particular incident. She claims that the paper emphasised that the murder man belonged to a ‘right-wing group’. Just shows the extent the right will go to try and paint a negative picture, if views portrayed are not to their liking. Isn’t that cancel culture? Don’t remember seeing anything about the way Tucker Carlson’s defended the 17-yeaer-old thug on Fox News.

“The real divide between right and left in American politics commenced with the Bush Jr presidency and continued with Obama. But it is a long stretch to compare those times with what is happening now. Under Trump it has reached a new level and will reach a crescendo in the next couple of months because he sees it to his advantage to sow division, if he thinks it will help his cause for re-election. Take his absurd claim that a plane load, of what he calls thugs, went to Washington during the RNC to cause chaos and mayhem. Not for the first time he has made such outrageous claims without backing it up without evidence, and the hard right not calling him out. Neither have they done so when he makes laughable statements that the election will be rigged. He is just setting himself up for the likelihood of a loss, so that he can then start screaming ‘I told you so!’.”

Cat countered:

“17 year old thug? The one who is a lifeguard that removes graffiti? You might want to educate yourself on that brave young man.”

George asked:

“Where was all the rage or moral indignation from the Biden camp when protesters assaulted the diners (assault means causing fear of harm and need not involve actual physical harm)? Or throughout all the riots, looting and mayhem?”

Gregory said:

“The goal of cancel culture is to make decent Americans live in fear of being fired, expelled, shamed, humiliated and driven from society as we know it. This statement will resonate with the same voters who propelled Trump to the White house in 2016, he has embraced his deplorables, and via him they have a voice.”

AnthonyR saw parallels:

“Victoria needed the government of Jeff Kennett, after the depredations and economic incompetence of the preceding state Labor government. But it was a short-term need (it appeared) and should have left the state on a much more even keel. Similarly, the US, and the world, needs Donald Trump right now. But after his second term, it will hopefully be ready for a more centrist, but wise and firm, president. From either party.

“The US is probably capable of finding such a candidate. Victoria, on the other hand, will also need someone along the lines of Jeff Kennett, after the current calamity on Spring Street, but he or she may not be forthcoming.”

F looked back in anger:

“Even the most cursory review of American history, politics and politicians, with the possible exception of Washington, provides an almost unending and unedifying list of partisan politics, rancour and corruption. Charles Dickens in 1842 observed: ‘This is not the republic of my imagination. Despicable trickery at elections; underhanded tampering with public officers and cowardly attacks upon opponents, with scurrilous newspapers for shields, and hired pens for daggers.’ Not much seems to have changed.

“As to division, protests and civil unrest; this is, historically, the norm rather than the exception. Seemingly the only thing that unites this brash, pugnacious people is if and when someone or something threatens to stop them exercising their god given right to disagree or fight what they determine to be an injustice. Bless them for that.

“I tend to think that there is an expectation outside the US that their political system should be some form of genteel exemplar of democracy. It never has been and never will. It is in fact a cauldron where ideas are robustly debated, fought for, tempered, tested and ultimately accepted or possibly discarded. Not a bad thing, if not at times a little messy.”

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Acting up: Cate Blanchett, national treasure or precious thesp? Picture AFP

Cate Blanchett arrived at the opening of the Venice Film Festival declaring that she would rather be called an actor than an actress and that there should not be separate awards for male and female actors. James didn’t care:

“It doesn’t matter how Cate describes herself, I refuse to watch any movie she’s in.”

Kris concurred:

“I am all for it if it means the torturous awards shows will only be half as long and with 50pc less posturing actors pontificating to the rest of us mere plebs from their privileged positions of wokeness.”

Aaron excoriated:
“Yes, fly round the world in seat 1A to attend fashion shows, promote films, fragrances and skincare products while regularly lecturing the great unwashed about carbon emissions.

Straight out of the DiCaprio school of hypocrisy.”

Paul protested:

“Elitism at it’s best — such a relevant issue to the other 99.9PC of the population and all of those in lockdown, without jobs, losing businesses, losing everything and suffering massively with mental health and financial woes.”

Otnas opined:

“ ‘I am of the generation where the word actress was used almost always in a pejorative sense. So I claim the other space,’ she said. And I guess I am of a generation where it was used to distinguish between male and female humans, but obviously that distinction has long since been dispensed with.”

Mirth from Martin:
“Cate Blanchett arrives in Venice and declares: Don’t call me an actress. I’ve seen some of her films and I agree.”

Mr Natural added:
“As Peter O’Toole once observed, ‘All you have to do is learn your lines, frock up and hit your marks. Beats working for a living.’”

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