It is unfair for Alexander Downer to describe Malcolm Turnbull’s and Kevin Rudd’s comments on government actions as coming from a place of bitterness (“Rudd, Turnbull told to end ‘bitter’ attacks”, November 8). In a liberal democracy, they have every right to voice their criticism of the government. The public can either choose to accept or reject their comments. Downer’s characterisation of these comments as being “sour grapes” only serves to invalidate important criticisms emanating from experience which adds to and enriches the political debate. – Leo Sorbello, West Ryde
Is Downer proffering this advice because their behaviour is mean-spirited, or because they are perfectly placed to tell the truth, and it’s hurting? Downer was very keen to share his opinions after he retired from politics. I suggest, unlike the former PMs he criticises, his opinions do not coincide with the outrage felt by many over the behaviour of our current PM. – Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Downer conveniently overlooked Tony Abbott’s behaviour after he was ousted as prime minister. Abbott continually undermined his successor. – Peng Ee, Castle Cove
As Labor languishes in mediocrity and irrelevance – making itself a small target for the coming election – Turnbull is at least exposing the smoke and mirrors act that Scott Morrison calls leadership. – Chris Hughes, Clovelly
Distressingly, Sean Kelly accurately spells out that Scott Morrison being called a liar will probably not shift a swag of votes in favour of the ALP (“ALP’s test: reason in shouty times”, November 8). Further, he confirms Morrison’s current popularity ascendancy over Anthony Albanese because voters are not experiencing harm that they can link to Morrison. ALP supporters have been waiting for Albanese to clearly distinguish himself from Morrison and for him to articulate attractive and adventurous policies. Regrettably, such an approach is not in Albanese’s DNA and for many voters, he is not the “serious option” to which Kelly refers. – Ross Butler, Rodd Point
I disagree with your correspondent about the current Labor leadership (Letters, November 8). What people want from politicians is honesty, integrity and a vision for the future of this country, and a steady hand to guide us there. If you are not inclined to underestimate the shallowness of the electorate, Albanese is the man to do it. I, for one, am sick of the show ponies. – Lyndall Nelson, South Turramurra
If Labor proposes any sort of climate policy with teeth, it will get battered by the Coalition’s in-house media organisation, News Corp, and bludgeoned by Clive Palmer and his coal millions. As Tony Abbott can attest, if you put the frighteners on hard enough, half the electorate will believe you. – Sonia Lee, Dudley
No teaching of history without context
David Hastie accuses Frank Bongiorno of presenting a limited understanding of the lessons of history, but Mr Hastie displays a similar limitation (“Some yawning gaps in balancing history”, November 8). Cultural heritage encompasses not just “the best and the good” but also what we learn about culture, history and ourselves. We revere Anne Frank because of her humanity and her goodness, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the context in which a debased Nazi regime murdered millions of innocents, including Anne Frank. Cultural heritage also needs contextual balance. What happened on April 25, 1915 and since needs to be understood in its contexts, not just celebrated as “the best and the good”. – David Eccleston, Molong
Hastie is correct, up to a point. Balance is required in learning and teaching history, as in any academic/intellectual pursuit, but his “balance” between “cultural heritage” and “emancipation” is artificial. Australia’s colonial history, or the Anzac legend, should be analysed in their entirety, not somehow split into “good” and “bad” bits with carefully measured equal emphasis on each. We don’t teach about gravity by carefully giving equal time to the fact that it generally keeps us attached to the earth’s surface, and its ability to cause nasty accidents. – Al Svirskis, Mount Druitt
Athens always (quite properly) gets a guernsey when talking about the origins of democracy. But equal credit should go to the folkmoots, witenagemots and althings of the Scandinavians and Anglo-Saxons which, in our institutional history, evolved into the parliaments and assemblies that govern Australia. The classical example of Athens was used as justification for the expansion of the powers of Parliament, rather than as a model, by 17th century writers who were in awe of Greco-Roman civilisation. It is arguable that we, and the United States, should have developed our democratic systems without the example of Athens, but a classical exemplar was a helpful extra impetus. – Lance Rainey, Rushforth
Another day, another rort
The revelation that federal Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar was aware that taxpayer monies were used to fund the employment of Liberal Party operatives in various ministers’ offices calls into question the failure by the government not to establish an authentic federal version of ICAC (“Minister knew misused public funds boosted his faction”, November 8). How many more instances of malpractice are we not aware of? Not a day goes by without questions being raised about the probity of the current federal government. – Stewart Copper, Maroubra
The stinkiest aspect of the Sukkar business is Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s conclusion that the farcical departmental “inquiry” – outsourced to Sukkar’s old legal firm buddies – was “appropriate” (“Minister bid to ensure rort report kept secret”, November 8). – Mark Paskal, Clovelly
Sukkar’s alleged misuse of public funds for political branch-stacking purposes is a disgrace. I’m amazed he didn’t use the traditional Liberal Party path of having anonymous donors set up a blind trust to pay for it. – John Bailey, Canterbury
The real question to arise from the allegations surrounding Sukkar is why are we not surprised? Just another rorting scandal being swept under the carpet. – Jo White, Bulli
Need Bonus Now
I find it quite offensive that NBN, after providing $77 million in bonuses to its executives, is now asking the federal government for additional funds (“NBN seeks further $1b for better reach”, November 8). While I endorse the objective of extending NBN coverage, I feel that we, the taxpayers, should not be indirectly contributing to the grossly extravagant bonuses that could well have been directed towards improving services. – Roger Epps, Armidale
Low-hanging fruit
With the eyes of the world upon Australia, you would think the government would do everything in its power to pick off low-hanging fruit to help reduce emissions, such as mandating that all new buildings are built to net zero standards. Our homes produce up to 20 per cent of our emissions, and the National Construction Code, which mandates minimum standards for new housing, is being debated right now at state level. We have the technology and the expertise and this should be a no-brainer. But here’s the problem: the Australian Building Codes Board, which is the national part of the equation, comes under Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor. Will they put pressure on states and territories to stop them from mandating net zero housing, as this would mean renewables and no gas? – Eva Meland, Clareville
Mathias Cormann was part of the government that abolished a carbon pricing scheme, failed to take action to cut emissions and stymied international forums on the climate emergency. He described the Gillard government’s proposed carbon tax as “a very expensive hoax”. In 2014, he supported the repeal of the tax. Now as OECD Secretary-General on a reported salary of $376,900, he urges countries to adopt an “effective and fair” approach to implementing a price on carbon emissions. “Let’s make ambitious and effective global action on climate change our No.1 priority,” he told the G20. “Carbon prices and equivalent measures need to become significantly more stringent, and globally better co-ordinated, to properly reflect the cost of emissions to the planet and put us on the path to genuinely meet the Paris Agreement climate goals.” He obviously learnt a lot in the Coalition. I can smell the integrity. What a leaner. – Graham Cochrane, Balmain
Windward wishes
Thanks, Kaz Cooke (“Gobsmacking palaver to boss women”, November 8). In the 1980s, I was told women should not get jobs on boats because they can’t pee over the side. I hoped the man who said this to me would be facing into the wind next time he was caught short on a boat. – Eve Moyse, Dora Creek
A new sink tank
Can I add three essentials (Letters, November 8) to perfect Kate Moon’s cartoon submarine for the modern-day Coalition submersible: an invisibility screen (nothing to see here), pin-point range-finders to target journalists asking too many questions (and maybe cartoonists too), and a silent-running capability – because we don’t comment on operational matters. Please send the bill to the Australian taxpayer. – Patrick McGrath, Potts Point
It grieves me to hear Shakespeare compared to “watching paint dry” (Letters, November 8). After visiting the Folger Shakespeare library in Washington, my husband wrote to me ahead of his home return: “I’ll be as patient as a gentle stream, and make a pastime of each weary step. ’Til the last step have brought me to my love, and there I’ll rest as after much turmoil a blessed soul doth in Elysium” (Two Gentlemen of Verona). No writer has ever captured the beauty, the sadness, the passion and magic of love so perfectly. – Elizabeth Maher, Bangor
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
“Glasgow ‘ratchet mechanism’ could put more pressure on Australia”
From Dave Smith: “We will decide what greenhouse gases we emit, and the circumstances in which we emit them.”
- To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
Tram sham, delayed trains, flawed ferries? Let’s just build them here
Source: Philippines Alive
