No disagreement here with Tony Walker's withering dismissal of the past fortnight in Parliament (Opinion, The Age, 21/8) but his assessment of recent past prime ministers must raise a feweyebrows. Walker calls John Howard a policy leader for introducing the GST, but forgets that he also followed the US into a disastrous war and Pauline Hanson into turning migration and refugee management into a toxic battleground on which people have suffered. At every turn he played a populist card, bought votes with tax cuts and caved in to vested interests, while wilfully ignoring an issue that really does require leadership: climate change.
So what about Julia Gillard, who "failed the leadership test"? Yes, she squibbed the issue of gay marriage. But she delivered a carbon tax, an attempt at a mining tax, the national disability insurance scheme, paid parental leave, and set up the long-awaited reform of school funding.
Illustration: Michael Leunig
As for Bill Shorten, he's put forward plenty of policies, even if I consider them opportunistic. I don't necessary like all of them but they seem to add up to a pretty consistent policy platform addressing a widening inequality gap.
Nic Barnard, Fitzroy North
Like a rudderless ship, we drift
I challenge anyone to remember a more pathetic time in politics. Malcolm Turnbull was told the "no" campaign for the plebiscite would be ugly, and then feigns surprise when it happens. Bill Shorten takes the moral high ground on dual citizenship, knowing full well if the roles were reversed Labor would do exactly the same. And Pauline Hanson pulls a stunt, not aimed at Muslims or even the Parliament, but at a small group of ignorant people who she needs to keep her in Parliament and so keep the money flowing in. Meanwhile the country drifts like a rudderless ship, and there are icebergs ahead.
Anthony Walbran, Dee Why, NSW
Good leaders help the less well-off
It is all very well for Tony Walker to discuss leaders who were decisive and intent on making a difference, but he omits to mention anything about the objectives for such decisions. Let us be clear when we discuss strong leaders: it is not about their decisiveness, but whether their objective was to improve the lot of the less well-off, or increase the wealth and power of the rich. That is the issue.
Max Ogden, Fitzroy North
Laugh, you could almost cry
In light of our current parliamentary crisis – for surely that is what it is, a crisis – one may well ask our national leaders: whither Australia where democracy is sorely bleeding from contempt, hypocrisy, power struggles and, above all, playing dangerous games with the very fabric of the country. Don't we as a people care? We laugh and joke about what is going on in our politics, but it is no laughing matter.
Stan Marks, Caulfield
An amnesty would be a start
Why can't our so-called leaders do something positive about the dual citizenship crisis? So it's contrary to the law to run for Parliament when a dual citizen. It was illegal to own unregistered firearms , but we found that thousands did. The problem was essentially solved by legislating an amnesty. Why would an amnesty for say, six months, not be a good start while this mess is sorted out?
Anthony Dawson, Armadale
FORUM
MPs' obligation
The ABS has stated that the same-sex marriage survey results will be categorised into electorate boundaries. Like all of us, each member of Parliament has the right to vote according to his or her conscience in the survey. However when, hopefully, legislation is before Parliament surely each parliamentarian is morally bound to vote in accordance with the result of the survey in his or her particular electorate. Their obligation at that point is to their electorate; their personal view is irrelevant. If not, the expenditure of $122million is pointless.
Judy Kevill, Ringwood
Electrical engineering
The editorial "Cars crash: the end of the combustion engine" (The Age, 21/8) highlights the lack of preparedness of the Australian government to introduce policies designed to facilitate the transition from fossil-fuel transportation to electric.
The automotive industry had, over about 30 years, developed into a world-class, technologically nimble manufacturer. It is clear that much of the manufacturing intelligence associated with fossil fuel-powered vehicles is identical to that required for electric vehicles. Australian engineering knowhow is certainly capable of making the transition to the electric product. It is not too late to provide the policy and financial underpinning to create an electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Australia.
Maurie Trewhella, Hoppers Crossing
Mind the context
Context is always important and should be taken into account with Pauline Hanson's recent piece of calculated theatre, the burqa stunt. Patrice McCarthy's second thoughts on an initial response (Letters, 21/8) to George Brandis' impassioned reaction to the event should have taken this into account. Hanson's fancy dress was not merely to highlight a possible offence to our values of openness and equality. Rather, it was an escalation in her campaign to have such garments banned by law.
To say there can be no sacred cows in the public debate raises the question of "sacred to whom?" The burqa is after all only one item of religious dress for which citizens have been racially vilified and threatened in public – not all of them Muslim. As the minority status of the wearers is no justification of such outrages, the social attitudes of the majority are no justification for Parliament normalising debate on proposed sanctions against religious dress.
Brian McGuire, Glen Waverley
Cold irony abounds
The threat by Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart that church employees could face dismissal if they marry their same-sex partners in the wake of any change to the Marriage Act, is not only deeply offensive, but hugely ironic.
Archbishop Hart justifies his threat with the assertion that employees of Catholic institutions must "totally" uphold Catholic teaching. Yet in order to defend the church's teaching, the Archbishop apparently thinks it is OK for him to violate the same church's teachings about the dignity of employees.
Hart's threat, by any measure or standard, is both arbitrary and oppressive and a threat to job security – and stands in stark contradiction to papal teaching about workers' rights.
Reverend Brendan Byrne, Mitcham
Watch the joke
Twenty years ago in the Philippines, the health minister campaigned to promote condom use as a measure against the looming epidemic of AIDS. This was vigorously opposed by the Catholic Church, led by its cardinal. The health minister, himself a Catholic, travelled the country patiently explaining to all critics that if the cardinal did not want to wear a condom, that was fine by him. The nation rocked with laughter from Manila to Mindanao, and the country maintained its anti-AIDS program. Same-sex marriage advocates take note. Humour might just win the day.
Bob Muntz, Ascot Vale
Western wheels
The Victorian government needs to send some infrastructure engineers over to Western Australia to see how public transport can be done.
I have just been to Fremantle and Perth and seen the public transport and cycling infrastructure. There are dedicated paths where cycling only is encouraged, alongside shared pathways where walkers and young riders can enjoy a stroll. Cycle paths are well designed in the secondary roads zones where cyclists have their own pathway through roundabouts.
To add to the strong feeling of hurt of being a Victorian visitor, I noticed a sign at a construction site at Perth Airport that reads, "Airport Railway Station under construction – due to open2020."
David Hassett, Blackburn
oBike where art thou?
Walking from the Albert Park light-rail stop to South Melbourne beach, I passed 37 abandoned yellow oBikes, some on their own, others huddled together (for warmth?), and the numbers grow daily. Is it accidental? Are they flocking to trendier suburbs where people rent bikes rather than steal them? Or are they getting ready to migrate somewhere warmer?
James Corless, Albert Park
NBN called to task
At last the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has cracked down on complaints about the NBN, calling out the "frankly terrible" practices of internet providers advertising speeds at their theoretical maximum. Many who have made the switch have seen a dramatic decline in internet speeds and been without phone or internet for weeks. The NBN fiasco can be traced back to Malcolm Turnbull when, as communications minister, he opted for the increasingly obsolete technology Fibre to the Node rather than Fibre to the Premises, consigning Australia as a broadband backwater.
Neil Hudson, East Melbourne
Name and shame
Demolition companies deal in millions but may be fined peanuts for illegal dumping of building waste ("Firms fined over dumping of build waste", The Age, 22/8). Moreover, the directors of these shonky operations may avoid public disclosure. This is farcical. Time to increase the penalties and to name and shame the perpetrators.
Kevin Summers, Bentleigh
Darebin, justify please
A "multi-cultural" society stands for difference and tolerance. Darebin Council stands for resentment. I challenge Darebin councillors to justify the idiocy of cancelling Australia Day. Having read their population data, I know the following: a little above 155,000 live there. Only 1100 Indigenous folk do, as well as about 6000 Muslims.
On these figures, they'll have plans in place to renounce Christmas, on the grounds that 3.8per cent of the population (Muslims) would naturally be offended by such festivities. Why should anyone, in a tolerant society, be offended by difference?
Robin Rattray-Wood, Rosanna
Come the republic
Other councils are now examining the worth of Australia Day and some will probably follow Yarra Council's lead.
The problem with Australia Day is that it is divisive and many people have little or no regard for it. For them it is little more than an excuse for a holiday. When we become the Republic Of Australia we will have a day we can all celebrate. No disunity or protest. It will provide a day that all Australians will be proud of and genuinely celebrate.
Ian Braybrook, Castlemaine
Scotch not on the rocks
Concerning "Scotch College continues property buying spree, splashing $3.1m for Hawthorn house" (The Age, 22/8):
Good on Scotch for its economic management and forward planning.
But does it still need government funding if it is splashing this kind of cash when government schools are falling down around students' ears?
Anthony Hitchman, St Andrews
Strong example
A strong, strapping, top member of the Australian Federal Police admits mental health issues (Four Corners, 21/8) to his superior. How heartening that he was considered valuable and they were "happy to have him back". Mental health issues should not mean the end of a person and a career that will benefit the person, family and community at large.
Frances Damon, Tooradin
Destroyed
After a collision with a merchant vessel, it would seem that the John S McCain is more of a misguided missile destroyer than a guided-missile destroyer.
Ron Hayton, Melbourne
A dog whistle
Here we go again; will we drug test the elderly receiving pensions or recipients of Family Tax Benefit A or B by turning up at their houses or randomly pulling over their cars?
No, just the poorest, most marginalised welfare recipients in our society applying for or receiving unemployment benefits. Another dog whistle.
Brent Baigent, Richmond
AND ANOTHER THING
North Korea
Thank you Malcolm Turnbull for showing North Koreans where we are.
Barbara Joy, South Yarra
Scotch
It's great to see government education funding help Scotch College with its $25 million property spending spree.
Cynthia Karena, St Kilda East
Scotch College buys a house for $1million above the reserve but Scott Morrison says inequality is not increasing in Australia.
Phil Alexander, Eltham
Education funding helping to reduce housing availability.
Wendy Knight, Little River
Marriage
Vote "yes" if you want to see the end of the equal marriage debate.
George Filev, Tarnagulla
I fully support any type of marriage that doesn't involve me.
Jim Mizkewitsch, Noble Park
Malcolm Turnbull may deplore the hateful anti-LGBTIQ language, but he is to blame that this is happening.
Alan Williams, Port Melbourne
There is no need for the Catholic Church to fire their teachers who are in same-sex marriages. They can simply move them to another parish, in keeping with church practice.
Elizabeth Bradlow, Glen Iris
Professed concern for the children of same-sex couples is not an argument against marriage equality – it's an argument against them raising children at all.
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale
Other matters
Statues in America, Australia Day here. Wrong message, must go.
Tony Lenten, Glen Waverley
I agree with Pat Dodson's opinion of the cashless welfare card for Indigenous people. Why not for other Australians with drug problems?
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East