There are many reasons for the second wave

Wrong target of indifference

Am I the only person, on hearing Joshua Frydenberg utter callous indifference, presume he was talking about the Coalition’s stance on the refugees in our charge; refugees we’ve tormented and denied asylum for years now? But he wasn’t. He was using his position as deputy leader of the Liberal Party to attack Daniel Andrews’ efforts to ease Victoria out of lockdown in a responsible way. For one brief sunlit second there I thought he might have had a Damascene moment.
John Mosig, Kew

Premier, there are many Liberals in this state

I could not believe the arrogance of Daniel Andrews when he described Joshua Frydenberg as “just a Liberal”. Does he realise how many Victorians (and Australians) vote for the Liberal Party? When he took power after his election he proudly said he would govern for everyone regardless of how they voted.
Michael Madden, Chum Creek

Treasurer, why not move into state politics?

So Joshua Frydenberg comes forth again with vitriol and criticism of Daniel Andrews, but does not offer any recommendations or strategy to move forward to solve our COVID-19 problem. Rather than criticise, perhaps Frydenberg could consider relinquishing his position as federal Treasurer and move into state politics to oust Daniel Andrews at the next state election and give us all the answers to resolve our present crisis.
Frank Stipic, Mentone

We deserve more than just sniping

Well done Tony Wright for highlighting the constant sniping from the federal government about Victoria’s lockdown (19/10). Victorians deserve so much more. Regardless of how or why the outbreak happened, we have sacrificed so much over the past 100+ days to protect the health of every Australian in this country. But have we had any encouragement, any thanks or any sense of celebration from our national representatives as we near the end of this nightmare? No. It’s so disheartening to see political point scoring take precedence over a genuine concern for people. Our leaders might wish they had taken a leaf out of Jacinda Ardern’s book at the next election.
Linda King, Docklands

THE FORUM

Obeying rules unrealistic

The people proposing electronic tags or phone random check-in apps for returning travellers do not understand the concept of quarantine, which is to isolate potentially virus-carrying people from contact with others until they are confirmed healthy. A tagged or monitored person could not go out into the wider community but family and friends could visit despite regulations forbidding this as there is no physical limitation. Relying on people to obey the regulations is unrealistic as has been proven. The COVID-19 virus would spread again – and it has the same effect whether spread to friends, relatives or strangers.
Mary Edwards, Malvern East

Gyms are high risk

Will Bennett (‘‘Gyms miss out again’’, 20/10), people who go to gyms are obviously doing strenuous exercise, using a lot of energy breathing hard, sweating profusely, expelling more air – with droplets a greater distance than someone sitting in a chair at a hairdressers, wearing a mask. Everyone at the hairdressers is required to wear a mask, not so people doing vigorous exercise like running, riding or exercising in the gym. To suggest gyms are low risk is nonsense. Being in a closed area for perhaps an hour with all the unmasked huffing, puffing, sweating and brow mopping is certainly a high-risk activity.
Rhonda Ward, Mont Albert

Food courts disaster

Monsignor Tony Ireland, (Letters, 20/10) places of worship can be made safer with density rules, universal masks, recording attendance details, opening doors and windows, and regrettably, forgoing group singing.

Where I won’t be rushing to visit is a shopping centre food court, with difficulty enforcing distancing and identifying patrons, indoor environment and all unmasked while eating, a high-risk setting.
Dr Anita White, Kew

A burst bubble

The fundamental misunderstanding in regard to COVID-19 travel arrangements between New Zealand and Australia is in the nomenclature. When we heard that the PMs had agreed on a ‘‘bubble’’ arrangement between the two countries I’m sure most, like me, envisaged all of the travellers remaining within that bubble; not, as it turned out, some bursting the bubble and travelling throughout the country as they wished. The term bubble turned out to be a specious con which fooled at least three premiers. And perhaps the NZ government: surely it didn’t intend its citizens spending time in a place like Melbourne?
Peter Price, Southbank

Credlin’s pros and cons

As Denis Muller suggests (‘‘Politics and journalism an uneasy mix’’, 20/10), Peta Credlin’s role on Sky News does not mean she is incapable of effective journalism. If it is shown that Credlin’s probing questions at the Premier’s press conferences have been responsible for getting closer to the truth about hotel quarantine, then her role should be acknowledged, regardless of her appearances with the ‘‘outlandish screamers’’ on Sky News. Perhaps a pesky interloper was required to disturb Andrews’ well-practised media routine.
Rod Wise, Surrey Hills

Keep going, Premier

Shaun Carney (Comment, 19/10) suggests Daniel Andrews should drop his daily press sessions because his credibility is under a cloud. I do not agree. Melburnians I know trust Daniel Andrews. We need to hear from a leader who gets the big picture and is on our side.

I’m pleased the Premier has stepped up a notch to combat the tiresome and soul-destroying attacks of the PM, federal ministers, Liberal Party supporters and some members of the press. I feel energised by his intellectual and emotional capacity as well as the patience and respect he demonstrates, often in the face of blatant bias. Daniel Andrews is our source of hope and most of us still need a daily dose.
Susan Mahar, Fitzroy North

Netball’s example

Sunday’s Super Netball grand final showcased two teams of outstanding athletes competing in a magnificent sporting spectacle. These remarkable young women were a lesson to all Australians on how to work together for a common goal, speak and behave. Male athletes and politicians take note.
Chris Ryan, Moonee Ponds

Not to be believed

Revelations that Dan Andrews denies being told in advance about travellers from New Zealand (The Age, 19/10) should come as no surprise.

This is the same Premier who denied prior knowledge of federal government offers to supply ADF personnel to help with hotel quarantine, only to be proven wrong later on. Given that he and his ministers all suffered collective amnesia during the recent inquiry, why should anyone believe anything this Premier says now?
Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully

Stamp of resignation

I agree Doug Springall (20/10). I am still waiting for a small parcel lodged at Oakleigh on September 25. Was due to be delivered a week ago. Email from Australia Post says parcel “caught up in a delay’’. Tried contacting it online. Can’t make an inquiry unless I get Australia Post app. Can’t get that as it keeps telling me I have made too many attempts to get the app. Australia Post, I give up.
Linda Jarvis, Balwyn North

A duty to vote

Wayne Robinson (Letters, 20/10) says that there is no compulsory voting in Australia, just compulsory turning up. This is a commonly held belief, but it is contrary to the law. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 under section 245 (1) states, ‘‘It shall be the duty of every elector to vote at each election.’’

Under this Act, the duty of the elector is to attend a polling place, have their name marked off the list, receive a ballot paper, take it to an individual voting booth, mark it by voting, fold the ballot paper and place it in the ballot box.

It is not the case, as many people think, that you are only required to attend the polling place and have your name marked off. The legislated duty to vote has been upheld by a number of court decisions.
David Charles, Newtown

Regalia regaled

So, the cost of five sets of regalia left over from Tony Abbott has been written off. My wife’s birthday is coming up and I would be happy to take one off their hands. I could pay them the $250 which they are about to send me to supplement my pension. Dame Elizabeth would sound just right. She deserves it (for putting up with me).
Kyle Matheson, Mont Albert

Point ad infinitum

How can Premier Daniel Andrews say of federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg that “all he does is play politics every day” when the Premier takes aim at the federal government in his press conference every day by stating the number of “state’’ nurses working in “private” aged care?

Sometimes Andrews says “hospital” nurses; sometimes he says “federally run” aged care; sometimes he says how many shifts the nurses have worked. Whatever words he chooses, the same political point is made day in, day out. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Rowena McDonald, Toorak

Not so grand

Can someone please explain why this Friday has been declared a public holiday, with resultant wage cost implications for thousands of already financially crippled businesses across Melbourne? The grand final is not being played here, there will be no parade, and gatherings of any type to celebrate the event have been prohibited. Am I missing something?
Peter Rose, Fitzroy North

A good branch line

Graeme Russell (Letters, 17/10) says that in preparing for the bushfire season he had assembled a stack of branches to take to the tip but was prevented in doing so due to the five-kilometre limit. Serves him right for branch-stacking.
Doug Shapiro, Doncaster East

Life’s equation

Joshua Frydenberg would do well to remember that to save one life is to save the world.
Louis Roller, Fitzroy North

Thank you, Peta

While Andrew Dodds (20/10) is protective of Daniel Andrews being “disrespected” by Peta Credlin, on the other hand many of us are grateful for the tough questions we wish to ask but don’t have the platform.
Susie Holt, South Yarra

DHHS review needed

It is true that the Victorian government made mistakes, which made our path through the virus invasion very hard. The hotel quarantine situation was a mess, which has brought great hardship to many people. The government has learnt from it – lessons it should never be allowed to forget.

What should now be happening is a top-to-tail reorganisation of the ungainly Department of Health and Human Services to set up clear and workable lines of responsibility and decision-making within the organisation, prioritising the Chief Health Officer and clear lines of communication including between public servants and ministers. These new lines should then be examined thoroughly by pandemic and emergency scenario testing until all problems are revealed and remedied.
Victorians are owed nothing less.
Jill Dumsday, Ashburton

Mencken prophecy

The American journalist H. L. Mencken wrote in the early part of the 20th century – “On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” Has it now occurred?
Peter Thomas, Barwon Heads

AND ANOTHER THING

Politics

Je suis Dan.
John Walsh, Watsonia

I wonder if Josh Frydenberg used “callous disregard” when counselling Richard Colbeck about his inaction in aged care.
Greg Tuck, Warragul

Where have Greg Hunt and Josh Frydenberg been during the aged care home crisis?
John Boyce, Richmond

Peta Credlin, you may well be right, but you are not correct.
Ian Dale, Rosebud

The US can put men on the moon but can’t organise an acceptable election for all Americans.
Peter Caffin, North Ringwood

Solar trumps coal. Waiting for Scott Morrison to drag a solar panel into Parliament.
Bill Trestrail, St Kilda

Could the federal and state governments be ordered into family therapy please?
Joan Segrave, Healesville

Elsewhere

Computer science isn’t computer ergonomics (Crossword, 15/10). What an insult to computer scientists.
Angela Forgan, Docklands

Sorry Doug Springall (Letters, 20/10), my friend posted me a birthday card from Tasmania on June 17. I have not received it yet.
Di Margetts, Templestowe

Send the medals back to Tony Abbott (The Age, 20/10) together with an overdue account.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick

I’m looking forward to the day when I pick up the paper and there’s no mention of COVID-19 on the front page.
Richard Wilson, Croydon

So who is the better dancer – Donald Trump or Boris Yeltsin after he found the key to the vodka cabinet?
Don Hislop, Korumburra

Looks like we’re on the road back to normal – petrol up from $1 a litre to $1.47.
Richard Wilson, Croydon