Difficult times aren’t a sign of schism at the top of the ALP

With furrowed brows, Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers are portrayed as men carrying the world on their shoulders, implying that the Labor Party is about to fracture and implode any day now (“Out of synch?” , October 17). The suggestion is made that the May budget has resulted in unintended inflation. Yet that same budget was deemed by financial institutions to be only mildly inflationary. It turns out that the vast majority of expenditure has emanated from the private sector, dwarfing that which came from the public purse. We are told anecdotally that there is a sense of frustration among Labor MPs. Yes, economic circumstances are tough, but the government chided for not using its big majority to implement bold reform is doing just that. Chalmers is charged as being oversensitive to criticism whenever he makes an evidence-based counterattack against the half-truths, innuendos and questionable assertions made by the opposition and media elements who seek to undermine him. The admission is made that he dragged the prime minister to make Josh Frydenberg’s tax cuts fairer. That was a good thing. The hullabaloo over the trusts issue misses the point that even the small percentage of people with trusts affected have alternative options to resort to. The surcharge/credit card issue could have been handled better, but the agencies that deal with that now have until the end of the financial year to rectify that. Also, bear in mind that Australia is one of only nine countries in the world with a triple-A credit rating with all three credit rating agencies. Frank Carroll, Moorooka (Qld)

Several articles (October 17) speculate on relationship strain between, among others, the prime minister and treasurer within the ALP following the budget. Many Australians are looking for authentic government where members don’t scapegoat each other, accept responsibility for the odd inevitable oversight and work together for solutions. A little bit of bravery making changes that might be unpopular with some but benefit the country would be wonderful. Some good starts, but still much to be done. A message not just for the ALP. Mary Anne Kennan, Burwood

I think the commentators are being unfair to Jim Chalmers. He deserves credit for ending the negative gearing and capital gains rorts that benefited the wealthy at a time when the war in Iran and the customs aggression of the United States make life difficult internationally. Give the man a break. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer

Paul Sakkal’s report of the rift between the treasurer and the prime minister caused me to remember that the buck stops with the PM, not the treasurer. Articles in the Herald recently referred to Albanese’s micromanagement and refusal to listen, so one wonders why there is no criticism here of the PM’s performance. We could easily manage the budget if we had a leader who listened not only to experts but the people who elected him; axe AUKUS and start making the mining and gas companies pay their fair share of tax. Even people without mortgages are sick of workers, pensioners and home owners being the ones to pay for Albanese’s policies. Carole Hayes, Newtown

After reading the political coverage in Saturday’s Herald, is it any wonder the country finds itself in the doldrums? We have reports of tension between the PM and his treasurer over policy, evidence of largesse on the public purse by an aspiring One Nation leader (“Taxpayers foot bill for Newman’s luxury stays”, October 17), allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a Greens senator towards women and attempts to cover it up (“Greens’ secret dossier to bury senator claims”, October 17), and the Liberals in a spin over how to deal with AI (“Liberals in full spin cycle”, October 17). It is abundantly clear that self-interest is overriding good governance. Mike Kenneally, Manly

Greens fermented

What I find extraordinary about the Greens’ handling of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women is the apparent degree of co-ordination over so many years. A 47-page dossier, dating to 2016 and reportedly maintained for almost a decade, detailed how to manage media scrutiny and monitor party members discussing the allegations. This was no isolated lapse in judgment. How many people were involved? Who authorised it? And how could such a strategy persist for nearly 10 years without being challenged? Whether the allegations are ultimately substantiated is a separate question. What is clear is that considerable effort went into managing the allegations and those discussing them. The sheer scale and duration of this co-ordinated effort are shocking. How could so many people have participated in something so fundamentally at odds with everything their party claims to stand for? Marina Cardillo, Beecroft

This latest Steele-John alleged abuse cover-up is pretty well the straw that broke the camel’s back for a lot of voters, especially those who turned to the Greens because of the chaotic state of other parties. Why can’t these extremely serious matters be dealt with swiftly for the reputation of the party rather than quietly set aside or swept under the carpet for the same reason? Julie Robinson, Cardiff

I joined the Greens recently over their climate stance. My retirement job is dismantling appliances for the metals. The mountains of plastic waste turn you green. But if the Greens knew about complaints against Senator Jordon Steele-John from 2017, which were updated, and even prepared media responses to hard questions, their leaders need to convince the punters that they have not, yet again, decided to act like the big boys and hide behind nice words. If Shoebridge or Hanson-Young knew something and didn’t act, they need to admit it and quit. If they didn’t know, they or their minions failed the party and the electorate. Better for them all to go now than three months before the next election. David Neilson, Uralla

Shallow advice

Mathias Cormann, the former finance minister who presided over massive flows of revenue from a mining boom and blew the proceeds in upper income tax cuts, now lectures the government on what to do. His formula is both simplistic and predictable (“Australia needs major reforms to fix economy, says Cormann”, October 17). Raise and broaden the GST, index tax to inflation and cut tax rates, company tax and regulations – all measures that will benefit upper income earners, add to inflation in the immediate term, and adversely affect low-income earners and people on fixed incomes. Paul Pearce, Bronte

Who could not agree with Mathias Cormann when he advocates not copying One Nation? Of course, that much is obvious. What is not so obvious is that the “reforms” that are endlessly advocated by the “centrist” politicians don’t begin to address the issues. Put simply, service industries now dominate both the number of jobs and even the economies of OECD countries. Even Australia has 80 per cent of jobs in service industries. What Australia needs is innovation, and through innovation, productivity improvements in service industries. The only way to do this is far greater research and development in both private and government sectors. If you look at the “top 10″ innovation nations, six of them have smaller populations than Australia, every one of those has far higher R&D on a per capita basis than Australia, and in particular they have far greater research in private industries. Overall, Australia has defunded science and makes no demand on private industry to do R&D, and has encouraged housing as an asset instead of encouraging investment in innovation. Noel Thompson, Riverview

Learn the past to save the future

I read with great interest Christopher Harris’ article (“Surprise wording in HSC modern history exam”, October 17). I was impressed and gladdened that several students were so pleased they had studied modern history. At a time when many world leaders display a complete lack of understanding of the lessons of history, I was somewhat dismayed and saddened to read that only 11,012 students sat the modern history exam out of an estimated 74,542 students sitting the HSC, or only one in seven students. Those numbers do not bode well for our future, particularly when seen against the declining numbers of students engaging with the humanities. The latter not helped by a government that continues to penalise students studying the humanities via the unwise and iniquitous jobs ready graduate scheme. Unfortunately, future generations may pay dearly for the folly this scheme represents. Greg Fraser, Lyneham (ACT)

I note the comment by an HSC student in your article: “I’ll treasure my modern history knowledge, even if I won’t really use it.” I recall, as a 14-year-old, asking my Latin teacher: “What’s the use learning about a dead language?” He responded: “You won’t regret it”. As a 76-year-old, I must say, I don’t. Geoff Genford, Hurlstone Park

Is Australia now allied with Russia?

It is crystal clear which side Trump is on (“‘Planned operation’: The test result that reveals a dangerous Trump betrayal”, smh.com.au, October 18). Not only has he refused to send arms to Ukraine, but now he is openly supporting Putin by, it would appear, slowing down Starlink. If the US is Australia’s closest ally, is Australia now allied with Russia? Neville Turbit, Russell Lea

Someone in America stopped the flow of intelligence to Ukraine, and yet nobody is owning up. To stop the flow of such intelligence, as Zelensky says, costs lives. I ask, was this intelligence flowing, or stopped from flowing, through American bases in Australia, thus making Australia somewhat responsible for those lives? Australia needs to have some sovereignty over what flows, or doesn’t flow, over our soils – whether its bullets or electromagnetic radiation, both can cost lives. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria

Gunning for the guns

“Teenager kills children, teacher in school shooting” (October 17). Sadly, this is not news any more. As one parent put it, “It happens to others [schools] but you never think it will be yours”. Why wouldn’t you? What is there to stop it? Brian Collins, Cronulla

Perhaps Americans need to decide which they value most: their guns or their children? Kevin Farrell, Beelbangera

Don’t forget to look at the fish (and other advice)

What a beautifully worded, heartfelt tribute (“What my dad Bruce taught me”, October 17). One which, if we’ve been blessed, resonates with many of us. We are most definitely products of our parents. They are, after all, our earliest role models. As a self-confessed Thalassophile, a passion encouraged by my late father, I share your experience. Everyone has something to teach our younger self, if we are receptive enough and have the right space to watch, listen and ask the right questions. Wonderful to read the likes of a person’s positive creative legacy, rather than the usual daily grind of news. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

With the spectre of AI hovering above us, it is reassuring to read Julia Baird’s advocacy of human intelligence. “Deep and meticulous human observation” can provide new insights, identify what may be missing and challenge assumptions. Catherine Turner, Cremorne

Social media? Make your own choice

As much as I despise social media, I must take issue with Peter Hartcher’s comment that “(f)rom that moment, every one of us has been forced to fend for ourselves against the extractive industry that feeds on our attention, our fears, our fetishes, our families and that pays the dividends to their shareholders” (“Liberals in full spin cycle”, October 17). Forced by whom, Peter? I’m not on X, Facebook, Instagram or any of the other attention-sucking, polarising, vapid, narcissistic gunk sites, and I seem to be living, breathing and eating just fine. Richard Abram, Bexley

Bravo, Megan Herbert

Megan Herbert’s latest incisive cartoon cements her as a worthy successor to Cathy Wilcox (Herald, October 17). It shows the Albanese government sympathising with Australians doing it tough while gas giants walk off with a wad of cash. A 25 per cent tax on gas exports would raise about $350 million a week. That’s enough to offer real power bill relief in a cost-of-living crisis. Instead, Labor lets multinational gas corporations line their shareholders’ pockets while we pay the bills. Some sympathy. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

Show some faith in the Catholic Church

Unsurprisingly, the Catholic Church is being hammered – this time for failing to hand over a Redfern property to the Aboriginal Medical Service, even though there must be thousands of individuals/groups who could be equally vilified (Letters, October 17). The church’s record in the area of caring for the sick and oppressed is second to none, but it is always an easy target. Who’s to say an amicable result won’t yet result, especially if gratuitous insults disappear. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

A different country

I was delighted to read “Generation Scapegoat” in the Good Weekend (October 17). The article gave some considerable insight into the period which we Baby Boomers grew and blossomed. Much detail was provided for the cost of cars, appliances, clothing and overseas travel; but no mention of the choice of television channels in the black-and-white era, just three originally, and they ceased transmission at or before midnight. And most of the programs were American imports, or for the ABC, British. And what about popular music? Vinyl records such as LPs with six tracks on each side cost between $5.95 and $6.95. For a young person of my generation keen on popular music earning say $80 to $100 a week before tax, that’s a considerable outlay. Today you can get it all on Spotify for a fraction of your income. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill

An ode to oats

Hard to disagree with Rob Buchanan’s well-argued letter on the benefits of boiled oat porridge (Letters, October 17). If only it tasted good. Nick Westerink, Weetangera (ACT)

I agree with your correspondent regarding the health (and cost) benefits of getting our kids to eat porridge for breakfast. If he has any recipes for Brussels sprouts, I’d appreciate them too. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA)

Do you jiggle the nozzle?

I had always thought that #33 of Richard Glover’s list is, for physiological reasons, more a predominantly male action than an indication of being middle class (“Class action? You could say I have form”, October 17). But perhaps our female readers could enlighten us about whether or not they jiggle the petrol bowser nozzle? Peter Butler, Wyongah

• To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
• The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.