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2022-06-18 22:55:39 By : Mr. Russell zheng

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The best and only way for Peter Dutton to show he has changed will be to disavow all of his statements and actions up to this point (“Dutton issues rallying cry”, May 26). John Christie, Oatley

Dutton should become leader of the opposition marking the pinnacle of his political career. It’s a role for which he is admirably well suited and he should continue in it for many, many years to come. Steve Davidson, Warrawee

Here is the new, softer Peter Dutton surrounded by his family, and trying to remake not only his own image but that of the Liberals. “We believe in families,” he assures us. Except of course the Murugappan family who, during his “tough” period, were subjected to the sort of dawn raid more common against gang members and continued to receive harsh treatment because it fitted the party’s narrative. Joan Brown, Orange

Australia had the Howard haters, the Abbott haters and over the past three years the Morrison haters. As night follows day, these people will continue the hate crusade against Dutton. Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan started the ball rolling by calling the new opposition leader “an extremist”. If this is the political strategy of the left, fair-minded Australians will turn against the Labor Party. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

The Liberal Party intends to replace a bulldozer with a wrecking ball. The federal election has lifted a nine-year road block to addressing the major issues affecting all Australians and its neighbours, there is a degree of urgency with implementation. Unfortunately, co-operation will not be at the top of the list under Peter Dutton, and his leadership will be short-lived. Thankfully, Australians have decided on the innovative and progressive way forward. David Goldstein, Balgowlah

Congratulations to Peter Dutton. Not on standing for the leadership job, but for actually smiling, showing that the Coalition can change. Tim Schroder, Gordon

Dutton confirmed he will stand for the leadership of the Liberal Party. He says that if elected leader, Australians will see the rest of his character. He warned that things will be tough under Labor. That still sounds better than disastrous under the Coalition. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Dutton will “take it to the Labor Party on the economy”. Pretty rich when they have left the country with a trillion-dollar deficit which they propose to fix with tax cuts to the rich and savage cuts to services. Sonia Lee, Dudley

Why are any of us having to “fight” about the economy? When workers are paid a fair wage that keeps up with inflation, they can buy the goods and services provided by the business sector, and industrial disputes are less likely. The antagonistic, “fight” situation has caused most of the problems in the economy and in society. Paul Parramore, Sawtell

And so it begins just as it ended. With Dutton as leader, are we going to see the Coalition following the fearmongering, obstructionist style of the Abbott opposition, or will they follow a path of responsible, informed debate? I fear the former. Jo White, Woonona

Richard Flanagan rightly traces the malady the Liberals suffered during the Morrison reign to John Howard (“Howard era ended with Morrison’s downfall on the night Australia escaped its heart of darkness”, May 26), the man the party in its delusion once again trotted out as some sort of demigod during the campaign that led to its inevitable demise. How can we forget the deceit of the “children overboard” fiasco or the unilateral decision to enter into the war on Iraq based on false intelligence? Australia would have been a better place had Peter Costello shown the gumption to challenge Howard before the election in which Howard lost his seat but, unfortunately, not his hubris. Ray Alexander, Moss Vale

The demise of the Liberals under Morrison has hopefully brought to an end an era of divisive, regressive politics set in train by Howard. Although fondly regarded by conservatives as a living icon, Howard spawned the likes of the disastrous Tony Abbott and the equally disastrous Morrison. Albanese may be an unlikely saviour, but he is the genuine article and a welcome change from the “rorting and corruption” mentality of recent times. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Thank you, Richard Flanagan, for articulating so fearlessly it was the Howard legacy that so damaged the Liberal Party. Obviously he had also blinded them, as why else was he paraded so often by Liberals in this campaign, as if he were an asset? Megwenya Matthews, North Turramurra

Is Richard Flanagan’s opinion piece available for framing? Ian Muldoon, Coffs Harbour

Given Richard Flanagan’s adroit analysis of the fall from grace of the federal Liberals, one is tempted to ask if the real cost of Howardism was the failure in the lead-up to the 2007 election to ensure generational renewal of the parliamentary wing, inclusive of a new leader in Peter Costello. Rod Leonarder, Roseville

Every member of the Liberal Party needs to read Richard Flanagan’s forensic analysis of what has happened to the party of Menzies. He incisively shows the origins of Liberal thinking, and its malaise, go back to Howard, from playing on fear of refugees to culture wars. Perhaps the Liberals might now realise dog whistling is out of fashion. I would add to Flanagan’s argument our entry into wasteful wars and “children overboard”. Ken Webb, Epping

What Richard Flanagan said. Thank you. Ruth Buchanan, Glenbrook

The excuse of “loyalty” offered by many correspondents (Letters, 25 May) for Frydenberg’s failure to help unseat Morrison is farcical. The loyalty of a politician must be to his constituents first, last and always, not to parties, “leaders” and self-interest. Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky

May I remind your correspondents that history has shown that loyalty is not always a virtue. Robert Sharpe, Bronte

Your correspondent remarks on when “loyalty becomes a liability”. A former CEO commended my loyalty to my then recently departed boss but told me that my loyalty was, on this occasion, misplaced. I believe the same applies in these circumstances. Unfortunately, Josh and his missing colleagues, on this occasion, have learnt too late. Robin Humphrey, Springwood

I can’t believe the letters pointing out loyalty to the PM as a reason for Josh Frydenberg not contesting for the top job. This is Politics 1.0, folks – it’s called “the numbers”. You have ’em or you don’t. Anthony Malivanek, Bray Park

Dave Sharma (“This Liberal bloodbath is a loss to the left. A shift right would bring an eternity in opposition”, May 26) still does not get it when he says, “But in the topical issues – climate change, equality and a federal integrity commission ... we had credible policies and proposals to address each of these issues”. Not only did the electorate not believe your commitment, it was obvious there was no Liberal interest in an integrity commission with teeth, and the “technology not taxes” slogan was misleading, as much taxpayers’ money is being expended on projects that have only a marginal effect on climate change. Alfredo Bustos-Ramirez, Mosman

There is one point missing in all the commentary about the future of the Liberal Party. What is the point of electing “moderate” Liberals who, by and large, have personal convictions similar to the teals, if their preferred personal vote in the parliament is repeatedly and effectively vetoed by hard-right Liberals and Nationals? In those circumstances, change will not come from within. Fred Veerhuis, Woonona

People say they “know” Labor will ruin the economy – this despite the last Labor government leaving the best-performing economy in the OECD, and the recent IMF announcement that under the Coalition, Australia has suffered one of the largest budget deteriorations in the developed world (“Challenges of economic reality”, May 23). This misinformation is something Labor needs to counteract with the truth. Graeme Finn, Summer Hill

I am sure that many readers will miss Niki Savva’s thoughtful and incisive analysis as she takes leave to write a book. As always, she is on the money when she said the Liberal Party would be better served if Morrison were to leave parliament and be replaced by a woman, but not Katherine Deves. Paul Totman, Mittagong

Thank you, Niki Savva, for your insights and colourful humorous analysis of the public self-immolation of the Morrison government. I look forward to your return to the Herald’s pages. You have been a beacon of hope during these tumultuous times. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Can’t wait to read your new book, Niki Savva, but I will sorely miss your weekly column. Many of your observations have proved prophetic and were, in my view, sober and balanced. I look forward to your return to these pages in the not-too-distant future. Donna Wiemann, Balmain

The new government should change the charade of question time in the House of Representatives. In recognition of the support voters have given to the independents and the Greens, the Albanese government should refrain from asking itself time-wasting Dorothy Dixers. Questions from the Opposition and the crossbench should be treated respectfully and answered with integrity. Rick Johnston, Potts Point

All these people writing their suggestions (Letters, May 26) for how the Liberal/National coalition can make a comeback make me nervous. I’m quite comfortable with the idea of them being the natural party of wilderness. Charmain Brinks, Newcastle

Australia should have a fossil fuel allocation reserved for domestic use (“Power bills set to spike as global energy crunch hits home”, smh.com.au, May 26). There should be a floor price for this and an export levy to cover the difference between the floor price and global price. Funds from the levy should go to the producers (or be paid into Consolidated Revenue to counter the low taxes paid by them). We should be seriously looking at products that we export and, if affected by the various external crises, adopt similar schemes for them too. Denis Cartledge, Tenterfield

Thomas Mayor, we salute you. Your commentary on the Uluru Statement from the Heart (‴⁣⁣Time to step up and end racism’ for all”, May 26) justifies the hope we can all work together to ensure First Nations voices are no longer silenced. Perhaps modesty prevented you from mentioning your book Finding Our Heart. Mayor’s work, with its powerful story and beautiful art, would clear up any misinformation about the Uluru Statement. Joy Nason, Mona Vale

It’s damning Albanese with mean-minded faint praise (“Nothing dreadful to report from PM’s trip abroad”, May 26). I thought the visit to Tokyo was a tour de force, taking place as it did immediately after being sworn in as PM and a gruelling six weeks on the campaign trail, including suffering a bout of COVID. Credit where credit is due. Judy Hungerford, North Curl Curl

It’s past time that those US senators who continue to stymie proposed laws introducing background checks for people seeking to purchase guns to be charged with being accessories to murder (“Biden asks America:  ′ When will this carnage end?‴⁣⁣, May 26). Gross negligence and cowardice doesn’t begin to describe their actions. George Maniatis, Dulwich Hill

While we have evolved the intelligence to deliver humans and machinery into outer space with pinpoint accuracy, we still lack the moral compass to pinpoint the protection of children, the softest of targets on our planet. Megan Brock, Summer Hill

Surely teal is blue with a touch of green (Letters, May 26)? Pauline Paton, Centennial Park

The digital view Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au ‘We are Liberals’: Peter Dutton’s rallying cry to moderates and conservatives From Scott55: ″⁣Things will be tougher under Labor because economic cycles are exactly that. The Coalition’s legacy of record debts and budget deficits, rising interest rates, falling real wages, big increases in energy and housing costs and high inflation means that people will have less money to spend and less confidence. Labor have inherited an economy on the turn thanks to the Coalition’s failure to deal with so many big issues.″⁣