PRIME Minister, you are so funny when you extoll your government's superior financial management record.
Perhaps you are being ironic as surely you can't have forgotten the millions wasted on Robodebt compensation; on submarine compensation; on JobKeeper paid to wealthy businesses unnecessarily; and millions paid to external consultants instead of less well-paid public servants.
Perhaps those billions of dollars completely wasted could have gone towards increasing wages to nurses and teachers and other public servants at the frontline.
Maybe pensions and Newstart could have been increased. All this additional money in the economy making it stronger and slightly more socially just. That is closer to the general and not ironic definition of superior economic management.
Gabriella Emmerton, Hamilton South
PM gets a big tick from me
I'M sure Daryl Tuckwell ('Turn tide for low-paid workers, Letters, 12/4) was a hard-working bloke in his days. I'm sure he comes from a long line of Labor voters who stick no matter what. So was I for years, but like life, I have had to be fluid and also with my politics. In my opinion, Labor is lost, no real grasp on what is required.
The Coalition has been tough on China, they have allocated billions to upgrade our Defence and it's needed ASAP. Our unemployment levels are at a 50-year low.
I know this from my lounge room let alone a leader campaigning for a better Australia and they don't know the current rate. Outrageous.
We came through a world pandemic as one of the best performing countries economically. Yes, made mistakes, who would not have? Again they had to be fluid.
Sure, in debt to our eyeballs - you want to check other western countries' debt levels, then compare. Australia with the current mob has a good chance to trade out of this debt and get in the black again, unlike some parties in the past.
I'm not a pollie-basher like some, and I think to be fair the Prime Minister of Australia is underpaid for the responsibility that this gig entails.
So, vote Labor, nothing changes in Newcastle, you're safe. I will be fluid and this time around and vote Liberal. We know what we will be getting and I'm ok with that.
May the best underpaid pollie win.
Nick Maguire, Redhead
The message of Easter
KEN Stead (Short Takes, 11/4), I can't justify anyone inflicting pain and suffering on children, but perhaps faith makes forgiveness easier. Remember Leila Abdallah whose three children were killed by a drunk driver two years ago?
Graeme Bennett, (Short Takes, 11/4), two correspondents (Short Takes, 22/3) have already given useful answers to your question, but, for people of faith, an explanation as to why God allows pain and suffering is not really necessary, because when they don't understand they trust, as a child trusts a loving parent. And, for Christians, God suffers with us and for us, and triumphs over sin and death. That is the Easter message.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
Debating taxation
JOHN Arnold's letter ('Economic management myth', Letters, 9/4) selectively reported that LNP governments taxed more than ALP governments over the past 50 years. Quoting the Australian Financial Review from an article by former ALP minister Craig Emerson was his evidence of this argument. This is commonly calculated by the ratio of tax to GDP. But the tax to GDP ratio is quite misleading.
In July 2000, for the first time the Howard government introduced the GST as a federal tax replacing former state sales taxes and expanding federal tax revenue. The Howard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments have presided over mostly booming economies with expanding GDP growth, high resource prices and higher employment. This has resulted not only in the lowest unemployment rate for 50 years but more people in more jobs earning more money and paying more tax. There has also then been more tax revenue from business and more tax from higher resource prices. This has made the tax to GDP ratio higher at 27.8 per cent in Australia, which is still much lower than most OECD countries which average over 30 per cent.
The Rudd/Gillard governments on the other hand, presided over the GFC and an effective recession with declining GDP for some years. This made their tax to GDP ratio a little lower. It's true that this government has greatly increased our debt, on the back of record low interest rates, but many voters are very concerned about that.
But is it better that this government has been willing to increase debt to maintain business and employment through the pandemic rather than see the economy crash? Certainly, the economy is recovering well from the pandemic, all the financials are looking good, unemployment low, tax rates coming down and our figures for pandemic Covid deaths and vaccination rates are some of the best in the world. There are plenty of reasons to be critical of the Morrison government, but which country would John Arnold like us to be compared with?
Peter Devey, Merewether
Corruption commission failure
INTEGRITY in federal politics is a key concern of the community. The Morrison government has shown a distinct lack of willingness to take action on this matter. After initially dismissing calls for a federal anti-corruption commission on the grounds that it was a "fringe issue", Morrison eventually bowed to public pressure and announced in December 2018 that he would establish a commission.
Since then the government has stalled any meaningful action and has only put forward proposals specifically designed to result in a weak and ineffective commission. In the recent April 2022 budget there is zero funding for a federal anti-corruption commission. Actions speak louder than words.
Kevin Sweeney, Hamilton East
War is a bigger threat
WHY do some still refer to Russia as a communist country ('China a bigger threat than climate', Letters, 9/4)? The USSR ceased to exist in 1991. Then Yeltsin, the post-Soviet president, pushed free market reforms, privatised state-owned businesses, allowed bureaucrats and crooks to grab industries, buildings and land without laws to stop them. Russia went into economic recession as it developed a capitalist economy aided by Western investment. Russia's extremely wealthy elite with their dubiously obtained billions was assisted through the UK's financial system to hide their wealth. Ukraine, the poorest country in Europe and facing devastation, should not have to pay back International Monetary Fund loans taken out to avoid Russian debt.
Putin's plan to takeover Ukraine is failing and turning on Western investors scrambling to leave Russia. Ukraine has a right to defend itself to repel Russian military forces, but that does not mean pushing the idea that larger wars are inevitable. Growing global cooperation to isolate Russia is an overdue example and supporting anti-war movements are essential to avoid future inter-imperialist wars.
Kerry Vernon, New Lambton
SHORT TAKES
ADZ Carter, (Short Takes, 11/4), ScoMo would know that every time he ventures into a venue like the Edgie Tavern there is a chance he'll meet a "Ray". On the same day as ScoMo was copping Ray's spray Albo was yet again dodging questions from a voter. It's my strong belief that if ScoMo acted as Albo does, you'd accuse him of being afraid to speak to the public. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, by those with blinkered vision.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
THAT'S a bit harsh Don Fraser, (Short Takes, 12/4). You must be one of the persons better off than Raymond Drury. Instead of staunchly sticking it to the big bully, you've sent a measly little text and not a "two-page spread". Still bigger than mine, Don.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
ALBO'S gaffe - can he 'Shake It Off'?
Alan Harrison, Glendale
HEY John Cooper, at least Albo can speak openly about his previous employment, our deceiful PM has been "let go" at both of his jobs with Tourism Australia and Tourism NZ under suspicious circumstances that have never been revealed to the public. He certainly never brings it up does he?
Chris Peters, Newcastle
SLOMO'S found a pot of gold. All this money being thrown around they did not have before.
Gary Hayward, Cardiff
IN reply to Wal Remington, (Short Takes, 13/4), I and my family have been Knights members for many years and attend most home games and a few away when possible. I don't like to think I bag the Knights. I would rather call it critical encouragement lol.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
TO Wal Remington, (Short Takes, 13/4) ... Wal, you don't need to attend games or be a Knights member to bag the Knights. They have been below average for a very long time. Obviously the system they have is ingrained - failure. Happy with mediocrity. The best fanbase in the NRL have been let down for years and nothing has changed.
Mick Kembrey, Cessnock
DAVID Andrews, ("Audit a load of rubbish", Letters, 11/4), complains that three times his recycle bin has not been emptied because it contained incorrect and unauthorised materials. Most people don't have a problem because they do the right thing with correct recycling. I believe it is quite unfair to have a go at the compliance officers for just doing their job.
Ian King, Warners Bay
NO one can go to a pub test, without first testing the price of $10 schooners. Unless of course, if you can't pay what it's price is, you could always say you've strolled down from the heights on your nightly stroll and by health of habit ask for a glass of water.
