Batman election: Not a good look to kick out the Greens' 'rats'

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Batman election: Not a good look to kick out the Greens' 'rats'

To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number.

Richard Di Natale, with his teeth-baring reaction to the result, sounds like a leader struggling for ideas. Ged Kearney was always going to be a tougher opponent than David Feeney and Senator Di Natale's call for the rats within to be kicked out, quite apart from being a bit too convenient, is not a great look for a party with "Standing up for what matters" plastered over its website.

Illustration: Michael Leunig

Illustration: Michael Leunig

It is not clear if he is railing against the authors of the so-called dossier on Alex Bhathal or the fact that it was leaked to the media. These are separate issues, and conflating the two sends the wrong message about the consequences of confronting bullies. You will be attacked for speaking up and blamed for airing your grievances. That is, for standing up for what matters.

Dr Kerry Ryan, lecturer in politics and history, Swinburne University of Technology

Bhathal: a history of community action and spirit

What a cruel reward Alex Bhathal and her supporters received from those Green leakers. When I moved into the seat of Batman, it was Alex who knocked at my door, talking politics and asking me to get involved and join. I discovered she was linked into many community groups and well known around activist circles. At her house, I would meet kids who received free medical attention from her and her husband. Do her detractors have a resume that comes close to her record of community action and spirit?

Leon Zembekis, Reservoir

At last, the penny drops for Labor on pre-selection

Eureka. According to assistant state secretary, Kosmos Samaras, Labor has hit on a winning strategy to "put up good candidates in the inner city" and that it cannot just put "their mates in" (The Age, 19/3). Suddenly Ged Kearney's progressive politics ceased to be a problem for the factional heavies, including Bill Shorten. Less educated and affluent, rusted-on electorates, by implication, will continue to cop the old guard. The Greens' numbers have forced pre-selection reform on Labor as internal reviews failed to do. Let's see what change Ms Kearney can deliver.

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Angela Munro, Carlton North

Voters rejected the Greens and chose the ALP

Ah, the chagrin for the gentry. The "hipster proof fence" is leaking in Batman. While conceding, Senator Richard Di Natale irrelevantly spoke of "deals done", yet Labor had an absolute majority in the primaries. Despite his opining about how Batman voters "want change", it is evident that he did not know what he was talking about. The victory vote in Batman was a clear 2per cent swing to Labor, since 2016. After that election, Senator Di Natale said: "Watch out for the next election". Voters did.

Robin Rattray-Wood, Rosanna East

What could have been with a Greens win

Oh Batman, you sadden me. You voted to continue the destruction of our environment and reefs by allowing new coal mines and gas wells and not reducing our emissions fast enough. You voted to continue to allow large political donations that demand influence. You voted to continue the detention and great mental suffering of asylum seekers, including young children. You had a chance to vote for a party that would advocate strongly for these things, but you were not brave enough.

Simon Jane, Northcote

Greens' elusive dream of "the perfect outcome"

The Greens are not the only party with a social conscience (Letters, 20/3). There was widespread understanding of climate change in 2007, but the Greens refused to vote for the Labor government's emissions policy, which led to our current situation of limited action. The Greens refused to trial the refugee swap with Malaysia, recommended by an expert committee, and wedged the government of the day into the current abhorrent situation. The Greens cannot resile from their part in the reopening of those detention centres.

They should think about the negative consequences of their actions, and be more pragmatic in their dealings with governments to achieve the best possible outcome, not to await the perfect outcome – which will never happen.

Louise Kloot, Doncaster

THE FORUM

'Hot bed of racism' image

As an Australian citizen residing in South Africa (and being highly active in civic life), I cannot overestimate the damage caused by Peter Dutton's comments. In claiming that white farmers in South Africa are "persecuted" and need help "from a civilised country like ours", he undermined the legacy of decades of Australian foreign policy opposing white supremacy in Africa.

From the 1970s, successive Australian governments played a lead role within the Commonwealth and on the world stage in helping to bring an end to apartheid and then in establishing productive diplomatic relations and trade ties with South African governments in the post-1994 democratic era. As testified by the outrage in the South African media and across social media, Mr Dutton has revived an image of Australia as a hot bed of racism and a colonialist bastion which perpetuates the notion that African countries and their people are somehow "uncivilised".

The South African Institute for Security Studies has asserted that murder rates for young black men in urban townships are substantially higher than for white farmers. While estimates of numbers vary, it is also clear that black farmers and, in particular, black workers on white-owned farms, have also been subjected to deadly attacks. Will Mr Dutton offer help to them?

Adrian Di Lollo, Mowbray, South Africa

State schools will suffer

Shame on you, Bill Shorten, for pledging an extra $250 million to Catholic schools (The Age, 20/3) at the expense of our most needy and struggling state schools. Then again, maybe this is an indirect taxpayer subsidy to compensate those people who were abused, as children, by members of the Catholic Church. I assume there will be no auditing to see if the funds are misused, unlike funds to our state schools.

Sue Dingle, Essendon

The benefit of rail

People may recall when B-double trucks were introduced, the authorities gave assurances that they would be restricted to freeways and (I think) some A-grade roads. Today, B-doubles can be seen on C-grade roads. One can only imagine how soon the rules restricting these A-doubles (The Age, 20/3) will follow the same pattern. Today, the freeways; tomorrow, your street. When will rail be adequately developed to handle such loads?

Kim van den Berghe, Highton

Unis silenced by cash cow?

Clive Hamilton, author of Silent Invasion: China's Influence in Australia, rightly rejects Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane's claim that the book is "racist" and "anti-Chinese" (Opinion, 20/3).

Unfortunately such accusations can deter reasoned discussion of vital national issues. What does appear to be discriminatory, however, is the failure so far of the universities in Melbourne that usually launch major books on China and/or Australia-China affairs to launch Professor Hamilton's book, which the former head of the China desk in the Defence Intelligence Organisation, Paul Monk, says "should be read as widely as possible and openly discussed" (The Australian, 17/3). Are our universities – once the champions of free speech – now cowed by the cash cow of students from China into silence on such contentious issues?

Helene Chung, former ABC China correspondent

Dividing a community...

I was stunned to read Clive Hamilton's response to Tim Soutphommasane. A big part of Dr Soutphommasane's role is to engage the community on issues such as human rights, racial discrimination, cultural diversity and social inclusion. Chinese-Australians have reached out to him, sharing their concerns on the debate about foreign influence and interference. Obviously they expressed concern about Professor Hamilton's approach to these issues. I see nothing wrong with Dr Soutphommasane highlighting their views.

I am deeply concerned how the public debate on Chinese foreign influence has bitterly divided the Chinese-Australian community. Many are unwilling to speak out against Professor Hamilton due to the fear of being labelled a "Chinese agent", when they are not. Professor Hamilton said Dr Soutphommasane's "knee-jerk accusation that my book "smacks of the Yellow Peril revisited" is offensive to all of those whose views and professional judgments are reflected in the book". However, his article has done the same thing. He offended and marginalised those who shared their perspectives with Dr Soutphommasane. Also, to accuse those who share his views as being "Beijing trolls" is offensive and ignorant.

Wesa Chau, 2010 Young Victorian of the Year, Melbourne

...and stoking prejudice

Tim Soutphommasane's comments accurately reflect the sentiments of Chinese-Australians. As a "non-China" Chinese-Australian with strong Australian values, I was recently called a "spy" and told to "go back to where you came from". No doubt this arose through adverse media attention on the Chinese as a homogeneous group, regardless of where they came from.

I am the father of fourth-generation Australians of Chinese heritage and my Chinese grand-uncle and grandfather served with the Anzacs in World War II. The debate questioning the loyalty of Chinese-Australians is getting out of hand and stoking anti-Chinese-Australian prejudices.

Tony Pang, Chatswood, NSW

Footy's real 'vandalism'

In response to Dylan Leach's piece – "Why the song must remain the same" (Opinion, 20/1) – I suggest that a public act of cultural vandalism is committed every time the winning football team links arms to sing the club song, without regard to melody or rhythm.

Kim Harris, Wheelers Hill

Waiting for an apology

Simon Crean should be congratulated for pointing out the disastrous consequences of Australia's decision to join the United States in the 2003 illegal invasion of Iraq (Comment, 20/3). His call for an inquiry into the decision-making processes behind it is also warranted. He observes that "we can't reverse history", but we can learn from it. An expression of remorse from John Howard would also not go astray.

Ian Bayly, Upwey

And this helps how?

Newstart's boost of 50 cents a day would be laughable if it were not so tragic for those struggling to pay rent, bills and put food on the table.

Susan Munday, Bentleigh East

Try a little kindness

Claire Thurstan, thank you for reminding us about kindness (Saturday Reflection, 17/3). Not only is the word "kind" almost old-fashioned, but kindness itself in this too busy life is often forgotten. I have a very "reminding" quote in Maori on my television table: It translates as: "Practise random acts of kindness". Visitors appreciate the message. We all need such reminders.

Faye Quennell, Beaumaris

For the sake of our kids

News reports show burnt farms and dispossessed families. Our state is tinder dry. Volunteer firefighters have limited time and resources. Helicopters are costing us dearly. The burnt livestock and wildlife are not shown on television news. It is time to take effective action against those politicians, lobbyists and corporations who keep delaying effective measures to reduce our production of greenhouse gases, and who continue to clear our forests and damage our water catchments and oceans. We must act for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

John Poppins, Yarragon South

Why are we still logging?

Politicians say populate or perish, but for Melbourne it is populate and perish as we have a limited water supply. The forests of the Central Highlands are the source of our water supply, yet logging continues at a rapid pace. Logged forests produce a lower quality and quantity of water than mature forests. So why is Victoria logging the Central Highlands' native forests?

Sue Bendel, Doncaster

It's not a 'sport'

Saturday March 17 was a dark day for Victoria's native duck population. With the launch of the three-month duck shooting season coinciding with the Greens' defeat in Batman, duck hunting is set to continue with the blessing of the Labor government. How long will Victorians have to tolerate this barbaric activity, incomprehensibly described as "sport"?

Janine Joseph, Armadale

Protesting the cruelty

I congratulate Chautauqua, the horse whose passive protest – he again refused to leave the gates in a barrier trial (Sport, 20/3) – shows the power of resistance against the racing industry's cruel system.

He has earned $8.8million prizemoney for his owners. Let him be put out to grass, a well-earned retirement. Perhaps a sculpture of Chautauqua at Flemington is in order, to encourage advocacy for voiceless animals – such as ducks – which are the hunted victims of human enjoyment.

Neil Tolliday, Werribee

One day, no more Trump

Unlike the "guided democracies" of China and Russia, at least Donald Trump can be voted out.

Jonathan Lipshut, Elwood

Stepping over the line

That pesky line of acceptable behaviour is still confusing people. Our cricketing heroes continue to cop sanctions and fines for "head-butting" right through that line. Our politicians promise to keep meticulous records so that their personal expenditure is never mixed with the legitimate costs of being in government and opposition. Yet they still find themselves disciplined and demoted for stepping over the line.

Now we are in for months of hearing how difficult it has been for our banks, and their obscenely paid executives from their boards down, to meet the required heights of the regulatory and compliance bars. They have failed to meet even the most basic measure of providing services that are in their customers' best interests. Why is that line so hard to see?

Peter Thomson, Brunswick

AND ANOTHER THING

Politics

​So there are no factions in the Greens? Do me a favour.

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston

Wouldn't Shorten buy more votes if he promised $250million for all schools, not just the Catholic ones?

Zelma Warne, Culgoa

Don't you love the smell of envy politics in the morning?

Harry Shaw, Northcote

Peter Dutton, Minister for Boer Protection.

Jim Davidson, Fitzroy

There'd be few pressure groups, political parties or churches left if all members left because a few had behaved badly (19/3).

Margaret Brennan, Yarraville

Nick Xenophon, in the words of Keating, the souffle never rises twice.

David Kerr, Geelong

Economics

The 50¢ a day increase to Newstart is simply mean. The divide between the haves and have-nots is widening. I'm ashamed.

Megan Peniston-Bird, Hawthorn

As each new scandal is revealed, remember that Turnbull said we didn't need a royal commission into banks.

Brian Henderson, Kallista

Perhaps "dodgy as a banker" will become the new epithet for dishonest and misleading practices.

Harry Kowalski, Ivanhoe

In 2014, Hockey declared "the age of entitlement is over". Some non-taxpaying retirees didn't get the memo.

Rod Williams, Surrey Hills

Furthermore

How to ruin a good pop song: let the ABC promo department turn it into a soppy abomination.

Helen Park, Stuart Mill.

A-double trucks should be limited to the inside lane of our freeways.

Peter Walsh, Beaumaris

The AFLW grand final's early kick-off will make it impossible for people with Saturday morning commitments to get to the game.

Lindsay Zoch, East Melbourne

Dammit, I should have put money on Putin to win the Russian election.

Ed Veber, Malvern East

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