Donations law highlights need for independents

Illustration: Megan HerbertCredit:

To submit a letter to The Age, email [email protected]. Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email.

THE FEDERAL ELECTION

Donations law highlights need for independents
People who donate to registered political parties can make their donation tax deductible no matter when it is given. However, if you donate to an independent candidate it will not be tax deductible unless it is made after the official declaration of candidates, just a few weeks before the poll. For this election that will be April 22.

It is no wonder that someone like Josh Frydenberg can amass millions of dollars for his campaign through opaque arrangements like Kooyong 200 and vastly outspend his competitors.

That’s what happens when you leave electoral reforms to the major parties and that’s why we need independents like Monique Ryan in Kooyong.

It is only with the influence of crucial independents that we can end the inequities of the election funding laws that were created by the major parties for their own advantage.
Denny Meadows, Hawthorn

A brutal assessment of our motives
Scott Morrison tells voters “this election is about you, no one else”. What a shocking indictment of the “values” of the Liberal Party that pure self-interest is apparently considered not just virtuous, but ingrained in the Australian electorate.

I for one am deeply insulted and sad for ordinary, decent Australians, many of whom will recoil from such a brutal assessment of their motivations. Australia really is ready for, and in desperate need of, a better future.
Helen Moss, Croydon

Holding the job for years no guarantee of quality
Scott Morrison’s claim that “this election is a choice between a government that you know and that has been delivering and a Labor opposition that you don’t” is absolutely correct.

We know all about the shameful treatment of refugees, the pork barrelling, the failure to legislate for a promised ICAC, and the tardy and inadequate responses to COVID vaccines, floods and fires. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

As for experience, we have plenty of examples around the world of leaders who have stepped into the role largely unknown and untried and have proven themselves more than equal to the task – Emmanuel Macron and Jacinda Ardern are but two. Being in the job for a number of years is no guarantee of quality either. It is possible to do the same thing badly over and over again. Yes, Scott Morrison, this election is a choice and I know where my vote will not be going.
Grace Brisbane-Webb, Skye

A disaffection felt right across the country
The rise of independents in Liberal-held seats ought to be a warning shot across the bows for the government, but Josh Frydenberg, whose margin in Kooyong was halved at the last election, arrogantly dismisses it as “rinse and repeat” performance.

Candidates like Monique Ryan not only have the potential to replace long-term members, but to deliver the changes on climate action, political integrity and gender equality that voters seek.

The public is disillusioned by the political rorts, failure to adequately address climate change, the secrecy and scandals, economic mismanagement and the inability to grasp the economic opportunities in a carbon-free future that have bedevilled us for years.

While many might consider it unlikely, a loss by Frydenberg in Kooyong would reflect not just the disenchantment and frustration in Kooyong but highlight the disaffection felt right across the country for a government that has proved so totally lacking in integrity.
Bryan Long, Balwyn

THE FORUM

It’s won me over
Having lived for many years in an apartment overlooking Albert Park, I have long bemoaned the disruption of amenity caused by the months of setting up and dismantling of the infrastructure, the constant beeping of reversing trucks and the closure of roads related to the grand prix.

However, this year the event was truly reborn. With a newly surfaced and challenging track, more viewing stands and fine weather, vast crowds streamed to the event in high spirits.

It seemed like a celebration of Melbourne’s dealing with COVID following the abrupt cancellation of the March 2020 event. The city centre was fully alive as well, with restaurants overflowing, theatres and comedy venues abounding in good cheer.

I must confess myself a convert.
Peter Barry, Melbourne

Telling responses
I read with interest the responses to your “What do you want from the next federal government?” (The Age, 11/4).

There were 36 respondents and all, of course, made valid points. However, only 12 of them mentioned climate change or the environment. Perhaps this is why both Labor and the Coalition parties provide inadequate responses to the impending real disaster that is unfolding right in front of us.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated recently that climate change is an emergency, governments increasing fossil fuel emissions are dangerous radicals and that we are on track to an unliveable world.

What is it that the majority seem to not understand or grasp? We need wholesale changes to our systems urgently.
Phil Labrum, Flemington

Ready to take a risk
Scott Morrison is hoping to scare risk-averse voters with his “risk of change” talk.
Bring on the changes, please. Could we start with more attention to climate change issues, necessary improvements to aged care services, fairer funding for public schools and our universities.
And to help fund these changes could we please have the unnecessary 2024 tax cuts cancelled. The beneficiaries of these are not needy people and should be contributing to the improvements in the social, health and educational sectors.
Patricia Summers, Canterbury

We are in dire need of hope
Currently wherever we turn, the actuality, threat, or rumour of war is apparent. Unleashed in Ukraine, it also looms and hovers more widely, with vague unsettling menace. In Australia we talk of a “khaki” election. Various aspects and implications of war are now constantly being explored and commented on.

From the concept of a “just” war, and protocols that attempt to “civilise” warfare and curb its barbaric excesses; to a reality where all participants, whether aggressors or defenders, are damaged, and honour and glory are scant; to Assistant Defence Minister and ex-SAS captain Andrew Hastie’s chilling testimony at the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial, of “a closed universe, where you can make up your own morality”, and his comment that “some guys went up the Congo”, with its clear reference to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and the savage horrors unleashed when the moorings of civilised humanity are jettisoned.

We are in dire need of hope. For many this is found in the message of Easter. Hope is never more relevant and necessary than in such times – or more challenging to hold to.
Deborah Morrison, Malvern East

A study in contrasts
How does a leader inspire a nation?

John F. Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you …” Scott Morrison said: “This election is about you, no one else.”

Who will history remember ?
Richard Opat, Elsternwick

Time to reflect our society
As the prime minister’s cavalcade made its way to Government House in Canberra to set the election date I found myself wondering who the current governor-general is and what sort of people have been appointed to the position.

Of the 27 governors-general appointed since federation in 1901, 26 have been men. The only exception was Dame Quentin Bryce, who served from 2008-14.

Most appointees have been British or Australian of British descent with backgrounds in law, the military, politics and a few academics.

This profile does not represent a diverse 21st century Australia and we need to review who is appointed to this important position.
April Baragwanath, Geelong

An uninspiring pitch
Sean Kelly (“Careful, they might hear a splash”, Comment, 11/4) quotes the prime minister as saying “This election is a choice between a government that you know … and a Labor opposition that you don’t”.

There are many aspects of life where to stick to the known because of fear of the unknown is not the best approach to take and it can be liberating and satisfying to make a change from the norm. This might be leaving an old job, a partner, a familiar neighbourhood or a child’s school for example. The leaving of the known, which may not be working well for you, can open doors to other more positive experiences.

From a marketing man, Morrison’s sales pitch is very negative, hardly inspiring enthusiasm for the future.
Ruth Hudnott, Canterbury

The masks must go
Mask requirements remaining in aged care facilities is a bad thing for both aged care residents and staff (“Most COVID curbs may be scrapped within weeks”, The Age, 9/4).

For ongoing quality of life and reassuring care in the years of physical and cognitive decline of very old age, you need to clearly see the facial expressions and clearly hear and understand the voice of those who visit and care for you.

Given that everyone who enters an aged care facility must be fully vaccinated and show a negative RAT result immediately prior to entry, Australia’s tens of thousands of aged care residents should no longer have to suffer their home being an alien world of mask-covered faces and muffled voices.

The last stage of the life span is short, difficult and lonely and should not be one of imposed estrangement from fellow human beings.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South

They’ve had their chances
Your editorial “This election must be about the young” (The Age, 11/4) is considered and thoughtful.

It is hard to ever remember a time when the future for young people was looking so bleak in so many areas. The most alarming, being the necessity for serious and dramatic policies on the impact of climate change. This should be led under the direction of science, not the fossil fuel empires.

The Coalition should not be rewarded by being returned to government. It has had its chances to contribute to forging a sustainable future.

Should Labor win the next election, whether as a minority government or in its own right, we must demand integrity, transparency and responsibility: these qualities have been absent for many years.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading

It’s not all bad news
The Reserve Bank has warned that a 2 percentage point interest rate rise could mean house prices could fall by 15 per cent (The Age, 9/4).

This is good news for those potential first home buyers wanting to enter the housing market. The more people that can purchase a home the less pressure there is on the rental market.

There will be those who won’t benefit. The speculators who purchase property with the sole intention of achieving a capital gain windfall.

It’s these people, who with the aid of negative gearing are competing with genuine potential owner occupiers, thus making housing less affordable to a large number of people.

Falling house prices is not a gloom and doom scenario. It is a real bonus to those wishing to purchase a home to live in.
Ian Bennett, Jan Juc

A sign of the times
The federal election has been called and Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are hitting the campaign trail. Are we to be subjected to presidential-style campaign involving slick slogans and populism? Voters deserve better. We will be voting for our next government, not a president.

We want to hear about a long-term vision to tackle the major issues of our time. We want a government that will reprioritise spending to ensure our older citizens are treated with care and dignity; how our childcare will become affordable and accessible for all those who need it; how the climate emergency will be tackled no matter how hard the journey; how the issue of housing affordability will be addressed; how Australia will treat those fleeing wars and terror with compassion and how inequality and poverty will become a thing of the past.

Cathy Alexander, in 2013, wrote, “there are more people on the waiting list to join the MCC than there are rank-and-file members in all Australian political parties put together”.

This lack of participation in our party political system is a sign people want more than just political spin with leaders throwing insults at each other. Let’s hope we have some real substance in the ensuing election campaign.
Graeme Lechte, Brunswick West

Bear this in mind
During this election campaign, we need to remember that when it comes to political campaigning, Australia does not have “truth in advertising” laws.

This means politicians can literally say whatever they like – provided they do not “mislead or deceive an elector in relation to the casting of a vote” – mischievously skipping around the boundaries set by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Bruce Watson, Clifton Springs

A lot to be thankful for
On Monday I tested positive to COVID. Already I’m greatly impressed by the effectiveness of the vaccines in ameliorating my condition and the intelligent follow-up process our health authorities have put in place to keep track of my condition.

We have a lot to be thankful for.
Peter Dann, Blackburn

AND ANOTHER THING

The campaign trail
Scott Morrison’s observation that this election is a choice between “the government you know and the opposition you don’t” is the best argument for the opposition.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick

Scott Morrison says he wants people to vote on his government’s record. He does?
Glenn Murphy, Hampton Park

Can someone please explain to Clive Palmer the difference between an “election” and an “auction”.
Ian Maddison, Parkdale

Anthony Albanese proudly announces he knows the price of bread and milk but he confesses to not knowing the current national rate of unemployment. So does he want us to vote for him to be prime minister or a phantom shopper?
Darren Stait, Carnegie

It’ll be a long six weeks if the media continue with these “gotcha” moments. It’s not a quiz show.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn

For how long are we to see taxpayer-funded government ads on the TV? I thought we were in caretaker mode.
Jane Russell, Bonbeach

Answer the question put to you.
Les Silverman, Brighton East

The Coalition: a “trying and testing” government.
Sarah Bone, Wonthaggi

For an almost-octogenarian, 2040’s delivery of submarines is fantasy, but well resourced, staffed and managed aged care is an immediate need. Which party?
George Reed, Wheelers Hill

Scott Morrison’s biggest worry is that Anthony Albanese is not Bill Shorten.
Tony Lenten, Glen Waverley

Finally
Maybe the taxpayer should only be required to foot the expenses for the prime minister to go to the governor-general from The Lodge to have the election called, while coming from anywhere else should be at the PM’s expense.
Doug Springall, Yarragon

Gay Alcorn sends an exclusive newsletter to subscribers each week. Sign up to receive her Note from the Editor.

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article