Ousted Abbott pulling puppet Dutton’s strings – MASHAHER

The contrast between the post-prime ministerial activities of adversaries Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott couldn’t be more stark (“The lingering influence on Dutton”, September 30). The former has been totally detached from politics and is pursuing loftier outside interests, while the latter is still mired in string-pulling, partisan machinations, seemingly unable to let go of just winning office for his side for its own sake. I know whose overall standing and contribution to public life gets my respect, and if Peter Dutton’s focus mirrors Abbott’s, there’s nothing to recommend him for a stint in the top job either. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

It would seem that if the powers that be in the Liberal Party are seriously taking the advice of Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin, then they are very slow learners. Not only was Abbott usurped by his own party after two years as prime minister, but his standing within the electorate was so poor that he lost his own seat of Warringah, which had been held by the Liberal Party and its predecessors since 1922. Abbott has described the decision to go with nuclear power as a “watershed” in Australian politics, while one of the Liberals has said that Dutton is a good listener who ponders the evidence and makes a decision. However, in the case of nuclear power, all the evidence is to the contrary, so it appears Dutton is following Abbott down the path to irrelevance. Peter Nash, Fairlight

Abbott and Dutton are featured in the well-publicised photo that shows them quite unconcerned about the plight of Pacific Islanders as they experienced rising sea levels around their homes. They share a conviction that climate change is a left-wing hoax designed to weaken Western economies. In 2009, Abbott started the climate wars in this country and Dutton is determined to maintain the rage in 2024. Michael Kennedy, West Pymble

It says a lot about the current Liberal Party that Tony Abbott is a “sanity check” for Peter Dutton. Richard White, Leura

The “Just say no” turn was one of the most divisive and negative influences on Australian politics in recent memory, and its architects, Abbott and Credlin, are back. It’s not comforting to have our suspicions confirmed, by up to 10 unnamed members of the Liberal opposition, that the influence upon Dutton’s negative politicking is the former member for Warringah (voted out by his constituents) and by the never-elected puppeteer Credlin. It’s no surprise to hear they were influential with the Morrison prime ministership as well. Until now, when nominations have been called for Australia’s worst prime ministers, Abbott and Morrison have been foremost. That Dutton is a backward-looking plod is obvious, but for him to be an Abbott/Credlin pawn is disastrous, both for his party and the country. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

It would appear for Peta Credlin, Sky is no longer the limit. Her divisive influence goes beyond the boundary of broadcast, infiltrating the inner machinations of the Liberal Party. Dutton’s current negative setting certainly is trademark Abbott under the influence of Credlin. No wonder those legitimately in the party are frustrated by her invasive tactics. Janet Argall, Dulwich Hill

It’s depressing to consider, although it’s been obvious, that failed former prime minister Tony Abbott is regularly consulted by Peter Dutton. Abbott’s sole skill in opposition was to disrupt and to say “no” to any proposal that may have been progressive, and clearly Dutton has taken notice. “No” has replaced any semblance of constructive policy alternatives. Raising thought bubbles, such as nuclear energy, is not policy when it’s not accompanied by any details but empty assertions, reminiscent of the dark days of the Credlin-influenced Abbott administration. The last thing we need is the continuing influence of arguably our worst-ever prime minister. That in itself is sufficient reason to reject a future Dutton government. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Abbott and Credlin’s influence on Dutton shows how politics is played like football by the major parties: it’s much more about winning than serving the country. How naive and idealistic of me to think it could be otherwise. That’s why we vote for independents when they are available. Dick Clarke, Elanora Heights

Small-L liberals may be unhappy with Peta Credlin and Tony Abbott providing political and policy advice to Liberal Party leadership. But a majority of conservative voters will cheer their input. No doubt Labor and Greens supporters will criticise the duo’s involvement, but that’s a good thing from a conservative perspective. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

I wish members of the Liberal Party would not refer to the right faction as conservatives. Conservatives would accept well-advanced climate science and embrace remedial policy. Dutton’s copying of Abbott-like language of resistance is neoliberal and a reactionary disrespect for the national and international institutions involved. Anne Eagar, Epping

Chalmers delivers

Congratulations to Treasurer Jim Chalmers for the budget surplus “due to a fall in total government spending” (“Chalmers’ double-up delivers $38b boon”, September 30). When you consider the primary function of government is to provide services focusing on health, eduction and social support, including housing, we trust the reduction in spending is not in these areas but that it is focused on reducing subsidies to vested interests. I would be more interested in hearing about government reconsidering the priorities for budget allocations. Mark Tietjen, Redfern

Chalmers’ record twin surpluses are to be applauded. No doubt he will always be compared with Peter Costello, who was treasurer at a time of a healthy global economy. Chalmers, though, did not sell off billions of dollars of taxpayer-owned assets, including our gold reserves, for a song to achieve his surpluses, as Costello did. Also, Chalmers did not have a $320 billion resources boom windfall cascade into his lap. Costello enjoyed rivers of taxation revenue, to the point that if he had had the same small revenue stream that Kevin Rudd had during the global financial crisis, nine of his surpluses would have been in deficit. That said, don’t expect any credit from Peter Dutton and some of the media. Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South

Poor Angus Taylor, living with the memory of deficits delivered by Liberal treasurer after Liberal treasurer. Now Chalmers slugs him with two surpluses in a row. But then, Taylor’s every utterance demonstrates he would be no better than any other Liberal treasurer. Paul Fergus, Croydon

I’m not sure that Jim Chalmers’ second budget surplus cuts much cake with punters. Chicken prices have flown the coop. This month’s special price on a chocolate bar is double the price of recent specials. Olive oil is now a luxury good. Fish has been a luxury good for a while and Tassie salmon has doubled in price across lived memory. Even the humble spud sells at prices that suggest it’s a gourmet item. To top it off, one has to be critically suspicious about all supermarket labelling lest today’s special is a numerical con to make the shopper feel good while being ripped off. Ivan Head, Burradoo

Peter Dutton and the Coalition will take no joy in today’s headline regarding the government’s second budget surplus. Dutton has always relied on Labor’s supposed lack of financial credibility to give his party the edge over his rivals. That edge would now appear to be gone. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill

Bush left on the platform again

My heart is wrung; poor Sydney folk having to struggle with the cost of improving their trains (“Sydney needs $4b a year for future metro projects”, September 30). They might even have to use buses for a while until their new trains are ready. The government is apologetic; it won’t be long, and they will be well looked after meanwhile. Try living out of Sydney. Has the state government any idea that NSW means more than Newcastle/Sydney/Wollongong? Unlikely. Isn’t it about time that our state government spent a few dollars – a mere billion or so would be a start – on country trains?
Here in the Illawarra, if we non-drivers want to go further south than Nowra (and there is a further south) the only option is a long bus trip. No train option, not even the promise of one. Total indifference; no attempt to cater to non-city folk. Dangerous roads, difficult timetables; no choice, no consideration. Why are we always so much less important than Sydney? Nola Tucker, Kiama

Instead of wasting all that money on ripping up and relaying the line between Bankstown and Sydenham, that money could be spent on upgrading the line between Mittagong, Bowral, Robertson, Shellharbour and Wollongong (extending to Thirroul in the summer). For us on the Far South Coast, having the connection between Shellharbour and Mittagong would save us about five hours in travel time and it would make access to Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Melbourne a much more comfortable travel experience. The coastal areas would have access to the Southern Highlands and vice versa. I wonder if the minister knows where the Far South Coast and the Southern Highlands are. Ron Field, Bermagui

How about spending $4 billion a year on digging a tunnel under the Blue Mountains to the west of the state to upgrade communications for the Central West? Regional projects have been neglected for far too long and that has substantially increased the cost of transporting goods into Sydney. Truckies are increasingly opting for the Newell Highway in preference to roads into Sydney. Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst

I hope in a year’s time the grumpy Bankstown line commuters aren’t too smug when they’re the only ones getting home on time during a train disruption. Peter Fyfe, Enmore

I can’t remember many big infrastructure projects that have been completed on time, and none within budget (“Commuters set to hit the road as line work begins”, September 30). For the sake of the commuters the T3 closure will affect, I hope all goes well. The promise is big, but the prolonged inconvenience is massive. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Carbon discredited

Ross Gittins (“Let’s all be more positive about nature. But how?”, September 30). clearly explains the principle behind carbon offsets. He does, however, draw attention to the fact that many schemes are “dodgy or downright fraudulent”. The Australian system is regulated by a government agency but this does not guarantee its integrity. In fact, recently published research shows that 88 per cent of carbon offset projects were either ineffective or, as Gittins says, fraudulent. While this nation is highly dependent upon carbon credits, it is essential they be proved to genuinely reduce and retain the greenhouse gases. Roger Epps, Armidale

Anyone’s guess

Former Local Government NSW president and current City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott says, “None of us were clear on what people were allowed to do or not” (“Lack of clarity on rule changes left city divided and confused”, September 30); this was often true. During lockdown, I wanted to attend the funeral of my uncle, so I needed to drive from the western suburbs to the inner city. I first contacted Service NSW about restrictions. They couldn’t give me a definite answer and directed me to my local police station. The constable shrugged and said if I was pulled over, it would be left to the discretion of the officer to fine me or not. I was a vaccination nurse during the pandemic and I had to keep up with the constant rule changes, but I found that sometimes those responsible for enforcing the rules either had no idea or just didn’t care. Once, when I stood next to a sheriff at my local courthouse who wasn’t wearing a mask indoors, I mentioned this requirement to him and he told me to bugger off (that’s the polite version). Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

Coal scuttled

The last coal-fired power station in Britain has closed (“Britain set to switch off coal power”, September 30) and Barnaby Joyce rails against Chinese-made EVs having some sort of tracking or that they can be controlled by someone in China (“Hackers could be in driving seat with Chinese EV tech”, September 30). No doubt Barnaby is busy working on plans to recreate coal or coke-powered cars. Try bugging them. Or maybe Peter Dutton is working on nuclear-powered ones. Pity their mob decided we no longer needed any car industry. Lost opportunity. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights

At last, a significant landmark on our planet has been reached. Britain, with a population of 66.9million, has turned off its last coal-fired power plant. Yes, it has some nuclear and gas power, but 43.1 per cent, and growing, of its power is now from renewable sources, all from an area one-quarter the size of NSW.
It gives one hope in the avalanche of gloomy news. Paul Doyle, Glenbrook

Given Elon Musk’s recent rants, I’m more concerned about the owner of Tesla abusing his power than I am of any alleged threat from Chinese EVs. Samantha Chung, Kensington

I ink, therefore I am

Why do rugby league players have many more conspicuous tattoos than Australian rules players? Graham Russell, Clovelly

A grand dame

In every role Maggie Smith played, she brought the gift of laughter, and her classic “What’s a weekend?” line as the dowager countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey was a standout. Her many other roles were timeless in her ability to delight us. We could surely do with a little light relief. Vicky Marquis, Glebe

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