The campaign ads from both major parties reflect the major concern of voters – i.e. what’s in it for me (“Ads show shift in nation’s mood”, April 25)? Australia has done better than most in recent years, so why change? Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the reaction to climate change – if others are concerned then they should do more. Meanwhile, I’m all right, and what I do won’t make a difference anyway. So much for doing what is best for others and the world. A related view is that Morrison has done the best he could in difficult circumstances. He’s just a good bloke like me. Certainly, I couldn’t do better. But he should have done better. If anyone has the power to do things, it is the prime minister. But his preference is to do nothing until it’s too late. Parliamentarians should be better than we are. That is why they are our leaders. David Rush, Lawson

Too many political ads are like television advertisements for four-wheel drives – strong on emotion, light on fact. That much-abused word “freedom” is a favourite. Clive Palmer has already spent millions exercising his freedom to inundate us with his version of freedom. It’s deeply depressing to think that the winner might not be the ad that clearly explains a party’s policies but the propaganda that stokes the most fear and loathing. On the other hand, it could be something short and simple, such as the two words that summed up a nation’s mood back in 1972: It’s Time. Nick Franklin, Katoomba

Sean Kelly’s take on the election advertisements is so true. Each party has come up with personal attacks and pushed ideas that few care about or even take notice of. Most are sick and tired of the ads and no doubt switch off when they are constantly repeated on television or social media platforms. Warning us about the consequences of voting for the other guy has little effect. Perhaps they could concentrate on some positives, not negatives. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

The Liberals themselves are Labor’s best advertisement. Morrison rightly keeps telling anyone still listening to him that we know what we’ll get under his government. Exactly! The Liberals’ ads claim that “It won’t be easy under Albanese”, but should read “It won’t be easy for Albanese” because, if elected, he will have to rectify the disastrous state of the nation’s economy and international reputation after a decade of Coalition mismanagement. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl

Wake up: time bomb is ticking

Ross Gittins has again hit the nail on the head (“Housing crisis a threat to economy, social, family ties”, April 25). No party is talking about the ridiculous price of houses and the effect it is having on families and the young. Is it because all politicians are either old or rich or have invested in the housing market themselves? I have two children over 30 and neither holds any hope of ever owning a house. When we sell our house they could probably afford a small flat each. The pressure is mounting on them, as it is on all under-40s. Gittins is right: it’s a time bomb that will explode soon. There is deep resentment among the young and no one is responding in parliament. You would think Labor would be concerned. The Liberal Party is blinded by lies and the PM’s chutzpah. The Reserve Bank seems just a joke. When will they all wake up? Stephen Wallace, Glebe

It was heartening to read that others understand the importance of housing and job security. In light of the upcoming election, could Ross Gittins provide a list of politicians who also subscribe to this view? Anne Kirman, Kellyville

Show you care. I dare

For six years, icare underpaid NSW workers’ compensation claims and “knowingly” did so, according to the state Auditor-General (“Workers to be reimbursed $40m after icare audit”, April 25). Any chance a current or former NSW government minister or premier might stand up to accept responsibility for this reprehensible negligence? Rob Phillips, North Epping

Plea for respect

Good on Ada Cheung (“Let evidence not fear drive trans sport policies”, April 25) for calling out the nonsense of using transgender kids as an election issue. Anyone would think that trans people are seeking some advantage when all they want is to be treated with the respect and fairness that everyone should be able to expect. Our identity, and this goes for all for us, is complex and is not a matter of choice. If the politicians only knew (unfortunately, I think they do know) or cared (unfortunately, that part is debatable) about the untold damage they do to the mental wellbeing of young people, they might think before once again weaponising discrimination. Haven’t we seen enough of that already? Garry Brown, Killara

Lifetime of defiance

My grandfather was a kind, gentle man who always seemed cautious and restrained. He died when I was seven so I never really had an understanding of him. Later research revealed that he survived the trenches in France from 1916 to 1918, the latter part in ill health subsequently diagnosed as meningitis, which had persisted for five months until he was put in hospital. He never fully recovered from war and illness. I understand him now (“Moments of standing up against the odds that define a war”, April 25): his was more than a moment of defiance. Brian Jones, Leura

Party political pawns

The deputy PM needed to convince Scott Morrison and Alex Hawke of his desire to return the Murugappan family home to Biloela before it was handed over to the courts to decide (“Joyce believes family must get back to Biloela”, April 25). Saying this now is more about the Nationals trying to retain the seat of Flynn against a strong Labor challenger. We have long perceived politicians to be playing a game pursuing political advantage rather than working hard to solve the issues of the day. Daniela Catalano, Haberfield

Campsie fantasy

As a keen fan of fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed the artist’s impression of the proposed development at Campsie (“MP slams plan of 6300 homes in suburb”, April 25). Wide, tree-lined streets, flowering gums and about a dozen of the nearly 400,000 residents who currently live in the LGA happily going about their business on congestion-free streets. However, look as hard as I could, I couldn’t see any unicorns or flying pigs. John Bailey, Canterbury

Campsie simply does not have the infrastructure to cope with the council’s proposed population increase. Canterbury Hospital needs a major facelift, as does the shopping precinct. There are not enough co-educational schools in the area, but probably the main concern will be increased traffic.
Often, one can walk through Campsie quicker than driving through. All these ideas coming from a council that many in the area have little faith in. No wonder people are wary. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Indelible transgressions

Katherine Deves has reported that she and her family have been threatened (“Deves says family has had death threats over debate”, April 25) and this should not have happened. She also calls for a nuanced and reasoned debate about trans participation in women’s sport and blames Twitter for the vitriol in this debate. It is not that Twitter is to blame for this, rather the posts put up by people such as herself. The release of her now deleted tweets reveals the uninformed, just plain wrong, cruel and hysterical words she has injected into this debate. If she espouses reason and respect now, why did she delete all these poisonous tweets from her account? She cannot repair the hurt and despair she has caused to the trans community by pressing the delete button. Pamela Wood, McMahons Point

Katherine Deves has publicly expressed views that most find totally repugnant. However, cowards making death threats to her, and worse still her family, via social media, is also a repugnant act that most decent Australians would find abhorrent. Stephanie Edwards, Roseville

Lexicon vexations

I would love to see the end of the mispronounced “camaraderie” (Letters, April 25). It has nothing to do with the word “comrade”. Bill Young, Killcare Heights

While we “try to” achieve our goals, it is somewhat hubristic to say we will “try and” achieve them. Kathleen Hollins, Northmead

I’m tired of hearing “At this point in time”. What’s wrong with “now”? Viv Munter, Pennant Hills

What’s up with “sunk”? Sunk is a past participle and not a past tense verb. Am I fighting a losing battle here? Darrall Cutting, Forestville

When did “fun” become an adjective instead of a noun – such as “it was so fun”? Like a fingernail scratching against a blackboard to my ears. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North

My pet weather report peeve is the use of “warmer” or “cooler” temperatures. Weather can be warmer or cooler but temperatures are higher or lower. My wife’s is the use of “that” instead of “who” when referring to people. Lynn Butler, Saratoga

I’m starting a campaign to put the ″⁣l″⁣ back in ″⁣vulnerable″⁣. Would anyone care to join me?

Jo Bond, South Melbourne (Vic)

The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
‘Reality of our time’: Dutton warns Australians to prepare for war
From np: ″⁣Very disappointed to see this posturing for the military vote by Dutton and Morrison on a day of national remembrance.″⁣

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