Coalition’s election lies cover up its own failures

There’s a well-known quote along the lines of “the bigger the lie and the more often it’s repeated, the more likely it is to be believed” (“Albanese’s ‘understanding of the economy is wrong’: Morrison”, smh.com.au, April 12). The Big Lie, which we will hear ad nauseam in the next few weeks, is that Labor is the party of enduring economic mismanagement, and that the Coalition possesses the gift of eternal economic wonderment. Throw in the canard that the opposition is inexperienced in, and therefore incapable of, government, and one comes to the inescapable conclusion that there should never ever be a change of administration – a prospect I find rather unappealing. Frank McGrath, Bulli

I stopped paying attention to election campaigns years ago. While politicians are in office, you pay attention. Election campaigns are just a stream of endless bumph.

In the last few days I have seen ads on TV touting the government’s plan, paid for by public purse. Another good sign of economic management? Election campaigns are a period where one grits one’s teeth, trying to be patient until the day itself. David Ashton, Katoomba

I suspect the next six weeks are going to be extremely painful. On the first day of the election campaign we were treated to endless coverage of our politicians ability to recall facts and figures. If statistic recall is the basis of anyone’s decision in this election, we’re already stuffed. I intend to vote for the local candidate who offers the greatest potential for improving honesty and integrity in our politics. Something which has degraded to a dangerous extent at present. Gary Eastwood, Menai

This is the trifecta of campaign principles employed by the Coalition government: present a host of promises that will never be delivered; be very obscure about key issues so the public does not realise your lack of commitment; and make mountains out of the littlest mistake the other party makes. I would rather have a candidate who is unsure about figures that can easily be fact-checked than one who is apathetic to the public. Let us wisely consider the lack of integrity and mistakes committed in the last 10 years rather than the lies we will be fed in the next few weeks. Cristina Corleto, Stanmore

Don’t know about Jobson Grothe but I hear Dettan Deficit is on leave until after the election (Letters, April 12). Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights

The biggest winners in this campaign will be Stan, Netflix and the local public library. Robyn Lewis, Raglan

GST hike would force well-off retirees to pay their way

It seems Australia is magic pudding land for older Australians. We pay less income tax over the age of 60 and are financially supported by younger taxpayers as we use aged care and a disproportionately large percentage of the health budget – all so we can live longer and leave expensive houses to our offspring (“Lift GST to halt generational betrayal”, April 12). Brian Matthews, Turramurra

The GST is an excellent and efficient means of taxation and there is no doubt that considering the average rate in EU countries is 21 per cent, the Australian rate of 10 per cent should be increased considerably. It is perhaps the only means of extracting more tax from well-off retirees who pay very little and are, quite outrageously, subsidised by taxpayers who are by and large considerably less well off. The regressive nature of the tax can be greatly alleviated by reducing taxation for low incomes and the additional revenue can be used to provide a much-needed increase to welfare payments. Applying GST to some foods would encourage more healthy diets with zero rate for fresh food, particularly fruit and vegetables. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

There are some fairly straightforward solutions to the skewing of benefits toward retirees, particularly the more well-off ones. The extensive use of negative gearing, allowing self-managed superannuation funds to borrow to finance property investment and the failure of the federal government to put stricter limits on foreign ownership of property have all resulted in declining home ownership among the younger generation. Labor had it right during the last election: specifically targeting investors in property. Unfortunately, the ALP had an unpopular leader, so good policies failed, not to be resurrected. Michael Clarey, Pyrmont

Coal fallacy

So much for Scott Morrison and Angus Taylor’s vehement assertions about how we need to keep coal to prevent a rise in electricity prices (“Power companies say expect higher electricity prices within months”, April 12). Debra Uren, Guildford

Gender prejudice

If you have a cis gender daughter who likes short hair, happens to have broad shoulders and perhaps is a bit taller than the average woman, start preparing them now (“Finance minister urges caution on sports bans”, smh.com.au, April 12). If a trans ban is passed, the harassment of girls and women who do not fit conservative gender prejudices will increase and sadly, women’s sports will be much less welcoming for them. Samantha Chung, Randwick

Did the PM discuss the issue of banning transgender women from women’s sport before backing a campaign to do that? It seems Minister Simon Birmingham has a better understanding of this sensitive matter than his leader, which would not be a surprise to many voters. Sandra Burke, North Sydney

Blood loss

My blood type is O negative (“Plea for donors as state faces blood shortage”, April 12). Before I lived in the UK for a year in 1984 I was an enthusiastic donor but have been banned from donating ever since owing to abundance of caution over mad-cow disease. I understand the Red Cross has petitioned the government to allow people like me to donate again. What is holding up the decision?Chris McGregor, Cabarita

Harsh punishment

Those with a sense of power in NSW are really pushing their authority against the Fireproof Australia protesters (“Straight to jail for Shark Park pitch invader”, April 12). While many might argue that the group’s methods don’t encourage public sympathy, the fact that someone carrying a bright light – not a Molotov cocktail – across a playing field and preventing players from kicking an air-filled balloon hardly constitutes a great crime. Donald Hawes, Peel

Umpire bias

I know there’s an election coming, but some things are more important than politics. I’m talking about the AFL, in particular, the anti-Sydney bias by umpires. On Saturday, the Giants played Fremantle in what was a close match until the final quarter, when the score blew out to 88-54. The reason lies in the free kick tally for the game, which was 42-16 against the Giants and, no, the Giants did not play dirty. That’s a 26 kick advantage, which is like having an extra midfielder on the team, and it happened because umpires focus on Sydney players and miss vital penalties against them.

Earlier that day, the Swans almost lost to lowly North Melbourne. The free kick tally in that game was 14-21, which is almost two free kicks to one. Moreover, if you look back at past matches and seasons you’ll find that Sydney teams are always on the losing side of the free kick stats. If the AFL is to become truly national, it’s time to eliminate anti-Sydney bias. Tom Orren, Wamberal Heights,

Cruel affliction

John Watkins very eloquently and accurately reflects my battle with unrepentant Parkinson’s (“My battle with unrepentant Parkinson’s”, April 11). Among all the things my PD has robbed me of, what I miss most is the ability to clearly and coherently express, either verbally or in writing, my thoughts, feelings and a lifetime’s worth of accumulated knowledge. John Watkins has done some of that for me, and I sincerely thank him. Gary Klopfer, Bilgola Plateau

I didn’t know Monday was International Parkinson’s Day. Had I known in advance I might have stayed in bed. The insidious PD, as John Watkins referred to it, has also impacted on my life and I guess many others. I am in my seventies now but the effects only became noticeable about four years ago. Although looking back it may well have been earlier. I am not yet at the extremes of PD and I hope I never get there. John Mann, Leura

Verbose verbiage

On the recent discussions about wasted words, a favourite is “signed off on”. Signed seems adequate, though the off/on switch does raise a smile (Letters, April 12). Ian Hobson, Springfield

Another wasted word is the regular use of “future” planning, as if planning for the past is an alternative. And what about “conscious” decision? More useful I suppose than one made while unconscious. Barry Wooldridge, Harden

Modern language is littered with unnecessary prepositions/adverbs like meeting up, studying up, seeking out and heading up. The one that really grates is “changing up”. This is much favoured by sporting commentators when they mean “varying”. I’ve often heard it used when a bowler or tennis player takes the pace off the ball. If commentators insist on a preposition, perhaps they should say changing “down”? Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

It should come as no surprise that sport provides an example of verbal redundancy, considering those who comment on the action are referred to as commentators rather than commenters.
Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie

Driving passion

Totally obsessed with Drive to Survive (“As much as I love wordle, this mid-lifer has a more thrilling obsession: F1”, smh.com.au, April 12). I now know all the drivers and support crew so well and made it more enjoyable to watch the event. Even our grandchildren cheer on their favourites. Go Max, go Checo! Angela Miller , Bondi Junction

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Albanese could pay a staggering cost for a stupid mistake
From Ross – Mallabula: ″⁣One reason that the employment rate does not set our pulses racing is that we don’t see a booming economy. Things are not perceived as being buoyant. Opportunities don’t appear to abound. The government would like us to get excited about the employment data, but most of us are unimpressed.″⁣

• To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email [email protected]. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.