Mutual respect is the foundation of our democracy

Sydney Morning Herald

10-05-2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strikes at the core of Labor's landslide victory by proclaiming: 'Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future' (' PM leads Labor to historic victory as Coalition routed ', May 4). As one of the world's most successful multicultural democracies, Australia stands tall as a beacon of hope at a time when the drums of war are beating closer to our own shores. For as Albanese makes perfectly clear, it matters not who we voted for, where we live or who we worship or love, or whether we belong to a culture that has cared for this great continent for 65,000 years, as Australians we are all one. So may this mutual respect we hold for our common humanity continue to be the moral foundation upon which to build our governing democracy. Rev Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT)
If blue corflutes were votes, the Liberals would have been on a winner, but no. Enlisting the Plymouth Brethren to plaster voting places in blue bunting and monster the public as they handed out at pre poll and on Saturday was a huge mistake. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Glenn Johnson, Leura
The one thing the Coalition could do now is to not only drop their ridiculous nuclear energy policy but to offer bipartisan support for renewables as outlined by the government. Australia would then have the opportunity to become a world leader and superpower in renewable energy and provide a more stable environment for investors in the business community. It might also help to further marginalise the climate change deniers. Brian Parker, Terrigal
There were many stories of gains and losses in this election but that of Ali France who defeated Peter Dutton is one of utter courage, determination and resilience. Inspirational. Vicky Marquis, Glebe
I am one of the many who are relieved at the election results, and listened carefully to our again-PM's victory speech, with its emphasis on kindness. And while I was glad to hear – though it was right near the end – that climate change is still on the agenda. It seems to have dropped off the back burner for so many politiciansand I hope the unacknowledged people's favourite, Tanya Plibersek, will still be in that mix. I hope that that kindness agenda will encompass immediate and finally effective (rather than simply buck-passing) action for those two unmentioned and relatively small groups of voters around our not-so-lucky country , who are suffering so terribly right now in different ways: the homeless and the domestic violence victims (some in combination). Closer to his political home, also, it would be wonderful if the kindness extended to a parliament that ran on collegial lines with all incumbents working collaboratively for the good of the people, rather than the usual aggression filled adversarial scenario that we the people are heartily sick of. Maybe – just a thought – the teals and other independents could take the lead on this, even though we don't have a hung parliament. Anne Ring, Coogee
Once again Parnell Palme McGuinness, with her bitter doom and gloom negativity, is out of step with the majority of Australians (' Who wins Sale of the Century poll? ' , May 4). Ted Hemmens, Cromer
The party ended
A major political party can disappear (' True depths of Liberals' crisis is exposed amid exile form citie s', May 4). Gladstone's Liberal Party in the UK formed four governments in the late 19th century. In 1906, this Party had 400 seats. By 1924 it had 24. The rise of the Labour Party in the UK and the Liberal turn to the Right was disastrous. The split between Lloyd George and Asquith, mirrored today by the split of the Liberal party between the Right and teals, caused the UK Liberal party to disappear. In Australia, this split came about not because of Peter Dutton alone, but mainly because of the incompetence of Tony Abbott, the crushing of Turnbull's climate agenda, and, egregiously, the arrogance of Scott Morrison, who effectively 'invented' the teals whose seats were blue-ribbon Liberal. One final reason: 'Wokeness' is now buried, Trump and his minions in Australia have killed it. Victor Branson, Waterloo