Dutton critics are vindicated, but strong opposition is needed

Sydney Morning Herald

04-05-2025

My faith in the Australian electorate has been restored ('Federal election 2025 live results', smh.com.au, May 4). While I was moved by the sincerity and graciousness of Peter Dutton's concession speech, it stood in stark contrast to his divisive and backward-looking election strategy. Leadership of the Liberal and National parties is now more important than ever. The Westminster system of government requires a strong opposition. Recent events in the UK provide a salutary warning of what happens when an opposition has lost its way. Let us hope that politics here will get back to the debate of policy and not the flags we are willing to stand behind. Gordon Lambert, Kiama Downs
After Saturday's thrashing, a number of Liberals were commenting on how they need to better sell their party. Maybe it's time they realised their party is no longer relevant, in much the same way as the old Communist Party is no longer relevant. They need to change their ideology or change their jobs. Bye bye, Liberals. Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas)
All the Dutton denigrators, myself among them, are feeling vindicated today. Despite all the fearmongering, despite the flooding of our suburbs and countryside with a sea of blue, despite the clogging our roads with mobile billboards and runaway trucks and campaign buses, and despite having our polling booths invaded by an army of alleged volunteers, Australia stepped up for our future. Let's build on this and drive our government to be the best it can be, for all Australians. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale
Having just suffered an even worse defeat than their 'worst ever' defeat in 2022, will the Liberal Party now start listening to the electorate? Sensible centrist policies that show they care about Australia and Australians, more women as candidates? Abandon the mythology that the Tony 'Doctor No' Abbott model of opposition leader is the way to success? Time will tell, I suppose. Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach
A resounding majority of Australians voted for decency on Saturday. They defeated hate. Hate in politics. Hate in media. The hate of those who peddle grievance and division. Terry Quinn, Coorparoo (Qld)
A returned prime minister can now set a path towards his legacy, such as structural change to higher education costs. Wiping 20 per cent off the debt is a start, but let's freeze any CPI increases, grandfather existing arrangements and standardise the cost across all degrees for the future. And legislate to force banks to streamline HECS debts on home loan capacity. Over to you, Albo. Michael Blissenden, Dural
Well, now the dust has settled and the focus on individualism and greed evident in the bribery of the electorate by both major parties is over, I hope the incoming government can focus on the real issues facing this country. Essentially, this requires a government focusing a lot more on care for others, which has been missing during the current election campaign, but was evident in the outpouring of thanks to the late Pope Francis for what he had tried to do for others. The important issues in caring for others include rehousing the homeless, reducing the growing levels of poverty, dealing with refugees who have been here for years on temporary protection visas, and focusing on the impact of climate change on all living creatures in this fragile environment. Jack Flanagan, West Pennant Hills
The outstanding result for Labor on Saturday night must not be wasted on another three years of mediocrity. The country is becoming increasingly divided between the haves and the have-nots, as well as more polarised politically. Both must be addressed if we are not to follow the US down the same divisive path. Firstly, there has to be structural tax reforms. The current system is so biased towards those who have already made it, particularly self-funded retirees. Secondly, we need to see a more bipartisan opposition. It is not necessary for the opposition to say no to every piece of legislation; sensible amendments can be made to good ideas and then both parties can move towards better outcomes and help to eliminate the polarisation path. Thirdly, please, can we ban the word 'lie'? An estimate or expectation is not a lie. The word must be reserved for real untruths. This may help to boost the electorate's opinion of politicians and encourage more people with intelligence and ability to put their hand up to represent us. Bridget Sant, Hyams Beach
Congratulations to the independents who won at the federal election. Even though Labor has a clear majority, I trust they will listen to those re-elected independents who are now experienced and promote genuine concerns from their communities. The Coalition, of course, can now toss out that nuclear plan and 41,000 families in the ACT can breathe a sigh of relief that someone in their family won't be pressured to retire early or be unemployed. Ken Pares, Forster
I wonder where the Liberal Party would be today if it had elected Julie Bishop as leader seven years ago? Alastair McKean, Greenwich
At the beginning of Anthony Albanese's first term, he expressed his wish to preside over a more respectful parliament, but Dutton was having no part of it. Maybe this time around? David Macgregor, Summer Hill
As I contemplate the election result, I feel an enormous sense of pride. Not pride in Albanese, nor the Labor Party, but pride in the Australian people. They didn't fall for the opposition's allegations of lies nor complaints about the hate media, and resisted the global political move to the extreme right. I can't help but wonder as well just what would have been the result had the Voice referendum been held with the federal election. Brian Roach, Westleigh
They got an avalanche that has probably buried any hope of truly meaningful social reform for the next three years. What a shame we didn't get a Labor minority. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell
The reason the Liberal Party has found itself in such a parlous state can be summed up in just two words: Scott Morrison. Robert Christie, Cleveland (Qld)
The Coalition has had feedback before this election, at federal and state level, that change is needed. The problem is that it is only willing to undertake first-order change, where small and incremental adjustments never move far from the underlying philosophy. Blind Freddy sees second-order change is needed. It is more challenging to achieve, but can be transformative with a resultant fundamental shift leading to sustainable and lasting results. Concerningly, the rank and file has diminished over time and is unrepresentative – it lacks the multicultural, gender and age distribution of the broader population. Can it manage this necessary change? Vince Heffernan, Biala
Dutton gone, nuclear gone, culture warring hopefully gone. . The electorate has decisively spoken. Grahame Riethmuller, Redbank
Now for real truth-telling and reconciliation. Viv Mackenzie, Port Hacking
As John Howard said, 'The Australian people always get it right.' Dierk Mohr, South Turramurra
It looks as though the meteor has struck the dinosaurs, thus opening the path for new warm-blooded life forms to emerge. Alan Carruthers, Artarmon
It looks as though Australia has 'woken up' and can see the future. Luke Connery, Manly Vale
Now for the wedding! Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt
Libs divided, but failed to conquer
Of course, Peter Dutton's concession speech was remarkably gracious, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted on election night. If the now unemployed Dutton plays his cards right, Anthony Albanese will do a Kevin Rudd and – in the spirit of unified bipartisan hard-right geopolitical and military policy – appoint him ambassador to AUKUS. Alex Mattea, Sydney
Dutton is now in illustrious company. He has joined other Liberal leaders in losing their seats – his mentor John Howard and Tony Abbott. This is a massive loss that will continue unless the Coalition learns to govern from the centre, as John Howard has often said. Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South
With no wish to kick a man while he is down, I really believe we dodged a bullet with Dutton's defeat. He is by nature a culture warrior, and we have far too many divisive figures in the world today. I think that is why we instinctively mourned the death of Pope Francis, a reconciler and peacemaker in a world dangerously awash with thugs and bully-boys. Bernard Moylan, Bronte
The good citizens of Dickson have channelled their inner Doc Neeson when asking Peter Dutton: 'am I ever gonna see your face again?' Stephen Manns, Woollahra
Trashed the Voice, trashed the Liberal Party. Just deserts. Chris Downs, Stanwell Park
With respect, the people of Australia have resoundingly spoken, leaving Dutton, contender for the prime ministership, without a voice in parliament. Mary Carde, Parrearra (Qld)
How lucky we are to live in this country! If a political party leader seems to not know the difference between hate speech (the ABC?) and intelligent discourse, he is out. People all over the world will wish they were living here. Georg Pedersen, Glebe
Dutton spent too much time at petrol stations. Not many votes there. He should have been talking to voters. Graham Russell, Clovelly
Dutton never had the skills required of a politician, so I wish him well as he seeks a career to which he is better suited. John Christie, Oatley
Cartoonists across Australia must be tying crape to their pens as they bewail the loss of Peter Dutton to the political scene. He was the gift that kept on giving to their creative genius. Levane Abdoolcader, Padstow Heights
'Work Wanted. Experienced Bowser Attendant. Willing to travel. Call Peter.' Bob Cameron, Coffs Harbour
Albo rebooted
I remember Whitlam minister Tom Uren saying to a young Anthony Albanese that he would make a great Australian prime minister. Millions of Australians have just agreed with him. Go, Albo. Vale Tom. Neil Duncan, Balmain
Booth etiquette
I'm sorry to read about your correspondent's unhappy experience while handing out how-to-vote cards (Letters, May 3). I always accept a card from every party as I go in to vote, then throw them all in the bin before voting as I intended to. That way, no one is offended. The consolation is that when I go out after voting, no one wants to talk to me. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill
Amid the recent tales of drama at various polling stations, I am happy to report that at the Terrigal CWA hall, Liberal, Labor and Greens volunteers spent a congenial voting day together, sharing sun-cream, chocolate biscuits and discussions about football, plus some less important matters. Not a cross word. I suspect the same occurred, and goes unreported, at many polling booths. Jon Fogarty, North Avoca
Buttons pushed
Richard Glover's entertaining insight into the internet (' One or two joys, but net result is evil ', May 3) reminded me of a recent event. I was texting a friend in the UK on Messenger on my new phone and accidentally pressed a button. It responded by asking me if I would like my message turned into: a poem, Shakespearean language, re-phrased, grammar corrected (I couldn't see anything wrong with it) etc. AI has infected my phone. Maybe this isn't new – my old phone was very old – but it's distinctly worrying. Mary Billing, Allambie Heights
Boomers not so bad
Your correspondent asserts that 'the Boomer dominance is over. The younger cohort of Australians will face the new world of climate-related disasters that the Boomers will not see' (Letters, May 3). This implies that the Boomers are the environmental villains and the younger generations the world's saviours. But when I see the young guys in their huge petrol- and diesel-fuelled utes, the frequent overseas air travel of the younger generations and their love of fast food hamburgers sourced from cattle grazing in cleared South American forests, I have my doubts. Bruce Johnson, Lakewood
No throwaway line
The last line of the Herald editorial (' Collapse of Planet Ark a wake-up call ', May 3) says it all about our throwaway society: 'We can no longer accept that a Coke bottle used for 10 minutes will then become a problem for humanity to deal with for the next 10,000 years'. Paul Doyle, Glenbrook
Environment loses
What an appalling record Australia has to be the biggest consumer of fast fashion when it puts 200,000 tonnes of plastic into landfill each year. Yes, plastic, aka polyester clothing. And online selling is a huge part of the problem as there is no opportunity to feel the 'fabric' nor read the label in a store, and then one is enticed with the flick of a finger into purchasing yet more colourful plastic bags labelled as clothing. Our individual and corporate greed is drowning us in landfill pollution and there is no way the fashion industry can claim sustainability, with or without recycling. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi