George Brandis, never one to miss denigrating Labor, is right that the party with the best policies for the populace will win the forthcoming election (“For once, we will vote at the polls on policy, not politics”, July 29). On the one hand there is his favoured candidate, Peter Dutton, with “bold” - some might think divisive - policies on nuclear, immigration and energy versus those offered by the rather “wishy-washy” Albanese. So, let positive policies prevail. Dutton’s nuclear notions are not supported by most experts on grounds of time-scale, disposal of deadly waste and great cost, while his propositions on climate change deter investment in renewables. Moreover, breaking up supermarket oligopolies is unlikely to happen while Dutton’s views on immigration might meet with hostility in multi-cultural Australia. Against this, the admittedly pallid PM offers a newly strengthened cabinet which, despite having to manage a minor rise in inflation, is gradually making gains on the vital cost-of living issues of most significance to so many. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne
The basic flaw in Brandis’s analysis is that he labels as “policy” the untested, uncosted and unrealistic ideas floated by the Coalition on energy, internet access and supermarkets. His piece would have been better if he had acknowledged that part of the menu of choices at the next poll will be a vote for fantasy. Don Squires, Lake Cathie
Brandis starts well that the electorate’s focus now will be on policy rather than politics but then is happy to criticise Albanese for not having the “wit or venom” to respond to Dutton’s “child in a man’s body” insult. How is not being insulting enough in response to a “jibe” a policy matter? It’s a step-down from decency in politics and must not be encouraged. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
Brandis trumpets that the coming election will be based on policy and then proceeds to play the man, using subjective hyperbole like “wishy-washiness”, “immaturity”and “school mistressy tut-tutting” to describe Anthony Albanese and “appallingly regressive”, “crony capitalism”, “dogmatism” and “weaker alternative” to describe their policies. Meanwhile, Peter Dutton’s “boldness” in advancing policies, including his nuclear energy plan - a Trojan horse for the fossil fuel industry - are banners and thought bubbles, with no substance or critical planning/finances purely aimed to catch votes. Brandis may as well be writing on LNP letterhead. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle
Brandis is surprised by Peter Dutton’s policy boldness. He is too easily impressed. We would all be mightily impressed by the health benefits should either party seriously takes on the alcohol, fast food and gambling industries. Robert Philip Eckstein, Pyrmont
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton during Question Time.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Brandis has a funny idea of worthwhile policy when he cites Peter Dutton’s stance on online child access, supermarket power and nuclear energy as big examples. Forget the economy, health, education and skills, social cohesion, opportunities for advancement and other human aspirations and concentrate on the superficially attractive. Everything from the Coalition is about populism, slogans and gimmicks aimed solely at winning back power for themselves only to do nothing worthwhile with it for the people who put them there. If that’s what Brandis is advocating, it has all the depth of a car park puddle and is merely a return to the policy vacuum of past Coalition governments. They’ll have to do much better than that. Adrian Connelly, Springwood
Brandis cites three, Dutton- bold, policy fronts, that really, can be dealt with over a latte. Nuclear energy- too late, too expensive and too harmful if it goes wrong. Prohibition of online access by children is noble but prohibitions are difficult to implement and, I believe, as reported in the media, a teenager has already said that he would easily be able to get around any restrictions. And breaking up oligopolies will be hard for a liberal government to do as you would surely be offending your friends. Is there something else Dutton can offer? Claudia Drevikovsky, Croydon
Brandis’ articles often read like a commercial for the Liberal Party. Be that as it may, both Albanese and Dutton are to be commended for keeping their parties unified. Albanese remains ahead on integrity and substance, but needs to promote Labor’s vision better. Dutton’s nuclear power policy smacks of desperation. It’s impractical, regressive on climate change and widely condemned by voters. His solution to supermarket oligopolies is more populist than practical. I would argue that the Coalition’s gain in the polls has more to do with voter anger over cost-of-living pressures than genuine support for the Opposition. However, Albanese needs to lift his game as well. Graham Lum, North Rocks
Minister for Everything?
Now that Tony Burke has acquired the Home Affairs and Immigration Ministries to go with his other jobs as Arts Minister and Leader of the Government in the Lower House, could we not refer to him as the Scott Morrison of the Labor Party (“Burke wins big in election reshuffle, July 29)? Ouch!! Graham McWhirter, Shell Cove
Australian Home Affairs Minister and Immigration Minister Tony Burke is sworn in by Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn during the Federal ministry swearing in ceremony at Government House in Canberra.Credit: AAP
Tony (Scomo) Burke, Minister for Everything! Victor Marshall, Meander, Tasmania
Prosecutor or felon?
J.D. Vance teaming up with Trump is, to put it mildly, astonishing. He is on record for calling Trump, “a total fraud; a cynical asshole like Nixon; reprehensible, cultural heroin, a moral disaster, America’s Hitler; one of USA’s most hated, villainous, douchey celebs”. Trump committed “serial sexual assault” ... “Fellow Christians, everyone is watching us when we apologise for this man. Lord help us,” Vance tweeted after the Access Hollywood tape was published in 2016. Of course he was right ... and still is. Trump/Vance will not win. Americans are not that stupid. Right-wing, rusted on Trumpists are, but fortunately they are in the minority. Well, at least now Americans have a real choice: the prosecutor or the convicted felon; their debates will be very, very interesting (if Trump dares). Truly ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’! Carsten Burmeister, Mosman
Your correspondent Nevill Turbit (Letters, July 29) is only partly correct. Surely Vance’s J.D. stands for Just Disgraceful. Alex Springall, Westleigh
The suggested slogan for Kamala Harris “Make America Nice Again” would be MANA from Heaven. John Lees, Castlecrag
Shameful and appalling
Our Indigenous incarceration rates are an international disgrace (“Police plan to help reduce Aboriginal detention fails”, July 29). To think they’re worsening is so sad. Commissioner Karen Webb’s comments that it’s not police responsibility are very troubling. It implies the arrests, denials of bail and incarcerations are all necessary and justified when police actually have a lot of discretion. Charges can get added very easily and pile up to lead to more severe consequences. Resisting arrest, verbal abuse and assault of police are all good examples. Research has shown that Indigenous Australians are more likely to be stopped in the first place. Young parents being taken away leads to ongoing inter-generational trauma. Police have a hard job and need society to provide alternative options to charges and jail but equally they need to take responsibility for how they manage interactions with Indigenous Australians. Lucy France, Cronulla
Thank you Patrick Begley for bringing these appalling statistics to our attention. It’s not just sad, it’s shameful that 31 per cent of the NSW prison population is Aboriginal. Since the sad and shameful failure of the Voice referendum last year every state and federal government agency should have stepped up their efforts to Close the Gap. The NSW Police Force is obviously failing in its efforts in this regard. As the head of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, Anina Johnson, says, “Police have enormous discretion in the way in which they choose to enforce the law, and that, at the moment, is statistically disadvantaging Aboriginal people”. I think that sums it up. Margot Vaccari, Berowra
This editorial makes some great points (“NSW Police can no longer be on remand on justice”, July 29). However, I wonder when the Minns government will step in and fund the “uncles” to work harder with these young folk refused bail. Surely they should be on culturally appropriate programs to improve their prospects, not in prison cells. And I know there are many capable older Indigenous elders who could be funded to provide such services. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath
I was disappointed with the article on Aboriginal detention rates. Let’s just blame police like we always do. When are we going to expect local Aboriginal communities to step up as a genuine partner to fix this problem? Plenty on what the police have done to work with local communities. Almost no mention of what those communities have contributed to the solution. And what about the agencies providing housing, social support, educational opportunities, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and the like. It’s a complex problem and local communities need to take some genuine responsibility for the outcome - after all they’re producing and raising the offenders! Brian Barrett, Padstow
The overrepresentation of our First Nations people in the justice system is seriously worsening despite police having a high level of discretion when it comes to charges and bail. Apparently the police don’t want to wear any of the blame as they are just doing their, admittedly tough, job enforcing the law. We have been reporting and analysing for decades, but when do we start acting differently to address this disgraceful and destructive pattern of First Nations incarceration? Restricting the use of remand for low level offences (if charging is warranted in the first place), that criminalise and destroy opportunity for individuals, is perhaps the first step. Greg McKay, Warrawee
Time to go Joyce
Over the years, Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has had much to answer for. Now, he tells protesters at a wind farm protest: “The bullet you have is this little piece of paper, it goes in the magazine called the voting box and it’s coming up … Get ready to load that magazine. Go, goodbye Chris, Goodbye, Stephen. Goodbye, Albo”. Could some view or misconstrue this for inciting violence? Such a “metaphor” must have been thought through; seen as a media soundbite. It was not an off-the-cuff statement. This too highly-paid parliamentarian again reveals his nasty, reckless, despicable persona. His apology “probably wasn’t appropriate” doesn’t cut it. The Coalition leader, Peter Dutton, must publicly upbraid him and call him to account. If not, what does it say about him? Jennifer Fergus, Croydon
Another apology: Barnaby Joyce addresses the media last month.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Barnaby Joyce’s recent metaphor was probably deliberate and has no place in Australian politics. He has made too many callous statements and should consider retiring from Parliament and not stand at the next general election. Peng Ee, Castle Cove
Renovate, not detonate
While Sydney is busy ripping itself to pieces or spreading developer’s disease all over its surrounding countryside, spare a thought for the potential beauty of historic Parramatta Road (“Take the high road”, Letters, July 29). The old road hugs and rolls with its mild hills and dales and curves gently around its little bends. Renovate, don’t detonate. Let’s be creative. Keep for the future, at least in parts, the sense of the gentle and inviting road that goes ever on and on towards the far away Emu Plains and mystic Blue Mountains. Tom Mangan, Woy Woy
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