Liberals look to women for an answer to their woes

The male troglodytes in the Liberal Party must be in paroxysms of rage and disbelief – women are taking over the leadership of the party across the country (“‘I’m ready for the fight’: Kellie Sloane reveals her vision for NSW”, November 21). Who could have predicted six months ago that both the NSW and Victorian Liberals would be led by women (“Jess Wilson proclaims ‘new generation’ with broader focus to lead Victorian Liberals”, November 21)? Perhaps the party is returning to its “broad church” commitment? But will these new women be able to increase the size of the congregation? Rob Phillips, North Epping

New NSW Liberal Party Leader Kellie Sloane.Credit: Steven Siewert

Despite my differing political affiliation, I was sorry to hear of Mark Speakman’s resignation as leader of the NSW Liberal opposition (“Speakman quits, endorses Kellie Sloane as NSW Liberal leader”, November 21). He stood out as a decent man, a man of his word and a gentleman, which is so refreshing among today’s political “dog eat dog” Coalition. I hope his successor, Kellie Sloane, manages to maintain the dignity of her predecessor and form a credible party capable of collaborating with Labor, the Greens and independents, not just opposing good ideas and dragging the party even further back into the dark ages. Helen Robinson, Killcare

Interesting that the Liberals deny they have a problem with women, but when they have a problem they hand the party over to the women. Jenny Coote, Woonona

Will the phrase “long-term Liberal leader” now be applied to anyone who outlasts this year’s Christmas beetles? Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

It appears that the majority of letter writers want to see the Liberal Party wiped out of existence, and a progressive paradise established on Australia that is peopled by like-minded citizens with the rest of us put into some sort of re-education camp. A little forbearance and liberality of spirit would go a long way, but I forgot, “liberal” is a swear word now. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

The federal opposition should be known as the Harpic Coalition – they’re all clean round the bend. John Grinter, Katoomba

Show us some ticker

James Massola’s review of five separate critiques of Albanese’s leadership highlight one common factor – he’s more interested in staying in power than doing anything with it (“Even Albanese’s friends are impatient with his lack of ambition”, November 21). In his desire to distinguish himself from the Greens in the inner west, he has transformed himself into a conservative and managed to alienate trade unions. Please, PM, find the fire and let’s see tax reform and a long-term strategy to make Australia a better place for us all. Otherwise, step aside and let one of your colleagues have a go. Brian Barrett, Padstow

By winning the most recent federal election, Anthony Albanese became a Labor legend. That seems to have elevated him to a presidential-style leadership. What’s the use of having a talented cabinet if their expertise is overridden by the PM’s caution. What’s the use of calling yourself a Labor leader if all you deliver is a Liberal government? Not happy, Albo. Amalina Wallace, Erskineville

Should Anthony Albanese be more ambitious? Well, he could have a go at Dancing with the Stars or My Kitchen Rules. But should he poke the bear? Which bear, you may ask? Any bear, really. The tax system bear, environment v business council bear, the capital gains bear, the negative gearing bear or the federation bear. That would involve all of us enduring a lot of noisy growling and necessitate muting the news on the telly. Do we want the quiet life, or is it time for a bit of rough and tumble? Now I think I know what it feels like to be the head of NATO. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove

COP that!

As he’s done before with other ministers, PM Anthony Albanese has thrown Chris Bowen under a bus by withdrawing support for COP31 to be held in Adelaide (“Bid to host global climate conference ditched by Albanese”, November 21). It looks like Albo has stopped believing his own spin and realised that our environmental record is nothing to crow about. He’s finally realised that approving new coal stations is not a good look, globally, and omitting a “climate trigger” in the coming EPBC cct seems to make it worse. It’s a pity that South Australia, with its enviable sustainability record, will lose this COP, all because the federal government would be embarrassed. Mike Salon, Darlinghurst

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.Credit: Matt Willis

We need to be very clear that Australia did not “lose” the rights to host COP 31. There was no vote to lose (“Australia can win big international bids when it wants to”, November 21). COP hosting is determined by consensus. All it took was for one nation, in this case Turkey, to dig its heels in, much like a child having a tantrum, for consensus to become impossible. There was strong support for Australia’s bid, but that made no difference. Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen did nothing wrong, were not weak or indecisive. The fault lay with the rules of the game, not the players. In the absence of consensus, COP 31 would have been held in Bonn, which no one wanted, not even the Germans. Albanese and Bowen won the concession of gaining the presidency of COP 31 which, in the long run, may prove more important. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove

It is interesting that the Herald says most Australians wanted us to host COP 31 in Adelaide. Nearly everyone I talk to is dead against the waste of $2 billion of our money on a talkfest that achieves nothing. They don’t want us to have anything to do with COP. Adelaide would have many problems hosting, with insufficient accommodation and a relatively small airport. For Adelaide and most Australians, not hosting COP is a blessing in disguise. When will this government tell us what it cost taxpayers to send its delegates to COP 30. My bet is that it never will. Terry Cook, Ermington

Pacific Islanders, who have long been the world’s moral voice on climate change, rightly highlight Australia’s lack of commitment to climate justice. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could have travelled to Brazil and fought harder to host the global climate summit for Australia and the Pacific next year. He could also have enabled stronger environment laws and stopped the approval of 32 new coal and gas projects since 2022, as reported by the Climate Council. Further, Albanese’s government could cease spending $15 billion on fossil fuel subsidies annually and charge royalties to the multinational gas companies who take our gas for free. Those extensive funds could boost the CSIRO, address housing challenges, bolster healthcare and education across the country, and provide support to those already facing devastating climate impacts. Right now, while still exporting more fossil fuel climate pollution than any other country except Russia, we remain climate laggards. Australians should internalise this fact and demand that the prime minister demonstrate the political ambition needed to secure a climate legacy for the sake of us all (“Even Albanese’s friends are impatient with his lack of ambition”, November 21). Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

While we’ve all been distracted by the Liberal and Nationals parties’ appalling retreat on climate action, Labor has been enjoying a free ride. Not any more. Losing the bid to host the world’s biggest climate summit is a very disappointing outcome for the Pacific region. We now have the weird space of a FrankenCOP, where the body of negotiations will be held in Turkiye, but the head and arms of the negotiations will somehow come from Australian and Pacific Island leaders. Prime Minister Albanese and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will need to fight for strong outcomes. To be credible on climate globally, dealing with phasing out coal and gas approvals is a must. But Labor has approved more coal and gas projects since the May election – hardly the actions of a climate leader. Sharee McCammon, Pelverata (Tas)

Steady as she goes

Shane Wright bemoans the lack of growth (“NSW slowest state economy since turn of the century”, November 21). But we should applaud this! The reality is that all economic activity requires the consumption of resources, the generation of waste, the emission of carbon dioxide and consequently, climate change. The only sustainable scenario is a stable economy. Perpetual growth on a finite planet will inevitably lead to our downfall. Ian Bryce, Rozelle

Forced conformity

Three cheers for correspondent Manbir Singh Kohli on his letter about “Australian values”. He is obviously a thinker, something the current politics of xenophobia lacks (Letters, November 21). It’s always been a rite of passage for migrants to prove they have assimilated into the dominant Anglo culture. Europeans in the 1950s and 60s, and later the Asians and those from the Middle East, were expected to prove something. Some cohorts, like Muslims and Sikhs for example, were always outsiders because their religion was never going to allow the conformity that whites demanded. Social cohesion cannot exist if some people are kept outside society. We’re also being led by some very cynical and racist politics, but hopefully at some stage we will recognise that “Australian-ness” is a fluid thing, not fixed, and we are better than a slice of processed cheese. Our rainbow flag has 100 colours. Shayne Chester, Waterloo

Credit: Cathy Wilcox

So, Sussan Ley would like to instil “Australian values” in our new migrants (Letters, November 21)? There seems to be no clear definition of what these might be. Perhaps she means to use as a starting point the “Australian values” that her Liberal colleagues exploited so cynically and successfully in the Voice referendum to whip No voters into a frenzy. That would be the values of fear, misinformation, shrill slogans, gullibility and straight-up racism. Our migrants are better than that. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale

Having returned to Australia early this year after decades overseas, I’ve noted that our supposedly quintessential values of egalitarianism, mateship and fair play have all but disappeared, only to be replaced by self-interest and toxic discourse. As for racial, cultural and religious tolerance, the racist descriptors of our not-too-distant past have simply been replaced with thinly veiled Islamophobia. As for egalitarianism, we are kidding ourselves if we believe it remains embedded in our society. Consider CEO salaries, which frankly, this economy is not big enough to sustain and which drive income disparity. Many Australians are literally unable to improve their economic wellbeing. On the topic of immigration, we obstruct integration and minimise its real value with our misplaced sense of cultural supremacy. Wendy Fogarty, Eatons Hill

I usually wholeheartedly agree with my mate and fellow choir member, Grant Heaton, on immigration (Letters, November 21). But not this time. According to the OECD, migrants are vital to our population, contributing to economic growth and regional development. Many newer migrants are highly educated and are well integrated into the labour market. Without maintaining a reasonable level of immigration, we won’t have enough taxpayers to support our ageing population. Tom Meakin, Port Macquarie

I am a migrant (twice to Australia). I have been an Australian citizen for five decades. What further demonstration of my adherence to Australian values do the Liberals require of me or any migrant other than that we espouse Australian laws? There are times still when I wonder whether I am of them, or of us. Ian Bowie, Bowral

Super fund’s reckoning

Thank you to those at the Herald who are investigating the continued unethical importation of Russian oil products via third countries through loopholes in our laws (“Australia’s biggest super funds accused of profiting from Russian ‘blood oil’”, November 21). That this immoral practice is being aided by some of our biggest superannuation funds (mine included) is absolutely shocking. I’ve never been to my fund’s AGM, but I’ve just registered for next month’s meeting and I have already submitted my “please explain” question about this sorry state of affairs. Let’s hope there are more of us there. It should be very interesting. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

What a truly horrifying front-page headline (“Kids burnt alive in Putin’s oil-funded terror campaign”, November 21). How can the world allow this monster Vladimir Putin to remain as leader of the Russian people? At the very least, the Russian ambassador to Australia should be declared persona non grata until this ghastly nightmare that is being visited unabated on the Ukrainian people is stopped. Lance Dover, Pretty Beach

Farming facts

Revelations on Landline of our rural farmers quietly confronting climate change (Letters, November 21) with up-to-date means and methods is encouraging for us all, but I suspect it’s one of the reasons the Coal-ition is always cursing the ABC and calling for its defunding. You know, the “inconvenient truth”. Can someone please remind the Nationals et al that removing the messenger in no way alters the message – it just becomes more dire. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi

Heroic librarian

What an inspiring and courageous story about a simple librarian, Amanda Jones, who is fighting the “Gilead” movement in America (“Amanda carries a taser, mace and a pistol. She’s not a gang member, she’s a US librarian”, November 21). This movement is driven by fear. Fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of anyone not like them, and they are cowards, hiding behind masks, encrypted messaging and hateful emails. Her fight for everyone, including children, to have access to books and against book banning reconfirms that the US can be the land of the brave, the home of the free. All power to her. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle

Amanda Jones has been the target of online and real-life abuse for three years after speaking out against censorship.Credit: Daniella Zalcman/Headpress

Gaza hell goes on

Gaza is off the front pages but despite the claims of a ceasefire, the Israeli Defence Force continues to bomb and kill civilians while those who provided the bombs and those who drop the bombs are making their plans to carve up what is left of Gaza and demand to be congratulated for their “peace” efforts. Graeme Finn, Campsie

CSIRO brain drain

Hear hear, Josie McSkimmings, Jill Napier and Catherine Doherty, who were all horrified by the latest round of job cuts at the CSIRO and the loss of some of Australia’s best brainpower (Letters, November 21). It was the same story with our son, who did an honours and a PhD in physics at taxpayers’ expense. There were no jobs for him in Australia, so he finally took a post-doctoral fellowship in Sweden. In Australia, huge numbers of staff are on part-time or limited tenure positions. Thank goodness our politicians have limited tenure, too. Anthony Tucker, Leichhardt

That’s all, folks

I’m drawing a red line under November 21, 2025. For years, the right-wing madness has been growing, but on this day, it seems we have reached peak insanity. Locally, our conservative opposition has completely flipped out, defying science, economic expertise and any attempt at honesty in their quest to stay in their financial donors’ good books. Elsewhere in the world, the Russian gangster regime continues to murder once friendly neighbours (“Kids burnt alive in Putin’s oil-funded terror campaign”, November 21), China fantasises about global domination (so last century) and the Middle East is a killing field of religious zealots. In Britain, far-right stooge Nigel Farage is looking electable (“Britain is now impersonating Australia. It’s all it can do to fend off the far right”, November 21) and in the US, Donald Trump has today declared that politicians who oppose him should be put to death (“Trump accuses Democrats of sedition”, November 21). Somewhere, a fat lady is singing. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn

The future is tech

Comparisons between Australia’s and America’s economies could not be more stark. The top businesses in Australia still revolve around banks and primary industry, especially mining (top 10 by share market value). It has always been so. Today in America, the top 10 companies by value are almost solely technology stocks. A new economic era based on technology is clearly evident. The era of coal may be fading, but the new technologies associated with AI are clearly upon us and will have the same major impact on society as did past historical inventions – developed by a few individuals and making them very rich. Sound familiar? Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst

Capacity for empathy

Thank you, Rebecca Kummerfeld, for your inspiring obituary of Jack Meister. I cannot imagine a more worthy recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia. After all he endured in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, he did not lose the capacity for empathy as he tried to protect young people from the pain of his past. And yet, he bore witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. He reminds us of our better selves, offering a refuge to survivors trying to avoid yet another pogrom. His passing leaves us an enduring legacy. We learnt more from him than he learnt from us. Mark Porter, New Lambton

Jack Meister with Rebecca Kummerfeld.

Immoral majority

Correspondent Trevor Wootten issued a warning against fascism by quoting figures showing the Nazis’ rapid rise to power in Germany (Letters, November 21). He failed to mention that it wasn’t hard for the Nazis to get more than 90 per cent of the vote – because they had banned or intimidated any opposition. John Christie, Oatley

Kiss and tell

Someone finally asks the big question (“Scientists say it is millions of years old. But what is the point of kissing?”, November 21). Love it! Barbecues and staff rooms should be buzzing with that one. Terry Quinn, Coorparoo (Qld)

Recipe for greatness

The quote commonly attributed to jazz great Miles Davis, “It’s not what you put in, it’s what you leave out”, (Letters, November 21) was actually first uttered by my late grandmother when asked why she was always so willing to share copies of her delicious recipes. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA)

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