The US could benefit from a few teals in Congress

While Sean Kelly may be right that Trump and the teals want to change the system, the teals are not trying to destroy it and their policies have absolutely nothing in common with those of Trump (“Trump and teals on common ground”, March 17). The two main platforms that distinguish the teals are that they are serious about trying to prevent climate change, and they want to ensure that there is integrity and accountability in politics. As a consequence, they introduce and try to improve legislation and hold the government of the day to account. In response to questions, they often reply by saying that they will consult their electorates and vote accordingly. It would seem that today America would greatly benefit from having a few teals in their Congress. Peter Nash, Fairlight

An excellent article by Sean Kelly in today’s paper. The headline, though, is misleading in saying the teals and Trump have a lot in common – Trumpists and teals have nothing in common – and that becomes clear as Sean’s article develops. Trump supporters are either the big businesses or billionaires who want to see government destroyed or diminished so they can have less regulation and pay a lot less tax or the disaffected who have lost out over the past 40 years of declining middle class living standards and who have had their anger directed at government through propaganda/ conspiracy media. These latter just want to see government destruction. They almost don’t care if this destruction hurts them. In Australia, in contrast, teals garner support because many voters want real change on some key issues and don’t believe this will come through the major parties. The teals draw their support from constructors – Trump from destroyers. Chris Noel, Cremorne Point

It’s not right to use the teals and Trump in the same sentence. The teals aim to address climate change; in fact, it’s their reason for being. Meanwhile, Trump is reversing progress on climate change. Dutton has more in common with Trump with his nuclear plan – effectively short- to mid-term inertia that will drive electricity prices and temperatures higher. Time to introduce a fit and proper test for politicians to weed out power hungry, ignorant, criminal narcissists. Anne Matheson, Gordon

Trump and the teals are fundamentally different. The teals want to remedy social inequality. Trump wants to maintain the rage of the underdogs, the very rage that propelled him into office. He is not trying to remedy social inequality. He knows that tariffs and deporting migrants will not help. He needs his base to maintain their rage; that is why he is imposing tariffs and deporting migrants. The fundamental differences between Trump and the teals are more informative than any superficial similarity. Mark Porter, New Lambton

Sean Kelly’s argument that many Australians, like Trump voters, also want a different system but go about it more responsibly is puzzling. The emergence of the teal group of independents is certainly a direct consequence of the desire for system change, but that was not generated by the major parties. To the contrary, really. Nor are the major parties interested in promoting proportional representation for all lower houses of parliament, though it is a highly desirable and fair reform. Clearly, the Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters 2023, a committee always entirely dominated by the major parties, again greatly favours the major parties. The “Australian way” is, in fact, not reflected in that report. Klaas Woldring, Nambucca Heads

Ukraine, tariffs and us

“Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley on Sky News said she believed any peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, which would occur only if a ceasefire was reached, was a matter that was ‘better handled by Europe’” (“Trump tariff ‘an offer he can’t refuse’”, March 17). What a pity the Coalition didn’t take a similar approach to the Iraq Coalition of the willing, or the Afghanistan debacle. Steve Bright, North Avoca

The fear that Dutton has a “win at all costs” attitude to the election may be tempting him to actually encourage the US to impose more tariffs. It is frightening to witness the way he deliberately fails to support Australia in a bipartisan way on international issues. Witness his willingness to make troops to Ukraine an election focus, instead of supporting right over might. Jeremy Baker, Bathurst

Putin and Trump are cut from the same cloth (“Ukraine allies step up peace planning”, March 17). Both are power-hungry tyrants who lust after what doesn’t belong to them. Putin is determined to annex Ukraine and has no intention of stopping there. Ukraine can no longer depend on the US, so it’s up to other freedom-loving countries to help defend Ukraine’s sovereignty. Albanese offered to contribute to a peacekeeping force without hesitation, but self-serving Dutton wimped out, of course. This is the same Dutton who would have us believe that Albanese is the weak link. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Here’s a thought for Anthony and Peter. You both believe you will be able to form a government at the May election. Could there ever be a better time to hold a referendum on introducing a four-year term for the federal government? I am certain that almost everyone would agree that a four-year term makes much more sense than the current three years. A dissolution of the Senate could be used to align both houses. What about it, boys? Time to show some maturity and co-operation. Russell Burford, Ballina

Moore, please

Yet again local councils in general, and recently the City of Sydney in particular, are berated in your pages over the alleged contribution they collectively make to the problem of housing affordability by reference simply to the number of new residential buildings that have been approved and the time taken for such applications to be processed (“Nimby-esque rant shows lord mayor out of step”, March 17). Why not widen the statistical picture of this extremely complex issue by, at least, providing the figures for the number of dwellings for which development applications have actually been made, and, perhaps most importantly, the figures for the number of dwellings that have been approved but have not actually been built? In this way, the NSW government might well come to realise that it also needs to formulate and direct its policies to those who make and implement development applications, rather than only to those agencies that are charged with the seemingly hapless task of processing them. Harvey Sanders, Annandale

It was disappointing to read this editorial disparaging Clover Moore. City of Sydney Council has delivered the largest urban renewal project in Australia’s history – Green Square, adding thousands of new homes. The quality of the planning, street infrastructure, public spaces and recreational facilities is exceptional. This is no accident. Rather, it’s testament to the team of experienced and capable people Moore leads, a team that has a proven track record of working as effectively with state and federal governments as developer groups. It would be intellectually more honest if the statistics you shared broke down housing approvals by LGA. City of Sydney is one of the highest density LGAs in the country. That it is so well maintained and functional is due to prudent financial management coupled with thoughtful planning guided by engagement with residents. While a central authority to fast track appropriate development may well be necessary for less diligent, more dysfunctional councils, there is no convincing argument that it is better able to deliver for the City of Sydney. Proof of Moore getting it right for her constituents is in the election results. Svetlana Cherepanoff, Alexandria

Racketeering insults honest workers

It’s appalling to learn that bikies and criminals receive up to $11,000 a week on Victoria’s Big Build for no actual work (“Taxpayer projects a gangland honeypot”, March 17). I taught in the Victorian government’s adult education sector. With three university qualifications, including MEd, my salary was a small fraction of that, and the working week often involved 60 hours or more. Although I loved my job and believe it was well worth doing, it’s impossible not to feel the Victorian government has treated people doing such essential work on modest wages as mugs, especially relative to the “blokes” with the Midas set-up shown on 60 Minutes. The abuse of women was absolutely disgraceful. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic)

Smart subs switch

Even though Australia has ordered and will pay for AUKUS submarines, we can use them only at the discretion of the US president. If he decides that America needs them to maintain their defence capability at any time, the subs will not be handed over for our use. Cancelling the AUKUS deal, as many readers have suggested (Postscript, March 15) would be a very expensive option. Instead, the money could be diverted to Australia developing a fleet of Ghost Shark and Manta Ray remote-controlled modular undersea autonomous vehicles, designed and built in co-operation with the US. They’re much cheaper, more flexible and don’t require 150 sailors on board. Our North-West Cape facility is one of the most sophisticated underwater communications centres in the world, and we would be able to control our underwater drones from there. All up, a major rethink and a new direction is required in our defence spending. Bill Johnstone, Blackheath

AUKUS schmaukus! By the time we receive a submarine, advances in AI, satellite technology and submarine drones will have rendered them redundant. Better to spend the billions on research and development of smart weaponry than provide cannon fodder for the untrustworthy, unfriendly US. John Grinter, Katoomba

Problem of scale

Sadly, the new Sydney Fish Markets shemozzle continues (“Delays, rising costs prompt fish market bailout call”, March 17). Construction of the roof appears to have been uneconomic for the subcontractor, and “increased cleaning, insurance and operational costs” are raising audit concerns for the whole project. It is cold comfort now, but what a pity that the original design did not mandate solar panels on the roof rather than a faux fish-scale effect. The 8000 square metre surface area of the roof has uninterrupted north-facing sunlight access and the photovoltaic energy generated during the day, with some large storage batteries, would have helped reduce the long-term running costs of the new building, if and when it is completed. Evan Bailey, Glebe

I work directly across the road from where the new Sydney Fish Markets has been under construction for many years. Apart from the project sending the roof builder broke, I’d also like to know what work experience kiddie suggested a massive glass-sided edifice that faces west would the perfect place to sell fish, especially during summer months. Earl White, Rosehill

Dollar for scholar

As private school scholarships continue to take the cream of students for their own purposes (orchestras, sporting and academic), it continues to erode our public schools and diminish their expertise (“Scholarships a leg -up for families choosing private education” March 17). Questions need to be asked as to where funding is coming from to enable this continual erosion of our educational system and of our public schools. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Where is the worth?

Our society has lost what is a fair and right value according to one’s work. A stark example of this is our state psychiatrists, who earn about $200,000 a year – not a huge wage these days. Nurses, who now require a university degree, earn less than policemen and firemen. School teachers and scientists with PhDs earn vastly less than tradesmen. Those in the financial industry are by far the highest earners, yet produce nothing of value for society, many retiring with tens of millions of dollars of wealth. It’s the same with CEOs, whose work is never life-saving, yet they walk away with millions even when they have bankrupted the company. Their wages are societal theft. Tradesmen, who are now all contractors, ensure they earn at least $1000 a day after costs. Our civilisation grew on the backs of scientists, teachers and all things medical. Unless value for work is equated with education and fairness, our society will never adequately prosper. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria

All bloomed out

I would be very happy not to watch another series of The White Lotus (“A dash of full-frontal nudity, a gun appears and a very fun boat trip”, March 17). I speak with authority in this matter as I watched every episode of the first two seasons (plausible deniability: my wife wanted to watch it). As far as I can tell, the show is simply a vehicle to parade a bunch of over-stylised narcissists (usually Americans) in an apparent effort to add to overtourism and the world’s ever-increasing number of Instagram hashtags. One star from me. #wifewatchingnextseriesonherown Mark Beacom, West Pennant Hills

Guessing game

Ross Gittins’ comments regarding economic forecasting and the upcoming budget remind me of the quote by famous Canadian-American economist John Kenneth Galbraith: “The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable” (“All voters care about is cost of living – not budget deficits”, March 17). Malcolm Freak, Armidale

Ask anyone whether they’re better off than they were three years ago and human nature dictates that many will say no. Not surprisingly, this is being hammered by the Coalition in the hope that voters will punish the Albanese government. Add to that their masterstroke – a nuclear energy plan that will take 20 years to play out – how could they possibly lose? Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

Cringe unforced

I couldn’t agree more with Beth Kowitt (“Is forced joy the most miserable corporate trend yet?” March 17). I would loathe an affirmation telling me to “seize the day!” No, thank you. I will greet the day with a respectful nod and expect the day to reciprocate. Not sure if this “moment of connection” would fit on a coffee cup, though. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne

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