Spending cuts surely start with axeing AUKUS

Reading in the Herald this morning that leading economists recommended the government cut its spending (“Chalmers fires back at calls to make cuts”, October 26), surely the easiest way to save money is to walk away from the useless AUKUS project, thereby producing a saving of billions. Bronwyn Willats, MittagongChalmers has asked “those advocating more cuts in spending should nominate what they would slash”. How about AUKUS and PNG rugby league teams for a start? Patrick Sutcliffe, Twin Waters (Qld)Jim Chalmers has asked the question those demanding cuts to government spending seem reluctant to answer: what exactly would you cut? Medicare? Hospitals? Education? Aged care? Disability services? Defence? Apparently, the Coalition has discovered a painless way to cut spending – it just hasn’t told us what it is. In reality, cutting essential services risks shifting more costs onto households already struggling with the cost of living. Which makes Angus Taylor’s recent lament that workers’ wages have failed to keep pace with inflation particularly striking. Taylor’s newfound concern for real wages is welcome, although workers might reasonably wonder where it was when he was sitting around the cabinet table of a government under which real wages stagnated. The Coalition has declared the next election a referendum on the economy – an interesting invitation given its own record of weak wage growth, sluggish productivity and rising government debt, including before the pandemic. Meanwhile, shadow treasurer Tim Wilson blames inflation on the government’s “spending addiction”. Unless Wilson has discovered a way to lower global oil prices by closing a hospital ward, his economic prescription needs a little more explanation. I certainly wouldn’t want him anywhere near the keys to the Treasury. It’s easy to play the economic expert from the opposition benches when you never have to explain who will pay the price. If the Coalition believes spending cuts are the answer, it should identify them and explain the consequences. Denise McHugh, TamworthJim Chalmers has pushed back demands to set a level of government spending.Alex EllinghausenI find myself white-hot with outrage and anger when reading of the obscene wastefulness of this current and previous governments. When billions and billions are spent on remuneration/compensation to overseas countries for failed “pie in the sky” projects that never see the light of day – hello AUKUS – and Australian pensioners and the jobless and homeless are left to look after themselves and starve (“For millions, Australia is the hungry country”, October 26). When the aged and infirm are sent to hell’s labyrinth of “my aged care” to access goods and utilities, and are required to be assessed as to our eligibility for said equipment. When inflation is sending the cost of basic food out of the reach of many. When our once-great health system has deteriorated into nothing, unless those fortunate enough to afford private healthcare are well looked after – try waiting for hours in A&E in an understaffed and underfunded local hospital for treatment. When increases in rent for those unable to purchase a home far outstrip any miserly wage or pension. When the public education system is dumbed down and so drained of finances that those parents who can will pay for private education, along with all the facilities that should be available to pupils in public schools. When, due to all of the above, people who have developed mental problems have nowhere to go for support as government cutbacks in every section have only added to the building anger for those left behind. Governments of all persuasions have failed Australians miserably, so it’s no wonder the rage is building. Llieda Wild, EastwoodOur federal politicians are pledging to be more civil to each other. Let’s face it, we all know it will be a temporary respite. At the same time, hunger relief charity Foodbank is reporting that one in three households are experiencing “food insecurity” i.e. going hungry due to the cost of living. I’d suggest that if the pollies turned their collective efforts to solving this issue, the temperature in politics would certainly come down. Mike Kenneally, ManlyRiot police line up while protecting themselves from objects thrown by protesters in Paris on Saturday.Getty ImagesFrench and Italian lessonsAustralia should take heed and warnings from the French and Italian youth protests (“Protests maintain rage in Italy, France”, October 26). The protests began with school-age youth and their very real concerns for public education. This has widened into concerns for housing and general cost of living that are all similar in this country. All these concerns are real. Our public schools have been downgraded over decades, our youth unable to save for increasingly expensive homes and high rents, and the grocery bill rises on each visit, with increasing numbers of families asking for help. In Australia we can attempt to fix the problems before extremists find a place in the turmoil. Janice Creenaune, AustinmerAs someone who once lived in Paris (Letters, October 24), I take umbrage at the use of the word “riot” to describe the situation in Paris. As all Parisians know, for it to be a true riot it must come from the Riôt region of France. This is merely sparkling unrest. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA)Rental health checkThere was a time when a worker’s cottage was home to all kinds of local workers. Today, in popular tourist destinations such as Katoomba, the “worker’s cottage” has become real estate agents’ shorthand for a short-stay holiday retreat, as hundreds of houses – once local workers’ homes – have been snapped up by investors. The exact number is disputed but figures of up to 1000 houses are believed to be turned over for various forms of short-stay rentals across the Blue Mountains. Your editorial (“Short-term rents wear out their welcome”, October 26) is spot on. Local councils are indeed virtually powerless. With the opening of Western Sydney International Airport, the pressure on the local housing stock is only likely to increase, especially with the demise of public housing. So why, after three years, is the Minns government still sitting on a review of short-term accommodation? With an election coming up early next year, and the housing crisis likely to be a major issue, the review needs to be urgently released to help inform voters of possible solutions. Nick Franklin, KatoombaEver mind the BarracksSupporters of the military vacating Victoria Barracks hopefully exist because I think it is an idea whose time has arrived (“Howard headlines rally against sale of Barracks”, October 26). Clearly the military does not have an operational requirement to occupy this prime piece of real estate, even allowing for specious fabrications such as “proximity to the major population centre to support the civilian police if needed”, as we still have Holsworthy much closer to where most Sydney people live. Careful adaptive reuse will ensure the historic buildings will survive for the future, and many of us may finally have a chance to see them. I, for one, have never been invited to this restricted area and have only seen the buildings on television, unlike John Howard et al, who have no doubt visited many times over the years and have enjoyed what they have to offer. It is natural that some will be inconvenienced by change of the proposed magnitude, and they are entitled to be disappointed, but that does not make the government decision to vacate wrong. Energy should be directed to planning the best future use of the site. Ross Hannah, BowralThe proposed sale of Victoria Barracks has brought together an unlikely group of opponents. It seems the main reason for its sale is so that the federal government, by selling off ADF properties, will have up to $3 billion to play with. If that means being able to send lots more money to the USA to buy more of those submarines, plus whatever else they can persuade us to splurge on, then add my name to the protesters. Nola Tucker, KiamaAnthony Albanese addresses a lower house in which many MPs dressed in tribute to Helen Haines.Alex EllinghausenMPs must set an example for allIt is heartening to observe that our elected members of parliament are putting down their metaphorical baseball bats to join in support of Helen Haines (“MPs to be urged to sign a civility pledge”, October 26). One would also hope that after the “ceasefire”, they will reflect on their own behaviour in parliament and “turn the temperature down” themselves. If parliament can be regarded as a microcosm of Australian society, it follows that the example they set as our leaders, be it good or bad, will be reflected in that society. Personal insults, name-calling and “dirt files”, dressed up as “robust parliamentary debate”, are no longer acceptable. There is no better time than now for our politicians to adopt a behavioural change in public debate and discourse, so that constructive, respectful argument becomes the normal way. Our prime minister wants all Australia to “turn the temperature down”. It starts at the top, Mr Albanese. Ray Witherby, Kings Langley I wish for a broadcast from the prime minister emphasising decency, kindness, empathy and the ability to disagree without rage. Perhaps all those who want to live in a society with those values could hang an orange cockatoo on their gate. Penny Lindsay, HuntingdonFrom my experience teaching, empathy, respect, critical thinking and how to disagree without hatred has always been a part of the classroom, across all curriculum areas (Letters, October 26). Let these lessons begin at home and continue into school years. Kate Prosser, ArmidaleSo many articles, so many opinions, only one in the letters page that homed in on the lack of attention by whoever should have addressed this issue a long time ago. I remember the Richmond report (Letters, October 26) and the subsequent emptying of facilities that housed and supported mentally unwell people. I also remember all of these unwell souls being released into society, for that society to somehow keep them and ourselves safe. Many ended up in jail, and mental health services chronically underfunded. It’s not rocket science that Helen Haines’ appalling attack needs to be sheeted straight to governments’ penny-pinching mindset when it comes to our most vulnerable citizens. Shame on the agencies that could make all the difference, shame on Canberra and state governments. Monica Turik, Mona ValeRaising the temperatureSo Pauline Hanson feels entitled to dismiss warnings from the AFP about harmful comment – such as her team broadcasting a cartoon in which a car mows down a political opponent (“MPs to be urged to sign a civility pledge”, October 26). Her reaction is to duck and weave, obfuscating about “ordinary Australians”. Surely, the subject under urgent discussion now is about targeting office holders, from the governor-general down. Is Pauline herself being screened from her share of the online abuse – surely she cops it too? Only a woman in the public eye in the present moment who is sheltered to some extent could tell other women to lighten up. So I guess she will hold out against a civility pledge? A lack of empathy has become her trademark, and yet again she distracts attention. Margaret Johnston, PaddingtonBarack Obama at a campaign rally for Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown in Cleveland on Saturday.AP Photo/Sue OgrockiBring back BarackIt’s too bad the Twenty-second Amendment prevents anyone from being elected to the office of president more than twice (“Obama hits out at Trump in campaign trail comeback”, October 26). Obama would have been a shoo-in for 2028. He is intelligent, articulate and a thoroughly decent human being. His recent rally in Detroit showed he still has it, tearing Trump’s presidency to shreds. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch has donated millions of dollars to the Republican Party in the lead-up to the midterms (“Murdoch continues to donate to the Republicans despite Trump tensions”, October 26). The Democrats are the overwhelming favourites to gain control of the House and have a good chance of winning back the Senate. I assume Mr Murdoch is a gambling man or has more money than sense or both. Graham Lum, North RocksLong story shortWith pride and pleasure, we welcome our new landing ground in western Sydney (“Off to a flyer”, October 26). But Western Sydney International Airport? Or Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport? Worthy names, I’m sure, but like Kingsford Smith at Mascot, having little chance of survival. As a former aviator where brevity counts, I would much prefer something more succinct. What about “Westport”, for starters? David Godwin, SeaforthLindfield to new airport by public transport: 2 hours and 35 minutes. Flight to New Zealand: 3 hours. Seems reasonable. Not. Neville Warner, East LindfieldLeagues of their ownIs anyone else getting Skyhooks v Sherbet vibes with the Reece Walsh v Teddy selection at fullback (“Reece Walsh stole the show against New Zealand. James Tedesco had the perfect response against Fiji”, smh.com.au, October 26). Srđan Knežević, South HurstvilleWho would you pick for Kangaroos fullback: Reece Walsh or James Tedesco?NRL PhotosEleven’s not enoughGreg Chappell reminds us that “Indian players under BCCI contracts are barred from every other franchise league (other than the IPL)” (“Test cricket isn’t going away, but it does need some help”, October 26). With up to 300 million Indian people playing regularly and a whopping 38 first class domestic teams comprising perhaps 700 high-level participants, only 11 of whom get to play for their country in any international, hundreds of players remain hidden from world view, unable to ply their trade outside India. That’s oppressive and unfair to those who have families to support. It also lowers competition standards worldwide. Andrew Cohen, Glebe Time for dress-upsThe Halloween haters ignore the many positive aspects of this fun day for young families (Letters, October 26). Family groups wander the streets and reconnect with neighbours. There is much joy and laughter. Participation is limited to those who dress up their houses. My Halloween bits and pieces are reused year after year. And it doesn’t have to be all about sweets. I cut up blood oranges for my trick-or-treaters. Parents love them too. We can all do with more joy in our lives. Mick Tapsell, Forest LodgeTo submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.