Circus politics | The Saturday Paper

Circus politics

The reported exchange between Senator Matt Canavan, objecting to reforms to curb pork-barrelling, and Professor Anne Twomey is dispiriting (Mike Seccombe, “ ‘Clearly absurd’: A fresh account of Scott Morrison’s dodgy grants”, May 6-12). Canavan argues against curbing any power that limits promises to constituents, made in order to be elected. Twomey argues for reasonable, enforceable reforms to guard against the corruption of democratic processes. The dispiriting thing is what the senator cannot openly admit. Canavan argues for maintaining a degraded system of governance, which now means we need enforceable rules to actually try to prevent politicians from using pea-and-thimble trickery – that is, we need to stop politicians promising or saying anything to be elected, knowing it may well be irrelevant, while at the same time deploying policies after election as they see fit, sidestepping expert advice, but which undermine society. We need to stop parliament being turned into a circus.

– Gil Anaf, Norwood, SA 

Out of balance

Mike Seccombe’s article on pork-barrelling was an excellent piece of well-balanced journalism that got to the very heart of the Australian dilemma – the balance between state and federal responsibilities. Nearly 80 years after the end of the last world war we do not have the infrastructure required for a modern and resilient economy. It is 65 years since the Cahill Expressway was opened and we still do not have a national freeway network connecting our mainland capitals or a high-speed rail link covering the bulk of the east coast population. We lack national resilience, exposed so well by the pandemic, and have an unwillingness to tackle our tax ecosystem. States need to be able to fulfil their local obligations, and the national government needs to focus on nation-building and resilience. It will take a bold government to reset the clock; there are positive signs but the addiction to ribbon-cutting and to printing small dollar amounts on large cheques for photo ops is still too much for most politicians to kick. 

– Douglas Robertson, Victor Harbor, SA 

Enduring paradox

Craig Foster, through his illustrious career as a gifted sportsman and commentator, in advocacy for refugees and now as co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement, merits deep consideration of his viewpoint (“Long leave the king”, May 6-12). In charting a way towards reconciliation for this diverse, multicultural nation, a recognition of our particular strengths and deficiencies is essential. It is a paradox that the legacy of the British Empire, which dominated much of the globe and enslaved many people, also gave us the democratic principles by which all Australians can articulate their vision for the future. Growing as a society can mean retaining affection for a system of governance that is as broken an institution as any form of government can be. That we are free to decide our future and stand on our feet is in no small measure due to a less-than-perfect, inherently flawed monarchy that nevertheless endures.

– Pam Connor, Belconnen, ACT 

Credit where it’s due

John Hewson eloquently exposes the avoidance behaviour of Woodside, Glencore and Santos when it comes to climate action (“A climate of fighting change”, May 6-12). Despite all that is known about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change, these companies appear hell-bent on treating environmental risk with disdain while striving for ever-larger profits. Although profits drive share prices and bonuses for directors, these interests are not sacrosanct: many others, especially young people, are inescapably life stakeholders in what these companies are doing. These companies are morally bound to protect the needs of us all, not just those seeking financial benefit. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s most recent synthesis report highlights the critical importance of urgently reducing emissions. There’s absolutely no time left for stalling and pretence. Full credit to the shareholder activist groups and regulators who are holding these companies to account. 

– Ian Riou, South Perth, WA 

Federal support

It will be difficult to get Woodside, Santos and other fossil fuel producers to stop new developments while the government continues to support these developments. Resources Minister Madeleine King said in a speech at a “resources technology showcase” held in Perth in early April that gas would be indispensable as Australia and the region decarbonised. She said gas and liquefied natural gas could help alleviate “energy poverty” in developing countries, decarbonise economies, stave off threats to energy and food security, and be an economic salvation. She also said Woodside’s $16 billion plans for LNG expansion with offshore gas in WA “will help customers in Asia move away from higher emitting fuel sources”. 

– Ken Russell, Redcliffe, Qld

Brighter fare

Thank you for including two vibrant articles in the May 6-12 issue: on the Bay of Fires by Caroline Jumpertz (“Bay of miracles”); and the struggle to keep some home-grown fruit from local wildlife by Corinna Hente (“The sweetest fruit”). So beautifully written, their freshness was a wonderful foil to the inherent darkness and dirtiness of some other content. More please.

– Freya Headlam, Glen Waverley, Vic