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The independents …
Your editorial “Independents must detail policy, skills” (The Sunday Age, 12/12) seems to miss the point that an independent represents the people of an electorate, not a party machine.
Political naivety is a problem for the novice politician who learns he/she must adhere to the strictures of the party machine, whereas political fortitude is a must for the independent needing grit to remember and stand by the representation of his/her electorate.
As for the “skill” independents offer, it seems to me that a new modus operandi, where skill as independent lateral thinkers and problem solvers will benefit everybody. Maybe even party machinists will follow suit.
Marguerite Heppell, Hawthorn East
… are just the ticket
Critics of the emergence of a large number of independent candidates for the forthcoming federal election often cite the concern that, if elected, these people would prevent the formation of a working government.
I’d like to suggest that a generous representation of independents actually ensures a working government by preventing the kinds of corrupt practices we get when there’s no one to balance the wishes of a majority.
In Europe, the prevalence of broad coalitions to form government means that public infrastructure is built where it needs to be (not where it’s politically convenient), money is allocated appropriately and, ultimately, the country gets what it deserves from its rulers.
Single-party dominance produces the opposite result; just look around at what we’ve got.
Angus McLeod, Cremorne
Fitting coverage
It was fitting for The Age to grant pages of coverage of last year’s tragedy at the St Basil’s nursing home (“Broken home”, Insight, 18/12), the anniversary of the elevation of the aged care portfolio into cabinet.
Making aged care a cabinet portfolio was prompted by the aged care royal commission’s interim report, for which the title, “Neglect”, is the best one-word description of Australia’s whole aged care system.
As those who have loved ones in residential aged care are all too aware, the St Basil’s tragedy is not such an extreme example as the Australian public might hope.
Dehydration, insufficient attention to hygiene, discomfort, intense loneliness and utter boredom are par for the course for aged care residents every day.
It is a system that hastens a person’s decline, whereas it should be one of scientifically informed care that empowers a person to find positive meaning and enjoyment in every day up to the very last one that life grants.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
We found it easy
It was disappointing to read that your correspondent (“A shortage of boosters”, Letters, 17/12) is having trouble trying to access a COVID booster shot.
I rang a local pharmacy on 16/12 and was offered appointments for me and my husband to receive booster shots on 21/12. We could choose either Pfizer or Moderna. Our first two vaccines were organised with the same ease.
Elizabeth Ludescher, Camberwell
Candidates galore
It’s gratifying to see the Monster Raving Loony Party is alive and well in Great Britain (“Shock loss for PM in Tory heartland”, The Age, 18/12).
Although some may feel Clive Palmer’s party currently occupies this space here, it would be great to see a MRLP chapter Down Under. Foundation members could include: Bernie Finn, George Christensen, Craig Kelly and Matt Canavan. Others who may be worth contacting could be Mark Latham, Adem Somyurek and, well, the list could go on and on. Bring it on.
Tony Devereux, Nunawading
A year to forget
What a year. When it is pulled together so graphically (as in your “Impact Report 2021”) it brings home just the level of traumatic stress that we have weathered. No wonder we want to move on.
How important now to have a government with the capacity and the will to lead us through the anti-democratic forces, the terrifying climate impact and the putdown of women, to name but a few things to grapple with.
Those images in the video accompanying your report, though mostly deeply worrying, close with the return of little Cleo Smith after she had been missing for 18 days, and so with hope.
Thank you to The Age for keeping us aware of all these issues in a way that helped us to stay sane. Bring on 2022.
Carolyn Ingvarson, Canterbury
Remember the refugees
Well said (“Listening to issues that matter to the voters”, Letters, 16/12). The lack of political response to the issues that matter to many of us are, your correspondent writes, the focus of candidates standing as independents in the next federal election: climate change; treatment of women; anti-corruption commission. To these, he adds “the appalling treatment of asylum seekers”.
The shocking ways in which Australia, a supposedly humane and wealthy country, behaves defy belief. We worry about our mental health during the past two years while ignoring the mental health of people seeking a refuge and better life. It is the simplest of the critical issues to deal with and the responsibility of any country that values human rights.
Where is a political party with the guts to put these issues at the top of its agenda?
Peta Heywood, Kangaroo Ground
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