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Matt Golding cartoon to be published on July 24, 2022. James Webb telescopeCredit: .
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A tragic saga
If anyone ever doubted whether Scott Morrison’s coalition government was the most dysfunctional administration since Federation, the findings of the robo-debt report should dispel any shred of doubt. Commissioner Catherine Holmes, SC, calls it an ″extraordinary saga″ of ″venality, incompetence and cowardice″.
Morrison, Alan Tudge, Stuart Robert and Christian Porter must be embarrassed by Holmes’ ″revelation of dishonesty and collusion to prevent the scheme’s lack of legal foundation coming to light″. As Peter Hartcher reminds us (Comment, 8/7), Morrison created the policy as social security minister, supported it as treasurer and gave evidence which ″the commission rejects as untrue″.
This tragic saga traumatised so many innocent people and contributed to suicide.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
Real outcomes needed
The main takeaway for me from the commission findings is that the architects and implementers of this disgraceful scheme are mostly unaffected. They are still in employment or receiving generous public service pensions after leaving government, while the people who were unfairly treated have had their lives turned upside down and, in many instances, destroyed. There needs to be real and punishable outcomes from this disaster, not just ″lessons learnt″.
Denise Stevens, Healesville
Little surprise
Robo-debt: It’s no surprise given that Tony Abbott reminded us that ″the poor will always be with us″ and Scott Morrison warned about the dangers of ″unfunded empathy″.
Peter McNicol, Sandringham
And no apologies
Without doubt the most disturbing outcome of the robo-debt report has been the denials from the Coalition politicians involved. Not a single word of apology or contrition, sympathy or understanding for the victims. It is all about them.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Compassion missing
In light of the robo-debt report it is important for policy makers, bureaucrats at all levels to remind themselves and the government of the day to remember that the unemployed do not create unemployment and those inflicted with a serious health illness are not to be understood as ″dole bludgers″ and a burden on taxpayers.
The lack of a compassionate ethic for those who, through no fault of their own, require financial, health or social support is appalling when seen and expressed in the attitudes of politicians at the highest level. Instead of expressing sorrow or admitting their mistakes, they criticise the report.
Ray Cleary, Camberwell
Point of ethics
The ethical reason for Labor to contest the Warrandyte byelection (″Labor MPs want byelection race″, 8/7) is that, even if it turns out not to be their choice, those 50,000 voters deserve the option of an alternative to the party of robo-debt, pork-barrelling and the 1997 Aged Care Act.
Ruth Farr, Blackburn South
What values?
Venality, cruelty, cowardice, dishonesty, abuse of power, incompetence are not my understanding of Christian values, and certainly not those of a political party that cares in any way for any vulnerable people anywhere.
John Scott, Portarlington
Not my fault
Scott Morrison’s response to the robo-debt finding is breathtaking in its arrogance and denial. Despite all the evidence this man blindly refuses to accept responsibility and accountability for his role in this flawed illegal cruel scheme. Time to go Morrison.
Dorothy Galloway, Mentone
The decent thing
Robo-debt and other Coalition policies lead to just one conclusion: that the only decent achievement of the Morrison government was to lose the last election.
Chris Durie, Hawthorn East
Wake in fright
Woke suggests a person who is awake. I would much rather be awake than asleep at the wheel like conservative people who think everything is rosy and shouldn’t be changed. We have seen the worst of conservatism when after nine long years of failure to do anything Labor is left to sort out the disasters of inaction. Everywhere you look government programs have broken down through lack of vision or plain laziness. Climate change is the most obvious example.
John Rome, Mt Lawley
Power of song
I was 12 when ABBA landed on our shores. My love for them only increased because they assisted my father in his twilight years. With minor dementia, anxiety was sometimes a problem. ABBA, however, soothed his soul. Tapping to the music with his feet, all ills were taken away. He even somehow believed he had met them when in Sweden. Bless. I so hope they return to Australia, even as holograms.
Jane Mills, Mildura
The time is right
I have yet to hear a single, persuasive argument to vote No at the referendum. The Voice is there for consultation with First Nations people; it doesn’t mean everything needs to be consulted on and it’s not a means of blocking legislation. It is a way for First Nations people to actually have a proper conversation, because politicians of all stripes have proved they are just not up to it. Vote No, if you want – it’s your choice. I’ll be voting Yes, not because I’m some woke lefty. It’s the right thing to do. It’s time.
David Jeffery, East Geelong
Stumped on long length
How to understand all the centimetres given to one sporting decision? I’m stumped.
Ian Taylor, Torquay
Not so fine whine
I must disagree with your correspondent (Letters, 6/7). It has been the English who have whinged and whined.
Michael Gonzales,
Hawthorn East
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