At last, a PM who leads a government with purpose

Niki Savva rightly points out that though not born to rule, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a real ability to lead (“Albanese’s no shrinking PM”, May 25). The sense of purpose his government has shown is in marked contrast to the last half dozen or so governments. A second term for the Albanese government is possible. The big issues that need more work appear to be the Voice, climate change renewable initiatives, tax reform, standards of living and if the Voice is successful, a transition to a republic. Perhaps Albanese is the leader who can pull these things off. Being born to rule is more a Liberal Party condition, rather than being born to serve. Albanese has vision and a desire to leave a legacy. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Savva’s appraisal of Anthony Albanese’s first twelve months in office states he has “largely stayed true to himself”. For a self-described “warrior of the left”, rubber-stamping tax cuts that favour the wealthy, swearing allegiance to the Crown, falling into lockstep with the US on foreign policy and siding with the opposition on transparency in government, would suggest the opposite. Albanese has quickly realised the centre ground and taking advantage of a virtually non-existent opposition will probably see him rewarded with another term in office and if “staying true to himself” needs to be jettisoned, then so be it. Mike Kenneally, Manly

Savva’s description of the growth of Anthony Albanese into the role of prime minister omits one extremely important word; climate. He is not playing a role in some comfortable high school play, within a comfortable static world. No, our nation and our world are in an existential crisis and our PM needs to be on a wartime footing, alert and focussed on the main enemies. The PM is denying last-chance actions like stopping fossil fuel extraction or directing resources into climate resilience, instead of grabbing his electoral mandate and directing the nation towards survival mode. He will be judged on this crucial, and very conservative, failure to understand the science that is telling us to act big, and act now. Barry Laing, Castle Cove

Except in sport, being ordinary has never been a problem here. It is how we like it. That Albanese is widely seen as an ordinary guy is OK. His success so far has been primarily because, in a nation yearning for constructive stability, he represents the progressive centre of politics whereas a once-genuinely enlightened Liberal Party now dwells in the reactionary recesses of the Right. The PM is doing well internationally, has a competent ministry rectifying the mess left by the Coalition and, through economically responsible policies, is laying the foundations for a sounder future. By contrast a nay-saying and policy-shy Peter Dutton fosters divisiveness in the futile hope it will somehow result in the sinking of a not-so shrinking PM. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Albanese’s transition from “left-wing bomb chucker” to supposedly a middle ground prime minister is not convincing. A leopard doesn’t change his spots. This is why many cannot believe him, because we know that deep down, he is a strong left-wing proponent. Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah

Dutton’s vitriol is more divisive than the Voice

Peter Dutton’s extraordinary claim that the Voice will be divisive needs to be challenged (“Leeser pleads for Yes votes as Morrison calls Voice ‘ill-defined”’, May 25). Can he really be ignorant of the fact that the constitution already singles out First Nations people by granting government the right to control their lives? No other group of Australians can have the army sent in to control them or ban alcohol from their communities, with those impacted having no say in their futures, and no recompense for the relentless inequality which has seen a hugely disproportionate number in jail, dying in custody, removed from their communities – the list goes on. The Voice will go some way to redress the power imbalance already in the Australian constitution. It will be yet another tragic opportunity lost if ignorance, racism and hate deny First Nations people the opportunity to participate in discussions about their future. Go Julian Leeser! Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont

The Voice will divide the nation, claims the party that categorises Australians as “lifters or leaners” and bases policy on that social construction. John Black, Anna Bay

Ex-PM Scott Morrison considers the Voice to be “positively motivated” but “poorly constructed”. But his actions of appointing himself to secret additional ministries were, to him and only him, very well constructed. It is also on the record that Virginia Bell, a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, described his furtive actions as “apt to undermine public confidence in government”, “corrosive of trust in government” and “bizarre”. Why should we grant the hubristic Morrison respect on any opinion he utters since he, because of his highly inept performance, has to take full responsibility for his government’s disastrous loss at the last election? Vince Scoppa, Tennyson Point

The difference between Canberra lobbyists and the Voice is that one is carried on in the dark, with little rules or regulations, so creating plenty of space for sneaky deals and helpful hints, the occasional back scratch or pocket fill, eventuating in a leap to the left as the politicians eventually lucratively join their old mates (Letters, May 25). The other will be a constitutionally enshrined body operating according to legislation, transparent and legal and representative, offering little chance for friendly backroom deals and post retirement sinecures. No wonder the opposition dislikes the latter. Richard Abram, Bexley

To paraphrase George Orwell “all voices are created equal, but some voices are more equal than others”. And that, Peter Dutton, is what needs to be addressed in the upcoming referendum - not making one voice stronger, simply making it heard. Barry Ffrench, Cronulla

Sport comes second at football stadium

Given that the new Allianz Stadium is also called the Sydney Football Stadium, I thought it would be for footy. Oops, got that wrong. It’s going to be a concert venue (“Mardi Gras after-party could move to Allianz under shake-up plans”, May 25).

Of course, that’s only when football doesn’t need it. And it seems that will be quite often. Certainly, much more often than we were led to expect when $800 million was spent on the new SFS.

Had we known, we might have built a new concert venue somewhere more central and settled for renovating the “old” SFS. After all, it was not that old – only about 30 years. There are plenty of sports stadiums overseas that are much older, including one in Rome that’s still looking good after 2000 years. Greg Lenthen, Centennial Park

Inspiring father figure

As a child who lost his father very young, I benefited greatly from the mentoring of my three male primary school teachers (“Why male primary teachers are dropping out”, May 25). I credit my Year 6 teacher for inspiring me enough to become school dux. More importantly, he taught me how decent men can be strong, assertive and humorous without being abusive, arrogant and offensive. If you’re still out there, Mr Hamblen - thanks. Col Burns, Lugarno

Artificial challenge

The ethical, moral, egalitarian and educational issues associated with the adoption of AI in education, whether it is used rightfully or not, carries huge professional challenges for education systems and teachers (“AI could rule schools: Clare”, May 25).

It’s not just about whether to implement or not, but about the professional sklls needed to detect and use AI, as well as the onus of responsibility if the outcomes for individuals are unjust or erroneous. Truth, assessment and reporting, detection of plagiarism, but also the possible disconnection of teachers from the fundamental and most satisfying aspects of their work and profession, need to be analysed. However, it could be great for relieving the admin burden and assisting in making lessons more engaging. Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

So-called AI has burst upon the public consciousness, with promise and threat. Yet the use of such an umbrella term as “AI” is itself problematic. In fact, there is a continuum from the first systems that controlled traffic lights and elevators to ChatGPT. For instance, the so-called threats of Generational AI were already present to a degree with the introduction of Photoshop in the 1990s. So is Photoshop AI? We would do well to be cautious about the use of blanket terms like AI, and instead analyse and focus on the actual features of concern, such as mimicry of humans. Any regulation should be developed with this in mind – whatever mind means in the new world of AI. Tony Rossiter, Merrylands

Top-level bromance

I agree; it is a tough job for our PM to walk the principle and pragmatism tightrope and balance economic and geopolitical strategic interests, and not “call out” the “internal politics in India” (“Not in Albanese’s job description to cancel Indian leader”, May 25). However, all relationships need to be built on equality and in the Australia-India relationship it’s clear that India seems to herd us by the halter as shown by the Indian PM repeatedly chiding Anthony Albanese for the graffiting of Hindu temples, a local issue being investigated by the police. This while Christian churches continue to be vandalised and congregations threatened by right-wing players in India, on which Albanese has been notably quiet on. I know which side rules the roost in this newfound bromance between Narendra Modi and Albanese. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

The illumination of the Opera House in Indian colours has created an interesting precedent. Will all visiting heads of state be afforded the same courtesy? If not, do we run the risk of slighting nations previously regarded as close friends?
Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie

Right to complain

It appears some would prefer inner-city residents and their families be afforded no opportunity to make legitimate complaints against licensed premises emitted excessive noise and undue disturbances (“Neighbours outraged by noise from street dining”, May 25). Surely, the capacity to lodge reasonable complaints and complements is an essential component of a civil democracy? The focus on what some may construe as more unreasonable complaints, undermines the fundamental importance of acknowledging inner-city residents may have good reasons to complain that must be respected and fairly acted upon. Tony Brown, Newcastle

The complainants fail to accept that inner-city Sydney streets change over time but have never been exclusively residential. They had pubs and corner shops everywhere. Riley street is no exception and still has clusters of businesses along its length. Objectors are displaying the typical nimby activism that plagues the more privileged and gentrified parts of this city. Michael Rubacki, Surry Hills

Power price

Would this be happening if monopoly utilities had remained in government hands and were run as an essential service (“Power bills will rise by hundreds of dollars across east coast”, smh.com.au, May 25)? Matt Neenan, Wallagoot

Koala conundrum

To all correspondents lamenting that both sides of politics seem incapable of saving our koalas, you did vote Greens, didn’t you (Letters, May 25)? David Ramsay, Bexley

Cosy collusion

Cosy, convenient collusion that should not be forgotten (“Dutton and PM unite to block teal demands”, May 25). Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)

Finally, something that Labor and the Coalition agree on. How good is pork-barrelling? Mark Beacom, Beecroft

Presenter problem

The ABC is not the only one guilty of philistinism. I watched the ITV version next day, on Britbox (Letters, May 25). The presenter talked over the music all the way through, including Handel’s climactic Zadok the Priest, and said Hubert Parry’s I Was Glad (1902) had been sung at every coronation since the 9th century. He also repeated the King’s reply “I come not to be served, but to serve” the wrong way round, which missed the point altogether.
By comparison, Stan Grant’s contribution to the panel discussion on the relevance of the monarchy to Australia was dignified, sombre and above all, historically accurate. Gayle Davies, North Sydney

Tina touched lives

I’ll never forget Tina Turner owning the stage of the Revesby Workers Club in the early 1980s or late 70s dressed in a pink-feathered tutu and singing Nutbush City Limits. She was one of a kind and never to be forgotten. Thank you, Tina, for the pleasure you gave me and the world (“Rock legend Tina Turner, one of the top recording artists of all time, dead at 83”, smh.com.au, May 25). Lisa Farmer, Northbridge

In 1988, Tina Turner at the Entertainment Centre was just $36! I was just 18 and in awe of the amazing woman and performance that I’d just witnessed. Tina will be on the turntable today. Kelly Burton, South Wentworthville

Rest in peace, Tina Turner. You were, without doubt, Simply The Best. Eric Palm, Gympie (QLD)

RIP Clare

Vale Clare Nowland. We are told that this lady lived life to the full, a peaceful and decent citizen. We are told that because of dreaded dementia, she was in care, two truths which many of us dread for our own future (“Nowland family expresses ‘great sadness’ after 95-year-old’s death”, smh.com.au, May 25). Let the processes take their course to determine the truth of this awful matter.
George Cotis, Gymea

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Albanese intervenes to light Sydney Opera House sails for Narendra Modi
From Losky: “India is the third largest country of birth for Australian residents. This is a country we share so much with – the Howard government in 2006 signed a memorandum of understanding with India – so this is to honour India.”

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