PRIME Minister Scott Morrison is supposedly renowned for his political savvy.
He is touted as the comeback king who arranges deniable scare campaigns against the Opposition, and as a spin doctor who returns the Coalition from certain election defeat to miraculous election victory.
Therefore, it is difficult to see what Mr Morrison is playing at with his support for Gladys Berejiklian in her bid to win Liberal preselection for the seat of Warringah ('PM backs Berejiklian to run amid ICAC probe', Newcastle Herald 7/12).
Are Morrison and the Coalition so desperate that they are prepared to take a punt on Berejiklian?
Warringah voters are conservative. But the seat's incumbent independent MP, Zali Steggall is also conservative. But unlike many conservatives, Steggall advocates real action on climate change. Moreover, Steggall is principled and has performed well. Personally I find it hard to say the same about Berejiklian.
By supporting Ms Berejiklian, I believe Mr Morrison is putting a loaded gun into the hands of Labor and pleading "shoot me". The corruption issue in federal politics, including the need for a federal ICAC, won't go away. Ms Berejiklian still has unresolved issues with NSW ICAC. At the very least, in my opinion her foolish behaviour in supporting projects backed by Daryl Maguire without disclosing their relationship could be branded a careless use of taxpayer money. Anyway, Labor will have a field day.
If NSW ICAC had the necessary power, I believe the former premier would now be ineligible to stand for any political office. If she had been a company director, in my view she'd be unable to hold a directorship for a lengthy period.
Geoff Black, Caves Beach
Policy doesn't protect miners
OPPOSITION assistant climate change spokesman Pat Conroy, who represents the coal mining electorate of Shortland, said Labor's 43 per cent carbon dioxide reduction climate policy by 2030 was "very carefully designed" to ensure people in the mining sector would not lose their jobs ('Plan helps region: Conroy', Herald 4/12).
He added that Labor's policy will not impact coal mining jobs one iota until coal mines in places like Mongolia, Zimbabwe and Indonesia require their coal mines to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. I hope the above countries do not reduce their coal mining suddenly, or our miners will be out of a job and so will many others. What a cynical policy designed to hoodwink the mining sector into voting Labor.
John Cooper, Charlestown
Investigation not over yet
THE Liberal Party, in nominating former premier Gladys Berejiklian as its candidate in Warringah, must believe the voters there are fools. The incumbent, Independent Zali Steggall has played an important role in our parliament on issues such as the environment, the status of women and ridding parliament of its endemic corruption.
By contrast, the sword of Damocles hangs by a thread above the head of Ms Berejiklian amid the ICAC inquiry into her relationship with her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire. Prime Minister Scott Morrison blatantly massaged the truth to set the scene for Ms Berejiklian to enter federal politics with his Donald Trump lite outburst in parliament attacking ICAC.
He and the party machine are obviously seeking the sympathy vote for Ms Berejiklian, portraying her as being hounded by ICAC simply for being an innocent victim of Daryl Maguire's deviousness.
For this strategy to function most voters in Warringah must first discount the great work being done for them and the nation by Zali Steggall. Then, they must also ignore the evidence in recorded messages played by ICAC between then treasurer Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
Same uncertainties remain
ISN'T it strange that now most political parties have finally agreed that we need a federal ICAC with teeth, this LNP government has started denigrating our state ICAC? This, despite the fact it was actually set up by a Liberal state government. Every day for weeks now we see one of Mr Morrison's cabinet robots spruiking to the media about how the NSW ICAC is a kangaroo court while there is an investigation ongoing which they seem to think should be illegal. Evidently, it seems they are trying to talk our ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian into standing for a federal seat.
Sorry, it shouldn't be possible as she is still part of the ongoing investigation that prompted her to quit as premier.
We badly need a federal ICAC, so that we will stop the rorting of money to buy seats in certain electorates. This is money that the workers of Australia are making to keep this country moving ahead. I believe millions or maybe billions rorted by this Coalition government would have been better spent by raising the wages of all the workers in Australia for the hard work they do, and that they are entitled to. At the next federal election vote with your feet and kick this Morrison government out.
Margrietha Owens, Cardiff
Opinion piece wide of the mark
IT was disappointing to read outright misinformation in the Newcastle Herald by its publishing of former Liberal Senator John Tierney's opinion piece, 'Re-elected council must stop wasteful ways' (Opinion, 7/12).
The piece claims inaccurately, "the council has also expanded its marketing and events team to 67 employees to spin the council's 'achievements'".
City of Newcastle major events and corporate affairs unit consists of four separate divisions covering corporate affairs, city events, tourism (the colourful 'Newcastle' brand) and a centralised marketing team responsible for promoting all CN cultural facilities and services.
It consists of total 30 full-time equivalent staff and five fixed term staff across these four areas.
This unit undertakes a diverse range of functions from land use approvals for all events on community land, event sponsorships and the attracting of major events to Newcastle, such as the Matildas vs USA match last Tuesday, destination marketing to grow Newcastle's visitor economy, promoting exhibitions or performances at Newcastle Art Gallery, Museum and Civic Theatre, community engagement and providing information on capital works underway in residents' neighbourhoods.
Our community has asked for increased engagement and information about CN facilities and programs, which is a primary focus of this unit.
Mr Tierney also stated that the Roundhouse had been recently refurbished and City Hall "extensively upgraded both inside and out" prior to CN moving its administration office to Newcastle West.
This is incorrect, with the Roundhouse having not been renovated in its more than 40-year life, and works to City Hall only completed this year.
Nick Kaiser, acting manager major events and corporate affairs, City of Newcastle
SHORT TAKES
ONE question regarding Rolling Stone's list of the greatest 200 Australian albums ('Silverchair's top track record', Newcastle Herald 7/12): wouldn't Diesel deserve a mention?
Brian Lizotte, Lambton
WITH the future uptake of electric vehicles by both parties in the future as part of their plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, can someone tell me where the government tax will come from when the fuel excise decreases? At least 40 per cent of the cost of fuel is a government tax.
Greg Parrey, Rutherford
I FULLY agree with Robert Dixon of Morpeth (Short Takes 7/12), but we haven't got Topor-Stanley. What we have got is other young central defenders who I believe would be fitter, quicker and awake at the start of the game. I think it's time for a change so we don't give goals away early, which means we just might start winning games. Go the Jets.
Mick Walker, Elermore Vale
ONE needs to be double vaccinated to be able to travel worldwide or even interstate, however the coronavirus and its new Omicron variant are still entering the country. What on earth is going on?
John Dei Rocini, Elermore Vale
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison publicly endorses Gladys Berejiklian to stand for federal politics in the coming federal election ('PM backs Berejiklian to run amid ICAC probe', Herald 7/12). Now think about what this means. What I believe he is really saying is, "stuff any corruption commission findings, we are the LNP government, we are above the law, we are untouchable". There is an old saying which holds that he who gets carried away by his own importance often never has far to walk back. If your government loses the next election, Mr Morrison, believe me; they will not be missed by the workers.
Darryl Tuckwell, Eleebana
A LEAP of faith is all it takes. So who is there to back those who do not aspire to a faith? Politics and religion have two things in common: big money and big egos. Between them they are solely responsible for the demise of most Indigenous people; not the majority, but the greedy minority. They proclaim innocence yet destroy lives. I am not reporting from the distant past but from a very clear present where, for example, nine people can decide the fate of millions in the US of A where it's a toss-up between shootings or virus deaths. Call this a democracy? I think not, nor should faith, politics and judiciary ever be entwined as they are.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
SO one vax doesn't work, two don't work, three don't work, maybe four might do, let's try a bit of Tocillizumab in case the four jabs don't work. Will we need a quadruple jab certificate to get a cup of coffee?
