Three cheers for Reaganomics in a sea of tariff storms

I was appalled to read that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton felt the need to “promise” Australian women their rights would not be rolled back under his leadership (“Despite forceful WFH agenda, Dutton makes pledge to women voters”, March 13). In 2025, the very notion that such a reassurance is necessary should set off alarm bells. Women’s rights are not a bargaining chip; they are not up for grabs, and they should not be subject to the whims of political leaders seeking to win votes. Women’s rights are not for sale.

Dutton’s comments suggest he views women as a separate and subordinate class that requires his protection rather than equal citizens whose rights should be unquestionable and non-negotiable.

Australian women do not need a promise from Peter Dutton; we need leaders who fully understand and fully accept that equality is fundamental, not conditional. It must be part of their DNA. His stance on rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion roles, along with curbing flexible work arrangements, exposes him as a Trumpian acolyte who is willing to say anything, and promise anything, to win an election – and we know how it goes once someone like that wins office. Marina Cardillo, Beecroft

Caravan of lies

I live in what has become a focal point of the antisemitic graffiti and car firing (“Revolt over caravan con”, March 14). There has been a high level of fear in the community. Revulsion, too. This is not a country I recognise. Living alone as an old person has been challenging. There has been no apparent presence or support from two Labor politicians who operate from my street. When it was announced that the whole campaign of terrorism was a hoax, it seemed incredible and was difficult to believe. The fact that the powers-that-be apparently knew it was a hoax for a week before they bothered to inform the community is an absolute disgrace. What other secrets and lies are out there? Can we believe anything we are told? Susan McKee, Maroubra

Repressive laws introduced on the basis of a caravan full of lies are to remain on the books even after the ruse was uncovered. These laws stifle legitimate criticisms of the policies of a foreign government and had no place being passed in the first place. Why are the people of NSW having their rights removed at the behest of agents of foreign influence? What next? Banning criticism of the policies of the Chinese government, or blocking criticism of the idiocy of Donald Trump and his democracy-destroying hordes? The Minns government must decide if it is governing for the people of NSW or for people who can’t even vote in this country. Graeme Finn, Earlwood

Sifting for solid info

Erinn Swan’s account of how her algorithm flooded her with updates, insights and predictions about Cyclone Alfred is a sobering real-life account of our modern media environment and the challenges it throws up when disasters strike (“Caught in a storm of misinformation, getting the right info is a disaster”, March 14). Even Erinn, previously a digital director for the premier of Queensland, found it difficult to sift and order what was thrown at her. Her experience could well be the basis of a media literacy unit in schools. Awareness of a hierarchy of sources with different levels of trust would be a helpful outcome. Alan Russell, Unley (SA)

Short election circuit disempowers progress

When history is written about the climate wars, it will stand as a testament to the ineptitude of the three-year election cycle, where so much is promised but little gets done. Throw two uninspiring and mediocre leaders into the mix, and it gets downright depressing. While vast amounts of fossil fuels get mined and exported with bipartisan glee, stoked by subsidies while paying meagre royalties back to the taxpayer, Albanese’s renewable tangle and Dutton’s nuclear brain explosion have left us in the lurch. The road the can is being kicked down is fast approaching a cul-de-sac. Simon Pitts, Riverview

Let them rise in the east

With the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse in the news again, I believe I may have found a much more appropriate alternative site (“Races to the bottom”, March 14). It is flat, and presumably the soil is not contaminated from previous industrial use. It has access to public transport, with the light rail depot as a neighbour and a number of well-used bus routes connecting property owners to the city. It is very close to the University of NSW, Centennial Park, the SCG, hospitals and Sydney Airport. Not to mention many beautiful beaches and the friendly neighbours. And being in the eastern suburbs, the sale price is surely markedly higher than a site all the way out west.

This better site is Randwick Racecourse. A far better proposition then Rosehill. With the members’ vote coming next month, I note the ATC is bribing members by suggesting that some of the proceeds could be used to build a massive hotel “overlooking the famous Royal Randwick straight”. This project would be a hollow reward to ATC members from the west. Seriously, is this really compensation for losing their racecourse? Steve McLeod, Wentworth Point

I couldn’t agree more with Victoria Calderan regarding the proposed sell-off of Rosehill racecourse. Warwick Farm racecourse has been screaming out for an upgrade and a return to Saturday racing status for nearly 20 years. During that time, it has had a lick of paint and some brighter light globes in the grandstand, and vague promises of track upgrades. Therefore, for those that live in the Greater West, Rosehill remains our favoured course. It is much better designed than Randwick, has great access, and the facilities are good. Yet the inducement now seems to be a high-class hotel at Randwick and a vague promise of a Group 1-grade track to replace Rosehill without any details where that might be. It says a lot when the ATC decides the extraordinary meeting will be held at Randwick, favouring less attendance by us mugs in the west. Sydney racing west of Anzac Parade at Kensington needs building up, not pulling down. Geoff Delaney, Chipping Norton

“The Herald remains a firm supporter of using Rosehill for housing …” (The Herald’s View, March 14). It is so refreshing (not) to have an unbiased view on this issue. It is obvious that media opposition to Rosehill Racecourse continuing as a unique venue in western Sydney is wrapped in ignorance.
The venue is not just used for horse racing. It is a valued conference centre, a venue for specialist interests, from caravan and trailer shows to health seminars. It hosts end-of-year functions for year 12 students and other organisations. It serves western Sydney. Let’s hope the ATC members see through the false arguments and remember that once it is gone, it is gone for good. Neil Donovan, Carlingford

Rooftop remedy for bill shock

Our household has not paid an electricity bill in three years (“Power bill rise is an election poser for PM”, March 14). After installing 23 solar panels a number of years ago, our hip-pocket has benefited greatly. Three years ago, we were given a $300 credit to switch electricity providers. We still have $379 in credit as winter approaches. We do not have a battery, but use the daylight hours wisely. Continued embrace of renewables should be our future. Those who push for an energy supply not based on renewables need to be ignored. John Cotterill, Kingsford

We are being warned of rising power bills in the near future. The only solution Peter Dutton can give us is his nuclear power thought bubble. By the time this becomes reality, many of us will not be alive, and the cost will have bankrupted Australia. Meanwhile, we should be aware of how much energy we are using, and minimise where we can. Robyn Lewis, Raglan

Poll-ease, spare me

An Australian election has never been “the most exciting and engaging period of Australian life” (“Australians feeling political despair need only remember one thing … it could always be worse”, March 13). On the contrary. Most Australians just want the election over and done with. They are sick of the endless promises made during the “phoney” campaign and during the actual campaign. Nowadays, many Australians vote pre-poll so they can get on with their lives, ignoring the raft of new spending promises designed to win over voters. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

Of screams and seams

An article has brought back fond memories from 60 years ago, visiting Luna Park and taking a ride on the Rotor when, sliding down with my back to the wall, my trouser seam started to split (“‘White-knuckled terror’: Luna Park’s most popular ride to reopen after years-long restoration”, March 14). Then, into the Wild Mouse – just climbing in split my trouser seam completely, so after the ride I headed to the ambulance station and asked if I could borrow needle and thread to repair my trousers. Permission duly granted, it saved me from further embarrassment! Ken Finlayson, East Corrimal

Postscript

Back in February, with the prospect of US trade tariffs looming, readers agreed that Australia shouldn’t just lie down and accept whatever imposts the disruptive president decided to impose. This week he dashed hopes of an exemption, declaring that tariffs would go ahead on our steel and aluminium imports – just for a start.

Suggestions poured in. Taxes on large American cars was a popular one, particularly after the Herald revealed that the size of car parking spaces could be increased to accommodate large SUVs. Simon Blake was angry. “This will inevitably result in fewer parking spaces. The community is therefore being collectively punished to accommodate the selfish choice of those people who buy [oversized] vehicles,” he wrote. These cars should be “taxed or regulated out of existence”, suggested Ian Bell. For Alex Springall, this would kill two birds with one stone. “It would remove these wasteful monstrosities from the roads and car parks, and would be a retaliation to Trump’s stupid tariffs. Bring it on,” he wrote. Brian Collins found the idea “rather timely, especially if the cars are made from our steel”.

Our military co-operation with the US also came under fire, with calls for the AUKUS submarine deal to be cancelled, and Pine Gap and the joint-US naval station in WA to be closed. The anger among Australians found an unexpected voice in former PM Malcolm Turnbull, who lambasted the ABC on air for being too timid with the heavy-handed US leader. “Bravo, Malcolm Turnbull, for standing up to the world’s biggest bully,” applauded Ruth Pojer. Peter Bulkeley added, “Just as Trump didn’t know what AUKUS was, I bet he’s never heard of Pine Gap or North West Cape. These are our trump cards but, as Malcolm would say, we are too ‘pusillanimous’ to play them.”

Trump’s tariff war clearly has explosive consequences, especially when compared with the Dural caravan bomb plot, which turned out to be a fizzer after authorities exposed it as criminal “con job” to distract police, not a plot that could have led to “the most catastrophic terrorist event in our country’s history”, as announced by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Reader Tony Judge wrote: “Dutton’s choice to divide the community for political gain has again had serious consequences. We should not be surprised. At every opportunity he has chosen division over cohesion, fear over reassurance and politics over people.”

Ivan Hemens, letters team

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