It is a bitter harvest, as sown by One Nation voters

One Nation didn’t win the seat of Farrer in the byelection: the Coalition lost it, and by a long way (“David Farley is the victor, but Pauline Hanson is One Nation’s dancing queen”, smh.com.au, May 9). And to those who did vote One Nation: as you sow, so shall you reap. Don’t say you weren’t warned. Let’s see how things shape up by the time we come to the next federal election in May 2028. Shaun Davies, St Peters

The message from the Farrer byelection cannot be certain. But, for me, the result indicates that the electorate is prepared to install into our parliament a woeful candidate who is a member of a party that preaches hatred and division as its core message. Being disillusioned with the major parties is one thing, but surely this is not the answer. Phil Peak, Dubbo

Hands up all those parliamentary members of the Coalition who were happy with their organisational wing’s decision to preference One Nation in Farrer. Tony Everett, Wareemba

The Farrer by-election result has one clear message. When voters are offered three versions of One Nation, they will pick the one with Pauline Hanson. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

One Nation has shown it can harness fear and ignorance better than the Coalition, but one member of the House of Representatives and one turncoat do not a government make. We all know Hanson has “had a gutful” of everything, but now her policies need to face forensic examination on what she will do and how she will do it. A gutful is not enough. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield

Pauline might want to “take our country back”, but the news is that it’s not hers. It’s actually ours. Even in the Farrer byelection, which does not represent the whole of Australia in any remote way, more than 60 per cent of voters rejected her party as their choice. They voted against populism and her rich mates and their private jets. Philip Dowle, Wickham

(William) Farrer developed rust-resistant wheat and Australia reaped the benefits. One Nation developed discontent and reaped Farrer. What Australia reaps remains to be seen. Graham Short, Cremorne

It’s the Farrer farce: if there’s any logic in a protest vote against the Labor government yielding a One Nation replacement for a departing Liberal, it has to indicate Independent success next time. Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic)

Once upon a time, Pauline Hanson was a figure of ridicule, representing a backward-looking minority. What began as a feeling of powerless has been fuelled by the politics of victimhood, seasoned with nationalism. Howard’s battlers and even the true believers are doubting the willingness of mainstream politicians to feel their pain or offer effective solutions. One Nation is winning on the first front by identification and building so-called solutions on a foundation of fear and blame. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

I have just spent 10 days in hospital and been cared for by nurses who were all exceptional. But, hang on. More than half had come here from overseas. Action stations, Pauline, we are being overrun by highly skilled, dedicated and empathetic people. Trevor Brown, Pennant Hills

Is David Farley still the elected member for One Nation or has he stepped aside yet to be an independent? Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas)

Taylor tested

It takes a lot of talent for Angus and his mates, in a year, to go from Sussan Ley’s primary vote of 43 per cent to Raissa Butkowski’s 12 per cent (“One Nation’s result in Farrer is no ordinary win – it’s a political earthquake”, smh.com.au, May 9). Remember that Ley in 2022 polled 53 per cent first preference, so on that trajectory the Liberal Party soon won’t exist. Butkowski was even No.1 on the ballot paper, but her preferences went to One Nation before the very electable independent, so even that hastened her own political demise. These are the same clever strategists who used to run the country, but are now led by yet another talented Rhodes scholar. Note: that other Rhodes scholar is about to become the Liberal’s federal president to complete his destiny. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and Pauline Hanson is now closer to the Lodge than Angus Taylor will ever be. Peter Kamenyitzky, Copacabana

Angus Taylor is, I think, for the high jump. His action, along with the Nationals, appears to have delivered the seat of Farrer to One Nation. The knives will be out, and Andrew Hastie will be the new Liberal party leader within the month. Bruce Welch, Marrickville

I wonder if Sussan Ley is feeling a little bit of Schadenfreude today? Martin Lewis, Baulkham Hills

The rest is history

The Libs are mired in the past and stuck in a cycle of self-destruction (“At the crossroads with Tony Abbott”, May 9). In their desperation to resurrect the “glory days”, it seems the Libs think that parading past party heroes will solve everything. It’s oft been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The Libs are living proof of that.Graham Lum, North Rocks

As long as the Liberal party continues to provide Tony Abbott with opportunity and credence, they are doomed. He’s “yesterday’s man” and the people are not going to tolerate him and his ilk. David Rafferty, Peakhurst Heights

Tony Abbott mastered the art of attack politics in Australia. No polices needed, just attack the enemy on all issues at all costs. He has done more to dislodge the fabric of our democracy than any other politician. He hasn’t let go of his game plan since leaving parliament. Like the Grim Reaper, he continues to wield his scythe from the near side lines. If the Liberal Party wants to improve its lot in the minds of the voting public, it needs to ditch Abbott and his disciples before they kill off the party completely. Appointing him president of the party would be akin to marching it off a cliff. Rod Cunich, Vaucluse

One of your correspondents (Letters, May 9) asks: “And we should believe that he [Tony Abbott] is the man to lead the Liberal Party?” It’s where he leads them that matters. As things now stand, he’ll lead them from their current irrelevancy to non-existence … that’ll be a huge win for Australia. David Gordon, Cranebrook

A taxing task

It’s interesting to see that Bill Shorten believes that his failure to succeed at the 2016 and 2019 elections was because he was ahead of his time with negative gearing and capital gains tax policies (“Voters primed to reward bold policy, says Shorten”, May 9). There is an element of truth to his claims, but he should also acknowledge that neither he nor then shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen were able to “sell” those policies nearly as effectively as they should have. If Labor is now able to implement its proposed tax changes, it will be because Treasurer Jim Chalmers comes across as a much more knowledgeable and articulate advocate, even if his task has been made more difficult because he has to break a promise that Anthony Albanese should never have made in the first place. Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

Homeless deserve help and care

You don’t have to go all the way to Wagga to see the homeless (“City’s fringe dwellers rocked by tragedy”, May 9). They are littered throughout the Sydney CBD, sleeping not only down in the subways of underground train stations but along the footpaths in front of some of our most iconic buildings, such as the QVB which houses numerous luxury boutiques. Those in suburbia who don’t travel into the city can now find people also sleeping in their main streets, local parks and or squares. It’s a tragedy that a newborn baby died in a homeless encampment and that it’s taken this death to bring to light how large and serious the issue of homelessness is. Hopefully, all levels of government are paying attention. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

The approach of winter will mean more deaths and serious illnesses among the ever-increasing homeless, particularly in cold locations such as Wagga Wagga. Let’s not forget the homeless are part of our community, fallen on hard times, partly due to failures and bad decisions of previous government in housing supply. The claim that we’re a country of a “fair go” must be disputed when there is increasing homelessness and our Reserve Bank wants our economy to have 4 per cent unemployment. It’s OK if you’re not a member of that 4 per cent club and homeless. However, if our country needs 4 per cent unemployment for our economy to function, surely our governing authorities need to adequately finance their living while ceasing to move the homeless away from the populated areas where shelter is provided by doorways? Our authorities surely have a moral obligation to obtain/rent vacant buildings to provide temporary accommodation during the waiting period for public housing. Meanwhile, a waiting period of up to 10 years for safe shelter cannot be considered acceptable. Brian McDonald, Willoughby

Suddenly, it’s front page news and everyone is shocked, horrified, appalled and baying for something to be done about homeless people living in tents around Wagga Wagga. Where was the outrage, and real action (apart from the efforts of some local support services), before the death of a baby at one of these camps? Ross Duncan, Potts Point

Motherhood for sale

Thanks to Jenna Price (“Why are we trafficking babies”, May 9) for drawing the comparison between forced adoption and surrogacy. As a survivor of forced adoption, I wrote my doctoral thesis on the traumatic effects this has had on mothers and their babies, drawing parallels with surrogacy. Although the deleterious effects of forced adoption, and hence surrogacy, have been acknowledged, the practice of surrogacy continues to be depicted as either altruistic or, as in the case of mothers from disadvantaged countries, of social and economic benefit. Both interpretations commodify the mother and reduce motherhood to a commercial transaction. It is difficult to believe that 40 years after the landmark 1986 “Baby M” surrogacy case in the US, Australia is still considering surrogacy legislation. Perhaps Australia needs to be reminded of the conclusion in this case: “No contract can alter the legal position of a woman who bears a child as that child’s mother”. Patricia Farrar, Concord

Lucky aunt

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, when about 50 per cent of mothers are joyous for being remembered and about 50 per cent are in pain because they’ve been forgotten. I’m neither because I’m a lucky aunt. Mary Julian, Glebe

Railway tourism

I recently took a trip west that included Werris Creek, Walcha, Warwick and Toowoomba, once thriving towns reliant on the railway for prosperity (Letters, May 9). We travelled on vintage trains restored and run by community volunteers, explored local museums and were treated to scones and whisky shortbread. The cancellation of funding for the inland railway to Brisbane beyond Parkes is a lost opportunity to promote regional development and the sustainability of these valued communities. Catherine Turner, Cremorne

I agree with your correspondent (Letters, May 9) about a lottery to cover the costs of building an inland rail line. Brilliant idea. One that could be adopted by state governments (who are always crying poor), to cover the costs of essential infrastructure in both regional and urban areas. Fay Semple, Bateau Bay

I’d buy some lottery tickets if they went towards governments buying out toll companies and making our roads free again. Margaret Grove, Concord

Anybody out there

I am a mature-aged person who regularly walks around my suburb. I am amazed how little interaction there is with my fellow pedestrians. My random independent survey reveals that in my daily hour’s walk if I meet 10 other people only two will have eye contact and of these, maybe one will return my hello/good morning. Most people are using their phones or look straight ahead. Is it any wonder that the media reports loneliness as a growing problem in our society? People could go days without speaking to another person even when out in the community. Jill King, Lane Cove

Community common

Surely in developing new suburbs (Letters, May 9) we could base them on English villages with a common around a pond and a high street – places to walk and meet. What could be worse than our new suburbs – no design, houses jammed as close as possible, few trees and all enclosed by a Colorbond fence. Are they using architects and landscapers or just building companies? Christine Stewart, Willoughby

New May date

In recognition of the anniversary of the opening of the first commonwealth parliament (Letters, May 9), let’s celebrate Australia Day on the second Monday in May. There is much to celebrate, the first nation created by the free democratic vote of its citizens. This could replace the King’s Birthday holiday and change 26 January to the last Monday in January as Renewal Day, that pause before schools re-open, then cultures can be celebrated and the working year come into focus. John Woodward, Ashfield

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