US election lesson, don’t take voters for granted
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The most important lesson of the past few years of American politics is that neither Republicans nor Democrats can take particular constituencies of voters for granted anymore. The gains made by Republicans among minority and working-class voters in 2024 proved a great shock to Democrats, who considered these groups part of their traditional support base.
The Democrats’ midterm victories in states such as Texas, Georgia and South Carolina (″Democrats sweep to power at midterms in rejection of Trump, Republicans″, 4/11) indicates that the GOP’s long-established hold on the South has been broken, and that southern Republicans can no longer ignore Americans’ growing distrust of Donald Trump. In the future, both Democrats and Republicans will need to appeal to a broad range of voters, instead of narrow sectional interests. For Republicans, this means that they may now need to distance themselves from Trump, whose aggressive deportation campaigns and foreign militarism have toxified the Republican brand. For the first time since the beginning of the Trump era, even Republicans can now see that their emperor is wearing no clothes.
Nikhil Dhanabal, Clyde North
Will repudiation reach these shores?
Is it too much to expect that the repudiation of Trumpian values by Americans might also translate into an Australian repudiation of the same values promoted by the likes of Pauline Hanson? Australia’s reputation as a decent, respectful and compassionate country depends on it.
Ross Corben, Knoxfield
Perhaps, the reinvention of Trump looms
Donald Trump may spend the next two years reinventing himself. The following possibilities come to mind: become a statesman – a novelty too difficult to bear; idle his time away as a lame duck – bullies are not big on placidity; behave like a dog with distemper – certainly has the right temperament having previously shown signs of extreme agitation, unprovoked aggression and a urge to snap and bite people or objects; join a circus. The world awaits.
Pack Raphael, Vermont
Result might have foreign consequences
Shane Wright had the Australian and global economy in mind when sounding the alarm on a weakened Trump (″An even more unpredictable Trump is worst nightmare″, 5/11). That’s serious enough, but the geopolitical order of the world now faces greater jeopardy. Questions abound. Will Trump lash out at Iran? Will he abandon Ukraine? Will he curry favour with China? Amid all this foreboding there may be an unexpected ray of light. In the lead-up to the midterms, Trump made the surprising announcement that by the end of the year the United States would cease freely supplying arms to Israel. Whatever the outcome of Israel’s post-election negotiations for power, it seems that the incoming regime will no longer be able to rely on unconditional support from the White House. All who are concerned about justice for Palestine might dare to imagine that the United States will stop shielding Israel from independent scrutiny of its anti-Palestinian policies and practices. Could decades of Israel’s impunity be coming to an end? One can only hope so.
Tom Knowles, Parkville
Good use for a fine word
Great to see US correspondent Michael Koziol use that wonderful word shellacking when describing the size of the Democrats’ victory (″Republicans must break from Trump″, 5/11).
Rod Moran, Brighton
Hallelujah, this cup runs over
My cup is usually half empty, but following the US midterm elections my cup is now full to the brim and runneth over. Hallelujah!
Craig Calvert, Montmorency
THE FORUM
Taking politics out of it
When will we ever learn? The article ″This is why airport rail is a mess″ (5/11) says it all.
Whether it’s decisions about AUKUS, or Snowy Hydro 2, or airport rail, or the SRL, or the Western Sydney airport, politicians need to be removed from the decision-making process, full stop. The role of politicians should be to establish capital works priorities to align with their policies and/or electoral commitments. We need fully independent, transparent bodies, similar to the RBA, to be established at both federal and state level that are accountable for the costing and implementation of these priorities with the boards of these bodies to be bipartisan, government appointments.
The bodies would determine the locations of routes, construction methods etc to achieve the lowest cost, or most cost-effective outcome. While this might introduce another layer of bureaucracy, it should alleviate the poor allocation and/or waste in public funds that we see occurring, with the total capital available in a government’s budget being allocated based on established priorities and directions and not political whims or political benefit.
Roger East, Balwyn North
Safety at the polls
Anybody who saw the aggressive and intimidatory behaviour by third-party campaigners at pre-polling booths at the 2025 federal election will be delighted the Victorian Electoral Commission is employing security squads to patrol booths at the state election (″Election watchdog deploys security squad to curb bad behaviour on booths″, 4/11). A parliamentary committee investigating the 2025 election received 360 submissions detailing aggressive acts towards voters, volunteers and electoral officials.
Former independent MP Zoe Daniel said the battle for her seat was so toxic, she feared for her safety. The established norms for conduct at polling places (and beyond) was broken. The VEC is determined to ensure that at the November poll, everyone ″plays by the rules″.
Neil Hudson, East Melbourne
New strategy needed
As the excellent comments from Age readers highlight, slowly strangling the economy through interest rate rises that punish the least likely offenders (mortgagors and the financially strapped) is a disastrous strategy for the government (“Duo labour on, but mud sticks”, 5/11) and society itself.
Instead of focusing on macro solutions to cut spending and demand by individuals, businesses and governments, could an option be to cut off the head of inflation at the source. The inflation rate is simply the rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which in turn measures the change in the cost of a basket of goods and services bought by a hypothetical consumer. This seems an artificial and badly flawed measure to begin with, as a typical consumer is impossible to define. However, the government (using a range of carrots and sticks and compensatory measures if necessary) could limit price increases to 2.5 per cent a year for products and services that make up this basket of items. Job done.
A fairer, more timely solution for all sections of society.
Peter Thomson, Brunswick
Data centre backlash
It is interesting to note that one of the factors in the US midterm elections was the concern over data centres. Americans have turned the tide against the Republican Party. Why are our governments so enthusiastic about data centres? Have they had a mandate from the Australian electorate for them? Are they paying attention?
Christine Baker, Rosanna
Freeway jam doesn’t beckon
Your correspondent (Letters, 5/11) sees the Suburban Rail Loop as “throwing good money after bad″. Have they tried the Monash freeway (commonly known as Monash Car Park in peak times) and other major roads in areas without train lines as a way to travel from one area to another? Have they imagined getting from Frankston to Box Hill by public transport?
The SRL is decades overdue as it is, and those affected by a lack of such facilities would appreciate support from people in areas well-serviced by public transport.
Everyone would love to enjoy the benefits that come with good, safe, environmentally beneficial, more economical in the long run, travel infrastructure. It is no fun sitting in almost stopped traffic on our “freeways″ for many kilometres. An expensive, unpleasant exercise, with no alternatives for many.
Marianne Dalton, Balnarring
Ticket to Box Hill?
If the Labor government is replaced in Victoria there may be many inquiries and investigations conducted. Perhaps a thorough and well-funded one will be set up to find someone who actually wants to catch a train from Cheltenham to Box Hill.
Don Relf, Mentone
Promises, promises
Despite justified criticism of the state debt, there seems to be a lot of expensive electoral promises.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick
Evidence please, RBA
Using Michele Bullock’s own reasoning expressed a while ago, decisions on interest rates take a number of months to have an effect on the economy. So when has the RBA given enough time over the past few interest rate rises to allow for these rises to bed in and slow the economy? How can they assess the impact of one when they immediately add another rise after only one month. Somewhere down the track we may find out whether all of them were necessary. And, if it turns out that only a couple were needed, will we get an apology from the RBA for the financial impost that they put on household budgets?
Greg Tuck, Warragul
DJs, it’s all your own fault
Early this year, I needed new makeup. I stood at the door of David Jones, surveying the sea of make-up counters before me, dreading I’d need to go to each one to compare their offerings.
So I walked across Bourke Street Mall to the newly opened Mecca. An assistant greeted me, I told her what I wanted and she asked me to wait, then returned with several to choose from. What a great customer-focused business model.
David Jones (and other department stores) have brought about their own potential demise. Once, you could go to the knitwear section, the evening wear section etc; now the stores resemble a posh market, with floor spaces marked off for specific designer labels, even physical walls in some areas. This indicates a lack of understanding of what a customer seeks, making us do all the work.
And don’t tell me we all want to shop online. There’s great merit in seeing, feeling and trying on. Yes, I’m a Boomer, but I also have spending power (apparently).
These stores could do with a dedicated shopper like me on their board, not just bean-counters who are only interested in the bottom line and thus think nothing of killing off a 188 year-old business, and with it a satisfying shopping experience.
Margaret O’Connor, Balwyn
There was no other
David Jones used to be destination store where you would see lift operators, a pianist playing in store and exceptional customer service.
Sadly, it’s declined significantly over the years and while it saddens me that it’s in administrators hands many customers are not in the least surprised.
There was no other store like David Jones.
Panagiota Frangopoulos, Malvern
Dole equals poverty
Living on the dole equals living in poverty. Continued rate rises and more unemployment creates big social problems down the line. Everyone should receive a living wage, not the pitiful unemployment benefits.
Chris Hooper, Castlemaine
Follow Perth’s path
The airport link seems to be bedevilled by indecision and obfuscation.
Generally, we agree on the need for it, but getting a plan in place seems to be beyond our government’s control. Costs are enormous, government indecision stultifying, funding – whether public or private – hidden behind closed doors, planning for actual routes, a party room ″hot potato″.
To copy many other cities, such as Perth, we should be using our current infrastructure- running the line/s up the middle of the Tullamarine Freeway. North Melbourne station would be a better starting point for the line- further connections could be added over time.
Using current infrastructure is less damaging to communities and the environment on any other touted routes, funding/costs will be enormous but that is the reality. An efficient and sustainable transport system will benefit most Victorians and overseas visitors.
Denis Shandley, Drysdale
Holiday for the arts
It’s great to hear Australia now has its own songbook (5/11). The time is well overdue for a major step to be taken to recognise Australia’s amazing range of artists in all fields. What is needed is a public holiday – Arts Day – being preceded by a week of major arts activities.
We have a holiday for a horse race, a football match and a King’s birthday (on the wrong date) and yet continue a glaring gap in acknowledging Australian artists with so many who have an international recognition. It’s time to drop remaining traces of our cultural cringe like a hot scone.
Des Files, Brunswick
National anthem options
Either Waltzing Matilda or I Still Call Australia Home should have been our national anthem, songs to which most people know the words, and catchy tunes as well.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
Rock-solid case
Australia finally has its own songbook. But how on earth was Goanna’s Solid Rock left out? This is one rock-solid Australian anthem. Surely we can stretch the list to 11. Some things are too important to leave out. Justice needs to be done!
Paul Caine, Glen Huntly
AND ANOTHER THING
US elections
Americans heard Donald Trump loud and clear when he pleaded with them to “pretend I’m running … because I am on the ballot”. Credit where credit is due.
Jenny Bone, Surrey Hill
Democracy is alive and well, and living in the most unlikely corners of the US.
Matthew Hamilton, Kew
Lame duck a l’orange anybody? Or maybe he’s just a Christmas turkey.
Philip West, Jan Juc
Americans voted for change. Democrats have claimed control of the Senate, now they must deliver and make America sane again.
Elizabeth Osborne, North Hobart, Tas
It seems Donald Trump was right, the Iran war did achieve regime change.
Emilio Bedin, Narre Warren
My faith in Americans has been restored.
Phil Alexander, Eltham
Blue wave powered by an orange undertow.
Peter Rushen, Carnegie
As Donald Trump said, ″I wasn’t on the ballot” but you were on the nose.
Ian Holton, Yarraville
Looks like the voters actually did imagine Donald Trump was on the ballot, and voted accordingly.
Trevor Sheridan, Charmhaven, NSW
Re the US mid-term elections, I have been daydreaming of a great outcome: Trump leaves a note saying: ″Obviously I am not appreciated by losers in America, so I have left to join Vladimir in Moscow. He has told me I would be King of Russia.″
John Hennessy, Montmorency
Furthermore
I don’t want to vote for any of the major parties. Could The Age please profile the minor parties and the independents?
Paul Spencer, Ascot Vale
Before teachers can teach kids how to hold a pen/pencil correctly, someone (old, most likely) will have to teach the teachers.
Peter Neuhold, Elsternwick
