Letters
Letters to
the editor
Rural ruse
Barnaby Joyce again demonstrates his boundless cynicism (Jason Koutsoukis, “Exclusive: Dutton told Joyce ‘we just want you out…’ ”, October 25-31). He says he wants to rebuild the National Party by standing up for the party’s “working rural people”. For 20 years he held positions of power and influence in the National Party, including as deputy prime minister under two prime ministers. Despite this, working rural people and their families have some of the worst health and education outcomes in the country, and are some of the poorest. Non-working rural people don’t rate a mention. In places where working rural people live, true power rests with agribusinesses and miners. These industries’ power rests in lobbying MPs and bestowing funding and jobs-after-politics on the National Party, the Liberal Party, the LNP and the Labor Party, and others with harmonious agendas. Joyce will continue to support true power, and his (voting) supporters will continue to fail to thrive. As is their right, they will likely continue to vote for him despite how cynically he hides behind them and how long he has failed them.
– Deborah Scott, St Lucia, Qld
Opportunity knocks
While many of us may believe Barnaby Joyce’s political beliefs are best characterised as misguided Trumpian populism, it is undeniable that the demographics in rural Australia are similar to those in which populist politics in the United States have succeeded. The widening gap between rural and city life lays bare the failings of successive government policies to counter the long march of decline in rural and regional Australia, some of which has arguably been caused by a national embrace of market globalisation. As Coalition members bicker about what exactly their respective parties stand for, it is unsurprising that Joyce and his ilk see a political opportunity to lean into the politics of grievance and pursue a populist agenda in a constituency that has been let down by past representatives of all colours.
– Luke Vanni, Nundah, Qld
Slippery slope
I share the barely suppressed rage emanating from Rick Morton’s article “Rank and feckless device” (October 25-31). The pain that robodebt imposed on hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens has clearly not had any long-term impact on the psyche of this government. Even more troubling, it appears that Anthony Albanese’s desire to hold power at any cost is fuelling yet another lurch towards authoritarianism – in this case in response to those seeking redress to official malfeasance. If such policies blocking access to information can generate ire in the usually mild-mannered Mr Morton, it’s a fair guess that many, many others feel the same about this government’s failure to govern with at least a hint of heart.
– Damien Coghlan, Magill, SA
Risk analysis
A detailed analysis and review of our relationships with the United States and China should be mandatory before we dig the expensive AUKUS submarine hole deeper (Hugh White, “Mr Albanese goes to Washington”, October 25-31). The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade must already have expert assessments of risks associated with different options, and of key questions. For example, what are the risks of uncritical support for the US alliance, including the potential reaction of our Pacific neighbours? Do the risks of damaging our US relationship outweigh the benefits of a closer relationship with China? An update, assisted by experts in US and Chinese history and culture, and risk analysis, from DFAT, defence, business and academia would be timely.
– Norman Huon, Port Melbourne, Vic
Hopeful reading
What fine reports in the October 25-31 issue by two experts in their field. Mark E. Dean outlines profound malfeasance of agencies in the child protection field with heartaching sensitivity and humanity (“The life of Kevin Bugmy”), while Hugh White gives us a commentary on the disaster that is Trump. Having worked as a paediatrician in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s involved in child protection, I can only feel the guilt, shame and empathy for all those young patients as portrayed by Dean’s article, and the horror that we have governments today, as in the Northern Territory, that continue to perpetuate such “care”. The Saturday Paper lightens my weekend and gives me hope for the future.
– Patrick Pemberton, Dingup, WA
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This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on November 1, 2025.
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