We are not fools, Prime Minister

John Richardson, Wallagoot, NSW

If I remember correctly

Ian Pilsner (Letters, September 13) has a funny memory. Morrison may have helped stop the boats, but it was a continuation of the laws put in place by previous Labor governments that started the shameful treatment of these perfectly legal asylum seekers. The search for asylum is a human right, regardless of the method of travel, despite the fact that Morrison and Abbott are shouting at every opportunity.

The economic cost of what the Liberals have done for them is huge and will weigh heavily if their economic skills are to face the test. This surplus was very useful for the Workers to direct us through the GFC like no other First World country could.

Under Gillard, with a minority government, the Labor Party was one of the most prosperous, if not the most, governments in our history. To deny that, is to deny reality.

Morrison, as Minister of Social Services, voted for beneficiaries, not bludgers, as he says, to go up to six months without money. Not a good way to manage such a department. He was also in favor of reducing pensions and starting the old-age pension at age 70. Try to lay bricks up to 70 years old.

Perhaps Mr. Pilsner would like to take off his pink glasses and see the party that doubled the national debt in half the time and tripled it in less time, for what it is, a national disgrace.

Michelle Presgrave, Wadalba, NSW

Pope nails him

The editorial cartoon by David Pope (September 14, 19) strikes the nail (or should it be a pin?) On the head.

Malcolm Turnbull has good reason, at least in his mind, to feel betrayed by Peter Dutton, who was the chief instigator of the then Prime Minister's ouster.

Turnbull wants Dutton to be brought before the High Court to rule on his eligibility to sit in parliament in light of his family's family property through two daycares in Brisbane, whose clients receive grants from the federal government.

There are several other reasons why Peter Dutton's eligibility to sit in parliament should be questioned. These include his visa work for the two au pairs and his appointments for "at least four men" with whom he had personal connections.

The more pins there are firmly in the potato, the better.

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Balance required

Dave Sharma can be an "exceptionally high caliber candidate" in Wentworth. But rather than high-caliber candidates, do not we need more and more representative candidates, that is, more women?

Michael McCarthy, Deakin

Classless society

I am referring to "Just not ok" (Canberra Times, September 14). The Muppet Show continues … I predict this level of behavior in grade 8, not for people for whom I pay a lot of money.

Parliamentarians, I would like there to be a house coordinator to whom you could be sent. Your example and your choice of music do not deserve my precious vote.

Bill Gillespie, Wamboin

If the shoe turns

The article "How to tempt freelancers on a daily basis" (Sunday CT, September 9, p13) presents the perspective that freelance work offers Riley's life, a virtual nirvana, to those who would seem to own, currently, -demand , specialized skills for which they order a premium.

This attractive image contrasts diametrically with the workers who enslave uncertain rewards in the booming economy of the scene, not better illustrated than by the hostages of Amazon's fulfillment centers ("Inside the 30").

The mining philosophy seems to have been adopted by the Australian governments, which are employing more and more consultants, spending considerable sums on the taxpayers, rather than developing full-time internal skills.

Many workers experience consultants as "borrowing your watch to give you the time and then billing you for it", which they are quite unhappy about plagiarizing the shared corporate memory without attribution.

The adrenaline rushes driven by the enthusiasm of the exuberance of youth succumb to the realities of human frailty, transience and ephemeral permanence of skills, where knowledge quickly becomes obsolete. The boastfulness of individualism suits modern employers, who prefer that employees be disposable, to be set aside when their value is spent.

Thatcher (1987) "… there is no society" challenges the reality of "No man is an island", married by John Donne (1624). Being autonomous is mythological.

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan

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