May 25, 2026 — 8:00pm Photo: Cathy WilcoxTo submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.With the rise of One Nation and the shift of the Liberal and National parties towards the climate-denying right, it’s no surprise there is talk about the need for a new centrist force (“Teal MPs in talks aimed at forming a new party”, 25/5). But Independent MPs like Dr Monique Ryan are trusted precisely because they are independent – free from party discipline and from the influence of powerful industries such as gambling and fossil fuels. Aside from perhaps the Greens, independents are the only truly transparent representatives in Canberra who consistently act with integrity in the interests of their communities.The real driver of this push towards a new political party is the new election donation laws passed early in 2025 by Labor and the Coalition. These laws, in effect, entrench the power of current parties and lock new independents out of parliament by starving them of the resources needed to compete. It’s a blight on our democracy. Hopefully the donation laws legal challenge led by Zoe Daniel will be the circuit-breaker needed to solve the independent party dilemma.Amy Hiller, KewNew party a backward stepIt would be a backward step for the teals to form a new political party (″⁣Teal MPs in talks aimed at forming a new party″⁣, 25/5). Their strength is in each electorate they have the individual character of an independent MP. Their weakness has been since the 2022 election the new Labor government has denied them a needed number of staff. It was a clear hampering of competent parliamentary representatives. This needs to be rectified by the PM to increase their commitment to democratic procedures in parliament (and his). Senator David Pocock is a great example of an independent.Des Files, BrunswickOut of voting options, it’s the right pathIt is heartening indeed to read that the teals are likely forming a political party. With the Liberals and Nationals in steep decline, Labor on the nose and Pauline being Pauline, we need a fresh, sensible, honest choice. All they need to do is put the national interest before self-interest, and Australians will switch, after we get over the shock of such an approach. Bring it on.Professor Danny Samson, Department of Management and Marketing, University of MelbournePlease, give us a new partyIf ever there was a need for a new party, it would be tackle guns, gambling and gas. Labor has failed to take decisive measures on all three, while the Liberals dither and oppose, and One Nation seeks to divide us all. We need a real opposition that is considerate, compassionate, community-based and committed to a more united and fairer Australia.Peta Colebatch, HawthornIrony abounds from one LiberalThe irony behind Liberal shadow treasurer Tim Wilson’s words in relation to the discussion on the so-called teal community independents creating a party is astounding: ″⁣It’s all about them achieving their own survival, not the good of the nation.″⁣Jennifer Quigley, BalwynBeware following the party lineAngus Taylor says that they are “the one party or coalition that is fighting the Labor Party every day”. Can he still not see that voters are sick of the constant confrontational politics and the automatic and vehement opposition to any policy pursued by the other party? At least an independent can look at a policy on its merits and either support or attempt to modify it according to the wishes of their electorate. On the other hand, should the teal independents form a party together, this important aspect would most likely be lost in favour of the ″⁣party line″⁣. Maybe a ″⁣sensible centre″⁣ of non-aligned Independents is the best thing for the country.Paul Sands, SunburyTHE FORUMChange travel rulesParliamentary travel rules need to change. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie was elected to represent the people of Victoria in federal parliament. Despite her claims in an interview with a local paper that she was there ″⁣discussing cuts and delays to road funding″⁣ , it is obvious that the main purpose of the senator’s Tasmanian trip was her son’s wedding (″⁣Senator billed public to attend son’s wedding″⁣, 25/5).The cost to the Australian public of politicians’ travel could be substantially reduced: allow only travel between their two definite workplaces – Canberra and their electorate – to be funded from the public purse. Thus, Senator McKenzie’s trip from Canberra to Victoria could be covered, but not further travel. Government ministers could claim for travel beyond these restrictions, provided it directly and obviously related to their portfolios.Whether or not politicians subsequently repay the cost of dubious travel claims is besides the point. To take something which is not legitimately yours is theft – and politicians claiming work travel expenses for private purposes are clearly stealing from the public purse.Julie Moffat, St LeonardsPetty claimsIt never fails to amaze me how petty some politicians are with their travel claims. Surely they earn enough not to be trying to take taxpayers for a ride over a few hundred dollars and for which they will inevitably, and embarrassingly, be caught out.Fiona White, AlfredtonWhat is a voter to do?This year’s state election offers a most disappointing choice. You can either choose the party denying the reality of corruption and rorting of state projects. Or you can choose the party denying the reality of climate change and the risks it poses to the state’s future. Both promise a future of huge costs, either through interest on much higher debt or the cost of adaptation of road, rail and other infrastructure. Or both. The common element is denial of evidence, leading to undeniable consequences. What is a voter to do?Ian Pittman, Glen IrisTaylor, go visitingAngus Taylor’s demeaning of sections of our migrant community along with his threat of withholding social security benefits is causing unfortunate divisions in the community. This, along with the Coalition’s policy to limit future migration numbers for political reasons, is predictable as he addresses right-wing pressures to do the same. Your correspondent (Letters, 25/5) reflects on how this policy would have a devastating impact on many industries. Taylor, qualified in economics, surely would be aware of this. If not, a visit to places like nursing homes, hospitals and construction sites would illustrate how such a significant part of those workforces is drawn from our migrant community.Bill Pimm, MentoneYouth crime rethink″⁣I think this idea that we can make our communities safer through harsher punishments is a disastrous approach,″⁣ says Ralph Jackman (24/5). The 2024-25 Victorian budget allocated funding for 320 new front-line custodial staff at youth detention centres Cherry Creek and Parkville. This year’s budget confirmed that every one of those roles is totally custodial. Not one dollar for community case managers, diversion, therapeutic staff, or offending-behaviour programs. Accordingly, we get expanded capacity to confine, but not to rehabilitate. The result is predictable, a reminder that detention is the least effective intervention we have.Around three-quarters of young people return to crime. Harsh environments don’t build capability or hope. They simply reinforce the conditions that produced the offending. If we want to reduce re-offending and lessen youth crime, we must provide conditions that allow young people to imagine – and genuinely believe – that a meaningful crime-free future is possible.That requires investment in what actually works: support, opportunity, guidance and rehabilitation, not just more staff to operate more cells.Brian Marshall, AshburtonEarly lessonsI will be reading Ralph Jackson’s book Detention. Before I retired, I worked at an inner city public library where a gang of children with nothing to do at night and would come into the library and run amok .We ended up having to hire a security guard. One night, one came in looking for his mates and I asked him if he wanted to use our games computer and he happily agreed. I discovered at the age of 11 or 12, he couldn’t read. I began to volunteer at the local high school where there were many children who couldn’t read.Susan Munday, Bentleigh EastByzantine? NoYour correspondent’s critique of the Victorian Liberal Party (Letters, 22/5) may hold political merit, but describing its behaviour as “Byzantine antics” reflects an inaccurate stereotype of Byzantine civilisation. The Byzantine Empire, or Eastern Roman Empire, survived for more than 1000 years after the fall of Rome. It preserved classical knowledge, codified Roman law, advanced diplomacy, and made enduring contributions to theology, philosophy, art and architecture. Far from symbolising dysfunction, Byzantium represented resilience, sophistication and intellectual achievement.What we are witnessing is not “Byzantine” but modern political ineptitude: a party consumed by factionalism, strategic failure and an inability to let go of outdated and failed policies. The Liberal Party’s decline is self-inflicted and reflective of contemporary political incompetence, not the enduring legacy of Byzantium, which deserves to be remembered for its profound contribution to civilisation.Artemisia Bennett, Moonee PondsFlawed airport planIt’s time for Melbourne Airport to take its head out of the sands of profit and recognise the needs of its travelling customers. As other letters correspondents have noted, many customers already have enough difficulty getting to and from cars and terminals without further restrictions to drop-offs and pick-ups. For decades now, the crying need has been for an efficient airport rail link, and until this is sufficiently prioritised by all parties – private and public – it’s ridiculous to imagine that the reported plan to move car access further away from the passenger terminals would offer any realistic improvement for travellers.Jenifer Nicholls, WindsorClimate senses neededAngus Taylor should be called out for his comments on the cost of electricity. Joint research from CSIRO and AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) clearly shows that firmed solar and wind generation is significantly cheaper than other mainstream forms of generation.Angus Taylor, in his budget reply speech talked about bringing down electricity prices by increasing fossil fuel generation. This outcome is simply not possible, yet we have heard almost nothing from commentators or government leaders denouncing Taylor’s plans.Renewable energy equals cheaper electricity. Avoiding offending the climate-denying hard-right of politics and society will not address the trauma ahead if climate change mitigation action is not taken. Lower income households will continue to bear the brunt of fossil-fuel driven electricity prices. Common sense must prevail and scientific reality must be considered when considering the best energy future for all Australians.Warwick Beard, Mount MarthaI have a dreamLast night, I dreamt that I lived in a wealthy country in which the fact that one in seven people live in poverty was seen as a national disgrace. A country in which the wealthy paid their fair share of tax, rather than engaging creative accountants and tax lawyers to organise their financial affairs so as to pay as little as possible. A country which, like many other comparable OECD nations, had inheritance taxes so that the $5 trillion expected to pass from Baby Boomers to their children would be taxed to help pay for good quality public services and infrastructure and lessen inequality. A country in which politicians and the wealthy recognised that greater economic equality benefits everyone, as it generally results in a more stable, more cohesive society with healthier and happier people.As a Baby Boomer, I doubt that I will live to see my dream come true.Angela Smith, Clifton HillReputational damageAs the prime minister says, Israel must be allowed to protect its borders. However, was a bunch of small craft carrying food and medicines a serious threat? Allowing the fleet through to Gaza may have been an opportunity for an image boost for Israel. An inspection of the cargo by IDF troops would have confirmed only humanitarian goods were on board.It seems, however, Israel is not concerned about image. With the ICJ having already found that it’s plausible Israel is committing genocide its reputation could do with some improvement.Dan Drummond, LeongathaStop the applauseIt’s obscene that unemployment is applauded as a method to drop inflation. That’s people without work and on the inadequate dole.Chris Hooper, CastlemaineDiction frictionAm I the only reader who has noticed a decline in diction of presenters from Radio 774 – especially the daytime ones? At times, I have felt that it borders on the slovenly. I hope for some improvement. Next week, if I am still in Australya, I wanna; in fact, I’m gunna choon in next Choosday at twenny past six to check.Ian Grandy, Nunawading Photo: Matt GoldingAND ANOTHER THINGPoliticsOh George Brandis. Tony Abbott again, really (Comment, 25/5)? Those rose-coloured glasses must be very foggy. Should have gone to Specsavers.Frank Flynn, Cape PatersonBad enough that we have Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce to put up with, now again we have Tony Abbott. May David Pocock make a success of his proposed party.John Walsh, WatsoniaThe appeal of the teals is that they are not a political party, they need to be careful what they wish for.Bruce McMillan, GrovedaleI thought that the point of the teal independents was their independence – from party lines and, if necessary, from each other.Les Aisen, ElsternwickOhhh, another party. Will it be a ″⁣come as you are and a no gift″⁣ party?Myra Fisher, Brighton EastJust how jolly “entitled” can you be, using taxpayers’ money to attend son’s wedding (″⁣Senator billed taxpayers to attend her son’s wedding″⁣, 25/5)?Carole Ruta, BenallaPeople voting for One Nation are voting against Labor and the LNP, not for One Nation.Michael Brinkman, VentnorFurthermoreIt beats me why the news media make headlines out of Donald Trump’s utterances. The media should only report on his actions, not his ravings, lies and fiction.Alan Williams, Port MelbourneWith the public transport fares going from free back to half price from June, will the fines for not having a ticket also be half the cost?John Murray, Hawthorn EastScott Pendlebury: 433 games, player 10 for the Pies — 4+3+3=10. A perfect 10.Jenny Bone, Surrey HillsThe bird count at the MCG on Saturday showed a massive majority of Magpies, a late influx of seagulls and a smattering of tired eagles.Bryan Fraser, St Kilda WestFrom our partners