THERE'S only one thing worse than an election campaign and that's a post-election campaign campaign. Sue Currie, Northcote
Politics
IF PARLIAMENT was recalled, and the question put "that the Prime Minister has the confidence of the house", the fence-sitters would make a decision.
Andrew Moloney, Parkdale
THIS stalemate is the result of our democratic process and those who say it's not democratic are really saying the result doesn't suit them. I only wish my electorate also had an independent to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because, unfortunately, things will soon return to normal.
Gary Sayer, Warrnambool
LONG-STANDING climate sceptics are beginning to change their tune. Tony Abbott may find that the journey to government begins with the road to Damascus.
Carolyn Hicks, Brunswick East
IN YESTERDAY'S quick crossword, the clue for 13 across was "bad government". You can imagine my surprise when neither "liberal" nor "labor" would fit. Turned out to be "misrule".
Simon Cox, North Dandenong
WE HAVE had our period of government of the people by capitalists, for profit. Perhaps we can now have government of the people by the people, for the people.
John Souter, Creswick
I DON'T know what the fuss about having a hung parliament is all about. Vietnam had a stable and successful Hung dynasty for about 2500 years.
Greg Hardham, Albury, NSW
AT LEAST with Larry, Curly and Moe, after all the shenanigans you knew how it would turn out.
Bryan Fraser, St Kilda
Victoria
IF JOHN Brumby is determined to improve public transport, surely his first obligation is to install workable, reliable services in our current failing system rather than insisting on providing new railway lines to add to this present debacle.
Nola Martin, Preston
THE TV advertisements for Victoria's transport plan only show public transport projects, while the majority of our state transport budget is spent encouraging people to drive on ever bigger roads. The ads have no imaginable public benefit that could justify their very real public cost.
Chris Goodman, Clifton Hill
Sport
IT SOUNDS like the Pakistani cricket team might have a few dollars to spare for the country's flood victims.
Alexandra Schepisi, Brunswick
OF COURSE John Howard should have been made chief executive of the International Cricket Council. He would have handed out temporary players' visas.
Ingrid O'Sullivan, Reedy Marsh
I AM still amazed how people turned football (basically played between Melbourne suburbs) into a billion-dollar business. That is one of the biggest spins in sport, in the world.
Bosko Marojevic, Oak Park
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What political situation does the article discuss and why does it matter?
The article focuses on a hung parliament and the post-election stalemate, noting calls to recall parliament and comments about fence‑sitters deciding the outcome. For everyday investors, the piece highlights political uncertainty as a topical issue to watch because it can influence government policy direction and debates that affect the economy.
How do readers in the article react to a hung parliament and post‑election campaigning?
The article reproduces reader letters showing mixed reactions: some see a hung parliament as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for independents, others defend the democratic process, and some dismiss the fuss. These varied public views underscore uncertainty about policy direction following an election.
What transport and infrastructure concerns are raised in the article?
Readers criticize the state transport plan coverage in TV ads and question priorities: one letter urges fixing current unreliable public transport services before building new rail lines, while another notes most of the transport budget is spent encouraging driving on bigger roads despite ads focusing on public transport projects.
Does the article mention climate views that investors should note?
Yes. The article includes a reader observation that long‑standing climate sceptics appear to be changing their tune, and it references Tony Abbott in that context. Shifts in public and political attitudes toward climate issues can foreshadow policy changes investors may want to follow.
What examples of public spending or advertising are highlighted in the article?
The article highlights TV advertisements for a state transport plan that showcase public transport projects, while readers point out the bulk of the transport budget is actually spent on road projects and that the ads may not deliver obvious public benefit relative to their cost.
Are there any items about sport or philanthropy that the article mentions?
Yes. The piece includes letters noting the Pakistani cricket team might raise funds for flood victims, a tongue‑in‑cheek comment about John Howard and the International Cricket Council, and a reader who marvels at how local football grew into a billion‑dollar business—points touching on sport, charity and commercialisation.
How could the political stalemate described in the article influence everyday investors?
The article illustrates political stalemate and public debate; everyday investors may find it useful to monitor how that stalemate resolves because changes in government composition or policy priorities (infrastructure, transport, climate) can affect economic planning, regulation and budget allocations over time.
What news topics from the article should investors keep an eye on?
Based on the article, investors might watch: developments from a hung parliament and how fence‑sitters vote, shifts in climate sentiment and policy, transport and infrastructure spending priorities (roads versus public transport), and commercial trends in sport and related public spending or fundraising events.