It is not likely to be a matter of if Pauline Hanson will fade (“If Hanson fades, this stretch will be memorable for errors”, July 13) but when she will lose more of those voters who have found cost of living measures problematic, along with seeming neglect by the major political parties. The more the voting public learns of Hanson’s destructive policies, and of her association with notorious extremists such as Rupert Lowe and Tommy Robinson, as well as her lavish, Gina Rinehart-supported travel costs, the less inclined they might be to support her. Time and again, she has shown herself incapable of leading a nation. What is most probable is that her support will revert to the 10-11 per cent mark typical of her political career. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne
It is Australian democracy that is prevailing, if One Nation fades. What Hanson and her supporters have not noticed is that Trump’s fascism is toxic in Australia. To the extent that the Coalition has drifted far right, undermining national and international institutions, it too can take notice. Democracy needs a constructive opposition. Anne Eagar, Epping
As today’s volatile ecosystem of social media algorithms and modern communication channels thrust politicians into the spotlight, their polling popularity rises and falls seemingly based on prevailing press commentary and sentiment rather than any transformation of leopard spots. Mary Carde, Parrearra (Qld)
The school dropkick delivers his pitch for election to the students’ council and the school assembly responds with thunderous applause. But in the weeks leading up to the election, common sense begins to trickle through the school and murmuring begins among the students. But you have to have some pity for the dropkick because he was egged-on by shrewd classmates, including one really wealthy kid and a shifty ″campaign″ director. Tony Everett, Wareemba
Pauline Hanson’s bizarre National Press Club address clearly was a wake-up call for many (though one wonders where they’ve been for the past 30 years as Hanson has always shown her colours). But isn’t it also possible that Labor’s budget is not quite as unpopular as we’re being told but has, in fact, generated a surge in the government’s popularity? Taking bold action on inequitable benefits for the well-off to improve housing affordability might not go down well with the noisy top end of town but perhaps many Australians recognise a bold move and appreciate that Labor has had the courage to act. Long may this continue – preferably beginning with a gas super profits tax and a critical assessment of AUKUS. Alison Stewart, Riverview
No surprise behind slump
Pauline Hanson’s fall in the latest Resolve poll is hardly a surprise (″One Nation, Hanson’s popularity fade: poll″, July 13). In one speech at the National Press Club, she managed to alienate large sections of the population, including workers generally (″Lazy and hard to sack″), fans of SBS (she’d sack that, too), and the ABC (privatise it in the cities) and anyone from anywhere else (we all know who she means), to name but a few. With a record like that, it’s hard to see her ever getting the keys to The Lodge. Nick Franklin, Katoomba
The drop in polling support for One Nation and Pauline Hanson is no surprise. It’s very easy to heckle from the wings about what’s wrong and get claps of agreement from the similarly critical. It’s quite another to be able to go on stage and do the show yourself, especially when your own auditions have been so cringingly awful. Government is a tough gig, and while you might get some applause for your cameos, alienating large sections of the ticket-buying audience and fluffing your lines is the surest way to get booed off the stage, even if you have been the understudy for more than 30 years. It seems fitting that, well before any opening night, more than a few heads are turning away from amateur hour and back to the other shows in town. Adrian Connelly, Springwood
It is always good to start the week with a good news story. Perhaps all those who have been enjoying free-to-air soccer on SBS have realised this would not be possible under Pauline’s policies. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
Gee, what a surprise: people born overseas have shifted their support from One Nation. I wonder why? Even so, 26 per cent of those polled still support Hanson’s party, which is still a worry. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury
Pauline speaks, One Nation falls. Thank you, hubris. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
This correspondent has two words – Yee hah! Rose Lysnar, Windsor (Qld)
Who would have thought? While Ms Hanson has an elitist Euro summer break, swanning around with wealthy Russian-loving thugs and faded pop stars, the battlers, immigrants and women back here at home, toughing it out in an Australian winter, go ″yeah nah″. Australians really do see through the smoke and mirror act. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill
Pauline Hanson’s fall is just another example of “give her enough rope”. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle
Degrees of difficulty
Although it is pleasing to see that the Albanese government is forcing universities to fight antisemitism (“Ultimatum to universities on tackling antisemitism”, July 13), the real problem is getting senior management to acknowledge they have a duty to deal with real practical issues of the day as part of their core existence. In another context, the 2025 changes to casuals seeking secure permanent work, where a casual can now request that conversion, universities are fighting tooth and nail to stop the process. I am aware of one such case where the university is arguing before the Fair Work Commission that conversion affects their business model and hence their operational requirements. Last time I looked universities were non-profit institutions. Silly me. Michael Blissenden, Dural
At a time when universities are suffocating under the weight of bureaucracy and managerialism, one must wonder whether the measures being introduced by the Albanese government to combat racism and antisemitism will further stifle their purpose as places of critical enquiry and robust debate. Legal constraints and academic freedom aren’t partners in a marriage made in heaven. If there is a saving grace in the government’s plans, it’s the decision not to impose any particular definition of antisemitism such as that of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Whether the royal commission will succeed in differentiating between antisemitism and criticism of Israel for its policies and actions remains to be seen. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)
Krill bill
The visual story on whales was fascinating (Letters, July 13). Sadly, krill will be seriously depleted unless we stop harvesting it for dubious wellness products. I contacted the Department of Primary Industries to find out more and they sent me many pages and said how concerned they are about krill being overfished because it cannot be farmed. Then I noticed in a pharmacy that there were large containers of krill oil for sale. I asked the pharmacist why, and he said had no choice – he is told by the company to sell it or lose his franchise. Robyn Hansen, Pennant Hills
Bad policy can’t dodge the spin
In which universe is halving health infrastructure spending and reducing education capital expenditure a good idea (“Education, health hit as budget squeezed”, July 13)? Our population is growing, particularly in Western Sydney, and this means new schools and hospitals are needed. Pretending to save money by spending less now just kicks the can down the road with a massive catch-up expenditure required later. Added to this is the disadvantage imposed on those communities denied the new schools and hospitals that they need now. Bad policy is bad policy, no matter how you spin it. Tony Bernard, Manly
Has the state government completely lost the plot? On the one hand, halving spending on health infrastructure. On the other, 300 government pen pushers off for a three-night jolly to Bathurst (“Bureaucrats keep function cost secret”, July 13). Good grief Minns, read the room! Kate Coates, Wangi Wangi
A budget that is reliant on gambling revenue at the expense of social cohesion, and now targets critical infrastructure that is needed to maintain health and public education, shows a government incapable of overseeing the state’s finances. Health and public education are a soft target and reducing spending on these critical infrastructures will affect, and upset, many in the community. John Cotterill, Kingsford
Back to basics
Seeing those children at work, with pencil and paper, seated at flatpack-style desks (“Old-school methods a study in contrast”, July13), busy with their work while their teacher writes on a board, shows a method which might work, particularly in the early and middle years of education. Those running the syllabi and teaching methods for education in NSW and other places have been awash with “innovators” for decades. While advance in techniques is important, many of these bright ideas have been basically silly, but departments have been swept up with their hubris. Remember when basic multiplication learning was trivialised, grammar was unimportant and education was put down to an experience of discovery? Even the animal kingdom knows that discovery comes after basic knowledge. Improvement in education methods is an excellent idea, but the idea of using basic methods at the beginning might prove to be a path to fascinating and deeper understanding, rather than with much of the digital technology, whose novelty is now starting to wear off. Donald Hawes, Peel
There is very little certainty in education generally, and teaching in particular, except the certainty of the cyclic pendulum swing. We have seen it most often and publicly in the teaching of reading. Explicit teaching of phonics and sounding out, the whole word approach, back to phonics and explicit teaching. The pendulum swings to the extreme on each occasion and back and then to a middle ground. Teacher-centred methods, child-centred, experiential methods, inquiry-based, blended/collaborative learning, project-based learning, have all had their time in the sun. The same has happened with the introduction of technology in schools. Schools have proved they can produce the infrastructure to easily enable technology use. They have proven they can even go completely paperless, working instead on digital platforms. They have even proven that teachers can pick up new digital skills and develop them in the classroom. The pendulum has again swung to the extremes and levelled out. Children need a multi-modal approach in learning, and technology is merely one more approach and should be incorporated when needed. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
We should all endorse the actions of the Steiner school in limiting the use of technology in schools. With apologies to Occam Razor, “Technology should not be multiplied without necessity” and “Artificial Intelligence may be good, natural intelligence is better.” Gordon Koch, Ashfield
Senator’s switch
In a 2015 CNN interview US senator Lindsey Graham (“Long-time Republican senator and Trump ally dies at 71”, July 13) said, “You know how to make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.” Fast forward a decade and, realising which side his bread was buttered, Graham joked, “Mr President, you’re not far behind God.” Unfortunately, there are too many others like Lindsey Graham. Mark Paskal, Austinmer
Fuming over diesel
Why on earth are we paying anything towards diesel fuel used by anyone, especially miners (Letters, July 13)? Diesel is probably carcinogenic. Do immoral corporations require taxpayer subsidies? Let’s hope we can see strong Albo perform for the good of the nation. He’s done a sterling job already with house prices, now for some spinach against the big end of town. Ashley Berry, Toolijooa
No right on High
Speaking about road changes (“Transport officials discover road changes ‘on developer’s website’,” July 13), the bad news is motorists can no longer turn right to High Street from the Pacific Highway northbound off-ramp at North Sydney to head to Neutral Bay or Kirribilli. Instead, they now need to proceed to Mount Street. Grr. The good news is at least there’s still pedestrian access – but big deal. Edward Loong, Milsons Point
Incoming digital
Hallelujah, we’ve finally dragged an ancient archaic method into the 21st century (“Orange incoming passenger cards to go digital nationwide”, July 13). The pen may be mightier than the sword, but the humble finger and touch screen rules them all. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
Call me a Luddite, but if the previous digital passenger declaration app is a guide, then until all international flights have reliable, free onboard Wi-Fi, I’d rather spend two minutes manually filling out a passenger declaration card at 35,000 feet than waste two hours of my holiday in a hotel room struggling to upload digital data and images that Australian Border Force deems to be “acceptable”. Col Burns, Lugarno
I used the digital arrivals card three weeks ago for a flight from Tonga to Sydney. The process was a link in the Qantas app when you check in. It worked and was seamless. I only had carry on, and the time from passport control to the footpath was around five minutes. Looks like they have finally got something correct. Terry Cook, Ermington
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