Lessons for Australia from US election result

November 7, 2026 — 8:00pm

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Lessons for Australia
As the dust settles on the US midterm elections, which resulted in the Democrats winning control of both houses in the US Congress, there are lessons for us in the Australian context. Those of us who prefer their politics in the sensible middle hope the repudiation of Donald Trump is replicated in the Victorian elections this month and the next federal election with the repudiation of Pauline Hanson’s extreme right-wing populism and One Nation. Can the Democrat wave reach our shores?
Nick Toovey, Auckland, NZ

Hubris without bounds
Your correspondent (Letters, 6/11) accurately describes Donald Trump, the vainglorious US president who will be adjudged the worst president in the history of the US.
His hubris knows no bounds and he cannot and will not accept responsibility for the harm his ill-thought-out actions cause. It is very doubtful that any post-Trump government will honour his presidency with triumphal arches or naming important government buildings after him.
He has therefore taken it upon himself, with the aid of his handpicked lackeys, to raise monuments to himself and to try to add his name to monuments commemorating past revered presidents.
Harry Kowalski, Ivanhoe

Vulnerable targets
Your correspondent (Letters, 6/11) asks if the RBA has given enough time to judge the impact of previous interest rate rises. The RBA should also explain why a prolonged period of an underlying inflation rate of 3.6 per cent is more damaging than a prolonged period of unemployment above the full employment rate. Yes, over the long run high inflation reduces the wealth of everyone. But an extended period of unemployment can have lifelong impacts on people.
″⁣The economy″⁣ is but the sum total of the individuals and businesses within it. Our system seems to be designed to sacrifice some individuals so the remainder can be better off. The RBA’s inflation target range is 2 per cent – 3 per cent. An underlying rate of 3.6 per cent, even if stubborn, doesn’t intuitively seem high, or at least not high enough to inflict mortgage stress and unemployment on those least likely to benefit from a rate within the target.
Brendan Harrison, Soldiers Hill

Change the system
The Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has stated that an unemployment rate of 4.5 to 5 per cent is required to cool stubborn inflation and ease wage pressures. This means our current monetary policy framework relies on a deliberate percentage of the population being out of work for the broader financial good of the country.
If a certain level of joblessness is deemed structurally necessary to keep the Australian economy stable, unemployed people deserve fairer compensation.
When human wellbeing is treated shoddily in the race to reach economic targets and protect corporate profit margins, we do not just curb inflation – we actively deepen social inequality.
If our economic system requires a segment of our society to be unemployed to stay functional, the very least we can do is ensure our social safety net prevents them from falling into poverty.
Jennie Epstein, Little River

New order needed
I read that a ″⁣bold new economic agenda to drive productivity and investment″⁣ is required (Niki Savva, 5/11). Time after time, workers are told that productivity needs to be increased, and time after time, business takes the bulk of that increased productivity, with a tiny proportion going to those who produce the increase. A bold new economic agenda would ensure that those who produce the increase are the beneficiaries.
Vaughan Greenberg, Chewton

Mean-spirited PM
Anthony Albanese looks mean-spirited in not offering Senator Fatima Payman the same number of staff as other independents. The least he could do is to set up an independent body so that it removes his power of getting concessions from independents for their voting powers.
Alan Inchley, Frankston

Ray of sunshine
On this grey morning, Megan Herbert’s cartoon (6/11) was a ray of sunshine. It made me laugh, and I expect shall be having a quiet giggle all day. Thank you Meagan.
Veronica Paskins, Somers

Jess, heed Jeff
Jess Wilson needs to take note of Jeff Kennett’s advice that victory is not in the bag and too much arrogance can be her downfall. Answering questions and releasing her costings is expected by the voter. Walking away from questions does not instil confidence in an inexperienced politician.
Wilma Buccella, Hawthorn

Never assume anything
I recently received an unsolicited email from the Liberal Party signed by Jess Wilson and my electorate’s endorsed Liberal candidate entitled ″⁣Important Electoral Information″⁣.
Included in it they assert: ″⁣We know you’re angry, you should be.″⁣ Whether I am and should be or not is entirely irrelevant. What is relevant is the explicit presumption on their part that I am, without any evidence to justify it. They do not know me nor do they know what I think on any subject, let alone matters to do with Victorian politics and the upcoming election. If any politician thinks such correspondence will make me more likely to vote for them, they are sadly mistaken.
Kevin Bailey, Croydon

Impunity and defence
When people such as your correspondent (Letters, 6/11) say they hope Israel’s impunity ends, they really mean Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorists the same way any other country would do in the same circumstances.
The claim is simply untrue. To give just some examples, the UN and some of its agencies pass more motions about Israel than every other country combined.
The UN Human Rights Council also has a permanent agenda item devoted solely to Israel and a unique standing commission of inquiry, made up of veteran anti-Israel activists, which pumps out skewed reports all but ignoring the terrorist groups Israel defends against. The UN has a massive bureaucracy devoted to advancing the Palestinian cause. Countless NGOs do the same. Meanwhile, genuine human rights-abusing countries slip under the radar. If that’s impunity, I can’t imagine what scrutiny would look like.
Danny Samuels, Malvern

Insane spending
Governments of both colours can instantly find billions for a nuclear submarine we may never receive, to counter a threat that may never eventuate. But we are too cash-strapped to provide psychiatric beds for the most seriously unwell. That is surely an insane choice.
Kairen Harris, Brunswick

Picked up a pencil, wrote
My late parents were primary school teachers. I can’t remember being taught how to use a pencil or pen (Letters, 5/11). I just picked up the pencil and wrote.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East

The German word for it
Regarding Donald Trump’s woes, Inow have a better understanding of the German word “schadenfreude″⁣.
Kevin Brown, Moonlight Flat

Weighty decision
Your correspondent’s choice to avoid voting for major parties is an important right, but the consequences are important, too (Letters, 6/11). These parties made Australia great and deserting them in difficult times should not be taken lightly.
David Wright, Launceston, Tas

Wishful thinking
Surely those actually making money out of the interest rate rise will begin sharing with those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Bruce Dudon, Woodend

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