PM’s migration policy kowtows to the right

It is disappointing that the prime minister is following Pauline Hanson and Angus Taylor in his approach to migration (“Albanese pledges to keep reducing migration as third poll puts One Nation in lead”, June 9). His government has also quietly imposed a severe cut in issuing international student visas. With his huge majority, PM Anthony Albanese is in a position to show real leadership and argue the case for the benefits of migration. Hawke, Keating and Rudd would surely not have fallen victim to right-wing populism. Tony Simons, Balmain

I wonder how Anthony Albanese came to a figure of 225,000 when deciding how much to reduce migration numbers. Hopefully it’s not just to attract One Nation and other xenophobic voters. It’s definitely not for social cohesion. Hanson is wagging the dog and Labor is serving us up a dog’s breakfast of knee-jerk policy and blatant migrant-bashing. Beverley Fine, Pagewood

Paul Sakkal’s article inadvertently shines the light on all that is wrong with the current Coalition parties (“Taylor blames Albanese’s budget for plummeting Coalition vote as One Nation surges” June 9). In a twisted piece of logic, Liberal leader Angus Taylor blames Labor for the rise in support for One Nation. The new Liberal Party director, Lincoln Folo, has come up with the glib idea that members need to be more “active” in their communities. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has suggested that the party start listening to voter’s anxiety (who knew?). Nationals leader Matt Canavan, predictably, had nothing to offer other than accuse the government of lying after their budget. Liberal president Tony Abbot, in an inspiring directive, has “called for calm”. Nowhere in any of these responses do we see a shred of a policy on anything or a belated acceptance that perhaps renewable energy initiatives are far preferable to fossil fuels. At this rate, not only will One Nation thrive but the Coalition will disappear down the vortex of its growing irrelevance. Robert Hickey, Green Point

I’m both bemused and amused by Angus Taylor laying the blame for the Liberal Party’s decline on Anthony Albanese and Labor. When we consider Tony Abbott’s unrelenting negativity, Scott Morrison’s lack of empathy and Peter Dutton’s dearth of policies, the obvious conclusion is that the Liberals brought their ill-fortune on themselves. In addition, the Liberals appear to have a misogyny problem. Given these factors, the leader of the opposition should have a good, long look in the mirror to see the real reason for the demise of the Liberal Party. Blaming others for your own mistakes is