The Age argues in its recent editorial that the sheer dishonesty of the leaders' recent scare campaigns show a disdain for the intelligence and sophistication of voters. Those who seek the public's trust should trust the public.
It would appear Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten think voters, or a lot of them, are witless to the point of stupidity. The shrillness and sheer dishonesty of the leaders' recent scare campaigns not only show a disdain for the intelligence and sophistication of voters, but are a cynical trashing of the very notion that should be at the heart of lawmaking and governance.
Worse, indicating the unexpected tightness of the election, our Prime Minister is knowingly misrepresenting Labor's policies on border protection. For years, both the Coalition and Labor have competed to produce harsh and even cruel policies to prevent people seeking asylum reaching Australia by boat. Both sides repeat the lie that it is unlawful to seek asylum in such a way.
Mr Turnbull would have voters believe that were Mr Shorten and his team elected, a flood of people seeking asylum would arrive in people smugglers' boats.
While Mr Shorten would have voters believe the Coalition has plans to dismantle Australia's successful universal healthcare system, despite the Coalition's ongoing unambiguous policy support for the fundamental elements of the system. Mr Shorten has done the nation a disservice, as the Coalition has now shied from looking to improve the system's efficiency by outsourcing some administration.
Mr Shorten has in effect shut down sensible debate about the evolution of universal healthcare in a growing and ageing population.
