Labor team steps up

Gotcha moments, remembered for much longer than they deserve to be, denigrate political discourse. John Hewson regrets the journalistic questions posed by often inexperienced media buddies of one side of politics to wedge the leader on the other (“Economical with the truth”, April 23-29). Gotcha politicians rely on the “gaffe” being written and talked about for the duration. Hewson points to the example of the economic figures on employment and cash rate asked of Anthony Albanese in week one of the campaign. Having made it all about leadership, there is little realisation by our hubris-stoked government politicians of what a leader actually is. She or he is the person with the vision, leading a team and relying on the member with the relevant shadow portfolio, such as Katy Gallagher. The Labor leader must be comforted in his week of isolation to know that the experienced team he leads is there, answering the questions.

– Joanna Jaaniste, Lilyfield, NSW