Independents and social change

Tony Windsor nails the problem perfectly (“Rorters, rooters and the country’s lost decade”, April 23-29). There is a culture of greed pervading the groups that are doing nicely. Determined to keep their privileges, their franking credits, the low wages paid to employees, their housing investments, they ignore those people who struggle to pay rent, buy food and keep their children in decent shoes. There is hope with the independent candidates. If they gain some power, we might see a federal ICAC with teeth, aged care with decent food, affordable or free childcare, government schools with adequate funding, real climate change policies, funding for scientific research. Is this too much to ask? Forget the ocean cruises, let’s get rid of poverty. – Gael Barrett, North Balwyn, Vic