Many Australians would find it difficult to wholeheartedly agree with George Brandis that the war in Ukraine is “a war in which Australian interests are threatened” (“Ukraine war’s no ‘faraway’ conflict”, September 23). Locally, the thinking no longer exists that we have a significant role to play in far-removed conflicts, particularly as the current war in Ukraine has its origins in historical tensions and badly managed NATO expansion. Ukraine has been far from a model democracy, and our past and ongoing support is appropriate in conjunction with other Western powers. Brandis is correct to mention that cyberwarfare could be a threat to us. However, it is far more likely if that is to occur, the source will be much closer to us than Russia. Ross Butler, Rodd Point
I applaud George Brandis’s insightful article. He wisely says that the war being fought in Ukraine has far wider global consequences than any other conflict. The country needs our support now, including re-opening our embassy in Kyiv. It is disgraceful our Department of Defence is auctioning off critical weapons instead of sending them to help to defend the citizens of Ukraine. No one wants conflict, but as the late president John Kennedy said in the 1960s, “the Soviet Union recognises and respects only one obstacle to its ambitions, and that is the strength of its opponents”, and we need “to achieve peace through strength”. Narelle Ryan, Woollahra
George Brandis has views about the war in UkraineCredit: Liliana Zaharia
George Brandis, or anyone else on his side of politics, is never in a position to lecture anyone about “indifference”. Not after “lifters and leaners”, the demonisation and scapegoating of hapless minorities, fearmongering about immigrants, climate intransigence and certainly not after robo-debt. Adrian Connelly, Springwood
Today, I find myself amazed, surprised and absorbed by the opinion piece by George Brandis. My disagreements with the former conservative government minister were numerous, but after reading this articulate, well-researched piece I am almost ready to forgive and forget. Tim Jurd, Hurlstone Park
George Brandis’ words are, alas, a valid view for Australia. In a fast-shrinking world, and with experts arguing that global confrontation is set to grow, indeed, “No man is an island”. In today’s new Cold War era, it does not help that geopolitical and military pacts are favoured instead of the “jaw-jaw is better than to war-war” wise approach. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood
Tragedies laid bare
Thankfully, social and independent media have lifted the veil, revealing the truths and the realities of the war on Gaza (Letters, September 23) despite recent attempts to shut down the voices of Al Jazeera (“Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau raided, ordered to shut”, September 23). The Australian public is becoming better educated and more aware of the many complex reasons for this conflict’s never-ending horrors, and of the interests being represented by other powers. Tragically, your correspondent illustrates vividly why there is little prospect for peace at present. Vanessa Tennent, Oatley
Your correspondent’s defence of Israel states that Israel targets only terrorists while evacuating citizens. Latest figures indicate more than 40,000 casualties, including many children. The world does not deny Israel’s right to retaliate, but it does not agree to indiscriminate carnage. Gavin Williamson, Narrabeen
Regardless of which side of the fence you sit, it is the horrific atrocities perpetrated on innocent children and citizens who bear the brunt of those decision-makers who look at these folk as collateral damage. It cannot go on. There will be no winners, just losers seeking revenge in the years to come. Stop this senseless, barbaric conflict now. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
According to your correspondent, “Israel only targets terrorists while evacuating civilians”. With a Palestinian death toll in excess of 41,000, which includes women and children, I have some difficulty with that proposition. Criticism of the actions of Israel is not, as he asserts, “Holocaust denial”, it is a recognition of the reality of what Israel is doing. Graham Cochrane, Balmain
The order by Israeli soldiers to close down the operations of Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank (“Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau raided, ordered to shut”, September 23) suggests to me that Israel is afraid of the truth about its lethal actions in the West Bank and beyond being revealed to millions of people around the world. Israeli authorities may regard the Qatar-funded news organisation as biased against them. As a subscriber to Al Jazeera, I have seen no evidence of bias either for or against Israel: it simply reports a comprehensive collection of the facts. Israel’s actions are way over the top. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT)
Live in the moment
Deep down, most of us are aware that things are not good in the parenting department these days (“Has parenting become too hard? Yes, say some experts”, September 23) with overly intensive ways of bringing up kids resulting in overly anxious humans. For a child, times of being heard and truly acknowledged by a parent can be far more nourishing and life-enhancing than racing around four or five times a week transporting to sporting venues or other activities. The present moment is essentially all we have, and we need to get in touch and make the most with our kids for the health and sanity of everyone. Judy Finch, Taree
Just the beginning ...Credit: Getty Images
There are so many intruders into family life. Social media presents so many opportunities for invaders to evade the natural moat around the family unit. The family is the cornerstone of society. A thriving family leads to a self-assured society. Parents today are quite involved with the extracurricular activities of their children. Every Saturday, all over Sydney, there are sporting activities that involve the family unit. More families are introducing meditation time that involves all the family. Many people are saying children are natural meditators. People experience the innate power of togetherness and quiet. Michael Kennedy, West Pymble
It’s not the school hours that are unsustainable; kids have always had to attend school. What’s changed is that now both parents work and it’s the lack of flexibility with standard work hours that needs adjusting. What works would vary from industry to industry, but now that many people have options to work from home, it would make sense that the 9 to 5 working days get some tweaks. As an example, what about work hours from 7am to 7pm with parents able to opt in to, say, 7am to 3pm, or 10am to 6pm? This won’t work for every industry, but it could be a starting point. Angela Namoi, Crows Nest
Don’t be silly, Sarah Berry and experts. Parenting has always been too hard. Just ask Ken and Esme Hosking (both deceased). Robert Hosking, Paddington
Vision of the future
The growth driven by the Metro validates the old saying, “build it and they will come” (“Metro line eases strain on heavy trains”, September 23). Hopefully, this acts as the paradigm shift Sydney needs to stop building motorways. Instead, we should invest in state-of-the-art mass transit to not only entice people out of their homes or their cars, but to encourage transport-oriented development around stations - it could help the housing crisis. Kin-Yat Lo, Croydon
Greens wrong over rate-setting
So the Greens want the politicians to set interest rates again (“Greens’ ‘deal or no deal’ to Chalmers”, September 23). Obviously, they were no good at history in school. Either that, or they think politicians are smarter and more selfless these days. There was a good reason the ability to set interest rates was given to an independent body, namely, the RBA, as the pollies could not be trusted to set the rate for the benefit of the economy/community and not their own political interests. Ron Wessel, Mount St Thomas
Treasurer Jim Chalmers versus the GreensCredit: Alex Ellinghausen
As a former economics teacher and an active participant for the Greens during elections, I am so disappointed that they should demand a specific outcome from monetary policy, a process that, by definition, must be independent of politics. Ferdo Mathews, Robina (Qld)
If the Greens are concerned enough to support the government’s attempts to restructure the Reserve Bank for the good of the country, then they should do that rather than play politics like the Coalition. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
It will be interesting to see how Greens voters react to the party’s “our way or the highway” attitude to legislation at the next election. As they have no chance of forming government, will they let their second preferences do the talking, or switch their vote to the party which most reflects their beliefs? It will be a referendum on the leadership of Adam Bandt. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill
Fight fire with fire
The amount of planning by the RFS that goes into a hazard reduction burn is extensive (“RFS racing to reduce fire risk”, September 23). The RFS has accumulated a lot of knowledge from previous hazard reduction burns and it has also gained more aerial units for bringing fires under control. It may be that a wind change on the weekend contributed to the hazard reduction burn going out of control. Yes, smoke from hazard reduction burns does contribute to pollution, but out-of-control fires contribute much more. Nobody wants to relive the experience of the fires in 2019. David Warren, Goonengerry
End virus fake news
We can never be prepared enough for any threat of a pandemic (“State less ready than 2020 to deal with a pandemic”, September 23). I am proud of the scientists and public officials who kept so many of us safe from the threat of COVID-19 yet as uncovered in the review of NSW Health’s response to the pandemic, disinformation can undo all the work good of science and public health officials. We need more resources, targeted against the scourge of misinformation, and maybe stronger penalties for individuals and social media platforms that spread it. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
It would help if some things such as availability of intravenous fluids, waiting times in emergency departments, surgery waiting times and a better remunerated nursing workforce are all fixed by the time the next pandemic comes. Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay
Benefits of no fares
Your correspondent (Letters, September 23) is right in saying there is no such thing as a free lunch. However, a cheaper commute should translate into more public transport users and fewer cars on the road. Wouldn’t the additional cost then be offset by less pollution, reduced road wear and tear, fewer traffic accidents and hopefully cheaper car insurance? In fact, wouldn’t it be interesting to know how it would play out economically over the long term if we made all public transport free, especially when factoring in the long-term health costs of pollution and accidents. John Mizon, Collaroy
Lobby for nature
Whales need our help.
Ross Gittins writes about lobbyists who try to influence government policy for their own benefit (“Scare tactics from lobbyists won’t wash with voters”, September 23). The only lobbyists I want are those who push for renewable energy to try to diminish the effects of climate change. This morning I walked with many barefoot whale watchers. We exchanged directions to focus on as a stream of whales passed by with fabulous breaches and large splashes. We must do our best to save these spectacular displays from nature for future generations. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Stain on Sirius
The stained wood “embellishments” to the Sirius building (Letters, September 23) have destroyed the character of a once great building. Ian Falconer, Turramurra
Squatters right
Helen Reddy’s “I am woman, hear me roar” echoed in my head reading the story of the women who established a women’s shelter by simply “grabbing” two vacant houses (“An oasis for women fleeing violence”, September 23). It makes a mockery of all the red tape in which government bodies frequently indulge to help a marginalised society. Elizabeth Maher, Fiddletown
On thin ice
Pesto, world-wide cute appeal
The penguin chick Pesto (“Roly-poly penguin is a huge star”, September 23), its happy feet securely supported in a climate-controlled enclosure, is clocking up millions of views on social media ... so cute. Juxtaposed is the plight of more than 9000 emperor penguin chicks drowned in the 2022 breeding season by a break-up of ice sheets. The cause? Climate going out of control. Perhaps the pluck of Pesto can be used to draw millions towards the plight of penguin colonies facing a future on very thin ice. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Tupperware wear
Your correspondent (Letters, September 23) is correct in his comments about putting your Tupperware in the dishwasher. Some of mine is nearly 60 years old, too; it’s still used almost daily and is still in good condition. It’s washed the old-fashioned way, in the sink, by hand. Since dishwashers have become so common in households, so has the composition of the Tupperware products changed, and the latter products are designed to withstand such cleaning at high temperatures in the dishwasher. Some friends of mine will not have anything in their kitchen that cannot go in the dishwasher – well, I won’t be passing my Tupperware on to them. One go in the dishwasher, and the Tupperware is ruined. Mia David, Wollongong
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