Matthew Knott writes of Donald Trump distancing himself from Benjamin Netanyahu, but this hardly signals moral courage (“Trump shows he’s not Bibi’s patsy”, May 15). Instead, Trump’s blunt self-interest reveals a harsh truth: global politics rarely prioritises human rights. Trump’s actions – tariffs on Israeli goods, pragmatic deals with Hamas and Iran – aren’t driven by compassion. They’re openly calculated moves, placing American interests first. At least Trump doesn’t pretend to uphold human rights; his crude transactional style strips away diplomacy’s polite facade, exposing the cold logic beneath. Australia, by contrast, proclaims itself a champion of human rights yet silently tolerates Israel’s devastation of Gaza. We’re quick to lecture adversaries on morality, but refuse to hold allies accountable, even in the face of the worst atrocities. Trump’s cynical transparency inadvertently provides clarity: he makes obvious what Australia tries to hide. It’s time our government either acted on its moral claims or admitted it shares Trump’s indifference. Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy (Vic)
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
Matthew Knott’s insightful report suggests the “unpredictable” president may be disengaging from Gaza. That Donald Trump’s representatives have talked directly with Hamas, and have his green light to do so with both Iran and Syria’s interim president Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa – still listed as a “terrorist” back in Washington – is really positive. That he might leave Gaza to Netanyahu’s malign designs is definitely not. Australia should work hard to ensure the unorthodox president assists in the international denial of Israel’s Zionist ambitions and its corollary – freedom for Palestinians. Ken Blackman, Inverloch
PM can make a real difference
What about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese building on his idea for “progressive patriotism” with even bigger plans for uniting the nation (“Patriot gains: PM’s new pitch to hold the centre”, May 15)? Labor has the real prospect of being in power for two more terms, so it could lay out an agenda for the next six years to recognise Indigenous people in the Constitution; reinforce the belief that “we are one” by transitioning to a republic in which Indigenous people, settlers and migrants are united; redesigning the flag by replacing the Union Jack with the Aboriginal flag in the corner; and proclaiming the day on which the republic is declared as Australia Day. Albanese has a real opportunity to make his mark in the history of the nation. John Duff, Lavender Bay
Our prime minister wants to make Australia “a symbol for the globe in how humanity can move forward”. Has his landslide election win gone to his head? He might want to take a quick squiz at education, hospitals, aged care, energy and sustainable agriculture before he calls for his pipe and slippers. Andrew Scott, Pymble
Albo needs to stop navel-gazing about Labor’s grand future and use his record majority to deal with the here and now. Anti-gambling legislation, electoral reform, tax reform, environmental protection and a proper investigation of the robo-debt perpetrators would be a good start. He should also consider rewarding those Muslim community leaders so instrumental in his victory, and all decent Australians, with a serious response to Netanyahu’s destruction of Gaza. Ed Husic was right – the time for timidity is over. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
I strongly support Niki Savva’s criticism of the removal of Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic from the Labor front bench, especially as a constituent of Husic (“Told to wait, Marles blew things up”, May 15). Husic is a good local member, works hard and communicates well in his portfolio. The evidence from the election supports this. While many Labor members in outer western Sydney had negative swings, Husic’s was 6 per cent towards him – almost twice the positive swing towards the prime minister in Grayndler. Al Svirskis, Mount Druitt
Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong at a press conference in Perth this week.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
If patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, I’m not sure that making it progressive is much help. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Progressive patriotism. Is this an oxymoron? Deidre Bear, Nambucca Heads
Energy renewed
Let’s hope the Albanese government now has the confidence and courage (it certainly has the mandate) to listen to Ross Garnaut (“This is our chance for real change”, May 15). After a decade of subsiding coal power generation, following 20 different energy policies in eight years from the Coalition when in power, leading to uncertainty and discouraging investment in renewable energy and storage, we have the opportunity to reduce global emissions by 10 per cent and “generate export income vastly larger than are now provided by gas and coal industries”. Investment and cheaper renewable energy should progress to a degree that it would silence the fossil fuel supporters and climate deniers in the Coalition, and make the whole nuclear power thought-bubble irrelevant. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl
Ross Garnaut’s assertion that Australia has the potential to become a major green energy superpower hinges on one key word – could. There are problems with the economics of green hydrogen generation at scale. In part, this is apparent in Fortescue abandoning its hydrogen production project and directing resources towards further research. As Garnaut said, with the overwhelming support for the renewable-friendly Labor government, there exists a window in which green energy industries can progress with greater certainty. Without delay, we need to identify the limiting technological factors in profitable large-scale hydrogen production, handling and storage. Then, with appropriate support through the Hydrogen Headstart Program, substantially strengthen Australia’s world-class research capabilities in green hydrogen production. Australia’s immense green superpower potential “could” then be achieved with greater certainty. Roger Epps, Armidale
US-based Hyzon Motors has developed a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell-powered truck.Credit: Eddie Jim
What an excellent summary of the problem with modern politics from Ross Garnaut, where short-term attack has been favoured over “development of knowledge-based solutions”. It is approaching two decades since Professor Garnaut presented us with the opportunities of a carbon-free economy, which would accompany the environmental and health benefits. The prime minister has been keen to draw on the Labor Party’s record of change. It is time to add a successful renewable-powered economy to the list. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
The silence from Liberal and National MPs after Woodside admitted to releasing 200 kilograms of plastic waste into the ocean was interesting (“How parts of a dead gas rig washed up on our beaches”, May 15). Just months ago, members of the Coalition were telling us we couldn’t have offshore wind turbines in Australia, partly because pieces of fibreglass might drop into the ocean (which seemed odd given there are 300,000 fibreglass boats in Australia). I look forward to the Liberal and National parties calling out Woodside and opposing offshore gas developments, which require seismic blasting and actually do affect whales. Sarah Brennan, Hawthorn (Vic)
Vote for fairness
Correspondent Malcolm McEwen labels our preferential voting system “absurd” (Letters, May 15). I would argue it is more absurd for someone to win a seat even though most voters preferred to have another candidate as their local member, as in the first-past-the-post system. Preferential voting helps give a fair go to all candidates, so voters can vote for whomever they like without fearing an advantage to a major opponent they do not desire. Without it, we rob voters of genuine choice and risk entrenching a US-style duopoly. Our voting system should be a source of national pride, not something to be ashamed of. Anshu Joshi, Wollstonecraft
Malcolm McEwen attributes the closeness of the Bradfield vote to “our absurd preferential voting system”. Surely he is not advocating the less representative “first past the post” voting system? Look no further than the US to see what it produces. Vince Taranto, Roselands
Perhaps Malcolm McEwen would prefer we introduce a more American-style system of voting. First past the post wins, and perhaps allow the local governing party to adjust electoral boundaries to suit themselves, tinker with booths, vote midweek so that fewer people can vote and a bag full of other tricks. Like many Australians, I am sure, I am proud of our system of preferential, compulsory voting managed by an independent AEC, ensuring democracy and smooth transition of power. Kevin Tanner, Potts Point
Our preferential voting system should be a source of national pride, writes Anshu Joshi.Credit: Brook Mitchell
A couple of weeks back, I wrote that a vote for an independent was a wasted vote. Since Labor’s overwhelming win, if the independents were irrelevant then, they are totally without influence now. They now play no part in either government or opposition. Had they stood as Coalition candidates they would have been elected anyway and would, quite possibly, be appointed shadow ministers, thereby strengthening the opposition. If I were them, I’d be picking up the phone to Sussan Ley and asking to come in for a chat. Peter Thornton, Killara
Still ‘no’ idea
One thing that the Coalition should have learned from the election was that the electorate was fed up with negativity (Letters, May 15). In the three years that he led the opposition, Peter Dutton stood against almost every substantive proposition from the Albanese government. The label “No-alition” stuck because it was so apt. By contrast, the teals, sitting on the cross bench, were prepared to work with the government to get good outcomes by suggesting improvements to legislation. In the House of Representatives, the teals truly represented their electorates, not a party machine or lobby group. Judging from comments by new Liberal leaders Sussan Ley and Ted O’Brien, the lessons from their heavy election loss have not been learnt. Not once have they acknowledged that the Albanese team has a mandate to govern. Not once have they acknowledged that the electorate has soundly rejected their half-baked nuclear power plan. Their comments have all been about developing a plan to take to the 2028 election. How about telling us what you are going to do in Parliament for the next three years? Are you going to work with the government to implement reform, or are we going to see No-alition Mark II? Mike Reddy, Vincentia
Lofty ambitions
“I know there’s a lot of Australians who’d love to see [me as PM],” says Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (“Price backed out of vote: team Taylor”, May 15). The senator is clearly lodged in her own exclusive bubble. The problem is, it’s the same bubble that has just spectacularly popped for the Coalition. The woman proud of her role in dividing the nation and tanking the Voice, whose views are more aligned with Trump’s America and who was elected in 2022 with a meagre 3309 personal votes may not be the messiah she imagines. Pariah, more likely. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Thankfully, Mark Nugent, a good deal less than half of us watch Sky “news” (Letters, May 15). Where many people get their news these days is a mystery to me, but I prefer credible sources like The Sydney Morning Herald and ABC, whatever their shortcomings, as opposed to far-right propaganda that suggests Senator Nampijinpa Price may be a preferred prime minister. Colin Hesse, Nowra
Daycare disgrace
Six-year-old Stevie Scott’s Mum should sue, but if she were considering delaying that in order for the ramifications of the child’s plight to become clear, the risk of Affinity Education Group going bust is not insignificant (“Frankie thought her daughter was safe at daycare. Her child’s life changed forever”, May 15). As a solicitor, I believe she should, for the sake of all children, cause the claim to proceed to full trial and judgment, eschewing all settlement offers, so that the evidence is fully aired because it would be an abject lesson. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
Stevie, 6, has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and will require a transplant in the coming years.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Hard truth
The statement “Despite underlying tensions, our two countries share a dynamic friendship that has endured through conflict and catastrophe” requires unpacking (“Albanese’s first overseas trip shows Indonesia’s importance has not declined”, May 15). One tension is that five Australia-based reporters – the Balibo Five – were murdered by the Indonesian military 50 years ago this year. In 2007, the last of numerous inquiries named the soldiers who killed them, yet no Australian government has had the spine to confront Jakarta. The “conflict and catastrophe” surely includes Australian governments’ silence as 183,000 Timorese met violent deaths in the years after Indonesia’s invasion, the event on which the newsmen were attempting to report. Real friendship requires truth. Sister Susan Connelly, Croydon
Let’s be fair
Any doubt I had about the role of selective schools in our education system was confirmed by the Herald‘s article (“Parents rage at ‘unfair’ selective test”, May 15). Parents are apparently “raging” because some kids are allowed a second chance at the test, described as “probably one of the most important events in a kid’s life”. Seriously parents, get a grip. If your child is bright and has a love of learning, and you love and support them, they will be okay. Letting kids know that life can be unfair is a lesson that no amount of study can teach. That comes from us, yes, parents. Elizabeth Darton, Lane Cove West
Homes for all
Rozelle residents, please spare a thought for those who live in Pyrmont (“Balmain Leagues site to get 227 new homes”, May 15). The old fish markets site at Blackwattle Bay is fingered for redevelopment, comprising high podiums topped with 36-storey towers, with nary an affordable apartment proposed. A number of us are campaigning for part of this site to be subdivided to provide public/affordable housing in perpetuity, not the temporary “affordable” (whatever that means) housing proposed for the former Balmain Leagues Club site. All publicly owned sites across Sydney available for housing development should include a portion for public/affordable housing. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont
The revised proposal for Rozelle Village, on the Balmain Leagues Club site.
Stamp out corflutes
The thousands of political corflutes seen at election time pollute the environment forever. It’s a sad indictment that those who vie for our votes assume we will be swayed by the brief distraction they provide. Most people think long and hard before choosing a candidate. Corflutes are targeted at the rare few who make up their minds at the last minute – and at what environmental cost? Let’s stop producing them. Elections are a serious responsibility, not a trip to the shopping centre. And for your next election duties, please readers, don’t forget to return your ballot preference handouts before you leave the voting centre so that they can be redistributed to the next person. Joseph Ting, Carina (Qld)
Mystery gull
At Maroubra beach recently, my wife and I saw a friendly seagull which had a band on one leg and a small computer-like disc neatly on its back. I have unsuccessfully tried many sources to try to learn the purpose of the disc. Can any readers help me? Graham Russell, Clovelly
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