Once again, Coalition leader Peter Dutton’s choice to divide the community for political gain has had serious consequences (“Caravan bomb plot was a gang con job: police”, March 11). This time was particularly egregious. Instead of seeking a briefing from police, he chose to build division and fear in the community. The result was a boon to organised crime and a country on edge. We should not be surprised. At every opportunity, Dutton has chosen division over cohesion, fear over reassurance and politics over people. It’s part of his make-up and his politics. He won’t change. Dutton has once again proven he is not fit to lead our diverse, multicultural nation through the difficult times ahead. He has removed any doubt. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga
For someone who had a career in the police and who has often recounted stories from that time, Dutton seems to have lacked any “antenna” about the caravan of explosives. After a couple of days, it was more than a reasonable guess that the whole thing was not the plot suggested by Dutton and some community leaders, who were simply exaggerating a stupid incident for their own ends. Of course, Dutton has form in this area, namely the black gangs in Melbourne, the Voice and anything Labor wants to do. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights
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Were Peter Dutton and Liberal senator James Patterson the only people in Australia who thought the caravan “terrorist” plot was actually real? Jack Amond, Cabarita
If Dutton wants to come over as a strong leader, perhaps he needs to emulate Anthony Albanese, who had the strength to resist the populist response to the “terrorist in a caravan”. Trusting the appointed police officers to do their job, patience and a cool head may not grab the headline, but it gets results. Peter Hull, Katoomba
So the incidents that have caused distress among our Jewish community and led to legislation, which will severely impact civil liberties of speech and protest, have been exposed as criminal conspiracies unrelated to antisemitism. The criminals involved must be prosecuted with vigour – and the legislation their activities inspired needs to be reviewed. Paul Pearce, Bronte
Sydney’s Jewish community might feel some relief knowing the caravan packed with explosives wasn’t a real terrorist plot, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was designed to spread fear – and it did. Organised crime figures may have orchestrated this stunt for their own benefit, but they deliberately referenced Jewish targets, knowing exactly the kind of panic it would cause. This comes on top of a string of antisemitic attacks across the city, all aimed at intimidating the Jewish community. Whether motivated by ideology or criminal intent, the result is the same: Jewish residents living with the constant anxiety of being targeted. Calling it a hoax doesn’t undo the harm. The fear is real, and for Sydney’s Jewish community, the message is unmistakable – they are still being singled out. No police statement can change that, but tougher penalties might deter those who seek to spread such fear. John Kempler, Rose Bay
Mal-contents
Malcolm Turnbull’s comments about Trump are mild compared to what could be said about him (“Trump slams Turnbull before call on tariffs”, March 11). It’s unfortunate as to the timing of Turnbull’s comments with the tariff decision in the offing, but indications are that exemptions will be few if any, so trying to cosy up to Trump could be worthless. At the same time, Turnbull is proposing a think tank for business leaders to come up with an action plan for Australia, considering Trump’s disruption of world trade, alliances and Australia’s defence vulnerabilities. It’s commendable, but why does Turnbull have to do it? Obviously, he has decided that the government and the opposition, totally aware of the situation, have taken the “nothing to see here” approach. This has always been Australia’s problem. Stewart Copper, Maroubra
As the last Liberal leader to have both a spine and a functional brain, Malcolm Turnbull’s comments on how to handle Trump simply reaffirm what a caravan of credulous clowns the Coalition have become since his removal. Chris Roylance, Paddington
Malcolm Turnbull, Sally Sara and Donald Trump.Credit: SMH, AP
The ever-precious, pusillanimous (his word) Malcolm Turnbull verbally attacked a female ABC presenter for asking sensible questions about the timing of Turnbull’s hissy-fit about Trump while delicate tariff negotiations are taking place (“Turnbull accuses ABC of being ‘pusillanimous’ over Trump trade questions”, March 11). The former prime minister’s egotistical comments that the ABC is cowardly for asking these questions of him was indicative of his pompous and arrogant attitude. John Nelson, Mudgee
Bravo, Malcolm Turnbull, for standing up to the world’s biggest bully. The whole saga reminds me of the fable of The Emperor With No Clothes. Turnbull has finally told the world what we all know but are afraid to say: President Trump is stark naked. Ruth Pojer, Double Bay
Climate causing insurance crisis
As has become obvious during recent days, the issue of insurance availability and affordability has become a serious problem for many Australians (“Insurers put on notice as Alfred claims rush begins”, March 11). And it’s not going away, as climate-driven extreme weather events become more common. We already know that each degree of warming adds another 7 per cent of water vapour and energy to the atmosphere. Our sea temperatures are already much warmer, which is why ex-cyclone Alfred formed so much further south than previous cyclones. And there will be lots more Alfreds. We can decry the profit-chasing mentality of the insurance companies, with some legitimacy, but the wider truth is that insurance companies, and their reinsurers, have been aware of the science and have done the sums for many years. Can we continue to allow a system that gets more and more expensive, and where fewer and fewer homes and businesses can afford insurance coverage? This is where government leadership will be required. Do we need some form of sovereign wealth fund to underpin the inevitable climate disasters? Do we need a government (taxpayer) underwriting scheme similar to the one I understand applies in New Zealand to cover the risks associated with that country’s regular earthquakes? The reality is that the climate crisis has already arrived, and while we obviously have to reduce our emissions urgently, we have to find ways to manage its inevitable impacts. Catherine Rossiter, Fadden (ACT)
Should we be surprised that, once out of office, politicians and other officials can speak the truth (Climate action is locked in, despite Trump, March 11)? Jonathon Pershing, former US climate envoy, says the world is “locked in on the transition” to renewables. Pershing adds a positive perspective on Australia’s position on climate: “When Australia is in, it brings a rather extraordinary capacity … it has connections back to players that are often at odds with each other”, meaning China and the US. We need to see climate change as a global problem. Peter Dutton does not only have to restate his commitment to the Paris Agreement, he must show Australian voters that he is serious about emissions reduction. This goal is still being kicked down the road by a Coalition ever-divided over even the existence of man-made climate change. Fiona Colin, Malvern East
Correspondent Vivienne Parsons says “climate warriors” have elevated their beliefs into a form of religion (Letters, March 11). On the contrary, climate activists do not have beliefs, they have evidence – as per the science that underpins our civilisation. You may have your beliefs in whatever you like, but if you wish to criticise those who are attempting to save life on earth, then produce your evidence. As a scientist, I don’t care for your beliefs and, as your letter is not backed up by even a scintilla of evidence, say a statistic or two, it is a complete waste of time. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria
Vivienne Parsons – climate change is real. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay
Disappearing beaches
What is to become of our beaches, given the recent alarming coverage in the Herald (“Famed beaches will return after storm”, March 11)? The University of NSW ranks Australia top of the most at-risk countries for beach erosion due to carbon emissions. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate promises “ample golden sand” for Easter. However, replenishment of lost sand is expensive and, as the Herald’s photo shows, little now remains of the 40,000 tonnes of sand deposited outside the Jewel Private Residences in Surfers Paradise in 2015.More broadly, the world is running out of “angular sand”, which is eroded from rock by water and an increasingly scarce and contested global commodity. In addition to climate erosion, some 50 billion tonnes of angular sand are consumed annually through global urbanisation, mainly for use in concrete, glass, asphalt and electronic devices. The rounded sand eroded by wind in vast deserts is plentiful, but almost useless for such purposes. In circular fashion, depletion of angular sand from rivers, lakes and beaches has deleterious consequences for aquifers, flooding and droughts, and it reduces the buffer zone against coastal storms. This exacerbates climate-related damage. From every perspective, effective climate action is imperative for the protection of our beaches. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic)
A view down the Gold Coast’s beaches showing the extent of the erosion.Credit: Justin McManus
Maths anxiety
Let me assure you that maths anxiety is not a new phenomenon, having experienced it at all stages of my academic career on the way to becoming a maths teacher (“Maths anxiety is causing more students to fail and fall behind”, March 11). Supervisors will tell you that the tension before a maths examination is much more pronounced than in any other subject, because it involves problem-solving situations not always possible to predict, hence the anxiety arises from the fear of the unknown. In many disciplines, this is not a factor since it is possible to pre-plan responses even if they are not exactly relevant. The cure, if there is one, is to be well-prepared and drilled in the fundamentals, much the same as a footballer in training for a big match. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne
As a maths teacher and author, I’ve met many people with maths anxiety over the years. I’ve also often been told by people how much they hated maths at school. The truth is that maths doesn’t need to be hard, but it does require teachers to be passionate about their subject and break maths down into manageable steps. A bit of fun doesn’t go astray, too, but I think the best way to give people confidence is when you can explain concepts in easy-to-understand terms. Margaret Grove, Concord
Monster trucks
Why have we allowed those giant, mainly American, truck-type utes into our country? More sensible drivers should not have to pay for expanding parking bays, as cited by Simon Blake (Letters, March 11). These vehicles should be taxed or regulated out of existence, as happens in Europe. And what sort of example does it set to see so many TV ads showing these oversized vehicles charging through pristine country, ripping up hill, bush and beaches, all to give the foreign-owned auto industry more moolah? Australia’s tax incentives have encouraged the wrong mix of vehicle types and the ad revenue is twisting/distorting the much-needed move to non-fossil fuelled vehicles. Ian Bell, Newport (Qld)
Save our car park
When looking at the Goulburn Street car park, I don’t see an “abandoned Soviet hospital”, I see the cheapest parking in the city (“New life for car park beckons”, March 11). I rarely drive into town, but the $12 flat rate after 5pm is terrific if visiting Chinatown with people who have trouble using public transport. Thank you, City of Sydney, but please don’t leave us at the mercy of greedy commercial operators. Eric Scott, Bondi Junction
We already had a well-located apartment complex in Sydney that was within the price range of essential workers – Sirius, another so-called ugly building. It turns out the new, ultra-wealthy occupants don’t seem to mind the building’s aesthetics. What can be done to avoid the same fate for the Goulburn Street car park? Paul Doyle, Glenbrook
Below-belt blow
Some people are appalled about the cost of the Powerhouse party (Letters, March 11). I am more appalled about our government’s $16 million support for the UFC when this could have been better spent on community and kid’s sports. But apparently the “economic benefits” are of greater importance than health issues. Dierk Mohr, South Turramurra
Tolls taxing
How hypocritical for NSW Treasury officials to express concern about the impact to the budget if things are made just a tiny bit fairer for motorists (“Toll road reform plan hid $95b sting”, March 11). Isn’t this the same department that got us into this mess with their dodgy contracts with the toll operators to keep the staggering costs of building toll roads off the books? All that money wasted just to build the recent tollways, which at best save motorists a minuscule amount of time. As the saying goes, NSW Treasury officials know the “cost” of everything, but the value of nothing. Bruce Welch, Marrickville
Monumental waste
We thought we knew about all the wastage that occurred under the previous Coalition government, but now it turns out $500 million was budgeted for an expansion of the Australian War Memorial before a business case had even been completed. This occurred during a period that our war veterans were being seriously neglected. This callous lack of priorities, disrespect and arrogance by the Coalition to our veterans, war dead and opponents of the project, is astonishing. Brian McDonald, Willoughby
The Australian War Memorial.Credit: iStock
After watching the Four Corners episode on the rebuild of the Australian War Memorial, I’m astounded that Kim “Bomber” Beazley, Brendan Nelson and especially the ex-generals in charge of the rebuild don’t know the difference between a war memorial and a war museum. Jeff Evans, Cambewarra
Nuclear fallout
My quote of the week is from Matt Kean, chair of the Climate Change Authority, in response to assertions by Opposition MP Holly Hughes about nuclear and renewable power. “Let me just say I’m not anti-nuclear, but I am anti-nonsense,” he responded on Q+A.
Marjory Ellsmore, Glebe
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