Ace Ash, a drought of likeable MPs, and binary beasts

I am astounded at the maturity of Ash Barty (“Barty to chase new dreams in court of life”, 24/3) at age 25. I don’t think I had that at age 55. An inspiring young woman – go Ash!

Margaret Brabrook, Toowoomba, Qld

Ash Barty, retiring from tennis while ranked world No.1 and with three Grand Slam titles on different court surfaces by age 25, fully deserves to chase new dreams in the court of life (24/3).

Steve Ngeow, Chatswood, NSW

In 50 years of observing federal politics, the performances of Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles this week were the most shambolic and unbecoming of any previous leadership duo of any federal party.

Phillip Nehmy, Noosa Heads, Qld

There use to be politicians who were likeable. What has happened?

Francis Smith, Caulfield North, Vic

The South Australian election is a salutary lesson for the Prime Minister. If Scott Morrison takes the Liberal Party further to the left he can expect to lose his traditional supporter base.

Chas Barter, Lower Mitcham, SA

Note to Alan J. Foulkes (Last Post, 24/3) – all excises are taxes, but not all taxes are excises, so both you and Simon Birmingham are correct.

Paul Connelly, Gawler South, SA

If the mayors of the devastated regions want less damage, they should start by refusing permission to build in known flood-prone areas.

Robyn Manoy, Darling Point, NSW

Looking at a mob of cattle, one gets the impression that they are binary – either bulls or cows. Should they be divided into multiple subsets, like humans?

PR Graham, Moss Vale, NSW

I’m terribly sorry, but how could you possibly name your 25 must-see musical films (“A real song and dance”, 24/3) without including A Hard Day’s Night? No less an authority than film critic Roger Ebert called it “one of the great life-affirming landmarks of the movies”, and that, surely, is an understatement.

Greg Humphries, Townsville, Qld

Having seen passionate protests for Black Lives Matter, George Floyd, Covid-19 and, of course, climate change, it is surprising that the world is not protesting against Putin. We now have the risk of mutually assured destruction, not at the end of the century but today.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

It sounds weak, but the West probably shouldn’t push this man Vladimir Putin too far.

Rod Matthews, Melbourne, Vic