ALP wrong to abandon Israel, the Mid-East’s only democracy

ALP wrong to abandon Israel, the Mid-East’s only democracy

Peter Dutton is right to warn that Labor’s skewed Israel stance threatens the very essence of Western civilisation. Israel is the only democracy in its region and hence the sole bulwark against the continuing threat of tyrannical and inhumane Islamic hegemony well beyond the boundaries of the Middle East. A diminished Israel, precipitated by Labor’s recent vote at the UN, is a disaster in the making for all peace-loving nations.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

With the election of one of the most left-wing governments in many decades, we have witnessed the complete abandonment of previous bipartisanship over Israel. This has gathered impetus since October 7.

It was initially illustrated with the refusal of our PM to visit the sites of the atrocities. It was also illustrated in the failure of the government to take any action in respect of the disgraceful anti-­Semitic rally at the Sydney Opera House.

The most striking example of this animus has been Labor’s support of anti-Israel resolutions by the deeply compromised General Assembly of the UN, including the latest absurd resolutions supported by Australia. These UN resolutions make no mention of the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas

Alan Franklin, St Ives, NSW

Feeble economics

With Christmas looming and blackouts threatening, the cost of living is rising and the food and electricity bills leave little room in many households for celebration this festive season (“Public spending props up the weakening economy”, 5/12). Rebates to ease the typical household budget crisis is a critical indicator that the economy is in trouble.

The Albanese government seems likely to double down on its current spending failures and will continue to throw good money after bad. Next year could be a defining moment in the prosperity of the nation.

If Labor and the Greens win government, our current decline in living standards will accelerate as neither party has demonstrated any understanding of responsible economic management.

Tom Moylan, Dudley Park, WA

Environmental failures

The Environmental Defenders Office is facing scrutiny for its conduct during the court case it pursued on behalf of the Tiwi Indigenous group against the Barossa Gas project. The judge’s findings were damning, highlighting significant concerns about the EDO’s approach to the justice system.

Notably, the EDO has remained silent in response – offering no apology or indication that measures have been implemented to prevent such issues in the future. In light of these revelations, will the federal government continue to allocate taxpayer funding to this organisation?

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

An early election?

Peta Credlin may well be right and the government may go to an early election before handing down another budget (“Labor takes out the trash for an early election”, 5/12). This may be sound politics, but it seems to me to be particularly poor economics.

Jim Chalmers says he has a plan to protect the household sector from further cost-of-living pressures. However, economic expansion has tanked and productivity is in rapid decline. This is an unsustainable situation and for the nation’s future wellbeing these trends must be reversed.

Unfortunately, his plan for the household sector is exacerbating these problems. The fix is to revitalise the business sector. And what a trick it would be given high interest rates, a tight labour market, restrictive IR legislation recently legislated, and an uncompetitive company tax rate.

Unfortunately, commodity prices are falling and the most ­dynamic sector of the economy is experiencing falling profits while all businesses are reeling from increases in the price of electricity and gas.

Ian McDonald, Mt Tamborine, Qld

Trump card

Peta Credlin’s article provides many indicators that supports the possibility of the Prime Minister calling an early election in 2025. The list is exhaustive and has the potential to grow even more prior to May 2025.

There is, however, a very real factor looming prior to a May election that just might force Anthony Albanese to reconsider an election date. That factor comes in the form of US president-elect Donald Trump who by all accounts will be taking almost immediate actions to upset the current status quo – in particular the Paris Agreement, Israel, the Middle East and Ukraine to name a few.

As president, Trump will also be seeking to confirm just which allied nations he can rely on by inviting the leaders of those nations to the White House for personal meetings. Prime Minister Albanese will most likely be the first cab off the rank.

Mike Flanigan, Wellington Pt, Qld