Australians must accept grim need for the Quad

All credit to Scott Morrison for the successful leadership during his tenure, which has included the country being up with the world’s best in managing the pandemic, saving the country from economic collapse, standing up to China’s bullying and receiving support from allied countries as a result; successfully campaigning for Mathias Cormann to head the OECD and establishing ground-breaking revenue-sharing principles with digital media (“PM’s soft-power diplomacy triumphs”, 17/3).

The elevation of the Quad concept, a developing alliance comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia, to leadership level is to a large extent due to Morrison’s personal approach in fostering relationships with international leaders. That Australia has increased its role as a beacon and influencer of the liberal-democratic order there is no doubt and, importantly, these values are being strongly espoused by the new US President, Joe Biden.

It’s most unfortunate that instead of building on these positive outcomes to engender a sense of optimism and confidence for the nation going forward, Labor, the Greens and the media will continue to attempt to undermine the government at every opportunity in the field of gutter politics.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

It’s essential that senior journalists and the weight of editorial comment highlight the significance of the Quad. It is a timely lesson that the Quad nations recognise two grim realities: China is now a formidable military power and America’s hitherto economic and military dominance alone is insufficient to deter China from its goal of taking Taiwan by force and generally controlling the India/Pacific region. Hence the importance of the Quad.

As intimated by by Greg Sheridan (“China arms for war as Quad fights back”, 13-14/3) and the editorial “Sturdy foundation for the Quad” (15/3), we Australians must accept the grim realities and support the Quad’s existence and further development; it is only a combined force, united by the will of the people in like-minded nations, that will cause China to pause, rethink and respect. Acquiescence and appeasement have never and will never work against a powerful autocratic regime.

Jerome Paul, Exeter, NSW

Robert Gottliebsen’s article highlighting the deficiencies in our Defence major projects is timely (“If I could ask the Defence Minister questions, what might the truthful answers be?”, 16/3). He poses six theoretical questions and answers to an absent Defence Minister who to be fair inherited the failed projects from her predecessor.

The Quad has brought forward all timeframe estimates where our nation might be called to support close-at-hand military action.

Gottliebsen closes his article with a message to the Prime Minister stating that we need a strong Defence Minister, not an apologist for the Defence Department. The person most suitable to fill this requirement is sitting on the sideline right now: Senator (Lieutenant General) Jim Molan.

Mike Flanigan, Toowoomba, Qld

It was inevitable that the Green cabal would attempt to undermine Mathias Cormann’s appointment as head of the OECD because he was not green enough (“How Mathias won over EU States, 16/3). More disturbing was the attempt by Malcolm Turnbull to undermine the bid by personally contacting European leaders.

This country has a problem with PMs with Relevance Deprivation Syndrome. Despite being out of office for more than 25 years, Paul Keating continues to set the standard with his ongoing commentary. Kevin Rudd seemed to be challenging him with his vitriolic sprays, but the undoubted winner in the RDS stakes is Turnbull; global warming, the republic, the media, his ex-colleagues, all targets. Advising against his loyal colleague Cormann’s recent appointment takes the cake.

Graham Pinn, Maroochydore, Qld

Australia should use every possible avenue — cruise ships, naval vessels, helicopters, defence personnel, whatever and whoever can be rounded up — to go to the aid of our Pacific Island neighbours. There are many of them (not just Papua New Guinea). It will be a great humanitarian exercise for our defence forces — surely we can put them to good use?

If we Australians cannot get off our collective backsides then we deserve what is coming. China will take the high moral ground with our near neighbours. Wake up.

Julie Tadman, Wamuran, Qld