China’s growing menace must now be taken seriously

Tony Abbott’s eloquent plea to stand up to a powerful communist China must not go unheeded (“China’s rhetoric has changed but not its plan to dominate”, 9/12). As is the situation with his reminder from history of the perils of trying to appease a potential aggressor: in this case an autocratic China’s threats to a democratic Taiwan.

His concluding words, “We have to ensure our passion for peace never becomes peace at any price”, has such a Church­illian ring as to remind one of the great statesman’s memorable definition of an appeaser as “one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last”. Napoleon Bona­parte may have warned us: “Let China sleep, for when she wakes the world will tremble.” Abbott tells us that, the awakening having clearly arrived, the world must use appropriate defence and statesmanship rather than not tremble.

John Kidd, Auchenflower, Qld

Whitlam censure

Henry Ergas draws a brilliant parallel (“Whitlam lucky he didn’t face today’s lynch mobs”, 9/12) between Gough Whitlam and Scott Morrison in the serious matter of misleading the parliament.

Whitlam’s deliberate attempt to mislead his own minister and the parliament over the Khemlani loans affair of 1975 had the potential to devastate a national economy held captive by Saudi Arabia for decades, yet there was no censure motion by the incoming Fraser government. In sharp contrast, Labor has gone in boots-and-all with a censure motion of Morrison for his failure to notify the parliament during the Covid crisis, smacking of political revenge. Today, Whitlam remains revered by the Labor faithful while Morrison will be consigned to the scrap heap of failed leaders by LNP voters. Labor knows how to idolise its icons while blindly ignoring their failings.

John Bell, Heidelberg Heights, Vic

Henry Ergas appropriately reminds us of the significant overreach by Whitlam in the early days of the Khemlani loans affair. His actions in ignoring protocol and legal requirements make Morrison’s so-called bad behaviour pale into insignificance. As pointed out, the censure motion introduced in the same week as the Labor Party’s celebration of Whitlam’s achievements confirms yet again the overt hypocrisy of the left.

Paul Wray, Auchenflower, Qld

Thank God for Henry Ergas! His article should be read and digested by every member of the federal parliament in light of their recent actions towards Scott Morrison.

Matt Speirs, Brighton, Vic

Liberals slide

Kim Keogh makes some interesting points (Letters, 9/12) about voting trends in the 1980s and ’90s. As much as I would like to think the view is correct, modern-day Australia is a vastly different place. The infiltration of the left via their neo-Marxism policies is irreversible.

The majority of Australian voters have been so influenced by academia and mainstream media that they would never consider voting for even a centre-right party, let alone a conservative one. Australia is moving green-left faster than one of Bradman’s tons in a session.

Antony Blakeley, Winchelsea, Vic

A stronger voice

The urgent need for immediate assistance to Aboriginal people living in remote communities under shocking conditions is made abundantly clear by Bruce Williams (Letters, 8/12).

He writes from his own experience and observations of these communities. That these conditions have worsened over 50 years is an indictment of us all and demands immediate remedial action with absolute priority over any other such as recognition and the voice. Surely the parliament, led by the Prime Minister, can institute some emergency procedure that may stem the continuing flow of disadvantage.

An unqualified report to the nation on this matter should be made without delay. As Williams writes, the voice has no answer to the real Aboriginal problems, which must be addressed without flinching so that the living conditions of people living in remote areas are commensurate with those enjoyed by their fellow Australians.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW

Bomber disgust

The early release from prison of Bali bombmaker Umar Patek was always going to be controversial (9/12.) No one will forget that dreadful night when more than 200 innocents lost their lives and so many others had their lives changed forever.

One would not think, on looking at this person, that he appears particularly contrite and indeed, by his court actions, he is not. Let us hope and pray that this miscreant really will honour his allegiance to his country and that his wife is principled enough that her guarantor status is not misplaced.

Claire Jolliffe, Buderim, Qld