Defence is ill-prepared to meet the challenges of the near future

Australia is an island continent that Chinese live-firing fleets are free to surround, perhaps accompanied by nuclear submarines. We not sure about that. In a few years, we will have two nuclear-powered submarines – or not. They will probably cost the entire defence budget.

Manning such vessels will be government-planned murder by a vastly superior adversary and incur the loss of a huge and futile expenditure.

The Chinese have probably examined and charted our undersea cables and communications. We are sitting ducks.

Meanwhile, any industry we might still retain will be controlled by trade unions and their elected government, a not very intelligent governing class for defence development.

Suzanne Blumer, Wembley, WA

Defence Minister Richard Marles claims that for the past three years Labor has been focusing on national security (“Nation aware of rising risk”, 6/6).

How many missiles and drones of various types has he purchased in this time? How many stealth bombers and inter-continental missiles does he have on order? Our government and military have been living in fantasy land. Guard dogs to protect military bases! The joke must end.

JohnLangrehr, Leabrook, SA

Most Australians are aware of the risks associated with an assertive China. This prompted calls by the US Defence Secretary for Australia to lift its outlays on defence in response to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The opposition believes spending should increase from 2 per cent of GDP to 3.5 per cent, yet the Prime Minister is happy with a mere increase to 2.33 per cent.

It seems that Anthony Albanese is the odd man out in recognising the problem. Maybe the “handsome boy” accolade bestowed during an earlier China visit is still ringing in his ears and colours his judgment.

His response to the harassment of our military in the South China Sea was weak, while he could not provide naval coverage of Chinese warships circumnavigating Australia conducting live-fire exercises.

Unless we adequately defend ourselves, Australia remains ripe fruit ready for harvest.

Martin Newington, Aspendale, Vic

Seize AI opportunity

Australia faces both its greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity. Artificial intelligence will shape our national destiny.

As Robert Gottliebsen rightly notes (“Riding three waves of AI”, 4/6), we can ride the AI wave to prosperity or get swamped by it. Australia could lead the world, but only if we adopt a bold, pro-business approach that equips both workers and companies to adapt and thrive.

This aligns naturally with Liberal values of enterprise and innovation. The danger? An ALP-union opposite camp stuck in 20th-century thinking.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Ukraine’s resilience

The audacious and ingenious Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s air force is a welcome morale boost, not only for Kyiv but for all of us around the world rooting for democracy.

It is reminiscent of some of the most successful British covert ops during World War II. Donald Trump now needs to recognise Ukraine’s proven ongoing resilience and capability, despite its “lack of cards”, and rein in the Russians.

He claimed he could end the war in one day. Perhaps he could let us know what date that will be.

Deb McCormick, Cairns, Qld

Russia playing games

Your editorial is spot-on (“Trump played by Putin and Iran”, 6/6).

President Donald Trump came to the White House with much fanfare about him committing to end the war in Ukraine and fix the Iran nuclear debacle. Resolving the Gaza war was also on the ticket.

To date he has shown himself incapable of any of these promised achievements.

If I were an American I would cringe at the way Trump defers to Vladimir Putin. Every day shows Trump more in Putin’s thrall.

It will take a long time, if ever, to rebuild a level of trust between the US and its allies.

Americans are paying a high price for his domestic policies of evicting illegal migrants and abolishing DEI.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

Musk’s comeuppance

The Trump-Musk feud is a classic case of “what goes around comes around”. Elon Musk was engaged to run the Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate government departments – but it is now Musk who is being eliminated. Donald Trump is threatening to cancel all Musk government contracts. He has already cancelled the tax concession for the EV range that was central to Musk’s profitability.

It is interesting to see the contest between individuals equally engaged by power politics.

Robin Clarke, Ballajura, WA