Defence leaders must be willing to take heed of sensible criticism

Defence leaders must be willing to take heed of sensible criticism

Greg Sheridan speaks for many of us when he commends Jacqui Lambie’s brave motion while denouncing the senior commanders and Defence Department operatives who have rendered the Australian Defence Force “unfit for purpose” (“Lambie doesn’t stand a chance, but her heart is in the right place”, 21/6). When she speaks up for ordinary serving personnel we should always applaud the maverick senator. Her targeting of senior officers who won their decorations for the Afghan campaign from a safe distance but do nothing to defend the common soldier is well justified. The latest madness of cameras for the SAS sends a red light to both their effectiveness as special forces and to recruitment in general, also flagging since the Brereton report. In the past 12 months we have heard much positive rhetoric concerning defence, but the recent federal budget gives no cause for confidence: nothing for AUKUS and an actual cut in spending, achieved by postponing the guided missiles to be funded from slashing the number of new army personnel carriers. So far it is all talk and it is still doubtful whether Labor sees any votes in defence.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

I’m sure former army corporal, now senator, Jacqui Lambie thinks she is doing the right thing drawing the attention of the ICC to the accountability, or lack thereof, of our top military brass in the war crimes allegations, but in reality she has made a bad situation only worse. If there are issues to be answered by our generals, and I suspect there are, our own government and judicial system should manage them. This process could have begun years ago but has been too difficult for the government, current and previous. The boys club to which Lambie refers is far too powerful. Well, if it’s not too late, here’s a chance to accept accountability; step up to the plate, Richard Marles.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

The size of the hand grenade that Jacqui Lambie has thrown into the hallowed halls of Russell Off­ices brought on a wry smile. For too long, the established “generals club” has been able to exonerate itself from any association or knowledge of what their soldiers were doing on the battlefield. This is the cardinal sin of soldiering. Minister Marles will be walking through a minefield trying to hold the generals to account for a lack of command responsibility, but he should start at the top.

Tom Moylan, Melbourne

Housing history

Government-built housing and fixed rents have existed in Australia. Fixed rents from the 1930s built by insurance and mutual corporations still exist in Sydney’s Potts Point. Government housing began after World War II, like now amid shortages of building materials, labour and money. The solution to that intractable problem was the Housing Commission. The Housing Commission building program ceased in the 1970s, and housing was handed over to private industry, yet our shortage proves the task is greater than the capacity of business alone. This is an economic disease we call market failure and the approved economic vaccination is government intervention. Putting economic ideologies aside, the solution is a return to government-built housing in collaboration with business doing what it can. Housing is one of the three parts of the social contract of government (food and defence being the other two) and it should be seen as an essential service and one provided in a large part by the government.

Craig Hall, Parramatta, NSW

Wicket ways

What a show of endurance from Aussie Khawaja, who batted on every day of the first Test. If this is cricket that Bazball brings, then the more the merrier. A brilliant performance by the Australians, continuing on from their win against New Zealand this month.

John Sheldrick, Peppermint Grove, WA

When I was in primary school I was cricket mad. Our home entertainment centre was an Astor Mickey radio in the lounge room, reserved for use on Sunday nights to listen to Bluebottle and Tarzan. No TV or mobile phones then. Somehow I found out about crystal sets that could connect you to the world radio. So I fixed the aerial to my mossie net ring and spent winter nights under the blankets listening to the Ashes cricket Tests in England. Years later I found out it was broadcast from Sydney with the famous commentator Alan McGilvray hitting his pencil on the desk to simulate bat hitting ball. Last night, listening to the dying hours of the Test on my mobile phone reminded me of this, but there was never a Test as exciting as last night’s. What heroes the Australian team are to pull off a win like that! As the winning ball hit the fence, I thought I could hear McGilvray turn over in his grave with excitement.

John Rivett, West End, Qld

Long-term Australian Test cricket nuts who followed the Edgbaston Test until the very end should have exorcised their demons of 2005 (two runs) and 1982 (three runs), proving that a five-day Test can be both stressful and therapeutic. Well done to both captains and brains trusts for ruling out a draw.

Bob Miller, Leederville, WA