Dutton right to demonstrate regional leadership on the dangers of China

Ben Packham’s article on Peter Dutton’s speech to the National Press Club (“We will not bow, Dutton warns China”, 27-28/11) was, correctly, bold front page news in your newspaper. Irrespective of which side of politics one backs, the electorate needs to recognise that China has implemented unjust damaging trade bans on Australian exports as punishment for leading the world in the banning of Huawei from 5G and for calling for an investigation into the origins of Covid.

China’s belligerence needs to be countered and its geopolitical aspirations, in Southeast Asia, perceived and real, need to be kept in check. It is with this in mind that Dutton likely broadcast his warning, something that would not have been done without reliance on the AUKUS arrangement (and possible prior consultation with its partners). One can make up one’s own mind by listening to the Press Club speech (freely available on YouTube) but I suggest it is the role of a leading regional player such as Australia to have its Government speak out to its neighbours and citizens about the threat that an emboldened China has become.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

I can’t believe our Minister for Defence is still talking of possible war with China. War would be a disaster for Taiwan and us. Far better, as former prime minister Paul Keating has implied, that the US, Japan and Australia, if invited, talk with Taiwan, accentuate the gravity of the situation, the solemnity and consequences of war, and highlight the need to negotiate with China. Settling on a peaceful solution, perhaps not unlike Hong Kong, would be infinitely preferable to the use of force. Since becoming Chinese territory again Hong Kong is functioning much as before. Major banks and businesses remain, the people still own property and work and day-to-day life is not dissimilar to pre-1997. Education, sport, tourism and shopping is up to the mark. Many Australians still live and work there. The big difference is that you cannot criticise the government in any way or you go to jail.

Much better that a heavy diplomatic approach to Taiwan be initiated emphasising Taiwan will probably be largely destroyed if China uses force – and it could still end up as part of China.

We should mind our own business and immediately stop making comments about possible war with China. They could do us a lot of harm.

David Shrubb, Galston, NSW

Bill is worthless

For Paul Kelly (“Morrison appeals to a higher order”, 27-28/11), so-called “progressive” concerns about the proposed Religious Discrimination Act are a bit of a “stretch”. I wonder. Does the proposed new act permit a person – simply by quoting Leviticus 18:22 (“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination”) and 20:13 (“If a man practises homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death”) – to declare, sincerely, that his religion affirms homosexuality is a sin? If a person so declares, once and perhaps persistently, is his action under the proposed legislation a form of intimidation against others? And if not, what is it? And if he may not say it, what is the supposed defence of religious conscience that the proposed new act provides worth? That new legislation is both damaging and worthless.

Clive Kessler, Randwick, NSW

NDIS parents worried

I refer to your article “States told to share NDIS load” (25/11). The issue Linda Reynolds discusses has been going on well before the NDIS was introduced and it is about time it stopped. As a parent of an extremely vulnerable intellectually disabled young man (who requires 24-hour care, every day of the year) the NDIS promised to be a way to plan for our son’s future after our demise.

We no longer feel confident that this will be the case. Recent proposed legislative changes have eroded our confidence and trust in this government. We are not alone. There are thousands of Australian citizens in this position and with the same concerns.

Jan Bertilone, Churchlands, WA

Wisdom of the mob

Chris Kenny’s article outlining a possible Labor Party election strategy of trading personal insults instead of outlining a firm policy for Australia post-Covid was timely (“Personal insults are a poor substitute for policy”, 27-28/11). True to form, the “Liar from the Shire” tag is trotted out to mask a lack of commitment to denouncing blatant untruths pertaining to border restrictions, vaccine mandates and the extension of emergency health powers in Victoria being pedalled almost daily, particularly by Labor premiers, some independents, the Greens and sections of the media. Time for Graham Richardson to put in a call and remind the strategists that “the mob always works you out”.

Merryl Symons, Hamilton, Qld