For a small nation to aim martial rhetoric at a giant state speaks only of poor judgment

The pages of this newspaper expose human rights abuse and oppression in many countries, the destruction of democracies, and the silencing and murder of journalists for exposing truth. With so much immorality and injustice in the world, how should a relatively small country such as Australia respond? Our Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, has chosen to talk of war with just one country: China, our major trading partner and a superpower.

Is this smart and in Australia’s interests? Inflated chest-thumping is counter-productive.

A reset of Australia-China relations would be welcomed by many farmers, winemakers, miners, manufacturers, universities and others. Perhaps we can learn the benefits of clever diplomacy from countries on China’s doorstep, with centuries of experience, and even from New Zealand.

To get on in this world, rather than kicking a hornets’ nest, Australia should get its own house in order, do business, trade and be helpful. This is about good manners, not kowtowing – and not being drawn into disastrous conflict.

Roger Hunt, North Adelaide, SA

TAFE apprentices struggle with basic maths and university students present poorly constructed essays; this is the evidence of a curriculum not fit for real-life purpose.

By our own data, our students don’t even match up to those of a generation ago; that must tell us, surely, that something is going wrong. We should all be very concerned at the alarm felt by the mathematics association at the proposed curriculum.

Education Minister Alan Tudge is acutely aware (“Class warfare: battle is joined to raise our teaching standards”, 20-21/11) that how we move forward will define the education of the next generation, and I sense an energetic determination to improve our standards.

An education with more rigour and depth is for everyone. Some London schools in low socio-economic areas have returned to a core curriculum and a teacher-led style of delivery with great success. The improvement in outcomes gives students more options on leaving school, including university, and will help to break the poverty cycle.

But it’s not only about how many students we can get into university; it’s about students leaving school well-equipped for the next step in life, both intellectually and practically. And yes, recruit the best and brightest to the profession, but more importantly recruit teachers who want to teach; give them effective skills and support them to the hilt.

Caroline Thomson, Kew, Vic

In referring to vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella and polio, your correspondents (Letters, 26/11) seem to miss the point. Those vaccines generally prevent the individual from acquiring the disease, so that it can be eradicated. The Covid vaccines do not prevent the individual from catching Covid or from transmitting it to others, but do prevent (generally) the individual from becoming very ill, hospitalised and dying. It is the unvaccinated who should be concerned about acquiring Covid, which like flu is not going to be eradicated, as far as is currently known.

Ros Tooker, Bald Knob, Qld

Your leader on yet another welfare scam (“NDIS never intended to be a magic pudding”, 26/11) 26/11) confirms how the best of intentions of the Gillard government have evolved. The scheme, launched in 2013, was fatally flawed by the addition of psychiatric disorders.

There has been “mission creep” from clearly defined conditions, such as schizophrenia, into the rapidly increasing alphabet of new behavioural disorders such as OCDC, ADHD, ODD and so on, which, when tacked on to the autism spectrum label, are increasingly deemed disabilities. More than one-third of those claiming NDIS disability now have these diagnoses. With any welfare scheme, it needs to be remembered we can have only what we can afford, rather than what we want. With unsustainable government debt, review is long overdue.

Graham Pinn, Maroochydore, Qld

With all the talk and words written about euthanasia (“Euthanasia bill clears first hurdle”, 26/11), little thought has been given to the mental health of medical personnel who will make these momentous decisions, and who are regarded by most protagonists merely as tradespeople to carry out their wishes.

As an anaesthetist I spent my working life ensuring the safety of people in my care, and it is anathema to me to terminate someone’s life. I’m sure this is the same for all doctors.

Have no doubt, making these decisions will weigh heavily on doctors who are in this position.

Dr John Murray, West End, Qld