‘For the first time in my life, I’m ashamed to be a Queenslander’

I’m a born and bred Queenslander, 65 years old. My mother is a Queenslander, as was her father. I am, for the first time, ashamed to be a Queenslander. I am disgusted at the large majority of those in this state who think the Premier is doing the right thing by keeping the border shut.

Why are people so terrified of a disease that presents no threat to 95 per cent of the population? I would remind these individuals that six — yes, only six — people in Queensland have died from COVID, all over 70.

Supporters of the border closure need to grow a spine, do the right thing and identify as an Australian first. And the Prime Minister needs to stop pleading with self-interested premiers and either go back to parliament or go to the High Court and find a way to sack any state government that puts its electoral success above the interests of the nation.

Ross Dillon, Maleny, Qld

The media keeps telling us Queensland’s population supports Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s stand on keeping the Queensland-NSW border closed. That is in the rural and regional areas of Queensland, outside and above the greater Brisbane area.

It is a different story if you have a business or livelihood on or near the border in the southeast corner of the state. The Premier’s steadfast decision is not well-accepted here.

Lizzie Haydon, Runcorn, Qld

French ignore history

The French ambassador, in saying Europe wants to see “a bit more ambition” in Australia’s climate change pledges (“French won’t fry us on emissions, subs”, 10/9), is ignoring his country’s Enlightenment history and the realities of action to our north where such demands have been ignored for decades.

Had he behaved like this in the age of Diderot and his philosopher friends he would have been told to provide evidence of a problem and its solution or shut up — which is exactly what we should be telling him. In doing so, we should tell him to look to China, India and others where hundreds of coal-fired power plants are being built with no concerns for the future of their people and no belief in what he and other Europeans have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

If further harming our already damaged power system is the price of a trade deal with Europe, we shouldn’t sign it. I’m happy to buy my next car from England, South Korea, Thailand or Japan, none of which makes such ridiculous demands on us.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT

It is comforting that the French, as friendly and pragmatic as ever, will not also turn the screws on us just because we have a very weak approach to climate change. Perhaps this is just another example of where short-term economics are given priority over health and well-being, human rights, or anything else that gets in the way.

With the exception of incumbent fossil fuel producers, a consensus of big business, farmers and the general community already understands the evidence that coal is in serious decline, as is gas as a less polluting transition fuel.

William Chandler, Surrey Hills, Vic

Pacific post-Covid

It was pleasing to see in the article “DFAT secretary Frances Adamson pushes back on budget cuts” (8/9). Adamson and Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell agreed on the dangers of cutting further funding for Foreign Affairs and Trade. As Adamson said at a conference in February 2019, “development cooperation helps us ensure that our Indo-Pacific region evolves peacefully, trades freely and co-operates to build security”. Prior to the pandemic, this department’s budget had already fallen to historic lows. Supporting our region during these unprecedented times not only generates goodwill, but protects Australia’s interests.

Brittany Ciupka, Darwin, NT