In the know or not, Victoria’s Premier has only one course of action: to resign

Daniel Andrews (“Mea culpa: it’s all my fault, says Andrews”, 21/7) must resign following the findings of the IBAC and Ombudsman joint inquiry that the Victorian ALP had an “unethical” factional system and MPs misused taxpayer-funded staff for political gain. Either Andrews as parliamentary leader knew about the corrupt behaviour and did nothing, in which case he should resign. Or he should have known about it but didn’t, which shows he is an incompetent leader – and he should resign.

John Moore, Wangaratta, Vic

Anthony Albanese says Labor would allow new coal and gas projects to proceed (“Albanese: coal ban won’t cut emissions”, 21/7). This is at odds with what he was saying two years ago, when he made his strongest statement about the future of coal. In February 2020, when repeatedly asked by reporters if a Labor government would allow new coal projects to proceed, Albanese said: “You may as well ask me if I believe in unicorns.”

Why the change of heart? Perhaps Albanese is realising that governing responsibly involves making decisions that protect the national interest, not damage it.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

Kel Richards (Letters, 20/7) fears for the integrity of future Indigenous electoral rolls given the emergence of the phenomenon of “race-shifting” or “self-indigenising”. Since it is now the case that people equipped with standard male genitalia must be acknowledged in law and in social intercourse as female if they so identify, I submit that those who have “self-indigenised” are indeed of Aboriginal descent: they think they are, therefore they are.

There’s almost a Cartesian ring to it, is there not?

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

It’s important, Vicki McKerrell (Letters, 21/7), that The Australian reports the extent of despair and violence (especially against women and children) in remote Aboriginal communities.

Then people voting in the voice referendum can decide if such a voice will help these isolated communities – or just be another piece of virtue signalling.

Elizabeth Arnold, Sherwood, Qld

As I understand it, Indigenous people regard themselves as “custodians” of the land, not “owners” in the normal legal sense. So if Goat Island is returned to the traditional “owners” (“Perrottet vows island will be returned to ‘right’ Indigenous group”, 21/7) does that mean it can be “sold”?

There would be no shortage of interested parties.

Stephen Malone, Turramurra, NSW

Mandates aside (Letters, 20/7), there’s always the wild and ridiculous suggestion that people may choose to wear a mask, wash their hands and socially distance so as to slow the progress of this disease and allow our country to return to some sort of normality.

You know, showing a bit of care your own health and future, your family, the community.

Stupid idea in this day and age, I know, but thought I’d mention it anyway.

Brian D. Lee, Cairns, Qld

Last month the Australia-China Relations Institute hosted the new Chinese ambassador for a public event.

The questions I put to the ambassador during the event, all now on the public record, covered major points of contention between Australia and China, including matters of geopolitics, ideology and human rights.

Your North Asia correspondent, Will Glasgow, claims these questions were “vetted” by the Chinese embassy (“Beijing praises Wong, indicates coal ban to end”, 20/7).

While the embassy was informed of the questions beforehand in order to prepare a response, it had no role in selecting or formulating them, nor did it request any changes or suggest any inclusions.

Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, this does not constitute “vetting”.

James Laurenceson, director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney

Peta Credlin (“Lesson for rogue Libs: disunity is still death”, 21/7) claims that I said: “Peter Dutton’s opposition to a legislated emissions target was a ‘captain’s call’.” Contrary to Peta’s claims, the accusation of a “captain’s call” has never passed my lips in relation to Dutton. (Editor: The inverted commas around “captain’s call” were used to emphasise the phrase, not to signal a direct quote.)

Sadly, the facts may not suit Peta’s agenda, who seems to care little for why the Liberal Party has lost so many supporters in so many traditional constituencies, from Ryan through Warringah to Kooyong or Higgins and on to Boothby.

Simon Birmingham, Liberal senator for South Australia