Incompetence of allowing the US to roll out our 15-minute virus test

Congratulations to The Australian for putting the Ellume story on the front page (“US pounces on Aussie virus tests”, 8/10). Another successful Australian company has to go overseas, in this case to bankroll rapid-result COVID-19 test technology.

It should come as no surprise that the company’s discussions with the Queensland government have “largely fallen on deaf ears”. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles is too busy making disparaging remarks about the US President on Twitter.

Ironically, it is Donald Trump’s government that has backed the Brisbane diagnostics company, to the tune of $US30 million ($42.1m). This is a notable achievement for Dr Sean Parsons, his team and Queensland-based technology.

We have endured ad nauseam Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s “keeping Queenslanders safe” mantra. It seems inexplicable the state government would not support ground-breaking COVID-19 expertise right under its own nose. Queensland — the smart state one day, stupid state the next.

Gabrielle Baker, Carina, Qld

In an age of buy local, support Australian business, how shameful for the Queensland and federal governments to ignore an Australian company developing a 15-minute test for COVID? To have the US government pounce on our innovative medical technology and back the production of these tests for the US market is incompetence writ large.

Lynda Morrison, Bicton, WA

Serving POTUS

I write in response to comments by your correspondent Sue Lester regarding Donald Trump’s protection detail and COVID-19 (“Love him or hate him, Trump is back in the game”, 7/10). As an expat American I would like to point out that to “serve at the pleasure” of POTUS is an honour and in the majority of cases is a position requested by those who serve. One of the prerequisites for being a member of the President’s Secret Service protection detail is that you are willing to “take a bullet” for POTUS. Despite this, there is no shortage of applicants.

My second point is that the state-of-the-art treatment the President received, not available to all, were trial drugs, to the best of what I have been able to glean, and not approved by the FDA. The treatment was voluntary by POTUS. It has also been muttered from certain sections of the Left that they would not take any vaccine that comes out unless “Trump tries it first”.

This virus has knocked the world economy for “six” and POTUS wants to get US workers back to gainful employment so the US figures continue to improve, as they were before the advent of the virus. If you want to watch a “train wreck” spectacular, put Joe Biden in the chair, witness Kamala Harris replace him in about a year, then observe the companies Trump has enticed back to the US leave again “faster than a speeding bullet” due to the new taxes the Democrats have in mind.

Mike Meikus, Aspley, Qld

Miners’ cave-in

So sad to read “Miners baulk at attack on Greens” (8/10). That the once great and proud BHP, founded at Silverton near Broken Hill and once the world’s biggest mining company, should these days be grovelling at the feet of the Greens and environmental groups is a crying shame. Never mind that other craven Australian corporations do likewise.

It must be recognised that it is the elected government of the day that sets social, financial and public policy. Corporations are required to do no more than comply with the laws of the host country with their principle goal being to serve the needs of their (vital) shareholders. BHP and Origin each need to grow a spine and push back against the activist bully boys of social media and the Greens who will never form government.

Rob Davies, Drysdale, Vic