It’s time we cut ties with ICC and support Jewish Australians

It’s time we cut ties with ICC and support Jewish Australians

Among the first actions Peter Dutton should carry out if elected to government must be a formal withdrawal of support for the two UN resolutions shamefully supported by Australia a fortnight ago, when we voted alongside Syria, Iran and the Taliban, and against our allies, Israel and the US. Further, a public announcement by the new prime minister and foreign minister that Australia unequivocally supports Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorists and a declaration that Australia will formally withdraw its membership of the International Criminal Court. Such actions are necessary, not only to reassure our Jewish community that they are safe, but also to reassure all Australians that there is one major political party that has not lost its moral compass, nor its ability to distinguish right from wrong.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong would do well to take a crash course in modern history. Do they not know or remember that appeasement and lack of courage to stand up for what is right brought us WWII? When Wong asserts that she supports the ICC in its pursuit of International Law, she manages to ignore the multitude of legal errors this institution has made in issuing its latest warrants.

It has no jurisdiction to assert its arrest warrants. It has no evidence at all of its assertions of wrongdoing. Nor has it made any effort to find such evidence. It has ignored all evidence which exists to the contrary of its statements. It has gone forward in an unprecedented shameful act due to its unyielding anti-Israel stance. We have had this for decades from the UN itself. Weak leadership and lack of moral courage or outrage for atrocity is leading us down an extremely dangerous path for all.

Andrea Kalowski, Rose Bay, NSW

Lifting standards

Refreshing as Kim Williams is as new ABC chair, it was a mistake to plead for more taxpayer dollars in his first set-piece National Press Club address this week (“$1.1bn not enough; ABC chairman puts his hand out for more public money”, 28/11). This predictable refrain – given voice by so many former ABC chairs – carries zero weight in the electorate. The ABC has lost its standing in the battle for more commonwealth support. Even advocates for the national broadcaster believe it’s not the time to demand more commonwealth funding.

What’s needed now is a board declaration not on what the ABC “might” do with more dollars, but what it “must do” (within its current budget) to make the organisation leaner, more efficient, better governed and more receptive to fair and just criticism. Training for up-and-coming on-air staff might reassure the remaining audience you’re serious about lifting standards and demonstrating a degree of respect for those of us who pay your salaries. The organisation matters, but not at any cost.

John Simpson, Melbourne, Vic

If ever there was an organisation that doesn’t deserve public funding it has to be the troubled ABC. If it wasn’t for taxpayer money the ABC would be an unmitigated failure with its continually shrinking audience. It is well past time for the government to cease funding this organisation and let market forces decide its future.

Tom Moylan, Dudley Park, WA

Useful idiots

Senators Fatima Payman and Lidia Thorpe – not noted for any or many achievements – obviously revel in low forms of wit and stunts to gain attention. They used the ALP and Greens respectively as useful idiots to win Senate seats and then bailed out. Senator Payman frequently runs for cover under protection of race or religion when under pressure.

As for Senator Thorpe, it is hard to avoid seeing frequent news items of her being wrestled to the ground at various venues, such as Mardi Gras or outside a strip club in Melbourne, while yelling obscenities. Both senators build a fair case for their sacking.

Brian Whybrow, Wanniassa, ACT

Nuclear denial

Why doesn’t AEMO tell us what the real problem is with our current electricity supply? Currently we have four of 12 coal-based units off line, as well as Tallawarra. NSW is missing 3GW of baseload power. In Sydney, since Wednesday evening, wind has started to fail and at 8am this morning was under 10 per cent and falling. Earlier this month, wind power dropped below 10 per cent on at least 10 days. Fortunately, fossil fuel-fired units could be pulled in to cover demand by working at 50 to 60 per cent capacity. We need despatchable power and the only one that is non-polluting is nuclear. Misinformation about nuclear is very sad. There are good examples of countries with similar requirements. Frankly, trying to run our grid without a fairly large amount of despatchable power will not work. If we continue to neglect this, we will end up with blackouts and no manufacturing.

William Wright, Mosman, NSW