Last Post: Alfred meets Covid lockdowns, Trump & Turnbull

In criticising the heavy-handed actions of some councils during Cyclone Alfred, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli brought back the nightmares of Covid. It could have been worse. If Annastacia Palaszczuk had been premier, non-residents would have been ordered to leave the state within 24 hours, helicopters and police patrols would have been everywhere, evacuation centres would have been available only for Queenslanders and we would have had to put up with those incessant sanctimonious TV briefings again.

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW

Alfred has highlighted the need to stop spending billions on subsidising turbines, solar panels, electric cars and so on and spend the funds on putting electric cables underground. People would not have to worry about losing power and communication when they are already in crisis. Of course, those who have the fantasy that Australia can unilaterally change the world climate will disagree and want to spend our hard-earned dollars on chasing windmills (excuse the pun).

Andrea Kalowski, Rose Bay, NSW

Henry Ergas (“For want of wise counsel, hubristic Trump risks ruin”, 8-9/3) makes a link between the fatal quality of hubris and the brooking of no opposition, and notes “in the first Trump administration, many of his advisers were willing to stand up to him; now they compete to anticipate and exceed his every whim”. Such self-preserving compliance is in response to another hubristic feature, “the attempt to punish opposition and make it unbearably costly through actions … that range from public shaming and vicious humiliation”. A proud nation, disillusioned, resentful and fragmented, is vulnerable to an authoritarian leader – a saviour promising to restore greatness. Such a nation can be led to all manner of horror. History is said to rhyme. Please, God, not in our time.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic

If Donald Trump doesn’t like Malcolm Turnbull then Turnbull can’t be all bad.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

Emperor Xi, Tsar Vlad, Sultan Recep – and The Donald: no mystery here. It’s a leadership model as old as humanity itself.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

The article by Mike Pezzullo (“Real and present danger: flotilla flags 10 urgent must-do’s”, 8-9/3) is important. However, judging by the lacklustre interest shown by government in strengthening defence budgets to necessary levels, another “must do” needs to be added: 11. Learn Mandarin.

Judith White, Auckland, NZ