Last Post: Any instance of Chinese live firing a cause for concern

Defence Minister Richard Marles tells us that Chinese live firing was not a “real incident”. Presumably then the Japanese submarines in Sydney Harbour in 1942 were only a pleasure cruise?

Bruce Watson, Kirribilli, NSW

Next time the Chinese warships may make a point by cruising into Sydney Harbour and anchoring off Kirribilli House. Apart from upping the rhetoric, our Defence Minister wouldn’t be able to stop them, but at least our Prime Minister would be able to get his timelines right.

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW

Chinese warships off our coast: now, how many years is it until we get those submarines?

Sheila Duke, Bulimba, Qld

No doubt the aim of the Chinese navy in our waters is to intimidate us and accept their hegemony. Perhaps our “handsome boy” PM, who does not like to upset China, could offer them a part of our submarine program? Then the acronym could be aptly renamed CHAUKUS.

Gerard Abrams, Cherrybrook, NSW

AUKUS? You mean the killer whales?

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

I’d like to see the brave Chinese navy firing live rounds 150 nautical miles off the coast of President Trump’s New York Harbor.

Paul Haege, Darling Point, NSW

Where were the Collins-class submarines when needed? On sick leave?

Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT

The leaders of our diminishing forces are paid outlandish salaries yet can’t get someone to spot warships in the area.

Penni Seignior, Mudgeeraba, Qld

I was delighted to see so many school staff behind a Teachers For Palestine banner. When do they leave?

Rob Barden, Port Elliot, SA

If the Prime Minister is on the nose to the extent that Labor MPs have to send an SOS to Jim Chalmers, then I tremble for them (“Labor MPs send SOS to Chalmers”, 28/2).

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

One can only hope our newest Australians aren’t conned as easily as Immigration Minister Tony Burke hopes they are.

Alex Cleave, North Fremantle, WA

The Matildas have just lost three matches in a row at the tournament in the US (“Matildas want coaching surety from Football Australia”, 28/2). Am I allowed to say that’s a shocking performance? Or is that too offensive for some? Jim Neville, Marrickville, NSW