Last Post: Beijing needs a good dressing down

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has chided the opposition for not saying what it would have done in response to recent Chinese provocations. Typical Albanese government response. I can think of something Foreign Minister Penny Wong could have done, particularly in relation to the flare issue, and that is to call in the Chinese ambassador for a dressing down.

Peter O’Brien, Kiama, NSW

It seems the Chinese navy could be taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s book and, while charting around Australia, an extension of the South China Sea, seek to rename it the Great South China Sea on Google.

Geoff Davey, St Lucia, Qld

Janet Albrechtsen writes that she can “think of an A-grade narcissist who became prime minister. In fact, more than one” (“Rekindling Reagan’s torch for common sense”, 22-23/2). You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out which former PM she’s referring to.

Riley Brown, Bondi, NSW

It’s a Medicare auction. Going, going, not gone. Maybe Albo bids higher. What kind of leaders do we have?

Mokhles Sidden, Strathfield, NSW

So the PM is going to hand out $8.5bn for people to see their GPs for free. A splendid idea. But why now? He has known of the problem for a long time and known he has the funds to fix it but done nothing.

Damien Cremean, Balwyn, Vic

Great to see The Beverly Hillbillies revived with an up-to-date twist. Now they’re in the White House.

Trevor Farrant, Hackney, SA

Jeanne O’Malley (Last Post, 22-23/2) suggests Kamala Harris doesn’t look so bad now. Clearly O’Malley hasn’t seen Harris’s latest wafflings. I agree, Harris doesn’t look even half as bad, she looks 10 times worse.

Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield, NSW

Kudos to Susan Russell who at 56 finished her law degree and soon after took up the drums for fun and something different (“This drumming life”, 22-23/2). She’s now 60 and even has a band. Who says those of mature years need to wind down?

Barbara Worrall, Mosman, NSW

Could someone please tell our TV announcers to say “Luss Vegas” and not “Loss Vegas”. Also, it’s anti-Semitic, not anti-semetic.

Vincent Pierse, Port Macquarie, NSW

Wages up; great. Inflation slowing, good news. Productivity down. Until productivity improves nothing much will change.

Geoff Holdich, St Georges, SA