Last Post, December 17

It’s good to see the PM follow Russia on our embassy in Irael.

It is good to see Scott Morrison is following Russia’s lead in recognising West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (and not moving the embassy) and East Jerusalem as a potential capital of Palestine. A bold policy move indeed.

David Lion, Bondi, NSW

Penny Wong takes the cake when she tweeted that Labor does not support unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. But what does that mean? Recognition of something is always unilateral.

Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic

Muslims have three holy cities, Jews have only one (and half of one at that). Of course Jerusalem should be Israel’s capital.

Neville Clark, Battery Point, Tas

Bill Shorten has decided to maintain the fiction that West Jerusalem — Israel’s capital since 1949 — where its parliament, president and PM are located is not what it clearly is.

Mark Kessel, Caulfield North, Vic

Chris Kenny smote the Darebin Council for its hijack of Christmas carols using the Harmony for Humanity Choir with its politically correct messages about coal. The hecklers, the haranguers, the histrionics and the hypocrites, thunders Kenny. And rightly so. After their corrupted carolling, they headed home to enjoy all the benefits coal provides — television, computers, microwaves and airconditioners. As Tony Abbott notes, coal is good for humanity.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

The Labor Party says it should have been consulted on the next governor-general appointment this close to an election. Who would have been suggested? Perhaps a former Labor politician, or a devout anti-monarchist, perhaps a retired union leader? Have I made my point yet?

Neville Wright, Kilcunda, Vic

If the separation of church and state means anything in a democratic society, it means the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom from religion.

Roger Tonkin, Newtown, NSW

Here is a good principle for parents and teachers from Rudyard Kipling: “I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all I knew); their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.” Please cultivate a climate of curiosity in the face of the lies and misinformation spreading around the world.

Pierce Bragg, Nambour, Qld

Patrick Smith is right with his choice of goose of the year, Serena Williams. But I see Williams as the most graceless loser ever. You would be struggling to find any post-match press conference where her loss was anything but her own bad luck or some other excuse.

R. T. Hawksley, Benowa, Qld