Last Post: Government must find energy solution first

I wonder if we will ever hear who was responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue fire and, if we do, will they be prosecuted?

John Lake, Mosman Park, WA

Perhaps Donald Trump will decline an invitation from Anthony Albanese to visit Australia and send an underling instead (“Albanese invited Trump here in first phone call”, 15/1).

Roseanne Schneider, Toowoomba, Qld

Energy is the lifeblood of industry and affordable pricing is an essential bread-and-butter issue for households. The lofty and ill-conceived experimentation of the Albanese government in that area drags this country down economically and it greatly undermines our competitiveness internationally. And it creates great hardship among people who can least afford it.

Michael Schilling, Millswood, SA

With my retirement funds, I apply the principle of diversification. If I ever have a bet, it is usually each way. If I were in charge of energy production, I would apply the same principle and have a bit of everything. Just like China.

Geoff Holdich, St Georges, SA

No doubt outgoing US President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party will claim the credit when the surviving hostages held by Hamas are released (“Israel, Hamas close to deal”, 15/1).

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

Re the PM’s election platform, humble beginnings to imperatore doesn’t cut it as a measure of character or leadership. You also have to do something.

Terry Walmsley, Benowa, Qld

Who is providing the dubious advice to Anthony Albanese that another $3bn for the increasingly costly and slow NBN is a sound use of taxpayers’ money? He and Australian taxpayers would be far better off reading the advice of Judith Sloan’s column on the subject (“$3bn funding boost to finish what was never a good idea”, 14/1). Unless, of course, it is just another vote buying exercise.

Kingsley Sullivan, Mt Hawthorn, WA

Zoe Booth (“Look out, there’s a new vibe about our national day”, 15/1) lists some of Australia’s challenges: tall poppy syndrome, an underwhelming culinary scene, and ongoing struggles in education, labour productivity and housing affordability. I can only hope she doesn’t rank them in importance in that order.

Carmen Heathcote, Carina, Qld