Last Post: Inaction is the answer to contrary pulls on defence

US President Donald Trump thinks Australia should spend more on defence. China’s President Xi Jinping thinks Australia spends too much on defence. True to form, the answer Anthony Albanese gives depends on who is asking.

Tim Trotter, Brisbane

Once our Prime Minister has achieved peace, good fortune and everlasting happiness with President Xi, he needs to then move on to Montecito and negotiate a similar outcome between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the royal family.

Brian Barker, Bulimba, Qld

It is reassuring to know that Anthony Albanese is talking up tourism with China. In the event of conflict, possibly involving Taiwan, a selfie with a kangaroo should really cut it.

Roseanne Schneider, Toowoomba, Qld

It’s amazing to see our Prime Minister so relaxed and happy in China; perhaps he feels more at home.

Rex King, New Farm, Qld

A protester holding a poster saying “Death to the IDF” is only propagating war and not helping any cause.

Penni Seignior, Mudgeeraba, Qld

Your article (“Concerns over process of arts peer-review grants”, 14/7) about the current “model of recommendations” for grants in the arts is worrying. Your chances of getting any funding if you wore a “I stand with Israel” T-shirt when applying would appear to be close to zero.

Roy Stall, Mount Claremont, WA

I think Treasurer Jim Chalmers sees himself as some latter-day Robin Hood when, in reality, he could be more like the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Mike Stark, Carine, WA

Fortescue chief executive Andrew Forrest says, “We’ve got to get a green metal industry off the ground in Australia. We’ve got to break through the cynicism” (“Red alert on green metals”, 14/7). With Fortescue having burnt through millions of dollars in this quest, perhaps Forrest needs to face reality. It is not cynicism in his way, it is science.

Geoff Ellis, Smithfield, Qld

Having been blocked at every turn by the Democrats during his last presidency and all but drowning in the swamp, and then defying attempts during the next four years to incarcerate him, can we really blame Donald Trump for coming back with a vengeance and using the only foolproof weapon readily available to him to achieve his MAGA manifesto? At least now he has everyone’s undivided attention.

Nick Palethorpe, Turramurra, NSW