Last Post, January 22

Talk of a Peter Costello return to politics overlooks his reluctance to challenge for the leadership at the end of the Howard years.

While January 26 is being assailed again, it will survive (“Australia Day discord devised by academe”, 21/1). Although Bella d’Abrera arraigned Michel Foucault in her indictment, she did not charge Jean Baudrillard, another French fantasist who essayed that the first Gulf War did not take place.

Mike Fogarty, Weston, ACT

While Peter Costello’s absence may have made Peter van Onselen’s heart grow fonder, it has also affected his memory. Costello was the deputy who lacked the courage to fight for the top job. If he wasn’t prepared to fight for his own future it’s naive to think he’d fight for ours.

Roger Dace, Reid, ACT

The move to bring Peter Costello back into federal politics is a measure of the lack of depth in the talent pool of the Liberal Party. He is yesterday’s man. The electorate has moved on.

Michael J. Gamble, Belmont, Vic

Regardless of whether Peter van Onselen’s suggestion of reactivating Peter Costello in Higgins is intended to be helpful or an attempt to throw fuel on the fire that seems set to consume the Liberals, I can agree with him on this much: both Costello and Kim Beazley would have made fine prime ministers.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

Donald Trump has succeeded in getting lackadaisical American women to pay attention to politics in their own country. Insufficient numbers of them bothered to turn out and vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016 because they just assumed she was going to win.

John Clark, Burradoo, NSW

One of the joys of tennis is turning to the sports pages to read Will Swanton (“Barty shakes the shrieks out of Maria”, 21/1). This piece is an example of the humour and insight he brings to his journalism.

Maggie McKerracher, Lindisfarne, Tas

What a wonderful performance by Ash Barty, but surely it is time for the tennis authorities to step in and stop the horrendous screaming and grunting by Maria Sharapova. I can’t watch it but I’m sure all those spectators who had to listen to that noise would agree it is time to act.

Chas Barter, Lower Mitcham, SA

It was refreshing to read Frank Furedi’s article (“From misbehaving boys to violent men: the poisoning of male identity”, 19/1). It should be taken on board his version of “what it means to be a human will truly diminish if society becomes inhospitable to so-called male values such as courage, self-control and risk taking”. I allude to the story about Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi above Furedi’s article espousing emotional intelligence, happiness, high ideals and adaptability. It’s uplifting, especially at this time.

Anthony Nicholl, Normanville, SA