Last Post, January 7

Our leaders should explain why we are still funding the UN.

Greg Sheridan’s article was excellent (“Christians are being fed to the lions and no one seems to care”, 5/1). Our political representatives should be asked why we still fund the UN that facilitates and finances this international carnage.

Jack Sonnemann, Lucaston, Tas

Bravo, Greg Sheridan. Moderate leaders in nations such as Pakistan must rein in Islamist mobs on witch-hunts against Christians and minorities. Peter Jennings’s reality check advises helping neighbours such as Indonesia in counter-terrorism (“Keeping terror at bay on the home front”, 5/1). Ironically, Jakarta’s Christian governor was jailed for blasphemy against Islam.

Arthur Giannopoulos, Mitcham, SA

Peter van Onselen sees “a deep inconsistency” between a Liberal Party distaste for gender-based candidate quotas and the long-accepted agreement on Nationals representation in a Coalition cabinet (“Party in denial can’t fix gender imbalance”, 5/1). With the greatest respect, I suggest that if van Onselen sees the two cases as equivalent, he has been associating with millennials for far too long.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

Many Australians will no doubt be relaxing, watching the cricket and having a break from the political shenanigans. However, listening to Isa Guha’s outstanding commentary and holding her own with some of cricket’s greats, one can only be glad that she was selected on merit.

Iain Rae, River Heads, Qld

While political parties quibble about the merits of gender balance, may I say how happy I am to learn that my son, after five years of state schooling, is about to have for the first time a male teacher? Let’s start where we need to address the issue of quotas and that is from infancy upwards in education.

John Holms, Sunshine Coast, Qld

If pill testing is becomes policy, then surely decriminalisation of marijuana would be part of the package. How could it be legal to test your illicit pill and be allowed to retain it, while people standing nearby smoking a joint have their marijuana confiscated and could end up in court facing charges?

Tim Dwyer, Moffat Beach, Qld

Much has been written about Australia’s Test cricket efforts this season. But let’s get our perspectives correct and admit India’s team is superior to ours. We are indeed sore losers who soak up the glory when on top of our game. Where would competition be if other countries could not reign? We might be without Steve Smith and David Warner, but two players do not make a team. We have been well and truly outclassed by Virat Kohli’s men who deserve all the accolades given.

Ken Johnston, Rochedale South, Qld