Last Post, June 29

Daniel Andrews spoke on many topics on his return to work on Monday, however two words were noticeably absent from his narrative: small business.

Antony Blakeley, Winchelsea, Vic

What we don’t hear about Covid is how many are in hospital. We are closing off our whole country again, closing businesses and putting the population under house arrest – and just one is in hospital. Five died on the roads yesterday but we don’t shut down all roads and transport. What about the 50 who died of heart attacks?

Brian C. Povey, Churchlands, WA

There is a big difference between a lockdown in Sydney and a lockdown in Melbourne (“A letter to Sydney from a city that’s been there”, 28/6). In Melbourne you weren’t able to play golf, go fishing or frequent the popular beaches of Port Phillip. Whereas in Sydney we are able to cast a line, yell fore and walk along the beautiful foreshores of the Harbour City.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

David Morrison’s explanation of the distinction between “lockdown” and “lock down” is well taken (Letters, 28/6). My wife, however, almost always mistakenly uses the word “lockup”. I think her terminology is far more descriptive of what takes place.

Dave Kirkham, Frenchs Forest, NSW

Old-timer Gerry Power (Letters, 28/6) tells of the great fires of 1939, remarking: “The recent fires and storms in Victoria are by no means unprecedented.” Indeed, an even earlier precedent to 1939 is that of the great fire of “Black Thursday” in February 1851.

It’s reported to have burnt out 5 million hectares – about a quarter of Victoria – as well as a million sheep and countless cattle and claiming 12 lives.

It is commemorated in a grand painting by William Strutt on permanent display in the State Library of Victoria.

Barry Lamb, Heidelberg West, Vic

Johannes Leak has done it again (28/6) – profound understanding in a simple cartoon declaring offshore wind farm jobs will be “largely offshore”.

Indeed, every Chinese made wind turbine we buy makes them richer, us poor and no difference to the climate.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT

I thought the elected Prime Minister chose the cabinet and allocated portfolios, not the new elected leader of the National Party?

Bill Sisson, Naracoorte, SA

“The next election couldn’t be tighter” (28/6) according to Newspoll. I hope so: the last one was a shoe-in for Labor.

Leo Oostveen, Murarrie, Qld