Last Post: Labor must see reason on defence needs

The Prime Minister’s hissy fit after the extremely credible Australian Strategic Policy Institute commented on this country’s lamentable defence capacity was disappointing (“Nation can’t wait until 2030s to shore up defence”, 29/5). A more reasoned response would have been for the Prime Minister to facilitate co-operation between the Defence Department and the ASPI, thereby maximising the skills, expertise and abilities of both organisations.

Roy Stall, Mt Claremont, WA

Recent commentary leaves no room for doubt that Australia is, now and for the foreseeable future, indefensible. Perhaps we should display just a single flag: a white one.

Tony Barnett, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

The only thing you’d invest in in Australia at the moment, and particularly in Victoria, would be generator sales.

Anthony Kennett, Port Albert, Vic

“State appropriation” would be a better descriptor of unrealised capital gains tax. Lenin would be proud of such a policy.

Brian Barker, Bulimba, Qld

I find it interesting that some people are blaming Australia’s preferential voting system for their favoured party’s loss in the recent federal election. Apparently the same system was perfectly fine when that party won government.

Elizabeth Harrington, Milton, Qld

If we were ever to look for a topic that clearly demonstrates that our politicians’ absolute priority is getting re-elected, it is their war on coal. Can someone please explain to me how the world’s survival depends on us not burning our own coal for energy, yet we happily supply the world’s major carbon polluters with that same coal.

Roger Dace, Greenway, ACT

Chris Bowen is the antithesis of Don Quixote, for whom windmills were the ultimate enemy to be destroyed at all costs, even to the loss of life or limb. For Bowen, windmills are to be worshipped and adored at any cost to us taxpayers.

John Bicknell, Bargo, NSW

Through his capricious attempts to expand the scope of the US president’s executive power, Donald Trump’s erratic tariff variations have inadvertently created economic uncertainty from which global trade may never recover. Just ask Elon Musk.

Jim Taylor, Brisbane, Qld

The trade war initiated by the US President has damaged the US and world economies. Why did the Democrats not challenge the “unconstitutional” trade policy on day one?

Robin Clarke, Ballajura, WA