Last Post, November 27

Puffer jackets send a message on trends, but not style.

Apart from the fact that Melbourne can be cold in late November, your article (“Puffer-jacket squad delivers pained message”, 26/11) about Brighton ladies all wearing their puffer jackets and pearls taught me one thing — money can buy a herd mentality and a slavishness to following the latest fashionable trend, but not elegance and style.

S. J. Kinnyski, Lismore, NSW

It’s wishful thinking to link the Victorian results to a federal result next year. Australia is going into a period where the left-right swing is going to become a north-south phenomenon. Victoria and Tasmania are going to become Labor strongholds, while the Coalition will win seats in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The final will be decided in NSW and WA.

John Clark, Burradoo, NSW

It’s amazing that with all the expert advisers around them, the Coalition hasn’t been able to see what people have been observing in their decline. It seems the only way to get them to listen is when we vote.

Will Hagon, Bellbird, NSW

The prospect of Jim Molan being placed third on the NSW Liberal Senate ticket is appalling. Molan has brought knowledge and experience to the parliament, unlike many others who have no real-world experience. The PM should step in, overrule the preselection and retain the retired general. Indeed, Molan should be defence minister.

Mike Flanigan, Toowoomba, Qld

If the Liberals had not already lost the coming election, they certainly have now with the demotion of Jim Molan.

Peter Troy, Kingston, Tas

Jennifer Oriel (“Nature such a reassuring obstacle to opt-in gender”, 26/11) is correct about sex on birth certificates. If gender is socially constructed, how can a newborn have a gender, having never been part of society? All it has is sex determined in utero.

Malcolm Prentis, Frenchs Forest, NSW

The latest embassy to move to Jerusalem is that of the Czech Republic. Take note, Scott Morrison. No outbursts from Indonesia or Malaysia — or is it simply because the Czech President couldn’t give a damn what Muslim countries think.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

It seems to me that the Wallabies’ problem is the ageing half-backs, Will Genia and Nick Phipps. They have lost pace and Genia, in particular, was outclassed against England. Compare that with the All Blacks — their substitute half-back was a bright young talent, being blooded as the next generation. Surely we are not going into the Rugby World Cup year with the same half-backs who are past it?

Nicholas Sweeting, Gold Coast, Qld