Last Post: PM missing the bus on taking Australia forward

Anthony Albanese is in China being its spokesman, not Australia’s. Meanwhile, in Australia, businesses are going bust and our unemployment rate is rising. The PM should get back and do some real work for Australia. And when will he make that phone call to the US?

Julie Dowd, Brisbane

Glad to see Albo took a stylist with him to China.

Helen Woodhouse, Paddington, Qld

When I was six, I had the great thrill of a day out at the zoo with ice-cream and a chance to pat an elephant; I felt so important and remember the exhilaration well. Just the same sort of importance and excitement Albo is having this week, but he’s a bit older.

Neville Smith, Paynesville, Vic

The PM’s brilliant strategic plan becomes clearer every day – pretend we’re a weak and vacillating nation interested only in trade and pandas and incapable of defending ourselves.

Michael Houldsworth, Townsville, Qld

Albanese’s China strategy is all soft paws and panda cuddles. While Beijing sharpens its claws, our PM seems more interested in photo ops.

Andrew Strauss, Darling Point, NSW

Don’t be concerned about our defence force or defence spending, China will not invade. It will just buy us.

Graeme Manning, West Hobart, Tas

Jason Clare should consider that action against anti-Semitism delayed, through not acting on the report from the special envoy on anti-Semitism, is action denied.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic

Jason Clare should be asked for examples of regular street protests against Islam, Muslim students fearing for their welfare at universities, instances of arson against mosques and the anti-Islamic graffiti on Islamic buildings.

Hilary Mercer, Rockhampton, Qld

Donald Trump boasts that Vladimir Putin hasn’t fooled him. So why did he blame Ukraine for starting the war and then claim that Putin was easier to deal with than courageous Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky? Maybe Donald fooled himself?

Kevin Burke, Sandringham, Vic

One has to feel sorry for the members of the Reserve Bank board. When the only growth industries appear to be subsidies and litigation, reducing interest rates will only exacerbate the emerging economic troubles.

Ken Dredge, Camp Hill, Qld