Last Post: ScoMo’s hose, the only Iron Lady and word salad spooks

Niki Savva may be right that the PM saying “I don’t hold a hose, mate” will be held against him and could contribute to his political downfall. To be fair, those who do make a big deal of that entirely understandable remark must be motivated either by political malice or a slight deficiency in the cognitive department.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

The time is becoming past ripe for Labor to face the fact that Anthony Albanese has taken to leadership of the Opposition like a duck to dry land.

M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA

The only Iron Lady was Lady Thatcher, not Gina Rinehart (“Iron Lady tops Australian rich list with ore-inspiring wealth”, 19/3).

Keith Stuart Bales, Perth, WA

Now that every male is viewed as a potential rapist, the innocent pastime of flirtation will have been swept away, lest you are accused of sexual harassment. I’m glad I’m retired.

J.D. Harding, Eastwood, NSW

Thank you Henry Ergas (“Presumption of guilt unshackles society’s bigotries”, 19/3) for reminding us how fragile is the presumption of innocence.

Helen Scheller, Benalla, Vic

Just a thought, however, I’ll have a stab, / Will the word of the year be simply jab?

Ashton Schilling, Murray Bridge, SA

The purpose of our chief spy agency is to protect us. It is not to shield those who wish us harm by not calling a spade a spade (“ASIO boss must tell it how it is on terror”, 19/3).

Tim Abrams, Beecroft, NSW

The claim by Noel Pearson that “Australia is an absurdity” (“Pearson raises the stakes on ‘voice’ ”, 18/3) on the basis of his huge and uncompromising demands having not been met to his satisfaction is even more of an absurdity.

Vivien C Johnson, Rye, Vic

Sun Tzu, the Chinese warrior and philosopher, wisely said: “Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer”. President Trump adhered to that philosophy, but his successor is pushing Russia and China further into the “enemy” category (“ ‘Killer’ Putin will ‘pay the price’: Biden”, 19/3).

Case Smit, Noosaville, Qld

If, as reported, China is modernising its military and arming for war, why is Australia continuing to supply it with iron ore? Isn’t it time we started retaining more domestically and finding other, more Aussie-friendly markets?

Jeremy Smith, Perth, WA