Last Post: Unfit-for-purpose quarantine facilities prevent return of high-risk travellers

What an astonishing saga of incompetence and deceit we read regarding the mismanagement of the COVID outbreak in Victoria (“Exposed: the shocking secrets in Covid hotels”, 5/5). I look forward to hearing further details on tonight’s ABC news. I will, won’t I?

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

Until our quarantine facilities are “fit for purpose” we cannot contemplate allowing entry to travellers from high-risk countries such as India. The facilities should be located away from major centres of population and have adequately trained staff who do not hold down second jobs in the community.

Jan Noble, Fig Tree Pocket, Qld

Paul Kelly’s article “PM’s faith in power to rally quiet Australians” (5/5) was most refreshing. We quiet Australians reject the obsessive, narcissistic outlook of so-called progressives and their pursuit of identity politics. Long live free speech and thought.

John Bicknell, Bargo, NSW

Thank you, Paul Kelly. “I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live as if there isn’t and to die to find out that there is.” Albert Camus.

Valerie Hudson, Noosa, Qld

I can understand why the “range of experts” consulted by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority has not caught up with research on teaching reading over the past two decades (“‘Failure of leadership’ in curriculum call on reading”, 5/5). I am personally aware of university academics who reject phonics, preferring the “whole language” ideology where children are encouraged to guess words using clues such as their shape, first letter or nearby pictures. These university “experts” are in charge of teacher training. No wonder Australia continues to fall behind in international education rankings.

Roslyn Phillips, Tea Tree Gully, SA

Ashton Schilling (Letters, 5/5) is reminded of the words, “If you want peace, prepare for war”, by the Roman writer Vegetius. Perhaps we could also take note of the words, “If you want peace work for justice”, by Pope Paul Vl in 1972.

Marita Molloy, Middle Park, Vic

Adult Australian citizens in India will soon get the chance to vote against the politicians who are keeping them out of their country for two weeks. I’ll never get to vote against the people who banned me, a resident of Melbourne, from visiting my birthplace and workplace in Adelaide for months on end.

Greg Taylor, Melbourne, Vic