Last Post: Where is the outrage about public humiliation of emaciated Jews?

Where is the concerted outrage from the West about the spectacle of emaciated Jews being publicly humiliated and paraded by Hamas? And why do so many mainstream news outlets insist on describing the weekly grotesque events in Gaza as “hostage exchanges”? Nothing could be further from the truth and to describe them as such is obscene. They are the release of innocent hostages in exchange for convicted terrorists and criminals.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

The picture of three emaciated, frail and starved Israeli civilian hostages surrounded by well-nourished, neatly dressed Hamas soldiers and their supporters demands action by all those in the international community who are concerned with justice and human rights. We must demand immediate Red Cross access to the hostages who remain in captivity. We must state that failure to provide such access will result in the cessation of all aid to Gaza. Anything less is an abrogation of our responsibility to these innocent civilians, including babies and their mothers, who were so cruelly abducted in the early hours of October 7, 2023.

Allan Kalus, Windsor, Vic

Clearly, preferences have played an important part in the recent Victorian by-election in Prahran. Placing the Greens last can only improve the health of government at all levels.

Julie Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

Geoff Chambers reports Anthony Albanese saying a stronger economy “can’t be realised by government alone” (“PM tries to dig himself out of strife”, 10/2). That’s true, a stronger economy can be built only by a strong private sector. However, a stronger economy can be strangled and left to die by government through taxes, union-dictated industrial relations, funding an anti-enterprise lawfare group, and imposing more and more green, red and black tape.

Helen Dyer, Ferndale, WA

Voters should be reviewing where the Albanese Labor government has failed, rather than be seduced by what it’s promising. It’s amazing how millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money can be found in the weeks before an election.

Roy Stall, Mount Claremont, WA

Congratulations to Peter Dutton on elevating strong advocate for women’s rights Claire Chandler to shadow cabinet in the government services, digital economy, science and arts portfolios.

Chandler will reward this trust with her courage, strength and ability to support democratic and Liberal values.

Mary-Anne Higgins, Rose Park, SA