Let’s conduct our own review of the need for costly submarines

What percentage of the Australian public thinks the government of the day should continue to pay up to $360bn across 20 years for some submarines?

I think it would be far less than 50 per cent. This huge amount of money would be better spent on social and other programs.

Isn’t it reasonable to allow every taxpayer the right to vote yes or no to such a specific expensive purchase? In any case, missiles fired from a submarine can now be shot down by anti-missiles, and submarines themselves can be detected and destroyed by underwater drones.

John Langrehr, Leabrook, SA

Maybe our vacillating Prime Minister could consider the following and redeem himself.

For starters, he has to accept that there is no way we are getting any nuclear-powered submarines from the US. Especially now, after we have shown ourselves to be incapable of defending ourselves, let alone understanding what is happening geopolitically around us. We could instead offer the US its own submarine bases anywhere in Australia.

These could be existing ones, or, if required, we could build them as soon as possible. We could then be assured of our defence and maybe, in decades to come, we could even be allowed on board a submarine to see what it’s all about.

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW

Unproductive pursuit

Unions have quickly shut down any prospect of a “productivity roundtable”, a phase not found in their vocabulary. The Treasurer, acting under instructions, is quietly but urgently recasting it as an “economic reform roundtable”.

This could be doublespeak for more taxes and enhanced union power. Perhaps the Productivity Commission invitees could find a more “productive” use of the time.

Michael Saul, Scarborough, Qld

Housing shortage

It is totally irresponsible for governments to build up our population while not building enough accommodation to house the people or enough hospitals for them. It really is as if other than being in government, the ALP does not care about the mess it is allowing to happen on its watch.

Automatically, more people become homeless as power bills rise along with ever higher rentals, yet all we are supposed to care about is trying to alter the weather. It is daft, to say the least.

What is happening is that such a brilliant place to live is being ruined for the sake of ideology and what amounts to falsifying the economic record for political gain.

Graham Thomas, Kadina, SA

Superpower pathways

This week the two superpowers, US and China, have simultaneously implemented contrasting international policies with vastly different long-term consequences. The Americans just entered into a Middle East conflict that was not theirs, with uncertain consequences in the short and long term. The “pause” in tariffs by the US on all countries throughout the world will expire on July 9, with potentially devastating long-term economic consequences.

This week, China entered into long-term agreements with 53 African countries providing 100 per cent access to the entire Chinese market with zero tariffs. Furthermore, it has linked the African continent with China through the Belt and Road Initiative, providing roads, rail and ports to facilitate trade.

The data on military bases highlights the contrasting policies: US has 850 military bases in 80 countries while China reportedly has just one.

We are witnessing history in the making. The effects will be long lasting.

Robin Clarke, Ballajura, WA

Going south

Janet Albrechtsen’s article is both insightful and illuminating (“Deeming-Pesutto farce is all about saving Jeff Kennett”, 25/6).

I am a Liberal Party supporter who continues to watch this never-ending train wreck, which will finally come to rest with a Labor Party victory at the next state election.

What is needed is a political party that represents and supports a strong centre-right stance on issues such as climate and gender, and one that certainly does not try to be Labor-lite.

Tony Kelly, West Melbourne, Vic

Watch petrol price

Most of our oil and petroleum products are imported.

We are dead in the water, commercially and socially, if our supplies are disrupted, for whatever reason, including wars and any disruption to our vulnerable shipping lanes. Our standard of living will plummet. There will be immense suffering on this island continent. Australians are sleepwalking towards potential economic disaster because we are no longer self-sufficient in this strategic area. Successive governments have much to answer for.

Michael J. Gamble, Belmont, Vic