Medivac law has undermined nation’s border protection system

While it has been accurately determined that the Medivac provisions amount to a dangerous pull factor, facts and figures speak for themselves and represent a glaring indictment on Labor, the Greens and those independents who supported this ill-conceived legislation. Given that of the 135 medical evacuees brought to Australia for urgent treatment, only 13 were initially hospitalised — and some, on reaching Australia, even refused medical treatment — and that a number of individuals had previously been clearly identified as potential national criminal security risks, this entire operation is clearly a sham.

For leftists, their hero Kerryn Phelps, has masterminded a shonky legal ploy that effectively undermines Australia’s border protection protocols on the false premise of dealing with cases of urgent humanitarian or medical distress.

When this legislative lunacy is revisited, and when the facts are allowed to speak for themselves, common sense should prevail and Medivac will be revoked. But it is unlikely that those evacuees will return to Nauru or Papua New Guinea.

Lyle Geyer, Essendon, Vic

The government should do what it can to repatriate the stranded wives and children of Islamic State fighters from Syria. But, a more humble approach from them would not go astray. Next time they call for help perhaps they could say: “Forgive us, we were young and stupid. What we thought was our brave sacrifice in support of heroes turned out to be a waste of our youth in support of the most ruthless, brutal, repressive regime of modern times.”

Patrice McCarthy, Bendigo, Vic

Treat Russia as a friend

The Soviet Union, not Russia, transferred Crimea from its Russia province to its Ukraine province in 1954 (Letters, 23/10). Crimea had been part of Russia since 1783. Most of its population speak Russian and identify as Russian.

That doesn’t necessarily settle the matter, but Russia’s claim to Crimea is more legitimate than say, Britain’s claim to Northern Ireland, and much more vital to its national interests. NATO repeatedly refused Russian requests to join while courting Russia’s neighbours, including Ukraine.

There is much to fear and loathe about Russia’s recent conduct of foreign and security policy. But it is a great country where people still remember much that we have forgotten about our Greek and Roman heritage. I think it’s tragic to keep them as an enemy after the Cold War; we could influence them far more as friends.

James McDonald, Annandale, NSW

Blessed Anglosphere

As usual, Janet Albrechtsen comes to the heart of the matter in her analysis of Brexit (“Brexit, just like your right to know, is about our fundamental liberties”, 23/10). David Goodhart’s division of Anywheres and Somewheres reinforces my belief that those who believe in nothing will fall for anything. Society has moved from a belief in Somewhere fundamentals to a moral uncertainty that is pursuing a road to an Anywhere and is leaving us in a void of values.

The fundamental values that have blessed the Anglosphere and given us freedom from tyranny were founded in the Reformation. While this may seem an oversimplification, the Anglosphere is the preferred choice of people seeking refuge from tyranny.

The question of freedom to know also needs a moral guide. The concept of freedom implies a belief in absolutes, a Somewhere absolute. Is it the right to a protective secrecy or the right to have the information I want?

The Bible gives guidance, proposing a loving, forgiving and redeeming God, this absolute giving us a reason to exercise love and serve the good of our fellow man. The selfish inclinations we all acknowledge should lead us to those Somewhere values.

Frank Lowry, Geelong, Vic