No easy answers to number of Indigenous children in care

Is Professor Marcia Langton horrified and angered by the fact children are being taken away from their parents, or that abuse and neglect get to such an extent that authorities are so worried that they feel they have to take this drastic action (“ ‘Scandal’ of black kids put into care”, 18/5)? My understanding is that there is huge pressure, justifiably, to keep children with their families or relatives, but they do have to be safe. I hope the safe spaces they are taken to are culturally appropriate. The abuse and neglect these children must have been subjected to is a tragedy, but anger towards those trying to keep them safe is misdirected. I would hate to think these poor children are kept in unsafe homes because the statistics are unpalatable. We need to help all parents to ensure they can look after their families, really understanding how important they are in moulding their little people.

T. Daly, Graceville, Qld

In the tank

A brilliant article by former major-general, now senator, Jim Molan (“Tank talk is all about real warfare, not vague ideas”, 18/5). Molan, like any veteran, understands the importance of tanks in a conventional combat situation. Let us not be confused by our more recent counter-terrorism operations where many fights have been against small groups of determined enemy as opposed to larger forces. Let us also not be misled by thinking because of the technological advancement of weapons there will be no need for ground troops to secure ground and protect facilities. As Molan well knows, this is basic soldiering stuff applicable in all wars. I, like Molan, am an infantryman by trade and, if on the ground, I would want the protection of those big machines rumbling alongside me.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

Jim Molan has fired for effect on the need for Abrams tanks. He has the priceless viewpoint of having been on the “two-way rifle range”. Greg Sheridan (“Thanks but no tanks for our defence, please”, 13/5) is misguided to think all warfare will be asymmetric in future, played out like some video game. Armour is a major force multiplier and an infinite comfort to the soldiers on the ground. In the last conventional battle fought by the Australian Army, the Battle of Coral and Balmoral in South Vietnam, Centurian tanks gave the edge to an Australian force outnumbered about three to one. It is essential soldiers are given every asset to increase their combat power and preserve their lives. There are no prizes for second in war.

Owen Eather, Mosman, NSW

At the mercy

The true enemy of the medical profession is not death, it is suffering. Death always wins in the end; staving it off a few more weeks at the cost of unimaginable suffering is not victory but a cruel failure. I will take up Bob Day’s challenge (Last Post, 17/5) and call euthanasia by its proper name: mercy. The mother of one my brain tumour patients told me her son screamed for three days before he died recently in a high-quality palliative care unit. He was 23. If only he had been allowed to trade his last wretched week of life for a slightly earlier departure in peace and dignity. But, in Queensland, offering such mercy is still illegal.

Anthony Pane, Brisbane, Qld

Chinese whispers

Daryl McCann falls into the same old conservative trap: conflating chest-thumping rhetoric against Beijing with the actual prosecution of tough, coherent national China strategy (“Kevin, me old China, why can’t you Xi the truth?”, 14/5). My argument is not, as McCann alleges, that China isn’t serious about reincorporating Taiwan. Quite the opposite. Had he bothered to read my writings, he’d know that I’ve dubbed the 2020s “the decade of living dangerously” precisely because the risk of conflict will increase if the regional balance of military power keeps tilting in China’s favour, and if Beijing calculates that Washington wouldn’t fight for fear of losing.

Australia’s national interests aren’t served by ministers talking up the imminent risk of war for domestic political advantage. Previous governments have always refrained from publicly speculating on possible responses to future Taiwan scenarios. Canberra should instead work diligently with friends and allies to defend the status quo. That does not equate with ministers and senior officials shooting their mouths off for the fun of it.

Kevin Rudd, Brisbane, Qld

Super idea

There is much to agree with in your editorial (“Super members must come first”, 18/5). One of the first priorities for reform would be looking at the ease with which super fund members can withdraw all or most of their funds before retirement so they qualify for a full Age Pension. Restricting this would ensure a lot of cashed-up superannuants did not sign up for a pension they don’t need.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW