Unwise to draw federal parallels over WA election result
We shouldn’t read too much into Labor’s election victory in Western Australia at the weekend. Most Australians know the difference between the responsibilities of various levels of government.
Letters
Donald Trump or Dan Andrews?
I enjoyed the thought-provoking article by Henry Ergas on Donald Trump’s hubris. I read a chunk to my dear wife, only to learn that she thought I was talking about Daniel Andrews. Fellow Victorians will understand.
Last Post: Europe must act to bring Ukraine war to a swift end
If Britain and France want to help Ukraine they should provide it with the means to rapidly defeat Russia, or co-operate with Trump and Zelensky in bringing the war to an appropriate end.
Nation’s poor defence focus a serious worry for voters
It is vital that Australia has a stable, majority government that has far more in common with our major ally than a future union-backed Labor-Greens-teals minority government could ever offer.
Dollars and sense in Trump shock-and-awe policy on Ukraine
Given its much superior economy, Europe easily could have put Putin back in his box at the beginning of his attack if it had not been so busy wasting its money and time fighting the climate.
Natural disasters are a reminder of nation’s insurance needs
The federal government can implement a national insurance scheme where every householder has basic insurance coverage.This arrangement could be similar to Medicare.
Defence spending boost is a priority for nation’s future
The recent visit of Chinese warships to our coastline confirms our urgent need to lift defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP.
Last Post: Queensland facing the equivalent of Cyclone Donald
Anthony Albanese pops in for a visit for a cyclone event that he cannot control but didn’t turn up to numerous anti-Semitic protests and condemnations that he should have controlled.
Nation has not learned the lessons of ‘worst floods in a lifetime’
As we wait to be deluged again, the question here is whether the community will ever learn. Lismore and other towns were built on the rivers for transport in the era before road transport.
Last Post: US slips from world leadership status
Trump’s “America first” strategy is about leveraging America’s wealth and power to plunder at will across the globe. Trump has taken the US from leader of the free world to enemy of the world.
Trump’s isolationist policy threatens to diminish America
China and Russia will fill the global void left by America under an isolationist Trump, and American allies will learn not to trust America.
Ukraine deal must be struck amid multi-faceted reality
Putin can be bad and Zelensky can also be bad. The blind backing of Zelensky means prolonging a war with continuing death on both sides. There is also a President who wants peace.
Starmer shows how to lead the free world on peace deal
In contrast to Donald Trump’s inelegant behaviour, the British Prime Minister has demonstrated impressive leadership qualities by inviting European heads of state to a discussion on Ukraine.
With defence alliances, it should be one for all and all for one
We should work with AUKUS, ANZUS, the Five Eyes and the Quad nations to agree that an attack, disrespect or bullying of one will be met by a response from all.
Harmony v anti-racism; Trump trashes MAGA principles
Our Human Rights commissioners are to be congratulated on their push to forgo ‘harmony’ and instead ensure students perceive Australia as a ‘systemically racist country’. That will certainly improve things.
Turning Harmony Day into a divisive set of lectures is a bad idea
Coming to terms with history is an important aspect of reconciliation, but a focus on grievance without a celebration of diversity makes it only harder to achieve the cohesion necessary for our multiracial society to thrive.
Trump may shock with his tactics but he gets the job done
The stoush between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has finally galvanised European nations to step up their commitment to defence spending.
Chinese navy shows why we must boost defence now
Finding the budget offsets should not be all that difficult when we look at the immense waste in worthless other failed big-spend programs in several areas.
Let’s kill two birds with one stone
Let’s provide the 36,000 new public servants in Canberra with canoes, train them in naval combat and then send them off into the Tasman Sea for close quarter surveillance.
Trump’s Oval Office hysterics embolden West’s adversaries
The confrontation of Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House was high drama, but appalling.
Reality check as Trump’s Ukraine policy gets clearer
Numerous war crimes committed by Russia and its alliance with North Korea and Iran for troops, munitions and drones are not mentioned by Trump or his team.
Labor’s pre-election citizenship spree smacks of desperation
It’s evident that the government has entered a fatal twilight zone where the electorate is no longer listening to its message or responding to its largesse.
Chinese live firing a cause for worry
Next time the Chinese warships may make a point by cruising into Sydney Harbour. Apart from upping the rhetoric, our Defence Minister wouldn’t be able to stop them.
Student activism has turned insidious at our schools
The Granville Boys High School student support officer, Sheik Wesam Charkawi, has downplayed the vile anti-Semitic comments made by the two Muslim nurses at the Bankstown Hospital.
It’s sad but funny
It’s sad but funny that we have to be alerted to the presence of the Chinese navy in our waters by a passing Virgin Australia flight. The response? Build up the navy.
Shared values key to success of multiculturalism
Why does multiculturalism need to be some kind of formal policy instead of something that could happen organically?
Activism of minor parties will endanger nation’s prosperity
The Greens would continue to erect roadblocks to prosperity in the Senate, and, if the teals hold the balance of power, their approach to climate action would bring us back to the Dark Ages.
Defence policy a weak point in minority government
We have seen last week what China is capable of and the teals have no answers. It’s good to remember that the major parties have a defence policy.
Failure of civics education is a tragic feature of our system
The hard-fought battles for the rights to freedom of speech buttressed by the separation of powers are glossed over or not taught at all. We have become complacent about democracy.
German election result has lessons for us on immigration policy
Former German chancellor Angela Merkel’s well-meaning but flawed policies led to fragmentation and a rise in extremism. Australia would be wise to learn from Europe’s mistakes.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/letters/page/6