PM, Wong must stand up for AUKUS accord, prepare for turmoil

Sitting on the fence is an unsustainable position for Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong when it comes to the AUKUS pact. They are charged with national and international responsibilities and to take a position of strength in the currently very unstable predicament the world now finds itself in. Our military unpreparedness must be a primary issue when a world at war seems to loom large.

Every effort to maintain the AUKUS pact is our best hope for support should we be affected by an event needing military support and intervention. Sustainable power supply is also a major issue, and cannot be put off for any longer. We need dependable and reliable power resources to function. These important decisions need to be made with positivity and immediacy. That is what our leaders are elected to do, to face the reality of our position both here and in the wider world, and act swiftly. History tells us that preparedness is essential for our wellbeing now and into the future.

Stephanie Summers, Turramurra, NSW

Productivity, please

I agree with Bill Kelty’s view that today young Australian adults bear a disproportionate and heavy PAYG tax burden (“Kelty blasts Labor’s proposed super tax”, 14-15/6). The top marginal PAYG tax rate plus Medicare levy takes 47 per cent tax from take-home pay. The added costs of potentially servicing a HECS debt or mortgage, rent and living expenses must at times seem insurmountable and discouraging. Australia is long overdue for tax reform. The Henry Tax Review expertly laid it all out, but no government has had the political will to adopt such reform.

I agree with Kelty that the Prime Minister’s August roundtable on growth and productivity is the ideal opportunity to address tax reform, should the Albanese government have the political will for it. Lower marginal PAYG and corporate tax rates must be on the agenda should the Albanese government be truly genuine in its desire to improve productivity.

Lisa Gelsomino, Paddington, Qld

Superpower fantasy

In his strong case for the joint development of Australia’s globally significant and strategic rare earth minerals deposits with the US and other partners, Alan Dupont misses one vital point: the necessity for competitive and 24/7 reliable power supply (“Albanese’s trump card: our shovel-ready rare earth mines”, 14-15/6). You can guarantee that the world’s dominant producer, China, with its broad energy mix that includes all available resources, has no problem in providing 24/7 power for these intricate operations but for Australia, under the constraints of Albanese’s renewables superpower fantasy, 24/7 power supply will remain a never-ending issue. This will stand out like a sore thumb to President Trump, whose administration is moving in the opposite direction to Australian energy policy by closing off subsidies to renewables and promoting nuclear energy.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

From grape to olive?

The Australian’s coverage of the devastating circumstance of many Australian wine grape producers, particularly in warm, inland, irrigation areas, accurately depicts the heartbreaking situation facing the growers involved (“Bonfire of the vineyards; the red wine crisis”, 14-15/6). Factors beyond their control – declining wine consumption and changing consumer preferences – have caused grape prices to fall to levels below cost of production. Some of the more innovative growers are replacing vines they have removed with high-density olive plantings. And every cloud has a silver lining.

The disastrous situation confronting European olive oil producers must surely represent an unrivalled opportunity for Australia’s distressed grapegrowers. To assist such a transition, the Berri Barmera Council in South Australia is proposing the development of a cooperative-style olive processing facility. A change from grape to olive production surely merits governmental support and funding.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA

Trump’s big parade

The military parade in Washington at the weekend symbolised the change in culture in America. Parades are designed for a purpose – either to project power or to appreciate people. Past American parades were expressions of appreciation for the veterans who are highly regarded in American culture. The huge cost included military personnel but was largely devoted to the display of the country’s weapons arsenal.

The Washington parade was the type normally seen in Russia or China. Democratic countries such as Australia use parades to show appreciation for the people who served, such as Anzac parades. I think the change in emphasis at the parade reflected a change in America, from serving to subservience.

Robin Clarke, Ballajura, WA