Politicians avoid hard defence questions at nation’s peril

Our political leaders seem unaware or unconcerned that we have limited and outdated weapons of warfare to defend us (“Trump right to scold our pussyfooting PM”, 7-8/6). The government has promised billions of dollars on submarines that are almost useless for defending against any future land and air-based attacks.

On the other hand the Ukraine war has shown how inexpensive, small, remote-controlled drones loaded with explosives are very effective for destroying enemy targets. Swarms of small drones can enter enemy territory via cargo ships, foreign airlines, tourist buses and cruise ships. We could have hundreds or thousands of these drones but we don’t. Isn’t it time we had at least some immediate protection?

John Langrehr, Leabrook, SA

Greg Sheridan’s well-penned article reads like a tragicomedy script. He compares Anthony Albanese with the gormless Chauncey Gardner; while speaking truth to power regarding defence, Sheridan describes Australia as a “Mr Magoo nation” as we continue “on our way sublimely indifferent to the circumstances around us”. It’s enough to make the reader laugh and cry, except it’s not a play but the reality with Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles in charge.

Asked about the British Labour government’s increase in defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP and whether Australia should follow suit, the Prime Minister replied: “The UK is in a different place from Australia.” I kid you not.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Talent exodus

Tom Dusevic encourages the government and the corporate sector to work together to reignite our economy (“It’s time for business to stop clipping tickets and invest”, 7-8/6) But as Del­oitte’s Stephen Smith observes, “Australia is not a particularly attractive place for global capital.” It’s evident that there is a flight of capital in Canada.

Major resource houses, such as BHP, Woodside and Hancock Prospecting, are heavily invested there or are looking for real opportunities to develop hard rock or oil and gas projects. It’s all about the cost of doing business there in comparison with Australia. As Dusevic observes, we are limping along in the slow lane while our competitors are open for business.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Unis’ big gambit

Australian universities rake in billions from high-fee foreign students but still cry poor. Their business model relies on taxpayers funding the infrastructure, such as housing, that should be their responsibility. Now they fear Donald Trump will cut off access to US research funds for universities pushing anti-Semitic and DEI agendas. So they’re eyeing the EU’s $169bn Horizon Europe fund instead – if someone coughs up the $150m entry fee (“Unis seek EU escape from Trump”, 7-8/6). Rather than fund it from their own huge profits, they’ll likely ask the Albanese government to pay. Another chance for the Prime Minister and Education Minister Jason Clare to splash taxpayer cash and look generous with other people’s money.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

One-sided reports

Chris Kenny is absolutely right to highlight the one-sided reports by Western media, including our own ABC, on the Gaza war and the food aid distribution issue. Most recent coverage on the aid question simply ignores the fact there’s a war going on between Hamas and Israel (“Hamas agenda on Israel’s war in Gaza is influencing Western media”, 7-8/6).

Disinformation is Hamas’s greatest weapon. Many of the media reports rely on the Gazan health ministry that’s run by Hamas. But we’re not told that. We’re not informed either that Hamas has made public threats against any Gazans seeking aid from the new distribution system or that there’s a distinct possibility that civilians being shot at these points were attacked by Hamas gunmen. Hamas has manipulated many journalists into covering the Gazan aid issue without even once mentioning Hamas. If the new aid model works, Hamas loses control of the Gazan aid that it has used for its own forces or sold to Gazans to finance its revival.

Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT

Double standards

Nick Dyrenfurth condemns the growing expectation that Jews publicly express shame for Israel’s actions, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks. I’ve sadly faced similar belligerent pressure from a longstanding friend. The truth is, anti-Semitism never really went away. It just has found new ways to show itself. People exaggerate Israel’s power, then hold Jews everywhere responsible as if we’re all part of some global conspiracy. It’s the same old hate, just wearing a different mask.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW