This chaos of stop-start state border closures can’t go on

There is no question that the unpredictable, on-again-off-again state and territory border closures are costing jobs and hurting business. The NSW Premier is right when she says the virus cannot be eliminated as long as international arrivals continue.

Our acute domestic problem could be solved by reinstating a much tougher international arrivals policy. Only people who are vaccinated and who test negative should be allowed entry.

It has been reported that some people with Australian passports are in great financial difficulty and stranded overseas. This could be eased if they were granted access to a variation of JobSeeker by demonstrating their financial position to embassies, in person or online.

Changing to this policy would bring considerable savings through elimination of medi-hotels and repatriation flights. There would be an almost immediate green light for the elimination of state border closures and a confident return to normal trading.

David Williams, Wynn Vale, SA

There is a certain irony in the discussion about substituting the word “young” in our national anthem for “one” while our federation is unable to agree to a single, unified approach to state border closures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Much has been written in recent weeks and months about the pros and cons of restricting movement of people between the states and territories, and in due course there will need to be a national inquiry into how to deal with future pandemics because the way COVID-19 has been handled is far too chaotic and has caused a lot of avoidable distress (and financial cost) to a lot of people.

It is quite clear the federal and state governments urgently need to institute a comprehensive, sensible and legally enforceable set of rules and procedures so in future there is a fair and balanced approach to movement of people across every state border. This will not only minimise the spread of the virus and keep us safe, but also has regard for the severe damage that is being done to the national economy.

Will Muskens, Bardon, Qld

Just not cricket

Will Swanton (“Paine’s brain fade trashes his own reputation”, 12/1) nails it. The “new era” of respecting the game and one’s opponents has barely lasted.

It’s easy to play within the spirit of the game when you are winning. True character reveals itself when things aren’t going so well. Paine’s boorish sledging of Ravi Ashwin and the constant prattle of Matthew Wade suggest these two have a limited shelf life. Wade’s recent modes of dismissal and his underwhelming Test average (30.15) suggest he shouldn’t command a place in the side.

Paine had done an admirable job since his appointment as captain, but his behaviour recently has become increasingly tetchy, indicating the demands of wicket-keeping and captaincy may be getting to him. Brisbane might be the right time to wave these two off, install Pat Cummins as captain, bring back Usman Khawaja (Test average 40) and bring in Alex Carey before he withers on the vine.

Another member of the side who should have a good look in the mirror is Steve Smith, whose antics of scratching out the Indian batsman’s guard mark at drinks was totally unedifying and outside the spirit of the game. Moreover, his repeated head shaking and general demeanour when given out is hardly fitting of a former captain of the team (albeit a disgraced one).

Time to lift your game boys, otherwise the hard-won gains of the past couple of years will have been for nothing.

Gary Drent, Hope Valley, SA

Anthony Anderson (Letters, 12/1) is drawing a long bow to blame Douglas Jardine for the behaviour of the Australian Cricket team. Before and after “body-line” there have been countless examples of good and bad sporting behaviour by players from all countries. I doubt that Jardine’s team engaged in the constant chirping and occasional abuse that happened on day five of the Sydney Test and detracted from an otherwise classic match. It is about time Cricket Australia and the ICC directed players that, once the ball has been returned to the bowler, fielders should keep quiet.

Rodney Dyson, Hawthorndene, SA

Tim Paine’s captaincy should be in question after his performance with glove and mouth at the SCG, but at least he had the good grace to admit his errors and copped a fine for some of his trouble.

However, Steve Smith was proven a cheat a couple of years back and has confirmed that by his actions in doctoring an opponent’s crease marks in the third Test. As probably the world’s best batsman he will inevitably continue to be selected for the national team, but he should never again be considered for a captaincy role.

Bill East, Frenchs Forest, NSW

Bill East, Frenchs Forest, NSW