Turnbull’s take on AUKUS, US alliance hits sour note

Not all defence “experts” accepted their invitation for a bit part in Malcolm Turnbull’s press club performance. By all accounts it was hilarious. On alliance management, Turnbull recommends “Be as transactional with America as it is with us.” That will get us far! Calling a 75-year alliance into question barely 75 days into Donald Trump’s presidency is risky and pure self-indulgence. Then there is this rib-tickler: “We should go back to France to get the rights to build a fleet of Suffren-class nuclear-powered submarines.” Remember, the original joke was to buy a French nuclear sub design and, at the cost of billions, make it less capable by turning it into a diesel-powered submarine. Turnbull thinks it is a “massive cost” to host three US and one British nuclear sub at our Stirling navy base from 2027. The base needs updating anyway. This is the cheapest deterrent Australia can buy given the failure to fund defence over decades.

Peter Jennings, Yarralumla, ACT

I am no fan of Malcolm Turnbull but one has to concede that on the subject of AUKUS his observations have some merit. Even former members of previous US administrations are conceding Donald Trump is now shredding international trade and defence relationships that have been carefully nurtured across the past seven decades. In his excellent analysis, Paul Kelly quotes former departmental head Heather Smith as saying: “And this dismantling cannot be reversed by a change in administration – once gone, always gone” (“President Trump means ‘rethink’ of US alliance”, 2/4). It seems rather doubtful we’ll ever see a US nuclear submarine serving under an Australian flag. Kelly quotes several contributors as asking where the money would come from to finance defence spending in the region of 4-5 per cent of GDP.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA

Pell’s miracle

The awe-inspiring story of the survival of Vincent Robinson from catastrophic drowning and brain injury deserves front-page attention (“ ‘Our little miracle’: how parents asked Pell to save their boy’s life”, 2/4). Scholars universally recognise Jesus as healer and wonder worker who promised that his followers would do even better things than he.

George Pell was a no-holds-barred devotee of Jesus Christ. Little wonder, then, that the unexplained recovery of Vincent is attributable in whole or in part to his intercession before the throne of God’s grace. In a few weeks Christians will celebrate Easter. Thankfully, the entire Robinson family will now participate in the full joy of Easter as Christians.

Vincent Hodge, Paddington, Qld

Whether American toddler Vincent Robinson survived as a result of the intercession of cardinal George Pell or not, we can surely all rejoice that this little fellow has been restored to his loving family.

As for Pell himself, given his display of heroic Christian charity throughout his dreadful ordeal, he is clearly a worthy candidate for canonisation. Not only did he explicitly forgive his accuser, he even expressed the fervent hope that “for the good of the church” no evidence would ever be found showing the involvement of corrupt Vatican identities in his conviction.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

The High Court of Australia, a grateful family in Arizona and many others have vindicated cardinal George Pell. But will the previous Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, and those in the police hierarchy, the legal fraternity and the church who hounded him through the courts ever feel any remorse?

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW

Don’t forget defence

I well understand that cost of living is the No.1 issue for most voters this election. But I submit that, despite cost-of-living pressures, national security ought to be the primary focus of this election. Chinese navy warships have circumnavigated the country and now a spy ship is trawling our coastline. This is to say nothing of the relentless cyber warfare waged against us by state actors. We need a government with the nerve to nurture our alliance with the US and stand up to China.

Peter Curtis, Werribee South, Vic

Energy blunders

Our country has been changed for the worse by Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s relentless pursuit of windmills, solar power and batteries. Net zero for us is unattainable and our contribution of carbon dioxide is negligible. Besides, many scientists consider that danger a fallacy.

Our few remaining thermal power stations will continue to break down as there is no spare capacity for them to make up the energy shortfall of the underperforming alternatives. Forget nuclear, we have other options. Let’s embark on construction of new thermal power stations at established sites to use our abundant coal and gas reserves, which are the envy of the world, and preserve our environment from desecration.

Rex Womersley, Cairns, Qld