UN forces have failed to contain Hezbollah

The IDF has just revealed massive, heavily fortified Hezbollah tunnels found just metres away from UN Interim Force in Lebanon posts in Southern Lebanon (“Terror tunnels under nose of UN troops”, 15/10). No doubt UNIFIL commanders are promoted on their return for their superb observation skills. Formed by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, UNIFIL’s mission was to secure Israel’s withdrawal by keeping Hezbollah north of the Litani River. But when Hezbollah crept south UNIFIL hasn’t acted. In fact, over the past 18 years it has presided over a vast expansion of Hezbollah capability.

This is a long-term fraud. Israel has asked UNIFIL to vacate some positions, including those close to the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel. The request was rejected by the UN, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong tweeting that “we reiterate our strong support for the essential role played by UNIFIL in upholding regional peace”. With an actual war going on, the reasonable thing for UN secretary- general Antonio Guterres to do would be to remove UNIFIL from danger and let Israel bring Hezbollah to the point where it no longer poses a strategic threat to its country.

Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT

Israel yet again is being demonised, this time for breaching a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon was established in 1978, which begs the question, after 48 years is it still “interim”? In 2006 the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted motion 1701, calling for withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah, with no armed forces other than UNIFIL and the Lebanese military able to operate south of the Litani River. Under the less than watchful eyes of the UNIFIL “peacekeeping” force, Hezbollah built hundreds of offensive positions and has fired thousands of missiles into Israel. How much more provocation would any country need before taking defensive action?

Alan Slade, Dover Heights, NSW

Urgent, practical action needed on the ground

With all the soul-searching and finger-pointing linked with the first anniversary of the failed voice referendum (“PM voices not a word of regret a year on”, 15/10), one crucial aspect continues to be neglected: how to tackle the lot of the most disadvantaged Australians living in shameful conditions in isolated communities. It is incumbent on federal and state governments, and First Nations leaders, to unite to produce a realistic strategy to improve opportunities for these First Australians. Throwing millions of taxpayers’ dollars at the problem obviously doesn’t work.

The wealthy land councils around the country must also pull their weight, tap into their funds from mining royalties and invest in long-term projects for their people. This would provide a base for positive progress. Constitutional lawyers can wax lyrical about the merits of a voice to parliament all they like. But it is on the ground where urgent, practical action is desperately needed.

Peter Kennedy, Mount Lawley, WA

Labor largesse costs us

It’s election time in Queensland. And the Labor government has rolled out trick #1 … big handouts to sway voters. It cunningly omits to mention that voters actually end up paying for this largesse (“Labor’s populist splurge to put state’s credit rating at risk”, 15/10). We have recently had $1000 handouts to support residents hit with huge bills for apparently “cheaper renewables”. Then 50-cent fares. Now its $1.2bn for free school lunches.

Not so long ago Queensland had a net surplus – no state debt. It will be $172bn of debt by 2028-29, that’s around $61,000 per taxpayer. It’s a huge interest repayment on borrowings, a penalty for current taxpayers and a sad legacy for the next generation. Now the state’s credit rating is at risk. The consequences are much higher debt repayment costs to taxpayers. The Queensland ALP is totally irresponsible when it comes to finances. It must be running scared and terribly desperate. Its solution is a huge cash splash to try to win votes and hold on to power.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Energy security

It is simply not acceptable that the Albanese government is floundering on the development of the country’s internationally competitive natural gas resources at the cost of the security of both domestic manufacturing and sectors of our regional trading partners (“Action needed over Australia’s slipping LNG position”, 15/10).

As global geopolitical tensions reach new post-WWII highs, nothing is more critical than having secure and reliable energy. Yet the Albanese government is taking us down an ideological pathway of weather-dependent renewable energy, which not only increases our dependency on Chinese equipment but will likely necessitate the importation of LNG

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic