Voters across the world sensibly rejecting politics of division

Simon Heffer’s hopeful commentary shows a shift in mood away from the destructive, divisive, toxic identity politics out to undermine and destroy our nation (“Time to say bye-bye to wokerati’s bullying tactics”, 1-2/2).

Countries around the world are also hearing the clarion call of national pride and cohesion, allowing them to reclaim their sovereignty through the ballot box, and breaking free from the stranglehold of behemoth bureaucracies of the European Union and the United Nations.

One by one European countries are deciding Brussels does not represent them. The utopia of “one Europe” is crumbling. Brave leaders such as Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Viktor Orban of Hungary and, further afield, Argentina’s Javier Milei, are turning their countries away from open borders and leadership by hostile proxy.

It’s time to eradicate the worst dictates of neo-Marxism and replace them with the strength and reality of common sense.

Lynda Morrison, Bicton, WA

As many have pointed out, we in Australia benefit from the centuries it took Britain, especially England, to develop the Westminster system of government we enjoy.

The main problem we have with multiculturalism is not the ethnicity or language of those who have settled here from other lands. It’s the fact that many of them have come from places where democracy either doesn’t exist or is very fragile.

It seems axiomatic that we should spend time with such newcomers to encourage patriotism, which is a love for their country of choice, coupled with a knowledge of how our system of government grew and how freedom of speech, religion and political ideas are so vital for social harmony and cohesion. Sad to say, we need to do the same with many of those born here, even those with Australian forebears.

Maybe there was a slightly jingoistic atmosphere in the war years when I began school, but our kindergarten teacher had us regularly singing God Save the King, Advance Australia Fair and Song of Australia.

Some may deride such patriotic expressions as over-nationalistic, but they were a better idea than the more recent occupations of belittling our country, violent dissent, supporting overseas fanatical governments, and putting wokeness ahead of common sense and fairness.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

Climbing out of strife

Seems as though the powers that be say rock climbing in Victoria is a form of colonisation (“Colonisation behind ban on rock climbing”, 31/1). Does that mean we ban planes, trains and cars? Surely, they are a more extreme form?

As a person who went rock climbing in my youth, I found it was a sport that kept me off the streets causing trouble, and gave me a great appreciation of the great outdoors. I would think rock climbing should be something to be encouraged.

There is no better way to test your mettle, and give you the sense of achievement and the adrenaline rush that so many of our youth need and only get from speeding on our roads.

These bureaucrats need to get a life or go rock climbing.

Derek Isaacson, Heathridge, WA

Defence recruit battle

It’s hardly surprising that the Australian Defence Force is failing to attract sufficient recruits.

It’s all part of a wider problem, which is the prevailing attitude of entitlement among today’s young people, and the insidious erosion of the spirit of patriotism that was once inculcated in us from primary school onwards.

The divided loyalties of successive waves of immigrants who have come to Australia during the past half-century constitute another erosive factor.

And as former army chief Peter Leahy argued in his commentary (“Let’s recruit for purpose, values and loyalty”, 31/1), the reluctance of today’s young people to join the forces is in part a consequence of the progressive white-anting of our Australian identity and sense of national pride.

Nor is recruitment in our armed forces helped by the ongoing disclosures and public debates about the fitness and appropriateness of our ships, planes and other defence materiel, following years of questionable decision-making.

Peter Austin, Mount Victoria NSW

Another super idea

In addition to suggestions made by James Kirby (“Ten suggestions to fix out ailing superannuation system”, 1-2/2), I propose that, to avoid concerns about members running out of funds during their lifetime, all retirees should receive the age pension.

This extension to fund those who would otherwise fail to meet the means test could be financed by levying a tax on the aggregate of members’ pension fund balances; or by requiring withdrawals to be included in the members’ personal tax returns.

Geoff Dunsford, Wahroonga, NSW