Where’s the sense of urgency in boosting nation’s defences?

Scott Morrison while still in office made comments regarding the fact that we were living in the most dangerous times since the mid-1930s, and needed to arm up.

It’s clear, however, that circumstances have only worsened since then, despite the ongoing letters, articles, criticism and recommendations from this paper’s well-informed defence contributors such as Peter Jennings and Greg Sheridan.

It is no secret that this country apparently has a significantly undermanned military; a naval force principally comprising an ageing submarine fleet that lacks firepower. Our air defence should be principally focused on missiles, drones and other modern systems, but there seems to be no recognition at all of that need.

Recent defence reviews have dealt with the requirements often in substantial detail, but there is no obvious urgency in terms of updating the sector from the government. If anything, the sector has only been weakened.

By comparison, China has been, and is, growing its defence sector faster than any other country, and has other allies in support. Hopefully, we don’t have to depend on our “allies” for defending our land.

Chris Uhlmann (“All lathered up and waiting for China”, 8-9/6) and Jennifer Parker (“Without a clear maritime strategy, we’re sunk”, 8-9/6) closed their respective articles with words of warning: “This could end badly”, and “We don’t have another 20 years to get this right”.

Robin Billen, Noosaville, Qld

A mother’s agony

The story of Liz Osborne (“Mother’s agony of three Fanning Boys lost: ‘I screamed. Loudly. It couldn’t be true”, 8-9/6)” on the front page of The Weekend Australian was a moving summation of tragedy and love.

Having lost three of her four sons, with former world surfing champion Mick Fanning and daughter Rachel the only surviving children, Liz thoughtfully reflects on those turbulent and unexpected events in her life.

Having observed Mick Fanning from afar when attending a Bells Beach World Surf League event, for me the witnessing of young girls and boys flocking to their hero after an unsuccessful attempt to ring the bell was an exemplar of generosity of spirit, with infinite autographs and conversations with his young fans. It was interesting to read that Liz, a nurse, recognised symptoms of a heart attack, and chose to ring her nearby son instead of triple 0.

Perhaps the relationship between mother and son is often overlooked and underestimated in contemporary society?

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea, Tas

Cause of inflation

It is bad enough that the government encourages inflation by conceding excessive wage demands but it also fuels inflation by excessive charge increases.

We now have the second increase in the price of passports this year, the latest by 22 per cent. How does it justify this increase – other than that it is exercising the powers of a monopolistic operator? And it has the hide to criticise the supermarkets for price gouging. Governments – federal, state and local – have to control their urge to raise taxes and fees and, instead, control their spending, like the rest of us.

Brian C Povey, Churchlands, WA

US faces Trump risk

Henry Ergas’s latest article is very informative, as usual (“Politics of justice a threat to the rule of law”, 7/6). However, there’s a much bigger problem than US courts having too much power. It’s Donald Trump.

Never before has a former American president faced so many criminal charges. If he wins in November, his convictions are likely to be annulled and remaining charges could be dropped. The power of US institutions of government generally, including the courts, would be at risk.

Bob Cowley, Broadview, SA

Get vandals to pay

The vandalism being perpetrated on politicians’ offices and university campuses by Hamas supporters and anti-Israeli activists is appalling. Even more appalling is the lack of action against these criminal activities by police.

The perpetrators should be arrested and charged, the penalty being to repay the costs of repairing the damage under a HECS-style structure, where those found guilty must pay their share of the damage bill over time.

They will then think twice about paying off substantial sums, which could take years.

Peter Jacobsen, New Farm, Qld

Covid group think

Thank you, Adam Creighton, for your report on the interrogation of Dr Anthony Fauci by congress last week. (“America’s doctor put under the microscope”, Inquirer, 8-9/6.) The whole disgraceful Covid episode was an absolute masterclass in mind control and mass group think, driven by greed and outright dishonesty. It is gratifying to see its shaky underpinnings collapsing at last.

Carolyn McMurtrie, Berowra, NSW