Aligning ourselves with a pariah nation is a bad look

Cringe, cringe, cringe. It’s not a good look to declare how “close” we are with US defence at a time when Donald Trump has changed the name of the United States’ Defence Department to the Department of War (“Marles calls US link Australia”s closest”, October 16). It’s not a good look for Australia to align itself with a country that is rapidly becoming a pariah to the rest of the world, a country that alienated its allies and has embraced dictators such as Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. It’s not a good look to brag about a relationship with a power-mad president who has attempted to intimidate former friends with ridiculous tariffs and accusations. It’s not a good look to embrace a relationship with a country with masked thugs roaming the streets and incarcerating people without due process, a country that has totally contravened its own constitution time again and declared war on their First Amendment rights of free speech and to peacefully assemble in protest. As an American expat and proud Australian citizen, I believe Labor’s overwhelming election win owed much to our resounding “no” to a party that would show even a hint of copying the MAGA movement. Cringe, cringe, cringe. Alph Williams, Red Rock

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Credit: Bloomberg

Maureen Dowd analyses the disasters that Donald Trump has visited and will continue to visit not only on his own country, but on the rest of the world (“Peace in Trump’s time? Maybe, just not in America”, October 16). This is a result of the US election system, in which a person can contest the highest office in the land without being tested in the Congress first. In years to come, the world will wonder how such an incompetent and flawed person ever got the job. We have the doubtful privilege of watching it all blow up before our eyes. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

An unlikely peace

One must certainly admire the consistency with which your pro-Israel correspondents mount their arguments (Letters, October 16). According to them, Israel would embrace “a lasting two-state peace” if only Hamas fighters were disarmed. With Israel, there is always an “if”. If only the PLO was disarmed. If only Palestinians did not receive weapons from Iran. If only the entire Arab world recognised Israel’s right to exist and expand. If only the Gazans would evacuate the parts of Gaza Israel wants to bomb. If only Hamas would move away from the hospitals. If only all the bodies of hostages were returned. The reality is that the Israeli government recognises the rights only of Israelis. All other humans including aid workers, medical staff and journalists are part of the enemy and fair targets. That is why there will never be “peace” between Palestine and Israel, even with the help of King Donald. Lasting peace requires mutual respect and/or a situation in which outright war is too risky for both sides. Neither situation exists in these two countries. A long-lasting ceasefire is all that can be hoped for. Mike Reddy, Vincentia

Credit: Matt Golding

Your correspondent Danny Samuels seems concerned only with Israel’s security in the context of a peaceable future (Letters, October 16). This one-sided view, in which all blame has been accorded to the Palestinians, has been symptomatic of Israel’s attitude for decades. Meanwhile, on the ground, more settlements are approved on occupied land, and violent settlers, with the tacit approval of the IDF, burn villages and murder Palestinians with impunity. Not to mention Gaza. Palestinians, therefore, could be justified in demanding that Netanyahu’s genocidal regime be “removed from the picture” and the Israeli government “sufficiently reformed” so that it no longer poses a threat to Palestinians. Until both parties in the conflict acknowledge each other on equal human terms, with equal rights to security and nationhood, it’s unlikely that peace will be achieved. Alexander Lane, Thornleigh

Danny Samuels contends that if “Israel can be confident [Hamas and the Palestinian Authority] no longer pose a threat to its security, there could potentially be a lasting two-state peace”. Netanyahu has flatly rejected a two-state solution. Is “lasting peace” therefore possible? David Gordon, Cranebrook

Crisis ignored

The NSW government’s response to the coroner’s extraordinary public letter (“Coroner’s open letter over deaths”, October 16) ignores completely, and I would say deliberately, the issues raised, and comments made, by the coroner, the race discrimination commissioner and the CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW. Each of these experts talk about the number of Aboriginal people on remand or refused bail; the entrenched over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system; structural and system racism; punitive laws and policing practices, and partnerships with Aboriginal communities to reduce imprisonment. And the government’s response? Spend large sums of money on design and safety in correctional centres and commission another review that will help Corrective Services NSW “improve the experience of Aboriginal people in custody”. What an absurd statement. What exactly does it mean, and how does one do that? Not one of the experts recommended an improved “experience” for incarcerated Aboriginal people. Alexis Lander, Kensington

The statement by the NSW government in response to the state coroner’s report on Aboriginal deaths in custody is laughable. The royal commission into this very issue made recommendations for improving design and safety in correctional centres following its report in 1991. The fact that those recommendations still require action is a disgrace. Patrick McMahon, Paddington

Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare.Credit: Kate Geraghty

We were so proud of the number of Australians who marched for Palestine (yes, a worthy cause), but there is little mention of our own people who are dying in custody without even being convicted of anything (on remand). Nor is there any real questioning of who puts them there, and who remands them in custody. Why? The government, the police and the courts must do better. Margaret Heys, Queanbeyan

Kirk a toxic totem

Your correspondent Jack Robertson was mightily ticked off by columnist Jenna Price’s description of “conservative activist” Charlie Kirk (Letters, October 16). He claims that Kirk’s “crimes” of believing in God, the family, old-fashioned fidelity and sexual continence were “traduced”. He ignored the fact that this dogmatic evangelist believed that 43,436 annual gun deaths, including 96 mass shootings at schools, were the “price we must pay for freedom in the USA”. Asked what he would do if his 10-year-old daughter was raped and fell pregnant, he said that he would want her to have the baby. He believed that marriage and adherence to his version of the Bible would solve the world’s problems. If anyone dared question his probity at his fact-free forums, he would barrage them with sham certitudes while belittling and humiliating anyone who dared question his version of reality. Kirk might have been a “saint” to the MAGAs, but he was indeed a prime example of toxic masculinity. John MacKay, Asquith

I’d love to know where correspondent Jack Robertson gets his glasses tinted. His glowing description of Charlie Kirk is totally at odds with Kirk’s defence of bigotry, sexism and gun rights. If, as Kirk said, he saw Jesus as his “personal saviour”, then it is fair to say he was completely out of touch with the gospel message and contemporary theology. Meeting a violent death is tragic, but it doesn’t make Kirk a martyr. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

Kirk was a key ally of US President Donald Trump.Credit: AP

Jack Robertson provides a list of the qualities of deceased “conservative” Charlie Kirk and suggests they could help in attracting more male teachers and do boys a power of good. He must have forgotten to mention his extreme and violent racism against anyone who was not white, his sexist views on women gaining positions of influence and power, and his glorification of guns. He was a reactionary, a bigot and a misogynist – not the sort of role model young males need. Tony Sullivan, Islington

I did a double-take when I read Jack Robertson’s letter supporting Charlie Kirk. Kirk was no saint. Go, Jenna Price! Anne Matheson, Gordon

Privates’ first pick

The Herald has recently published articles about the problems in our public schools. While various reasons were advanced for this situation, the elephant in the room has been overlooked. Private schools, the recipients of significant public funds, choose their students. They select the brightest and the best, and discard those who don’t measure up. Many boys with ADHD or autism attend public schools? These under-resourced and undervalued schools, which are required to accept every student, really do the best they can for their students, many of whom present with multiple problems. Currently, the Smith Family’s sponsorship program supports more than 67,000 Australian children who do not have enough money for their basic school needs. That’s far too many for a wealthy country like Australia. We should be ashamed. Education changes lives and every Australian child is entitled to the best education we can offer. The system needs a total overhaul. So over to you, prime minister. Support Education Minister Jason Clare to allocate the money where it is most needed. Margaret McDonald, Deakin (ACT)

Once again, teachers are urged to do the hard work that was once the prerogative of parents. Correspondent Ryszard Linkiewicz questions the lack of programs to teach boys how to be respectful, responsible and decent young men (Letters, October 16). Surely it is the parents’ job to provide strong role models for how their children, male and female, should behave. Janetta Gilbert, Kirrawee

Quay infrastructure

No doubt the ferry wharves need rebuilding if unsafe, but replacing them with three-storey structures stuffed with an oversupply of eating places, as Tone Wheeler suggests, would be counterproductive (“Quay to our glittering city? No, a circular political graveyard” October 16). Multi-storey wharves would form an even greater barrier between the harbour and the city. Putting the railway station underground (if technically possible and at great cost) would deny passengers the visual excitement of arrival at the Quay, while the Cahill Expressway provides a spectacular viewing platform, cycleway and walkway that connects conveniently and gracefully with the Harbour Bridge. Ian Ferrier, Paddington

The Cahill Expressway and Circular Quay station are very well-used and highly efficient, vital parts of the city’s infrastructure. It is a joy to emerge from the Wynyard tunnel and see the vista of the overseas terminal, the ferry wharves and the Opera House. It would cost multiple billions of dollars to tear down and replace them, if that is even possible. There are many better ways of spending the money rather than just beautifying what already works. Robert Wheeler, Ermington

Never forget

The 50th anniversary of the murder of the Balibo Five is a reminder of the high cost paid by journalists to keep the world informed of the reality of war (“As questions linger, a plea to remember Balibo Five”, October 16). Sadly, reporters continue to die in war, as witnessed in the Gaza conflict, including in targeted attacks. The courage of frontline journalists and camera operators is a cornerstone of a free press and the freedoms we enjoy. Lest we forget. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

The Balibo Five: (clockwise from top left) Brian Peters, Malcolm Rennie, Greg Shackleton, Gary Cunningham and Tony Stewart.

It should never be forgotten that for decades the Australian government preferred to appease Indonesia and work with it to secure the wealth of the Timor Gap oil fields, rather than seeking justice for the Balibo Five or the Timorese population as a whole. Gina Hay, Bayview

Beach babies

The statisticians who can’t find enough babies to increase the population should visit the promenade at Coogee Beach, which is packed with babies in prams, strollers, carriers and sitting circles of young mums with babies crawling around them (“Record low birth rate as parents leave it late” October 16). Cafes and restaurants are filled with baby high chairs and attentive parents and grandparents. Baby squeals and laughter fill the spring air. We Coogee folk are doing our bit for the country. Frank Walker, Coogee

No time to waste

The World Meteorological Organisation has reported that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere soared by a record amount to new highs in 2024, committing the planet to more long-term temperature increase (“What the summer forecast holds for Australia”, October 14). The report validates the recent National Climate Risk Assessment, Australia’s first nationally comprehensive look at how climate change could affect the systems we rely on – like health, infrastructure, the economy and the environment. Clearly, we need to stop arguing about theoretical future emissions reduction targets and get on with the job of building the grid-scale projects aligned with the government’s plan of transitioning to renewables. And like it or not, that will require funding through a carbon levy. Reon Bavinton, Seaforth

Jakarta is notorious for its air pollution.Credit: Bloomberg

Everybody has to pay a price to tackle climate change, but some people want to be exempt. In this case, it’s the Americans who voted for Donald Trump, who claims he is protecting American consumers from higher shipping costs (“Australia to stare down Trump’s threats over new global carbon tax”, October 16). Never mind the cost that they’ll face if climate change is not addressed. But what will be the consequences for American consumers if Trump retaliates as threatened? If he imposes higher tariffs, American consumers will pay higher prices for imports anyway. If he imposes visa restrictions it will just mean fewer tourists to spend money in the US. And port levies will presumably be passed on, just like tariffs. Sounds more like an ideological opposition rather than protecting American consumers. So, here’s hoping that the threats are stared down and that America stews in its own juice. David Rush, Lawson

Cost of Costello

Not only did former treasurer Peter Costello sell our gold reserves at a ridiculously low price to bolster his budget accounting, he blew untold billions by allowing resources and resources companies to escape taxes (Letters, October 16). He started the grossly misnamed “Future Fund”. The name gives the impression it is a sovereign wealth fund, a bit like Norway’s, but instead was just to cover the defined benefits superannuation arrangements of public servants, for which adequate provision had not been made for decades. And he sold off Telstra to do it. Costello. A fake treasurer indeed. I would not let him run my piggy bank. John Burman, Port Macquarie

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