Letters to
the editor

Heed the warnings

If Peter Dutton’s threadbare domestic policy cupboard doesn’t deny him the keys to Kirribilli House, his bellicose, uncritical support for our alliance with Trump’s United States – and his antagonism towards China – should (Jason Koutsoukis, “ ‘This is going to stick’: Inside Dutton’s Trump dump”, April 5-11). The election forced him to concede that the AUKUS submarine fiasco might need review, but his approach to foreign affairs remains dangerous and damning, and a serious security risk. Anthony Albanese is a shade better here, but both leaders must heed the warnings of Peter Varghese’s review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work. It found a “systematic failure” in Chinese expertise, supported by the 2024 “Australia’s China Knowledge Capability” report, finding “critical gaps and serious declines in Australian universities’ education and training capability on China”. Views from Washington or the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, linked to the US military/industrial complex, are no substitute for independent, expert knowledge of Chinese history, culture and language in guiding our relationship.

– Norman Huon, Port Melbourne, Vic

Corporate clone

There is a simple retort to politicians seeking to “lobotomise” the public broadcaster (Martin McKenzie-Murray, “Broadcast ruse”, April 5-11): “Where would we be without the ABC?” New Zealand, where formerly publicly funded television is now a clone of the commercial channels, provides an answer.

– Blair Badcock, Kensington Gardens, SA

Climate priority

With the global climate already on a knife edge, there’s no doubting it’s a long way back to stable weather patterns if we get the vote in this election wrong (Tim Flannery, “A coalition of climate vandals”, April 5-11). Peter Dutton’s front bench is not far off the same line-up Scott Morrison offered the people in 2022, and Dutton’s pronouncements sound suspiciously like those emanating from the Trumpian White House. Climate events, from Black Summer to the constant inundations across tropical and subtropical Australia, conclusively demonstrate the scientific warnings of the 1970s and ’80s were spot-on. That we almost give away our fossil fuels to offshore extractors is ludicrous, both economically and environmentally. Fair royalties and taxes would secure our economic, social and environmental future. If we’re going to come out on the right side of history, from now on action on any and every aspect of climate must be a priority.

– John Mosig, Kew, Vic

Sensibly enough

I’ve worked to promote fairer economic models in the West for many decades. It’s long been clear that on a finite planet, we need a more equitable distribution of wealth and that addressing climate change means we must consume less, not just differently. When we talk about reducing consumption, the elephant in the room is that we apparently can’t do it on a wide scale unless we are forced. Despite the best efforts of a conscious few, it always seems to take poverty or crisis to drive real change. Now, as Trump’s aggressive tariffs take a wrecking ball to global capitalism (World, “Trump’s sweeping tariffs set to spark global trade war”, April 5-11), I find myself grappling with a bitter irony. Trump’s actions are abhorrent to me, and entirely lacking in justice, compassion or logic, yet they may force the very reduction in consumption that climate action demands. All I can hope for is that as we emerge from the wreckage, we can begin to shape a future that is more connected, slower, greener and kinder and built on community, care and enough for all, including a more sensible version of what is “enough” for us.

– Molly Kendal, Moonah, Tas

What really matters

Thank you, Jon Kudelka (“A monkey with a rifle”, April 5-11), for sharing your diagnosis of an inoperable glioblastoma. You have enormous courage sharing your insights. Good luck in your journey and thank you during this election cycle for reminding us what really matters.

– Mary Keating, Flemington, Vic