A long week in politics for PM under pressure

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This was published 5 years ago

A long week in politics for PM under pressure

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Illustration: Cathy WilcoxCredit:

To Rabbi Gutnick, I would say that not building illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land is the right thing to do (Letters, October 18). Not building a wall that separates Palestinians from their own backyards, schools, hospitals and field is the right thing to do.

Not dragging children out of their homes in the middle of the night and arresting and imprisoning minors is the right thing to do. And granting the Palestinians the same statehood that Israel enjoys is definitely the right thing to do. - Lynette Chamas, Burradoo

If we are going to reshape the world on the basis of the political status thousands of years ago, I suggest Matthew Lesh of the Institute of Public Affairs voluntarily hand over any properties he owns or is held by the Jewish faith in Australia to the original occupants of Australia and then leave. - Graeme Finn, St Peters

Enough to all the haters of Israel with the dire warnings of economic upheaval at the thought of Australia moving its embassy to West Jerusalem.

West Jerusalem has always been a legitimate part of Israel and this is acknowledged by all the nations of the Western world. This is where Israel's seat of government is located as well as ministerial offices, supreme court, President and Prime Minister's residence etc. For 3000 years, Jerusalem was thought of as the beating heart of the Jewish nation and certainly as its capital – long before Mohammed even existed. There is no mention of Jerusalem in the Koran.

Israel is the only country that respects all religions and, since reuniting Jerusalem, has allowed them all to come and pray.

Israel is a legitimate, democratic country and has every right to determine its own capital. - Molly Joffe, Vaucluse

Distraction: Scott Morrison.

Distraction: Scott Morrison.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

I think it's a great idea moving our embassy to West Jerusalem. While we are at it, we could establish an embassy in East Jerusalem in recognition of the Palestinian state.

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As we are in favour of the two-state solution, we could help the Palestinians establish all their government and judicial institutions in East Jerusalem. That sounds only fair. - Prue Walker, Mosman

Just because someone is an Australian, does that mean they necessarily support the current Australian government's brutal and inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and refugees? Just because someone is Jewish, does that mean they necessarily support the current Israeli government's inhumane treatment of Palestinians? Scott Morrison obviously hopes they do. I hope they don't. - David Hart, Junction Hill

I wonder whether the Prime Minister is using the superficial ''dead cat" of an embassy in Jerusalem to distract from matters of greater significance to Jewish people in Wentworth.

Perhaps what would impress the voters more is for Australia to demonstrate a more humane approach to people fleeing persecution in modern times, and political leadership that counters racism. - Stephen Nicholson, Port Macquarie

What about paying to promote politics, for the people, where the party policies are of major benefit to every Australian citizen? - Susie Packham, Rushcutters Bay

They say a week is a long time in politics. Morrison and his fellow incompetents probably can't wait for it to end. - Stephen Manns, Woollahra

Sort out new system before removing royal connection

I'm a royalist through and through. The Queen is a role model for anyone, and Prince Charles a forward thinker. Contrary to many people's thinking, they are very much a modern family ("Queen believes we should 'get on with it' on republic", October 18).

However, Australia needs to set its own agenda. The Windsors, and Britain, will respect and feel affection for Australia either way. But before Australia ditches a system that might be outmoded, let's ensure there's something better to replace it.

Let's retain a governor-general. Don't even change the name, just work out how they are appointed, because it takes just a glance at other republics to recognise that unfettered rule by your own is often worse than constitutional rule by someone else. - Tim Parry, North Turramurra

Do you think the Queen may offer a dowry to be rid of us? - Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Waiting for the Queen to die is not just a death watch, it is disrespectful ("Time we stopped the Queen's death watch", October 18). The Queen is intelligent and perfectly capable of understanding Australia's position. The apron strings will be cut sometime so why not with her knowledge and acceptance. It would be better for the future monarch if the decision was made beforehand. We can have a respectful debate about the issue.

The other issue is the model we will adopt. There will probably be many choices but it should be up to the people to decide, without political bias as previously mooted. We need to remove factional politics from all debates about the issue. Sentimentality must also be removed. - Augusta Monro, Dural

The republican movement in this country is the cause of the delay. They clearly do not understand the Australian electorate, somehow construing a less than supportive minority polling as being caused by a lingering fondness for our Queen. The bottom line is the republicans have not put a compelling reason for change. It remains a lame, adolescent "it's time we grew up" motto. Well, the electorate agrees, it is time the republican movement grew up.

There is nothing wrong with a constitutional monarchy and there has never been an incident that closely resembled interference. Nothing can help this impotent cause. - Gary Bigelow, Oatlands

Great to see the Duchess of Sussex hit the kitchen at Admiralty House to bake a banana bread for the good folk of Wongarbon - I do hope the duchess got the plate back ("Duchess' banana bread really takes the cake", October 18). - Rob Venables, Bermagui

Reboot idea

Goodness, Laura is going back to Pearl Bay ("SeaChange thrown a lifeline with reboot set for Nine", October 18). I can see a retirement village on a headland in the new script – the "Receding Tide Retirement Village" – managed by Dodgy Bob with Laura as first resident. I'll watch that. - Roger Cameron, Marrickville

Power of the hat

The PM sets a poor example by wearing a silly baseball cap that offers only partial protection against the sun. Australia leads the world in the incidence of skin cancers.

The PM should recognise the power of the sun in this respect even while ignoring its other uses. - Bernard Huxtable, Orange

Bright celebration

Thank you for the coverage on Emeritus Professor Lambeck ("Earth moved for Lambeck and it landed him a prize", October 18).

How about projecting his name and image on the Opera House next? We, as a nation, should celebrate his quiet yet important achievements. - Kim Heng, Oatlands

No bones about it

Perhaps a pork chop would be a more appropriate cut of meat to promote the Australian Conservatives ("Bernardi picks a beef with meat lobby", October 18)? - Mark Pearce, Richmond

Western civilisation has much to answer for

Western art, music, architecture and literature are wonderful but we can't only emphasise the benefits of Western civilisation without taking into account the downsides ("Opposition grows over Ramsay deal", October 18).

Take Australia as an example; 200 years of arrogant, rapacious and ignorant Western civilisation have ravaged the land and the rivers and is in the process of denuding the country of its fauna. While destroying a people who had lived happily in balance with nature for 60,000 years.

Western science is brilliant but our science is entirely responsible for the overpopulation of the earth and the scourge of climate change.

Western civilisation can be accused of destroying our Garden of Eden. In the long run, indigenous peoples have shown more intelligence and common sense. - Jeannette Tsoulos, West Pymble

Pool patron dudded

Peter FitzSimons and others rightly railing against this stadium lunacy continually fail to mention that when the Western Sydney Stadium was imposed on Parramatta our War Memorial Pool was arbitrarily stolen and demolished, with no plan for a replacement ("Eels won't cop stadium farce, so why should we?", October 18).

Gladys Berejiklian tossed us $30 million towards a new pool, after much local protesting, leaving the ratepayers to stump up the remaining $40-$50 million for construction. Inevitably, Parramatta Council and the State government are now squabbling over who should pay while Parramatta enters its second summer with no pool.

The process of choosing a site by the state government for the new pool was a simple expedient of carving a bit more from World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park.

Parramatta pool patrons and the wider community have been well and truly punted. A dud stadium born of a dud process devised by a dud government. - Bob Edgar, Westmead

Hidden jobless

Alongside low-skilled young people unable to find work, we have to include the considerable number hidden in training or educational courses that are unlikely to lead to employment and older low-skilled workers who have been made redundant ("Job market dries up for low-skilled employees", October 18). - Norm Neill, Darlinghurst

Jacinda's Christian charity

I am not sure what Jacinda Ardern's religious beliefs are but there is a huge contrast between her calm measured offer to take refugees from Manus and Nauru and Scott Morrison's not very Christian response ("Nauru refugees moved as pressure mounts", October 18). - Lynne Poleson, Kingsford

Could the byelection be postponed a week or two so the government has time to (secretly) get all the refugees off Manus and Nauru.

Not because of a change of heart but rather in another desperate bid to improve their chances in Wentworth? - Judith Fleming, Sawtell

Reverse psychology

The email advising people that Kerryn Phelps, supposedly diagnosed with HIV, will not be running for Wentworth, does more harm to Dave Sharma than Phelps ("Fake email to voters targets Phelps", October 18).

Was this email sent in order to reflect badly on Sharma in the hope that voters would assume his compliance and, in disgust, vote against him? - Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North

Must be the Russians gearing up for our next federal election. - Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Illustration: John ShakespeareCredit:

Joyce not the answer

A number of National party members believe reappointing Barnaby Joyce to the party leader role will enhance their re-election chances in 2019 ("The push to bring down the Deputy PM is real and is gathering speed", October 18).

Have they gone barking mad along with the rest of the Coalition MPs? Can they not read the writing on the wall?

We're sick of these incompetents. - Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie

If Joyce is the best answer for the National Party's leadership issues, the question must be dumbfoundingly stupid. - Anne Finnane, Marlee

The Nationals don't think Michael what's-his-name has "cut through". Where's the evidence? - Bruce Gall, Canberra (ACT)

On the wrong road

Comcar drivers are trusted to transport our MPs and other dignitaries and so are privy to extremely sensitive information ("Give up the day job: alleged brothel owner drove MPs", October 18).

Until recently they were public servants who required a high security classification. Now drivers are simply chosen from a labour hire firm. Why were these important positions privatised? - James Deli, Oatley

Colour of money

With the release of the new $50 note I hope RBA governor Phillip Lowe has, this time, given some consideration to the 8 per cent of the male population who are colour blind ("New $50 note is out but will it work in cash machines?", October 18). For some of us it is virtually impossible to differentiate between the current $5 and $10 note. - Grahame Marks, Manly

More than books

There must be something special about libraries if my four-year-old granddaughter asks to go to one (Letters, October 18). I am always fascinated watching her walk around the shelves selecting books which pique her interest; confirming that the cover is extremely important. If this high-tech pre-school generation is still keen to engage in a library, then what more can be said? - Bernadette Scadden, Earlwood

A school library function that hasn't been mentioned is that they are often sanctuaries. We learned to recognise new students and those having problems in the playground who would often find their way to the library during recess and lunchtime.

We would cheerfully put them to work, give them something to do, teach them new skills, and they had somewhere to come, friendly faces, until they found new friends and settled in. Very rewarding. - June Dibbs, Mona Vale

Sacking offence

Any PM worth having would have sacked Environment Minister Melissa Price over her recent comments to our Pacific island neighbours ("For Pacific, 'it's always about cash' ", October 18). - Stephen Best, Braidwood

Thought-free zone

The blotchy pink, brown-spotted Craig Barton made me laugh out loud. He is more than OK (Letters, October 18). - Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay

To the correspondents bemoaning the blind, unthinking actions of some of our senators, I offer Rene Descartes as succour. He said "I think, therefore I am". I console myself with the notion that because some of our senators are clearly incapable of thought, they don't exist. Works for me. - Stephen Driscoll, Castle Hill

To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au

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