Letter

In response to Pursuing Australia’s national interests in a ‘Might is Right’ world

Reject fearful militarism

Gareth Evans writes " I totally accept that defence planning always has to be based on worst case assumptions".

This voter doesn’t accept that. I reject preoccupations with power and weapons. To varying degrees, I fear, loathe and despise them.

I like it that Evans puts his argument in tension with decency and prudence, but he doesn’t include ethics, neutrality or pacifism. Too many Labor pollies have gotten their jollies from guns and being power hungry.

— Henry Sheerwater from Taroona