Letters to the Editor
Reader responses and commentary
AUKUS and the case for submarines
June 18, 2026
In this article the question is being asked if Australia really needs to have any submarines at all. Although I do share many of the doubts about AUKUS, as an island country surrounded by oceans, I would argue that we should maintain a strong submarine force to strengthen and enable our ability to exercise sea control of our EEZ and as a serious deterrent. Submarines are extremely useful weapons and are not at all obsolete nor going that way any time soon. Nearly every other country that has a need or desire and capacity to protect its maritime territory and...
Shay O’Brien from Melbourne VIC
In response to: AUKUS and the case for no submarines
Interesting omission
June 18, 2026
“Australia’s history is full of stories like these. Italians, Greeks, Vietnamese, Croatians, Lebanese and countless others arrived carrying memories of another place and hopes for a better future.” Apart from the convicts (many of them political prisoners ) who began the displacement the the First Nations people of Terra Nullius there is no mention of the Irish, Chinese, Afghans, 10 pound Poms – to mention a few big contributors. Then there is the GAME – migrant soccer. Remember when the team name was part of the club name? Hellas, Polonia, Juventus, Croatia etc. There is no MCG, Adelaide Oval ,Optus...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: What the Socceroos teach us about belonging
Dump USUKA (AUKUS)
June 18, 2026
Gareth Evans mounts very cogent arguments against these submarines. Readers may also like a very recent video speech on this by Senator Shoebridge. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1jz5ZS7TdY from 8m21s to 22m45s.
Geoff Taylor from Boorloo (Perth)
In response to: The case against the AUKUS submarine project
CGT and negative gearing
June 18, 2026
Why didn’t Labor just say housing affordability is a problem from Howard’s inept policy to “stimulate economy”? Housing became a commodity for investors who, even now, crank up prices unrealistically, outbidding first home buyers, every time. Fancy new houses need fancy new contents, not EBay. Add privatisation, HECS, health, transport for disaster.
Bernie McComb from Cowes VIC
In response to: Gotcha, or getting tax right?
AUKUS incompetence
June 18, 2026
Surely it’s clear that elected politicians, with no expertise or experience, relevant to submarines, are incompetent to make judgement on something as expensive as AUKUS? They have so much else to worry about. It might be controversial but surely it deserves a CITIZENS ASSEMBLY concentrated investigation?
Bernie McComb from Ciwes
In response to: AUKUS and democracy: why both matter
Forewarned is forearmed
June 18, 2026
Once again we have a solution to a social condition based purely on logistics and economics. While Michael Keating eloquently argues the case for higher population density his hypothesis is based on a one-dimensional world outlook: static, bottom-line economics. It totally ignores the dynamics of a profoundly changing environment. With mounting evidence that the planet is entering the tipping point scientists have warned us of for decades, planning based on linear 20th Century economic modelling is woefully obsolete. Around the world, we have already witnessed temperatures able to bring major cities to a standstill. Our current economies and our infrastructure...
John Mosig from Kew, Victoria
In response to: Australia cannot fix housing without more density
AUKUS or bust
June 18, 2026
I heartily endorse Leanne's article on the Waleed Aly SMH article. Any view that suggests the ordinary citizen is somehow not capable to comment about major policy positions adopted by our governments is one which attacks the fundamental basis of democracy. Given that it is ordinary Australians who will have to shoulder the vast financial burdens that will be imposed by this politically inspired farce of a deal they must be treated with the respect that they deserve. Opposition to insane government actions often starts with local community members and the holding of this inquiry is a bloody good start...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: AUKUS and democracy: why both matter
We need public housing, not social and affordable
June 18, 2026
Pawson and Martin bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the topic of housing. It is a pity, therefore, that the term public housing appeared only once in their essay. This is in part not their fault, as they were critiquing the policies of a government for which both the term and the reality are anathema. Governments, state and federal, deliberately choose the term “social and affordable” housing as a cover for their neoliberal determination to abandon public housing – housing traditionally built and managed directly by government to provide homes for those who will never find accommodation within...
Richard Barnes from Naarm / Melbourne
In response to: Australia still needs a real national housing strategy
Opposition for opposition sake
June 18, 2026
Thanks to Mr “opposition for opposition sake”, the concentration of media ownership and have a situation and an unregulated / unregulatable internet we have a situation where democracy is almost untenable. Where the elected government cannot make adjustments to policy to deal with changes in local and worldwide situations without a barrage of criticism. The recent Middle Eastern war is a case in point – the closure of oil refineries, bulk storage quoters have been common knowledge of federal, state, local governments and private companies of all types for MANY years, yet when the diesel, fuel and fertiliser dries up...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: AUKUS and democracy: why both matter