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What a refreshing change to read of a former Liberal, and PM at that, praising a Labor prime minister (“I’ve sat with Trump in the Oval Office, and I give Albanese a 10/10”, October 22). Congratulations, Malcolm Turnbull, on your honest objectivity. Rarely do we read a piece by George Brandis, Tony Abbott or any current Coalition MPs that is anything other than negative propaganda. It’s why so many voters have shifted their support to community independents, who promote positivity, honesty and respect among their core values and seek partisanship to create better legislation for all Australians, instead of cheap political pointscoring. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl
Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has experience of dealing with Donald Trump.Credit: Getty Images
One of the more risky assignments for international leaders is to meet with the unpredictable Donald Trump in the White House, but Marrickville’s own Anthony Albanese seems to have navigated it well, achieving a good result for Australia and avoiding humiliation (“How Albanese, through preparation and some luck, won over Trump”, October 22). The success of this meeting put paid to shrill demands from the opposition that Albanese was neglecting his responsibilities by being slow to meet Trump. A successful meeting requires extensive preparation, and it is here that the government has excelled, with the thorough work of the indefatigable Kevin Rudd and the tough Don Farrell being instrumental in the meeting’s success. Rudd may attract Trump’s ire, but he is nevertheless an intelligent and effective operator when the situation demands. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne
It is misguided to demand Kevin Rudd’s resignation based on past criticisms of Donald Trump when Marco Rubio and JD Vance, who famously called Trump “a con man” and “America’s Hitler” respectively, hold prominent positions in his administration (“Coalition senator breaks ranks to applaud Rudd after Trump run-in”, October 22). It shows that personal grudges are often set aside by Trump if individuals align with his policy agenda and political interests. Rudd has proven to be an effective ambassador. The real “global laughing stock” is not Rudd, but Trump, whose undiplomatic and childish rants undermine the gravitas expected of a world leader. A case in point: last weekend he published an AI video of himself dumping excrement from the air on American cities and protesters. Such outrageous behaviour from any other president would invite immediate invocation of the 25th Amendment. For Trump, it was just another day. Han Yang, North Turramurra
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
It is obvious the rare earths deal was done before the meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump. The deal no doubt favours America, otherwise Trump would have been less amicable. We no doubt need Uncle Sam’s dollars to develop and sell our rare earth resources, but like most real estate agents Trump will only sign up when he smells a bargain. Time will tell if we have been outplayed. D’Arcy Hardy, North Turramurra
Is it just me, or is it profoundly dispiriting that we are so pleased to have our prime minister liked by the world’s most loathsome man? Lapdogs, indeed. John Campbell, South Golden Beach
AUKUS still a dud
I’m sorry I can’t agree with the sentiments of several of your correspondents who praised Anthony Albanese’s “progress on AUKUS” during his visit to Washington (Letters, October 22). From a financial viewpoint, nuclear submarines bought from the United States will be ruinously expensive for a nation of only 25 million. If we proceed with this commitment, it will consume a vast portion of our potential defence budget for about 20 years. And from a purely “self-defence” point of view, many commentators more expert than I have suggested large, manned submarines could well become obsolete in the next 10 years, along with many other forms of expensive, sophisticated hardware, to be replaced by large numbers of relatively cheap, unmanned drones – both of the aerial and undersea variety. Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach
Australia will purchase Virginia-class submarines as part of the AUKUS defence pact.Credit: AP
Your editorial comments that Trump’s endorsement of AUKUS “augurs well” for Australia (“Albanese’s patience and planning appear to have paid off”, October 22). If you mean that Australia is getting ripped off, I think we can all agree on that. Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy
Off the rails
If it’s not allegations at ICAC of corruption in the transport department, it’s poor procurement decisions and other stuff-ups uncovered by the auditor-general (“Bungle forces NSW to buy extra trains” October 22). What happened to integrity, competence and management responsibility in the public sector, and what were all the highly paid executives at the time in Transport for NSW actually doing while all this was happening? Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Andrew Constance, who was heavily involved in the roll-out of the new intercity train fleet, was the worst transport minister I can recall. He not only oversaw countless costly errors (think ferries and trains unfit for purpose), he did this with arrogance and a reckless disdain for businesses, citizens and public money affected by ill-conceived and often unpopular projects. As CEO, I hope he doesn’t turn Shoalhaven Council into a train wreck. Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park
Your correspondent Bruce Hall points out the obvious missing link in the entrails of the Transport for NSW ICAC horror show (Letters, October 22). What was management doing? Auditors have an annual duty to protect organisations from their weaknesses in supply chain/procurement etc. What were they doing? If government auditing is so not up to scratch, it is very likely that many other departments may be similarly affected. There needs to be a root and branch examination of all government spending management, and a large overhaul of government auditing processes for the public to be reassured of government spending efficacy. Alan Carruthers, Artarmon
Pigs at the trough
Matt Wade understates the issue of executive pay (“Most of us think CEOs are overpaid”, October 22). CEO salaries are obscenely high when compared to those of their workforces, particularly when the salaries are so often awarded with little accountability for performance. Australia has become a fiefdom where the rich rule and do what they like with few consequences, while the peasants struggle. Keith Binns, Goulburn
Better than using median company salaries, as suggested by economics professor turned Labor MP Andrew Leigh, why not tie CEO salaries to a multiple of the lowest-paid full-time employee in the company and heavily tax them above that level. They can get paid more, but they have to bring everyone along for the ride. Neil Reckord, Gordon (ACT)
One driver of the relentless rise in CEO remuneration has been the self-interest of financial advisers employed to both define CEO packages and conduct the recruitment, their fee an agreed percentage of that package. What an obvious conflict of interest. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach
Massacre is ongoing
I was appalled and puzzled when the massacre of Palestinian civilians was repeatedly referred to as a war. Now the truth continues to spiral down the plug-hole as continued bombing, terrorising, starving and murder in Gaza is referred to as a ceasefire, a truce, a peace or a deal (“Israel says ceasefire and aid to resume after Gaza airstrikes”, October 21). Israel is continuing to add to the pile of innocent bodies since the “ceasefire” came into effect. Why, when any child can access reality through a mobile phone, do so many journalists continue to willingly join Israel in existential denial of their continued butchery? We are presented with a comforting, even triumphant, illusion of peace as the world’s leaders line up to congratulate a naked emperor. Geoffrey Dyer, Bundanoon
Palestinians return to the ruins of the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis.Credit: Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images
Science undervalued
How ridiculous that government budget cuts would threaten Australia’s cutting-edge scientific research (“Budget cuts that ‘threaten Nobel Prize-generating research’”, October 22). How many breakthrough discoveries have Australian scientists made, only to be thwarted by a lack of funding? Yet the government can cancel this program while we’re spending hundreds of billions on nuclear-powered submarines, and cutting deals on our rare-earth minerals. We must find a way to accelerate this scientific breakthrough, not hand it over for others to commercialise. What happened to upskilling our economy and capabilities, and encouraging value-added manufacturing in Australia? Finance it by reducing top-heavy bureaucracy in this area, rather than giving up yet another scientific innovation. Ian Ferrier, Long Jetty
So, an Australian scientist wins the Nobel Prize for his work on synchrotrons and its potential to put Australia at the front of research and manufacture of new materials – some with the potential to influence carbon capture from the atmosphere and PFAS from water – and the government plans to cut its funding. What is the matter with this country? Why is there so much reluctance to move to the next stage in what seems to be every advance in science made here? No wonder scientists leave. What a shame if this goes ahead. Mary Billing, Allambie
Grace under pressure
Your correspondents who outlined the decline in our public hospitals are right (Letters, October 22). They are under immense stress. I recently accompanied a close relative to RPA emergency department. Over the six hours we spent there we witnessed the extraordinary efforts of the staff, who literally ran from patient to patient taking measurements, providing pain relief and comfort and attempting to meet their needs. They never stopped for a break, even for a minute. A big thank you to these dedicated nurses and doctors. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont
Many years ago when I was a medical student, the NSW premier of the day visited our hospital. There were long patient waiting lists and whole wards had been closed because of inadequate nursing staff numbers. The reporters and bigwigs followed him around. At the end of the visit the only comment he made was that the nurses needed a car park. The issues and inadequacy of government responses continues. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Skeihy Khoury, Beecroft
Health warning
Further to the discussion about the protection against breast cancer conferred by pregnancy and breastfeeding (“Breakthrough in cancer protection”, October 21), I would like to sound a warning. I had my fourth child before the age of 26 and breastfed my four children for a total of two and a half years. At the age of 58 I was diagnosed with a stage-three tumour. Having been aware of the protection given by pregnancy and lactation, and having no family history of breast cancer, I was complacent about doing regular breast checks, though I was having regular mammograms at BreastScreen. When I wailed to my surgeon that I had this supposed protection, he gently replied: “Yes, unfortunately those statistics refer to a whole population, not individuals.” So ladies, please be vigilant and do not assume you are safe. Ann Clydsdale, Bathurst
Breast screening is free for Australian women once they reach 40.Credit: Getty Images
Don’t bank on it
Correspondent Peter Marshall notes how major developers “land-bank” to maximise profit and that as a consequence, governments should become developers themselves if they want more housing (Letters, October 22). An excellent idea, but what about developments that have been approved but not yet built, new dwellings that are similarly “banked” by the major developers to maximise profit? Perhaps another measure, at least here in NSW, would be a simple change to the planning legislation requiring any such development approvals to be fully implemented (and not just commenced, which is the present requirement) within a specified period, say three years, or be lost. Harvey Sanders, Annandale
Squandering resources
The $100 million bill for the Cutaway fit out at Barangaroo is unjustifiable (“First look inside ‘tree’ sculptures to heal Barangaroo’s scar”, October 22). And who knows how much for new fish markets, and the White Bay power station? Imagine how many nurses and teachers could be trained, employed and housed for that. Jane Howland, Cammeray
Community fractured
The relocation of almost every public housing tenant from Millers Point and the Sirius building must rank as one of the most heartless and questionable government interventions in recent times (“Part of city’s heart goes with loss of Millers Point childcare”, October 22). A vibrant, historic community was destroyed and vulnerable tenants who were reliant on their neighbours for support were left isolated in unfamiliar parts of the city. The endeavour by residents to propose a different trajectory that would retain the social mix and not involve the wholesale removal of tenants was ignored. We can only hope that government will learn from the shameful Millers Point debacle. Alan Morris, Eastlakes
Power to the people
Environment Minister Murray Watt likes to mention the number of meetings (currently 80) he has held with his hand-picked stakeholders for the federal Environment Act review. But what about the biggest group of stakeholders, the millions of Australians who care for nature, but have no voice in his secretive dealings? When do we get heard? Just before the next election? Bruce Gall, Canberra
Responsible fun
Halloween is a massive commercial enterprise in Australia, but with it comes serious danger for the environment and our avian friends. Fake cobwebs strewn along peoples’ fences, hedges and trees frequently entangle birds, leaving them unable to escape when they attempt to take it for nesting. Butterflies, bees and insects can also be ensnared. We don’t have to be the fun police, but there are alternatives to the plastic cobweb product, like old sheeting, cheesecloth, wool or twigs. Our winged friends will thank you. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic)
Fake spiderwebs catch real animals.Credit: Fiona Morris
Extinction fear
The proposed takeover of Rex by Air T raises the intriguing possibility of the new airline being called T- Rex (“Rex Airlines rescued by US outfit Air T”, October 22). Hopefully it won’t become an example of nominative determinism and go the way of the dinosaurs. Alan Johnson, Seaforth
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