PETER Dutton, pictured, has decreed that "the only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war...." ('War readiness' the way to preserve peace', Newcastle Herald 26/4). Well, for once, I agree with him.
On various occasions Australia has had compulsory national service in the event that such men (not women back then) would be fully trained and ready to be called upon in the event of conflict. Just recently, the Ukranians have had to call upon all men between 18 and 60 years old to remain and supplement their own military forces defending against the Russian onslaught.
Australia's defence forces number about 60,000, which about equals the number of Australian losses in World War I. Considering the population difference between then and now, I believe our defence forces are seriously under strength. In Afghanistan, individual Australian troops were deployed up to five times. Is it not enough to send a man into a war zone just once?
The war in Ukraine has shown that the unexpected should be expected, especially in light of China's recent agreement with the Solomon Islands. Does anyone really think that China will stop at that? I don't. The reintroduction of National Service is a must. After training, some of our unemployed might see the value in gainful employment and re-sign. I would call that a win-win situation. Peter Dutton is currently Minister for Defence. If he retains that position, he is in the box-seat to walk the talk.
Bill Snow, Stockton
Don't centralise war power
PETER Dutton used Anzac Day in a contemptible attempt to stir up fear of war in the Australian population before an election. On the very day that we recognise the futility of war and the death, destruction and untold misery it causes, this man, who has obviously learnt nothing from history, wants to start the war drums because "the only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war".
On the same day, over 160 Australian Defence Force veterans and their families, backed by former Defence Force Chief Admiral Chris Barrie sent a request to the government that parliamentarians take action to remove the decision for Australians to go and fight overseas from being the sole domain of the prime minister. The letter states, "Going to war is a momentous national decision with potentially devastating consequences for Australian troops, Australian society and the people in whose countries we fight" and as a consequence the full parliament should be involved in such a decision. The Greens already have this as a policy objective; Labor has committed to establish a public inquiry to look into the war powers process if it is elected while the LNP have shown no interest in the idea.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
Cast vote for deeds, not words
IMAGINE being employed in a job for three years. Your position comes under review, but instead of being judged on your performance over those three years you basically get judged on what you can promise and offer for the future.
This doesn't happen in the real world, so why is there not more analysis and scrutiny from the media of Scott Morrison's rather lacklustre performance as PM? Many have labelled his government one of the worst in Australian history. Instead the focus seems to be on a six-week campaign of promises and pork barrelling.
Ivan Hecimovic, Lambton
Gender binary doesn't suit sport
SUSAN Simmons ("Gender disqualified in some sports", Letters, 26/4), in her letter in regards to transgender people in sport, cites equestrian. There is another creature involved in this sport; the horse. It's all about coaxing the horse to do its best.
Look at power and speed sports like athletics and look at the world record time differences. For example, in the 1500 metre running the men's is 3.27.65 and the women's 3.51.95. The women are 24.30 slower than the men, around a 200-metre difference. Would you want your daughter to go to the Olympics and race against a transgender athlete, who might have a physiological advantage? I believe we need a third category. That is the fairest system.
Neville Morris, Wickham
Protection has been abandoned
WHEN I was younger I felt it an imperative to protect those around me and in particular the vulnerable. How times have changed, with the current social imperative on boosting our economy.
It seems the problem resides with who provides the most votes, and clearly the marginal and forsaken of us fare worse. Don't just read my lips, read the government guidelines: "if you have had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 12 weeks, you do not have to comply with these guidelines".
In my opinion these people are not fit to govern anything. Life is difficult enough without the extra stupidity, I believe anyone who has a relative in aged care that died recently should seriously consider suing these negligent people who all seem consumed by their own importance and little else.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
A tough time, bar none
I HAVE just been to a local pub in Newcastle and was having a great time with at least 60 or more other people that were all enjoying the music of a local artist who was playing until 11pm. At 10.35pm a friend went up to the bar to buy drinks and was told the bar was closed.
There were five staff all standing around, one of which was on his phone. One staff member said they weren't making money; that was obvious when they were shut. I was told that the musician announced the bar was closing, but that was a lie; I asked him and he said he wasn't told. I also witnessed a bar person helping herself to drinks at 10.50pm. I was also told they weren't allowed to trade after midnight; well that's funny, the bar was shut at 10.30pm.
There were so many upset people who wanted drinks and left because they couldn't buy one. This was a Saturday night and I am sure there are other local venues that would have bent over backwards to have the clientele in their venue. Most of us were over 50 and not misbehaving. In these hard times for small businesses, I find this really sad as we are trying to support these traders.
Sue Saxon, Lambton
Thorn in sight for candidates
WITH the election looming, could everyone please ask any and all candidates to please take some action about the lantana vines reaching the top of gum trees around the lower Hunter? Even here at Metford beside the road from Tenambit and between Greenhills and the TAFE and from there to Hexham. It should be the concern of all three levels of government but they all say to me "it is someone else's problem.
In another say ten years the amenity of the area for recreation and tourists will be so damaged. One will not be able to walk or ride through the bush. It smothers and kills trees. It is poisonous and has very nasty thorns. If you know not what it looks like, take me for a drive and I will point it out.
James Hunter, Metford
SHORT TAKES
CONGRATULATIONS to Wendy Bowman, Deirdre Olofsson, The Plains Clans of the Wonnarua and the Hunter Environment Lobby on their victory opposing Yancoal's expansion ('Mine's out of time', Newcastle Herald 23/4). And thank you to Newcastle Herald for reporting on it.
Fred Budden, Belmont
CLIVE Churchill, Les Johns, Ken Thornett and our own Mark Hughes, all brilliant rugby league fullbacks and were often also referred to as 'custodians'. The Newcastle Knights do not currently field a custodian in the number one jersey. The embarrassing score lines confirm this.
Richard Devon, Fishing Point
HOW big does the NRL think they are? NRL put in a complaint to Facebook over a private video of a young man sounding the Last Post at a local RSL yesterday, Anzac Day. NRL stated they had copyright of the Last Post in the video. So Facebook blocked the video. The same thing happened in relation to the same young man and another private video in 2021.
Name and suburb withheld
ALLAN Crosdale suggests climate activists should be stopping Vladimir Putin instead of blocking coal ships, (Letters, 26/4). Perhaps if Mr Putin moved to Mayfield that would be at least possible.
Michael Gormly, Islington
I FELL off my chair laughing at John Wahurst's report on Adan Bandt (Herald, 23/4). At the National Press Club he stood out as having a misguided path that Australia should take. I have never heard such a load of hogwash by any politician in our history. How people vote for him is astonishing. The Greens are the most dangerous party we have ever seen.
Don Fraser, Belmont North
I WOULD vote for Steve Barnett for prime minister if he ran. He has all the answers.
Mario Municchi, Tighes Hill
RUSSIA is blasting targets in Ukraine, residences and hospitals. Ukraine is not firing on anything beyond its borders. Mr Putin is no longer of humanity.
Graeme Tychsen, Toronto
WITH the federal election looming it will be important for The Labor Party to clearly clarify where it stands on coal and emissions because any doubts will have a great influence on voting results. In fairness, this should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank
THE Chinese ships built with Australian iron ore are an ominous sight, and still we supply them. Wake up Australia.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
THE mighty Newcastle Knights to win the NRL premiership.
