Credit: Matt Golding

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Surely better path awaits
Profound thanks to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his focused commitment to national cohesion following the more than horrific antisemitic Bondi massacre last Sunday. Underneath his initial public statements I heard his deep personal sorrow which I, the daughter of a Jewish mother, also feel, and is beyond words. The human central nervous system is built to process incoming information. After that event, instead of instant simplistic blame, patient self-disciplined waiting to hear the many detailed complex causes now emerging will surely enable us to produce and enact more creative constructive policies to both prevent a recurrence of such a scenario, and build a stronger more cohesive Australia.
Jennifer Gerrand, Carlton North

Listen to each other
As Hanukkah’s eighth day (22/12) approaches and Christmas Day beckons, if only we could acknowledge that the messages of both celebrations are intertwined. While I’m an agnostic (I’m still waiting for proof!), I enjoy this time of year for the opportunity to reflect on what’s really important in life.
My fellow Age correspondents have made some valid points throughout the year, but more so in the wake of the Bondi tragedy. Some have reminded us how we should develop more empathy and compassion to have an understanding of why people react the way they do “and celebrate differences”. One correspondent (20/12) expressed resentment about name-calling and politicians’ use of the acronym “NIMBY” to describe what is perceived to be a selfish, entitled descriptor.
But in my view, with recent events, “Not in my backyard” defines how most of us want to live our lives: in peace and harmony – enjoying what we have for the sake of our family’s health and wellbeing. Whether it applies to living in our suburbs or wanting to protect our way of life in Australia, we should remember to listen to each other and consider our words carefully before uttering them.
Sally Davis, Malvern East

Distorted reality
Nobody could doubt the sincerity of Josh Frydenberg’s speech, yet the loss of a bipartisan response to the shooting is to be regretted and speaks to the Liberal Party’s declining political relevance. If Anthony Albanese has not been seen to do more to address antisemitism, it is because he is also instinctively alert to the plight of the people of Gaza and is treading carefully.
A nation’s religion and its political representation are different things, but even in the early aftermath of Sunday’s atrocity it is invidious to pretend that the rise of antisemitic feeling around the world does not have its origins in the Israeli government’s defence agenda. To blame the prime minister of Australia for the consequences of Benjamin Netanyahu’s political overreach is an opportunistic distortion.
Oliver Dennis, Armadale

Failure to unite
Shaun Carney’s Comment (18/12) was a model of intelligent analysis. I don’t want to see the conservatives’ straining to demonise the prime minister, because it serves us no social good. They have chosen retribution and it will backfire come the next election. They should be on a unity ticket with the government positively steering the country through this shattering event, but they choose, as always, to make party policy reactively. They have never learned the art of being in opposition, being masterful at conflating states of affairs and widening the scope of grievance and blame.
What’s more, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not an elected official in Australia, yet he succeeds in inserting a pro-Israel political agenda into our politics. It is unbelievable that Australians should seriously listen to him on antisemitism in our country.
Pauline Brandon, Beechworth

Mistaken approach
The Bondi attack was horrific. I feel deep sorrow for the Jewish community. This is a moment that should call for unity, reflection and collective resolve as a society. Instead, in the days that followed, a stream of Liberal figures attacked the prime minister. Whatever legitimate policy debates exist, this response felt opportunistic and ill-timed, using a national trauma to score political points.
Australians expect better. Tragedy should not become a partisan weapon, particularly when communities are grieving and fearful. Leadership sometimes means restraint.
If the Coalition believes that this approach will earn public respect or trust, I suspect they are mistaken.
Bryce Peach, Brunswick East

Must work together
Josh Frydenberg has every right to be upset and angry at the murder of Jewish Australians exercising their right to publicly celebrate a Jewish holiday.
Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses and institutions are possibly the only institutions in Australia that have been forced into placing armed guards to protect its citizens from hateful crimes purely on the basis of their religion.
I am, however, disappointed that Frydenberg took the opportunity to seek a political score against Anthony Albanese and the government – perhaps a reflection on Port Arthur and the Lindt Cafe siege, which both happened under a Liberal Party watch, brought bipartisan support condemning the attacks and, in both cases, sought a way forward to prevent such incidents happening again, unfortunately with little success. As Mark Dreyfus said on ABC Radio, Albanese must accept some responsibility for the increasing number of attacks on Jewish communities, but blame is not a useful sentiment; what is needed is to work together.
Nathan Feld, Glen Iris

Annual gun tests
Every complex problem has a simple solution and it is almost always fallible. I suggest that any gun permit holder undertake an annual test (before renewal) which might include their rationale for retaining a permit and the details of firearms and ammunition currently held. This test would include all their social media posts since their previous renewal.
This test would incur a cost which would be borne by the permit holder – I suggest $1000 per firearm annually.
There might be scope for exemptions for eligible gun owners, sporting shooters not included.
A permit holder wishing to buy an additional firearm would be required to complete a questionnaire interrogating their need for the additional firearm as well as their social media account posts since their last firearm purchase.
Gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and we must pay for the privileges we enjoy.
Disclaimer: previous gun owner who surrendered an unused shotgun under John Howard’s guns buyback scheme.
David Brush, Heathmont

Go virtual
In this day and age of virtual reality, why does anyone need a lethal weapon for non-lethal sport?
Surely “virtual” rifle ranges could be developed to accurately simulate the ones requiring lethal weapons.
Michael Langford, Flinders