Voice of unity was needed
I felt disillusioned and angry at the comments from the Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, following the horrific events at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. This was certainly ″a day burned in the nation’s soul″. But it was inappropriate and irresponsible to use the moment to assert that the government could and should have done more to stem the rise in antisemitism. The very social cohesion of our country was – and is – under threat; it was a moment when unity should have been a priority above all else, especially from someone who aspires to lead our nation. All that was needed was a clear condemnation of evil, total support for the Jewish people in their terrible grief, and comfort and hope for a grieving nation.
If the Coalition has positive, practical suggestions on how to tackle antisemitism, as well as Islamophobia and racism generally, they should certainly be heard in the absolutely necessary conversation about what kind of future we want for Australia. This moment of deep, aching grief demanded simply a united voice from everyone in leadership positions.
Christina Hart, Nunawading
Stop the antisemitism
Is further gun control the answer to violent antisemitism? The accused terrorists had IEDs in their car. God help the outcome at Bondi but for the heroic intervention of Ahmed al Ahmed and the policemen. They undoubtedly saved the death toll from reaching catastrophic numbers. The real answer is to stop this unfettered antisemitism which has been totally out of control for more than two years.
William Holmes, Kew
Unfair criticism
John Howard accuses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not doing enough to “demonstrate his detestation of antisemitism” (“Howard slams PM’s hate failure”, 17/12). That accusation is frankly nonsense.
Howard and other Liberals also seem to treat the atrocity at Bondi as if it were yet another expression of home-grown neo-Nazism. Instead, it was allegedly carried out by people with links to ISIS, a global terror agency wholly resistant to government condemnations of antisemitism. To thwart such terrorism, the government must rely chiefly on national security agencies and the police. But it can reduce the threat with further gun control. To claim, as Howard does, that gun control is just a pretext for dodging a wider debate on antisemitism, is both mean-spirited and grossly unfair.
Anthea Hyslop, Eltham
Tackling the ISIS issue
John Howard is correct in saying “governments and individuals can do a lot to discourage the spread of prejudice, antisemitism, hatred of Jewish people”.
He does not believe Anthony Albanese and his government “have done enough in that area since 2023″.
By comparison, where does he place the government of Benjamin Netanyahu on that measure? What impact, if any, does he believe the words and deeds of each government have had, and can have, on discouraging the ideology of devotees of Islamic State?
Tam Munster, St Leonards
Better opposition needed
It does John Howard, Sussan Ley and David Littleproud no credit to accuse Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong so forthrightly of a lack of leadership to combat antisemitism.
They have scored an own goal by themselves failing to demonstrate the positive leadership that the Bondi massacre cries out for, resorting instead to divisive personal and political attack.
Instead of pledging bipartisan support and modelling the collective spirit the nation needs, they have only added to the abundance of its distress. The challenge of keeping the Australian Jewish community safe while holding Israel to account for its crimes against humanity is immense.
Echoing criticisms made by Benjamin Netanyahu is irresponsible in the extreme. The nation deserves much better from its opposition.
Tom Knowles, Parkville
No lessons learnt
Former prime minister John Howard should have reflected on his role in generating political instability, and especially the practice of terrorism, in today’s world before criticising the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, for not doing enough to counter antisemitism in Australia.
Howard was an enthusiastic partner, together with Tony Blair and others, in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 by the George W. Bush-led “Coalition of the Willing” – which was a deeply misguided reaction to the Al Qaeda bombing of New York in 2001.
It further compromised political stability in the Middle East, all in the name of a foolhardy ambition to bring democracy to the region. Instead, it led to regional chaos, and activated non-state actors, including terrorists, the legacy of which is still with us today.
The fact that security processes have been ramped up globally in response to the savagery exhibited at Bondi Beach demonstrates again the enduring political reach of the misguided project in 2003 which Howard embraced so eagerly.
Rather than bring democracy to the region, the war precipitated more global disorder.
Today, the US President Donald Trump leads a charge to further degrade democratic process, at home and abroad.
Ian Hundley, Balwyn North
Cool heads in order
Your correspondent (Letters, 17/12) claims there has been two years of antisemitic ″events″ across Australia. Protesting at the horrendous loss of upwards of 60,000 innocent lives in Gaza is not antisemitism. Just the same as practising Judaism or protesting against the vilification of Jews is not Islamophobic.
One of the many sad ironies of Bondi is that those politicians and particular media outlets who are targeting Muslim immigration and howling about the so-called incompatibility of that faith and the supposed division it causes, are using the event for political gain and to divide not unite the country.
Cool heads should prevail in these difficult circumstances. Give our agencies the resources to do what they need to do.
Craig Jory, Albury, NSW
Focus on unity
I migrated to Australia in 1988, and following the recent tragic event at Bondi, I would say that while such incidents are deeply distressing, Australia remains a democratic nation and decisions about our country should be made by Australians.
External commentary from other nations or their leaders is neither appropriate nor constructive.
As citizens, we have the privilege and responsibility to express our views through the democratic process. Let us focus on unity and resilience rather than assigning blame to past or present leaders. Sadly, every society faces the challenge of radical elements, but we must ensure that the actions of a few do not tarnish entire communities.
Sharmini Thurairasa, Camberwell
Please, realistic terms
Would the people blaming the federal government for what happened at Bondi please explain what should the government do to stem antisemitism in clear precise terms, not waffle like defunding universities but hard facts that they believe could prevent antisemitism.
Ian Hetherington, Moama
No arguments left
Here are all the arguments I can muster in opposition to more gun control…
Ross Beamsley, Moe
Data water solution
The most straightforward way to service AI centres’ greed for power and water is for planning permits to require dedicated standalone desalinated water and renewable power infrastructure (by sun or wind supported by battery power storage) to meet their needs. These services could be provided by business partners thus avoiding impact on any service needs of local communities.
Rob Evans, Glen Iris
Stream of logic
While it’s sensible to have concerns over proposed data centre water usage, we need to think it through. This water will be used for cooling but after that should still be clean and usable for other purposes. Managed properly water authorities have an opportunity to charge twice for the same water. Once for the data centre and again to another customer with little or no net loss of total availability.
Mark Freeman, Macleod
Renewables the answer
So there you have it; if we want to reduce power costs, switching to renewables is the answer. (″Mix of wind and solar key to cheaper power: CSIRO″, 17/12) Then there’s the added advantage of cleaner air, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and independence from global price changes of fossil fuels. What are we waiting for?
John Mosig, Kew
Deranged comments
Donald Trump implies the murder of Rob Reiner was understandable, if not justified, because of the anger he incited. ″He deserved it″ is the conclusion Trump wants his followers to draw. Trump is the one with ″Trump Derangement Syndrome″.
Emma Borghesi, Rye
Credit: Matt Golding
AND ANOTHER THING
Bondi
Re John Howard on Anthony Albanese’s gun control proposals, maybe he’s right. After all, if anyone knows political diversion it would be John ″Children Overboard″ Howard.
David Bennett, Malvern East
It’s puzzling that some people are blaming the Albanese government as being responsible for the Bondi shootings. I’d be looking at the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu as being far more influential.
Peter Knight, St Arnaud
John Howard has again shown how out of touch he is with modern Australia. His intervention in the horrific events at Bondi are simply playing politics, just like Pauline Hanson.
Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy
John Howard’s remarks about Albanese’s plans for gun reform are the diversion. They attempt to deflect the electorate’s gaze from an opposition that offers no constructive input on any serious policy issue.
Jane Edwards, Peterhead
How can tougher gun laws prevent people with evil intent from committing crimes? Prisons are full of people who think laws are irrelevant.
Max Langshaw, Sunbury
A friend of mine had a great idea. Anyone who belongs to a gun club should have to keep their guns at the gun club. If they want to practise, do it at the gun club.
Katriona Fahey, Alphington
A question on gun ownership (Editorial, 17/12) to ASIO or the PM: Which of the jurisdictions require applicants for firearms licences to be identified by fingerprints and digital facial recognition?
Trevor Kerr, Blackburn
Times like this serve as a reminder of the true definition of a hero – not someone who kicks a ball around a footy field.
Annette Bando, Malvern
Finally
England’s captain Ben Stokes has said his team can win the last three Tests. Tell him, he’s dreamin’.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill