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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au<\/a>. Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here<\/a> for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.<\/p>\n I would like to express my outrage and disgust at the cartoon by Cathy Wilcox (7\/1). It is tainted by the antisemitic trope of Jews pulling strings and manipulating people, and features a \u201cdog for a RC\u201d along with high-profile sports people, lawyers and former \u201cLabor has beens\u201d among others demanding a royal commission, marching to the beat of Benjamin Netanyahu. As if these people cannot think for themselves. I am astonished that The Age has seen fit to publish this item on the day of the funeral of the last person murdered at the Bondi massacre, and only weeks after the attack targeting Jews. If anything this cartoon adds to the weight of evidence that we need a royal commission in to antisemitism in this country. A disappointing portrayal A new low has been reached Just a cheap shot Cartoonist should offer an apology … … She has nothing to apologise for Snapshot of critical thinking More power to her pen THE FORUM<\/p>\n Privatising success Away from home options Failing the pub test No expense spared Distractions galore Keeping a distance This can\u2019t be true, can it? Hatred\u2019s two sides of coin Absolute power Money thrown away Back away from US Resources grab A willing target Make a move, PM PM\u2019s muddled thinking
Jennifer Meister, Ivanhoe<\/p>\n
I am very disappointed at the Wilcox cartoon, and find it extremely disturbing. Many in the Jewish community have experienced a rise in antisemitism, I don\u2019t have to go through all the details. This cartoon does not in my opinion show the satire side, but can encourage more Jewish hatred. The many judges, legal experts, athletes, former politicians including those from Labor have requested a royal commission. This cartoon gives a completely different view. Very disappointed, as are many.
Sue Stein, Caulfield South<\/p>\n
Cathy Wilcox\u2019s cartoon reaches new lows. Rather than focus on why people are calling for a royal commission, she chooses the oldest tropes in history \u2013 blame the Jews. To suggest Benjamin Netanyahu has anything to do with the calls for a royal commission is a damaging falsehood. The shooters were militant Islamist Australians, targeting Jewish Australians. The only thing this cartoon does is encourage hatred of Jews in Australia. Shame on Cathy Wilcox and The Age editorial team for publishing this rot.
Natasha Mandie, Caulfield<\/p>\n
Regardless of one\u2019s views on the need or otherwise for a royal commission into the Bondi terrorist attack, I fail to see how the Wilcox cartoon about the royal commission is anything but an example of antisemitism, and a very cheap shot at that. Did I miss something?
Christine Bradbeer, Mont Albert North<\/p>\n
Cathy Wilcox should be ashamed of herself. The references to Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu in the cartoon are completely irrelevant to the conversation in this country about a royal commission. She should retract and apologise to this nation\u2019s Jewish people, still reeling from the Bondi attacks.
John Deane, Glen Iris<\/p>\n
I support Cathy Wilcox. Her cartoons are wonderful and insightful. The subject matter may cause discomfort to some, but she has nothing for which to apologise.
Susan Kelly, Highton<\/p>\n
I was surprised by the extent of the unfavourable reaction to the Wilcox cartoon. Wilcox depicted a point, or points, of view that could be reasonably extracted from the diatribe surrounding the Bondi tragedy. The cartoon was nothing other than a creative snapshot of critical thinking.
Andrew Barnes, Ringwood<\/p>\n
Grief and fear do not entitle one to a monopoly on expressing an opinion. Accusing Cathy Wilcox of antisemitism indicates just how reflexively the term can be used nowadays. More power to her pen.
Joe Fitzpatrick, Murrumbeena<\/p>\n
Your correspondent asks if anyone can identify a single example of the privatisation of a government service that has resulted in better and cheaper service (Letters, 8\/1). Public transport is a perfect example. Prior to Jeff Kennett, public transport in Victoria was a shambles with dirty, old and unreliable trains and trams lined up the length of Bourke Street. Strikes were frequent and sometimes called at a moment\u2019s notice, stranding commuters in the city. Perhaps your correspondent could tell us the last time commuters were inconvenienced by strike action in Victoria? Privatisation has often failed but in public transport it has been a clear winner.
Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully<\/p>\n
Re the travel allowance of politicians\u2019 accommodation in Canberra (\u2033\u2063The other travel perk politicians are pocketing<\/a>\u2033\u2063, 8\/1). Could this be eased by providing a dormitory-style facility for their use when working in the national capital? Or if they prefer, use their own residential choice at their own expense. They are then free to choose either option. The cost of running this could be offset by public bookings when not required by elected officials.
Graham Silver, Monbulk<\/p>\n
Politicians defending their $322 daily allowance for staying in houses they own in Canberra may well be within the rules, as claimed by Senator Bridget McKenzie. However, I doubt any customer in any pub in Australia would find the arrangement defendable.
Peter Roche, Carlton<\/p>\n
Some years ago, when travelling we got a daily allowance. This later changed to presenting receipts for any expenses incurred. The politicians should be no different. If Michaelia Cash has a house in Canberra she needs to present receipts for any claims made, not claim $322 for each day she is in Canberra. All politicians need to be treated the same way. Again, the figures presented in The Age may be over a number of years, but the houses owned by politicians are also gaining in value. Are they also paying capital gains tax or are they exempt?
Louis Ferrari, Richmond<\/p>\n
\u201cFlooding the zone\u201d is Donald Trump\u2019s raison d\u2019\u00eatre. Is it just me, but every time the Epstein Files turns over another potential Trump scandal, we look elsewhere as multiple \u201cdead cats\u201d are thrown by Trump on the table to distract us, whether it is another unilateral 28-point Ukraine \u201cpeace plan,\u201d the annexation of Greenland, bombing of survivors of alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters or the potentially illegal extraction of Venezuela\u2019s president and wife.
Peter Russo, West Brunswick<\/p>\n
Recent developments in Venezuela provide yet further evidence that Donald Trump is seeking to engineer a global order where militarily powerful countries dominate and exploit less powerful countries. Against this context, Anthony Albanese\u2019s 2022 decision to follow through on cancelling the French submarine contract to pursue AUKUS amounts to funding, and actively engineering, our increased vulnerability to the misuse of US power. Exactly when and how we get ourselves out of this parlous and absurd situation is not currently clear, but we could at least start with wider recognition that the US is no longer a country we should to defend ourselves with: it is a country we need to try to defend ourselves from.
Tim Thornton, Northcote<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s recap on a few of the recent transparencies of a game show host who thinks he can bring his charismatic exhibition to the world stage and make anything true. Venezuelan oil is meant to plug the gaping hole made by ruinous tariffs and overall economic mismanagement, while Venezuela is successfully set up as a nation of drug-runners. A Greenland venture by Donald Trump is going to put the wind up Xi Jinping who has vast supplies of precious metals but that\u2019s going to end when Trump steals Greenland\u2019s stash while burying in the process his famous Chinaphobia. Canada was the long-term friend and ally of the US but that\u2019s now changed. Fair enough. Trump\u2019s plan to acquire Canada is no longer what it was: now he wants the entire Western Hemisphere.
Is there anyone out there who can tell me this stuff is really not going on?
Ian McKail, Cheltenham<\/p>\n
Your correspondent hopes that new hate speech laws will allow him, as an atheist, to feel safe (Letters, 8\/1.) But what will allow theists feel safe from the abuse I have seen directed at them by atheists? A belief in the absence of a god can sometimes arouse as much unhealthy passion as a belief in the existence of a god.
Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn<\/p>\n
Donald Trump\u2019s declaration that he will decide where the profits from Venezuelan oil sales go \u2013 some to Venezuela and some to the US \u2013 is outrageous. His absolute power in the US government is clearly dictating his actions now. no different to Vladimir Putin and just as dangerous.
Yvonne Trevaskis, Hobart, Tas<\/p>\n
Look no further than the excuse the US uses to justify the plunder of oil from Venezuela and the threatened military action for the possession of Greenland, than to realise that our AUKUS money will pay for the submarines the US will need for its security not ours.
Ludi Servadei, Malvern East<\/p>\n
Your correspondent (Letters, 7\/1) argues against hastily severing Australia\u2019s military alliance with the United States. Whilst kneejerk reactions are generally unwise, in this case the danger of Australia being drawn into a Trump-led conflagration is too great to ignore. The US midterm elections will not restrain Donald Trump\u2019s appetite for attention (he already pays scant regard to Congress) and as his domestic poll numbers decline, he is likely to seek new distractions abroad.
Australia should therefore suspend or withdraw from ANZUS and AUKUS. The most alarming of Trump\u2019s proposals is the threat to seize Greenland (\u2033\u2063Military is always an option\u2019: White House escalates Greenland clash with NATO allies<\/a>\u2033\u2063, 7\/1). If the US were to use military force to capture the sovereign territory of a NATO member, Australia would be legally obliged to assist the Trump regime, rather than come to Denmark\u2019s aid.
Tim Wright, Point Lonsdale<\/p>\n
After his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his encouragement of the attempted coup on January 6, 2021, plus his pardoning of all its violent participants, it is obvious Donald Trump doesn\u2019t give a damn about democracy in America so why would anyone think he cares about democracy in Venezuela (or Iran, Colombia and any other South American country or Greenland)?
It\u2019s all about what resources he can grab. His grab of Venezuelan oil is proof enough, as well as his own words.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights<\/p>\n
Let me get this straight \u2013 there is a very large island, with vast mineral resources, a relatively small population, a number of secret US bases, and is frequently under surveillance from Chinese warships. It\u2019s not Greenland. But, of course, the US doesn\u2019t need to launch a military takeover of Australia, our government is only too willing to acquiesce to everything it is told to do.
Keith Fletcher, Glenlyon<\/p>\n
The Age editorial (\u201cAmerica\u2019s actions cannot be condoned<\/a>\u201d, 7\/1) shines a bright light on the bona fides, or lack thereof, of actions by Donald Trump as to the administration in Venezuela. The least the PM can do is to call in the US ambassador for a \u201cplease explain\u201d.
Jim Aylmer, Mt Waverley<\/p>\n
What was Anthony Albanese thinking when he invited Israel\u2019s President Isaac Herzog to visit? I mean, after two years of anti-Israel protests and unashamed anti-Israel\/antisemitic activity, wouldn\u2019t he have thought it would only inflame more resentment against Australian Jews? Now that a federal royal commission into antisemitism has been called, which I had prayed wouldn\u2019t, I so hope Cathy Wilcox is called to give evidence.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East<\/p>\n