Art of betrayal will cost oily customer at midterms

David Crowe claims that Donald Trump, “worried about the midterms … has betrayed Kyiv for a paltry amount of oil” – what I term “30 pieces of silver” (“President’s latest ceasefire ‘trick’ fails its first test”, October 13). This is not surprising, being quite consistent with the combination of the principles espoused in his ghosted book The Art of the Deal, and his narcissistic personality. Trump’s Judas-like behaviour, linked with his quest for increasing his power and wealth, along with his admiration for other world leaders who demonstrate similar personality traits to himself, has further diminished the status of the US presidency and the trust formerly placed in it by so much of the world. More importantly, and tragically, the cost of Trump dealing in castles in the air is that the rest of the world pays the rent. One can only hope that voters at the coming US midterms will show that they want no more of Trump’s delusions. Paul Casey, Callala Bay

As if Trump’s deal to purchase diesel fuel from Putin isn’t bad enough and such a betrayal of the Ukrainians, it is awful to hear that the first diesel shipment arrived only 24 hours after Trump announced the purchase on Truth Social. The deception is that the shipment left Russia on September 22, some three weeks ago. Trump and his administration must never be trusted. Mark Berg, Caringbah South

Russia declares it wants a lasting peace: a lasting piece of Ukraine. Les Shearman, Darlington

Never before has a US president been so fixated on impressing the world with the power of his office as Donald Trump, yet his ill-fated war in Iran demonstrates the sheer impotence of his own power and that of America itself (“Broken promises will cost Trump”, October 13). On April 4, 1967, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered a powerful speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam”. He scolded America for being the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, especially over the way it conducted itself in Vietnam. For despite the killing of more than 2 million innocent civilians and a million combatants, US forces finally withdrew in disgrace. Dr King warned against America possessing such power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Today these same words could be directed at President Trump, whose vision of America is so far removed from that of this black Baptist preacher who had the courage to speak the truth to power. Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT)

Donald Trump’s chief skill is maintaining his own entrapment in a vortex of worsening personal degeneracy and petulance. Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)

“Confusion over Trump ‘energy truce’” (October 13). How about just Confusion over Trump, period? Brian Collins, Cronulla

Literary application

Things only get worse for Angus Taylor. Many commentators see Andrew Hastie as the most likely threat to Taylor’s leadership but perhaps a new challenger is emerging from the political shadows. Just when Taylor jumps on the populist bandwagon and loudly affirms at CPAC that the Liberals are a “party of the right”, former treasurer Josh Frydenberg publishes a book calling for the party to reconnect with the political centre (“Frydenberg ‘job application’ has left the Liberals in limbo, and Taylor in the shadows”, October 13). Although ostensibly a memoir, the book is being viewed as a “job application” for Frydenberg’s potential return to politics, and it is inevitable that he will subsequently be seen as a strong candidate aspiring to Liberal leadership. Rob Phillips, North Epping

When he begins his campaign for re-election, do you think Josh Frydenberg will apologise for the $20 billion of taxpayer dollars he gave to businesses that didn’t need it? The COVID largesse to jobseekers was dwarfed by the gift to business. Alan Stanley, Upper Corindi

Counting the costings

One Nation has decided to use its internal resources to review its policy costings for the NSW state elections (“One Nation refuses chance to cost its policies”, October 13). With respect, could its financial scrutineers be made up like people in a kangaroo court? Why is One Nation so afraid of an independent review of its policy costings? Peng Ee, Castle Cove

Hearing our political opposition parties’ policies on immigration, without any costings, is of concern. Voters are unable to judge success of a policy where all matters have not been considered, including the cost of the policy. Surely, as voters, we deserve better from politicians who wish to be our government. Brian McDonald, Willoughby

Spread the wealth

Your correspondent lists many general areas of government expenditure that he doesn’t want cut (Letters, October 13) but fails to looks at the detail within each to find savings. In healthcare, I know from experience that the means-testing for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is very generous; couples with incomes up to $160,000 a year can receive the card. Cut the threshold to $100,000. We want to reduce greenhouse emissions and we keep arguing about getting more for the nation from our mineral wealth but now pay about $15 billion in diesel fuel rebate to miners. Do the budget and emissions a favour by getting rid of the rebate. $15 billion per annum. On the revenue side, ATO data shows that about a third of large companies pay no tax each year. Introduce a baseline 3 per cent revenue tax that is credited towards the tax payable under the existing rules. My estimates are for about $12 billion to $15 billion tax from those now paying nothing. There are more savings to be had besides. No attacks on the disabled or pensioners or hospitals or government schools. It isn’t hard. Steven Lee, Faulconbridge

Your correspondent is right. Nobody wants cuts to government programs that might affect them. Governments often face this dilemma. But there is a solution. To paraphrase Jane Austen, it is a fact generally acknowledged that at any time the public service must be in need of a cut. Of course, you can’t cut back on frontline staff, so back-office bureaucrats are the go. That way the government can point to salary savings even though it may have had to pay for contractors or outsourcing to get the job done. Nobody has paid more tax, nobody’s favourite program is directly affected, and the government is seen to have addressed the terrible problem of budget deficits. Progress all round. Bruce Johnson, Lakewood

In deciding on cuts to government spending among competing demands, perhaps the prime minister could be guided by the policy of Count Binface in the recent British byelection: “I will cut your taxes and raise everyone else’s”. Now that’s a policy likely to have universal appeal. Brenda Kilgore, Red Hill (ACT)

Celebrate the carers

It’s Carers Week, focusing on the diversity of primary carers and their caring roles. Anyone at any time may become an unpaid carer. The outstanding commitment of the 1.2 million of these people deserves to be acknowledged. With no formal training, they support family and friends living with disability or illness, children, or the aged. This often-thankless work saves the public purse almost $80 billion annually. These unsung heroes wash bodies, laundry and dishes; keep appointments, records and tempers; give medication, time and hugs; fill forms, fridges and silences; and try to navigate changes to the healthcare sector and deal with a lack of sleep. Among all this they need support to have a life of their own. Take the time to celebrate carers for their selflessness – not just this week. Meg Pickup, Ballina

HSC drama has many benefits

“Belonging, engagement, confidence, communication, empathy, problem-solving, ethical reasoning and community connection” (“‘We are in crisis’: HSC drama bleeds enrolments”, October 13). If research tells us that drama strengthens these traits, these things that good humans have in spades, then encouraging kids to study drama is a no-brainer. My son studied drama for his HSC a few years ago and, yes, a good drama program and a committed and excellent teacher (thanks, Mr Cross) certainly develops all the things discussed and more. While he excelled in the subject and decided not to engage in further study in drama after school (yet!), what he and his peers learnt from the subject we see every day, and it has helped set him up for success, studying social work at his chosen university. The 10-year plan to improve music education is certainly a positive move but I agree with Drama NSW: it must include all the creative arts taught in our primary and high schools – drama, dance and visual arts. All important, all available to students who’d like to choose them. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill

Trust Drama NSW to be melodramatic, claiming “we are in crisis” over an apparent decline in student numbers in drama. The term “polycrisis” takes the cake. Please, the learning and appreciation of drama is important but students have to balance their own priorities regarding their choice of subjects, including other subjects in literature. They only have so much time to divide between studying subjects that appeal to them or that they believe to be important for their career choice. Students who have a passion for drama will always take the subject. Kim Woo, Mascot

My memories as a high school drama teacher are full of joys. Of shy year 7s bursting into life in a pantomime to the wonderment of their parents; of difficult students unable to find a purpose in academic studies immersing themselves in a role, opening themselves to fellow actors and their audience; of seeing others discover the gift of leadership as directors, or find their happy place designing sets, sound and costumes. Drama is far more than a subject; it’s a way to replace the often crippling self-doubt of adolescence with confidence and collaboration, to the delight of their audience. Peter Farmer, Northbridge

Welcome theatre revival

Wonderful to read that the Minerva Theatre in Kings Cross is to be revived, thanks to Gretel Packer (“Gretel Packer set to revive art deco Minerva Theatre”, October 13). When I was a teen, Harry M. Miller hired me and other girls to work as usherettes for Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. What times, what fun! This theatre, and the experience from being part of it, will never be forgotten. Thank you, Gretel. Now for the Paragon restoration … Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek

Health problems

Why is everyone surprised to read of the elderly patients languishing in chairs in emergency departments (“Hospitals ‘not ready’ for ageing population”, October 13)? The failure of the government to correctly perceive and understand the acute health needs of the elderly, and the lack of insight to predict the increased needs of an ageing population – along with failure to act by investing in appropriate levels of funding for community care – is an atrocious dereliction of duty to the Australian people. Elizabeth Maher, Gordon

Weeds of woe

Your article on seasonal hay fever strangely omitted the No.1 allergy scourge in Sydney’s east – plane trees, which are now shedding pollen like snow and will do so up to May or June, ceasing briefly only when the weather becomes seriously cold (“It’s going to be an intense hay fever season. Here’s how to prepare your home”, October 13). Plane trees are easily identified by their dappled, camouflage-like bark. People wear masks in my suburb – not for COVID any more but to try to avoid ingesting the pollen. Please, City of Sydney and Woollahra councils, take steps for public health by replacing these giant noxious weeds. Patrick McGrath, Potts Point

Short-sighted on short platforms

Another bureaucratic bungle (“Frequency fix for shorter platforms”, October 13). The government and Transport for NSW must have known there was a real probability of the Metro requiring longer eight-car trains. What did they do? They cut costs and did not upgrade these stations. Bankstown Metro station is a totally new build and could have been built to cater for eight-car trains. Another example of lack of forward planning by our politicians and bureaucrats. And who ends up paying? We do. Terry Cook, Ermington

Storage solutions

I don’t know what’s wrong with Australians and Australia about being NIMBY for storage of nuclear waste (“Labor accused of ‘bully boy’ tactics over secrecy on nuclear waste site”, October 13). Australia sends about 1.5 tonnes of spent research reactor fuel per shipment to France for reprocessing to produce radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. France does not keep Australia’s waste. (Remember, Australia is about 14 times bigger than France in land-mass.) After reprocessing, the residual vitrified waste is returned to Australia for long‑term storage. This is the current status. So, what is missing in the equation is reprocessing of nuclear waste, and this could be done in Australia. Now the question is: which state will allow this reprocessing? Well, the answer is simple – the state that benefits more from AUKUS deals with jobs and businesses should do the job. This is morally and ethically right. We also have mines that haven’t been used for decades that could easily facilitate storage. Government should release all information about the future storage of nuclear waste. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Flights of fancy

It seems to depend on which dairy company one buys from, as to the colour of milk bottle tops (Letters, October 13). My chosen brand has a dark or light blue top, according to what milk type one buys, and my resident bowerbird, Bruce, has happily incorporated both into his eclectic repertoire (although I’ve noticed he prefers the darker version), as well as white rose petals, blue straws and the occasional bit of Lego. He seems to be very successful in attracting lots of ladies, although maybe it’s his version of the tango that they like. Judy Finch, Taree

Plate of grace

Yes, Rosslyn Jeffery, why not give all people over 80 who are driving “S” plates (Letters, October 13)? But make sure it means stylish. Mary Julian, Glebe

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