Category Archives: Letters to Editors

p jones letter re Invictus games

July 26 2018 – 12:30AM Newcastle Herald Letters to the Editor: Thursday, July 26, 2018 Your Say IN NEED: Do we want to live in an Australia preoccupied with military spending, or a country which provides safe housing for the Continue reading Sad day when weapons come before welfare, Newcastle Herald, 26 July 2018→

Time to be neutral Nicholas Stuart’s article ‘Why are we now talking our way to war?’ (CT 4 July, p. 17) is a question we need real answers to. The military contest and trade war between the US and China Continue reading Time to be neutral, Canberra Times, 23 July 2018→

The Australian government is backing moves to name and shame those who violate the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons (“Chemical culprits on UK hit-list”, CT 28 June). This is of course the right thing to do, as long Continue reading Empty rhetoric on nuclear weapons, Canberra Times, 1 July 2018→

Just when one wonders how much more Australia can do to hinder peace in the Middle East, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop provides the answer.  Australia’s position as one of only two countries – Israel’s other protector and us – Continue reading ‘Rule of law’ and Palestine, Canberra Times, 22 May 2018→

The CT report on the submarine project (“Contractor problems run deep on massive submarine project”, 4 May) states that an estimated 2,800 jobs will be created by the submarine project, with its estimated cost being $50 billion. That means we’ll Continue reading Major weapons projects mean less jobs, Canberra Times, 8 May 2018→

Weapons of preference Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop recently stated that “the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances is illegal and utterly reprehensible”. True, and therefore alleged use demands investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition Continue reading Weapons of Preference, Canberra Times, 25 April, 2018→

Shoot first ask questions later The United States recent missile attack on Syria could be summed up in one simple statement: “Shoot first, ask questions later”. Without any investigation on whether a chemical attack actually occurred in Syria and if Continue reading Shoot first, ask questions later, Newcastle Herald→

Airport’s rank hypocrisy So Canberra Airport doesn’t like “political” advertising such as that sought by the ACTU (“ACTU angry at airport rejection of billboard”, canberratimes.com.au, March17). This is the same airport that continues to grant, year in and year out, Continue reading Airport’s rank hypocrisy, Canberra Times, 20 March 2018→

Turnbull promoting war weapons export, reprehensible In providing $3.8 billion in loans to the war weapons manufacturers to boost weapons exports , the Turnbull government is promoting Australia as an exporter of death and misery. Surely we should be seeking Continue reading Turnbull promoting war weapons export, reprehensible, Newcastle Herald, 3 February 2018→

Negotiate and seek Peace Treaty Can’t agree more with John Hewson, SMH, 6/10 on the need for an Australian foreign policy independent of the US especially now in relation to Korea. We are poised on the brink of a war Continue reading Negotiate and seek Peace Treaty, SMH, Oct 2017→

Nuclear deterrence Tom Switzer, in his criticism of the newly adopted UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Letters, October2), undermines his own argument that “nuclear deterrence” helps keep us safe. In relation to North Korea, Switzer states “there Continue reading Nuclear Deterrence, Canberra Times, Oct 4, 2017→

New super portfolio is a worry The militarisation of our society gathers pace with the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new mega Home Affairs security department, flanked by armed soldiers. This super portfolio is to be headed by Peter Dutton. Continue reading New super portfolio is a worry, Canberra Times, 29 July 2017→