It’s Palestinian leaders who have refused Israel’s various generous offers of statehood and other peace-building initiatives, and who constantly commit or promote terrorism against Israel,” says letter writer ALAN SHROOT.

Mike Quirk didn’t like Netanyahu’s UN speech (letters, CN October 1), but the fact is Netanyahu was right. 

It’s Israel that is constantly having to respond to attacks, so those who blame it for the conflicts are victim-blaming.

Mike says shame to anyone who diminishes the plight of the Palestinians, but their plight is the fault of their own leaders.

It’s those leaders who have refused Israel’s various generous offers of statehood and other peace-building initiatives, and who constantly commit or promote terrorism against Israel.

Israel totally withdrew from Gaza in 2005 to encourage peace, and instead it became a terror hub, used for continuing attacks culminating in October.

If not for their leaders’ rejectionism and recalcitrance, the Palestinians could have had a state living in peace alongside Israel years ago.

Alan Shroot, Forrest

Surcharges were a storm in a teacup

Card surcharges were a ridiculous storm in a teacup.

Like all other business expenses, bank charges have always been pre-tax income deductions. Can you imagine a cafe adding a charge for having the lights on or washing the cups?

For all businesses, bank charges are an ordinary cost of doing business. Consequently they reduce business income tax liability.

Banning these piddling, annoying “rip-off” charges is simple normal business practice.

Anthony Hordern, Jamison Centre

The right has it wrong on immigration

If the Liberal, National and One Nation parties were genuine they would frame their migration policies on evidence, not populist rhetoric.

One Nation’s stance on the cost of living is also devoid of a factual base. They ignore the overwhelming contribution of the Middle-East, Ukraine and tariff policies of the bungling American president, who they blindly support, have made to the increase in the cost of living.

The Albanese government is struggling to effectively address housing, transport and environmental issues and has rightly been criticised.

But to elect One Nation or the Coalition, given the shallowness of their policies, would only exacerbate the difficulties we have as a nation

Mike Quirk, Garran

UN reform calls for our Kevin

The UN will soon turn 60. It is in urgent need of reform, especially the Security Council which was set up to be the cornerstone for securing peace. 

Some of the permanent powers of the Council mostly use their vote to support their own allegiances and interests, not to seriously consider matters before them.

Two members, Russia and the UK, have lost the global power status they had in 1945. The Council also needs to be expanded and to reflect rising powers such as India, Indonesia, Turkiye, Nigeria and Brazil, and to allow one or two dissensions and still issue a binding decision.

Unless the UN reforms, many of its members will disrespect its processes, ignore its decisions or act unilaterally.

Xi Jinping was on a State visit to the US recently but did not address the General Assembly; he left on the day it started, pointedly inferring that the real decisions are made in sit-downs with Donald Trump.

Nations will also continue to set up alternative clubs of states such as G7, BRICS and Trump’s Board of Peace. 

To help the UN reform, the government should encourage Kevin Rudd to nominate for the impending vacant position of Secretary-General.

He is eminently suitable for the role because of his wide experience, negotiating ability, drive, fluency in Mandarin and insight into Chinese culture which will be an added bonus as China overtakes the US economically and militarily in a few short years and asserts itself more.

Herman van de Brug, Holt 

Canberra still drags its heels in Closing the Gap

What is it that Julie expects?

The logic in indigenous advocate Julie Tongs’ opinion piece “Canberra still drags its heels in Closing the Gap” (CN October 4) left me unconvinced.

The assertion is that Canberra is second to Queensland in the rate at which it locks up indigenous men and boys. So what if you are reckless, get apprehended, have your day in court, are found guilty despite having taxpayer-funded legal counsel and receive a custodial outcome. What’s wrong with that?

What does Julie expect? Surely not hours with a celebrity shrink or an apology for the inconvenience because you are Aboriginal?

If the government was serious, it would increase the GST rate, hold the extra revenue in trust and release it to those charged with offences. They would no longer have to break the law to get ahead, just get caught and rewarded with compensation! 

It would make Julie’s day and get the alleged victims appropriately ahead and, hopefully, put an end to this nonsense.

John Lawrence via email

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