Monday June 9
US relationship
“Your Friday Essay by Emma Shortis is an unflinching analysis of our changed relationship with the US. Shortis also sets out a pathway to move forward with dignity, including a future without the baggage of AUKUS. A word of caution: any changes that weaken biosecurity will be a backwards step and flag a concerning deterioration in our independence and security.”
Melanie Carter, Largs Bay SA 
Support in the home
“I read your piece on children missing school due to family violence. As the CEO of the peak body for providers delivering services to children with disabilities, I hear this story as well. Best practice early childhood intervention is delivered in homes. Workers often support a child and family over a number of years, and see family changes, violence and breakdown first hand. They’re often the trusted person that a mother discloses violence to. Children with disabilities are often a group that is missed in this discussion, yet it effects them significantly. The added overlay of their disability can mean they have no way to communicate what’s happening at home or ability to understand that what’s happening is wrong.”
Sally Moore, CEO Early Childhood Intervention Australia
Tuesday June 10
Never buying a Tesla
“Your reporting on Elon Musk reminds me of a book I once read describing his behaviour after taking over Twitter. I decided then that I would never buy a Tesla because I believed he would be unlikely to ever accept being told he was wrong, even if he made a mistake in design.”
Gary Barnes
A big idea
“We should establish an Australian community-owned Social Media Mutual Society that could compete with the likes of Facebook and X, to address people’s need for information, communication, social cohesion and advocacy in a more ethical and meaningful manner.”
Neil Frazer
Your wish is our command
“Thank you for your ongoing coverage of the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, from a variety of sources. Could we have more input from Matthew Sussex please? I have long appreciated his depth of understanding, analysis and explanation.”
Ilona Gibson
Ed: Here you go Ilona!
Wednesday June 11
Green abundance
“I read your review of the book Abundance. Our economy depends entirely on the abundance of the planet to provide the resources we require. We need to treasure these natural assets if we are to have a viable future instead of destroying biodiversity with our focus entirely on economic growth at all costs.”
Jennie Epstein, Little River VIC
Not a fan of e-scooters
“Fairly amazed to read your story on e-scooters, which briefly mentions deaths and the rising injury rate, then glides into the well-worn, ostensibly ecological argument they take cars off the roads. Make no mistake: these scooters are an absolute menace, a nuisance, a danger and an embarrassment.”
Darryl Cloonan
We’re being sold immortality
“Reading about the consumer trend of seeking immortality, it seems to me Buddha would be turning over in his nirvana. Death must follow life and when there’s an in-breath, there’s also an out-breath. Marketing geniuses have already convinced many that life with cryonics is a life, and life with life-support in hospital is also a life.”
Ang Ung
Thursday June 12
More kindness
“Regarding the article about how domestic violence harms young people’s schooling — as an ex-teacher, I’ve seen firsthand that for some kids’ life was all about trying to survive. Homework became irrelevant when students told me they had to hide under their beds or in the wardrobes until the brawling stopped. It broke my heart to see kids so thirsty to learn being denied their opportunities. What is the answer? I don’t know. More kindness and less judgement would be a good start.”
Julie Short
Democracy has already lost
“Henry Maher’s article on Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s falling out ends with: ‘whatever happens next, democracy is the loser’. The question has to be asked: hadn’t democracy already lost when Trump was re-elected? He had already shown with the storming of the Capitol building on January 6 that he would use violence to avoid handing over power.”
Gary Barnes
Lethal machines
“Having just read the recent article on e-bikes and e-scooters, I believe the law needs to do more to protect pedestrians from these lethal machines. If they’re allowed on footpaths, their speed should be limited to walking pace and they should be fitted with suitable noise makers to warn pedestrians of their approach from behind.”
Ralph Carlisle
Friday June 13
We’ll take that as a comment
“Sad to see the ABC dumping Q+A, a usually thought-provoking program. This follows the demise of The Drum last year. We really need programs that analyse the news and other issues, presenting a range of views from more than the ‘stale male’ model of yesteryear!”
Bob Holderness-Roddam, Former Associate, School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania
Housing woes
“Having just read the article on whether regulation is to blame for the housing affordability crisis, what bothers me is that the war on red-tape mantra threatens backwards steps in housing quality. The rush to build affordable housing risks building cheaply constructed homes that then require additional resources to maintain long-term.”
Dave Young
Soaring milk prices
“Reading your article on the difficulties being experienced in Australia’s dairy industry is surprising to those of us on this side of the Tasman Sea. Dairy farmers in New Zealand are experiencing a price boom. Contrary to Australia’s experience, our dairy co-op Fonterra is offering record payouts.”
Neil Smart