More violence inevitable without blanket guns ban

Lessons of history
The blame game currently unfolding over last Sunday’s terrorist attack should not exclude the wanton failure of Australian education authorities at both federal and state levels to impart historical knowledge to secondary school students, particularly over the last two decades.
History as a curricular discipline has been reduced. This is partly due to the time that has passed since the tragic events of the Second World War and, for example, the deaths of those who experienced the Holocaust era firsthand. It was once common for students to hear the harrowing testimony of an Auschwitz survivor detailing the post-traumatic intergenerational impact of the historic Nazi regime. Unfortunately, now, as schools focus on utilitarian subjects, the “culture of forgetfulness” that has long been evident in relation to Australia’s Indigenous people has spread throughout history generally. The sense of historical perspective has been erased and ignorance of the present has prevailed. Now is the time to resource school curriculum designers on an existential national problem.
This will be a long-term project and one that must also embrace the history of the Palestinian people. Education is very important.
Jon McMillan, Mornington

US imports
Can someone tell President Trump that despite his new demands for tourists, Australians will not need to travel to America because he arrived here last Sunday?
Susan Scalise, Ascot Vale

This is political
One of your correspondents (Letters, 16/12) condemns Opposition Leader Sussan Ley for her “unconstructive nonsense” and for being “as vile and opportunistic as a politician can go” in her criticism of the Albanian government in the wake of the Bondi tragedy.
After the words and platitudes spoken by our governments since October 7, 2023, in the face of numerous attacks on Jewish people, businesses, and synagogues, as well as endless demonstrations featuring hostile slogans and Hamas symbols, it is unrealistic to suggest that politics should play no role in the response.
If none of the above applies, consider this: Albanese appointed a special envoy to combat antisemitism (and Islamophobia). His envoy had presented a comprehensive review with numerous recommendations five months ago, but the government had done so before Sunday’s horrific events.
Like it or not, you cannot separate politics from the reality we face. Might those who condemn Ley pause to consider what Albanese, Burke and Wong would have said if the Bondi tragedy had occurred after two years of antisemitic incidents in the community during Morrison’s tenure?
William Vickers, Melbourne

real heroes
In a world full of people (mostly men) who act tough but lack substance, the real heroes are the selfless ones. We saw them in Bondi over the weekend.
Most of us don’t know how to react. I guess I’ll probably hide. Instead, they put themselves in front of the bullets to save others. These are people young boys should see as true heroes and a demonstration of caring about the welfare of others, not people like Andrew Tate.
David Metcalfe, Newtown

CSIRO funding
The decline in government funding for the CSIRO, highlighted by Dr Ian Galbally in his letter (15/12), demonstrates the continuing failure of governments of all persuasions to understand and recognize the enormous contribution that scientific research makes to many aspects of the Australian nation. CSIRO’s comprehensive list of inventions and achievements includes discoveries and advances of world significance in health, the environment, agriculture, manufacturing, communications and many other areas that are fundamental to our society and economy. None of this would have happened without the world-leading basic research undertaken by CSIRO.
CSIRO is an extremely valuable Australian asset. As Galbally points out, it is imperative that current levels of CSIRO funding are increased to help Australia address current challenges and prepare for the anticipated crises of the future.
Joy Mettam, Halıç Doğu

housing supply
Very high levels of immigration cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor to our housing crisis (Sean Kelly’s “Emotion will only take PM so far”, 15/12).
Respected economists Ross Gittins and Alan Kohler have noted that our increasing population growth is actually making housing more expensive and is not a sustainable solution when we do not have the capacity to build enough housing.
For young Australians to find affordable homes, immigration figures need to be tied to the number of homes we can build annually. We certainly shouldn’t blame immigrants; They will have as much difficulty finding housing as everyone else.
What forms the basis of this debate is the government’s lack of population policy.
Jennie Epstein, Little River

sibling behavior
The most striking feature of the Privileged Brothers’ behavior is their naiveté when it comes to interactions with those outside their sect. Michael Bachelard captures this well (″⁣Mother hit by liberal leaflets tells inquiry Brothers made voting ‘unsafe’‴⁣⁣, 15/12).
Because they are isolated from the ″⁣Demonic″⁣ world around them, enemies do not know how to interact in non-aggressive ways. I belonged to the sect with my family until 1962. That year, the current leader’s ancestor transformed a backward anachronism of 19th-century Christianity into a full-fledged army of unquestioned automatons.
Members are now taught to fear any outside influence and to defend themselves with anger and abuse against foreign specters of evil. The same paranoid attitude was reflected in their support for conservatives in the last federal elections.
They are narrow-minded and rude, hoping to pre-emptively pre-empt any whiff of dissent. They do not know any other way because they have not participated in any democratic process.
Graeme Johanson, Northcote

equal approach
Trump is pressuring Zelensky to call the election. Why doesn’t he pressure Putin to do the same? It should ensure that both elections have transparent procedures, independent oversight and public scrutiny. This can bring peace.
Nicholas Szwed, Bulleen

Signs for the uninitiated
Again, ″⁣Do this, don’t do that. Can’t you read the sign?″⁣ (Letter, 15/2). The new West Gate Expressway/Tunnel signs were designed by people who understand exactly what is needed. Not by someone who needs to understand this. The way to handle these is to design it and then pass it on to someone who doesn’t understand it at all. If they can understand it, use it; if not, redesign.
Peter Gustavsen, Brighton

AND SOMETHING ELSE

Credit: Matt Golding

Terrorist attack on Bondi
The image of a hero bravely defeating a coward with a gun should be an inspiration to all of us who want to change this sad world of prejudice and conflict. Political leaders, please pay attention.
Kevan Porter, Alphington

A Jewish child named Matilda, the most Australian of names. A man of the Muslim faith confronts a gunman on an iconic beach in Australia. The tragedy of modern Australia.
Joanna Wriedt, Eaglemont

Susan Ley is looking for people to blame. The only people to blame are the gunmen who put this heinous plan into action.
Suzanne Palmer-Holton, Seaford

The government is not responsible for the Bondi tragedy. The problem is with those who own guns.
Peter Hendrickson, East Melbourne

Our current political leaders do not have the desire or ability to deal with the level of violence we are currently experiencing in Australia.
Penny Hamilton, Shepparton

The normalization of hatred through the rhetoric of Hamas and some political leaders has contributed to our sad situation.
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale

Your reporter (Letters, ″⁣Not just in America″⁣, 16/12) should point out to his American friends that they can discuss the complexity of gun violence in Australia if they can count the number of mass shootings in 30 years on one hand. Yes.
Peter McGill, Lancefield

Thank you for the beautifully written article by David Leser (16/12). I think many people share the feeling that the world is trembling and that great upheaval is upon us.
April Baragwanath, Geelong

Besides
Ukraine inflicted “critical damage” on a Russian submarine using a cheap underwater drone. Are you listening, Albo?
Phil Bodel, Ocean Grove

The state opposition complains about the budget explosion. But we have safer rail crossings, improved rail service and road access to Melbourne. Would they have done anything differently?
Bruce Dudon, Wood

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