The PM must establish a royal commission

fast reaction
Toughening gun laws would certainly be faster than changing anti-Semitic attitudes or seeking advice from a royal commission.
John Groom, Bentleigh

No commission please
The fact that 8 per cent of respondents oppose tougher laws and restrictions on hate speech is reason enough not to establish a royal commission into antisemitism. (″⁣Majority support tougher approaches against extremists″⁣, 26/12). The figure shows that there are significant numbers of people who will be angry at Australian Jews for putting the country through the expense and embarrassment of a royal commission. As the history of hatred against Jews shows, resentment can grow and lead to more hatred, and we can do without that now.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East

Focus on Netanyahu
I accept that Josh Frydenberg’s suggestion that our Prime Minister take responsibility for the terrorist attack was because he spoke with pain and anger. The question everyone is asking is why antisemitism is increasing in Australia and what could be done to stop it? It seems to me that the obvious was not mentioned. Antisemitism has increased due to the disproportionate response to the horrific murder and capture of Jewish people in Gaza and the subsequent immeasurable killing of thousands of Palestinians, including images of starvation. If anyone wants to blame someone for the rise of antisemitism, let’s look at the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu. It has divided and angered people like no other.
Clare Canty, Shepparton

Don’t be afraid of differences
We understand the personal tragedy, the social pain and the emotions surrounding the Bondi massacre, but politicization, lack of bipartisanship and personal critiques are wrong in such an overlay of complex circumstances locally and globally.
The nation needs to come together and understand and confront this brutality, not further division. Offensive claims by local political and community leaders about Benjamin Netanyahu’s blame game as he evaded responsibility for the October 2023 massacre and its aftermath, including the impact of that aggression on Bondi, overshadow sensible analysis and future policy frameworks being considered in Australia.
The mantra of Australia as a shining example of successful multiculturalism needs to be re-evaluated. According to some Jewish thinkers, hastily introduced laws and unbalanced restrictions on freedoms of assembly and expression will worsen tensions. As a nation, we must incorporate understanding of those who are different from us into our education system. Conflicting communities and religions in Australia are largely geographically, culturally and socio-economically distinct. Personal friendships and community interaction are rare. As part of education and community programmes, we must all be shown from the outset that difference can be understood rather than feared.
What we don’t know causes fear, resentment, leads to conflict, and repeats historical fears and hatred. If we are to live out the song “We are one but we are many,” we cannot rely on clichés of multicultural success.
Michael Rickards, South Caulfield

Poorly designed visit
Why is Anthony Albanese inviting Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia? This situation is likely to further exacerbate tensions and divisions in this country. If the prime minister wants to address antisemitism in Australia, inviting the head of state to preside over the ongoing killing of Palestinians is not the answer. Please reconsider your decision, dear prime minister.
Dean Virgin, Strathmore

watch out for danger
The new St Kilda Pier has become a huge attraction for tourists but unfortunately it has also become a place where large amounts of alcohol are consumed, especially on warm nights. Parks Victoria will need to seriously consider the safety of everyone using and swimming at the pier. There need to be police patrols and lifeguards on regular duty before someone gets killed.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North

Drip-fed service
There is nothing great about Greater Western Water (“Western Water’s $200 million deficit”, 26/12). System problems became my problem. I can’t prove who I am as my landline details don’t match his details. I haven’t had a landline for over ten years.
I can’t access privacy settings via call center, chatbot, SMS or online (ironically called customer service). All I want to do is pay the bill. Looks like I’m not the only one. I thank the customer experience manager who wrote to me for my patience and understanding, this is not a good experience. And it’s still not resolved. And the bill continues to rise.
Rosslyn Jennings, North Melbourne

Who is responsible?
Clearly Western Water’s long-running debacle still has legs. But now that it looks like the taxpayer may need to extricate itself from the massive IT mess, one has to wonder how many of those involved will suffer any actual consequences. Have the executives at GWW been sacked? Did the responsible IT company have to refund the money paid to it?
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha

downhill running
Skiers face a tough challenge (″⁣Climate, rethinking financing power″⁣, 26/12).
Lack of snow on the ski slopes creates a bit of a problem, especially if the snowmaking machines cause emissions and do not work anyway if the air temperatures are too hot. This should be one of the clearest signs of global warming that can be understood and observed more generally than, for example, rising ocean temperatures.
Two years ago, faced with unpredictable snow due to climate change, some of the world’s best skiers appealed to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation for urgent climate action.
Sports groups such as Protect Our Winters, Skiers Against Climate Change, Patrick Cummins’ Climate Cricket and Australian Sports Climate are promoting the idea by traveling less, powering facilities with solar power, etc. aims to reduce emissions. They also called on governments to take action. But will we continue to support governments that allow coal, oil and gas to be burned until our lives are directly and decisively affected by heat?
Fiona Colin, Malvern East

Tasmania is the answer
Here at St Helens caravan park in Tasmania, I watch young people from many nationalities and backgrounds play happily together on the jumping pad. Perhaps we should bring our national leaders and commentators here to learn how to create cooperation, goodwill and a positive environment.
Jim McLeod, Sales

They trust this
Does Westpac think its logo is big enough on the Australian cricket team’s jersey?
Leoni Mather, Melbourne

Goodbye and hello
It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2025. It was a family pain for me. For Australia, this was a national tragedy and embarrassment. Wars, famine, fires and droughts.
But I watched Love Actually on Christmas Eve. Very funny, romantic, crazy, crazy, heartbreaking and so British. And my heart sang a little, and I marveled at the joys and sorrows of “the human condition” and how we all somehow get along in a messy way.
It is 2026 and we who live on this small planet wish to find peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East

AND SOMETHING ELSE

Embers
Trump stole Greenland. Greenland is becoming Trumpland. The job is done.
Tony Lenten, Glen Waverley

If Trump “liberates” Greenland, will he, with characteristic humility, allow it to be renamed Trumpland?
Barrie Bales, Woorinen North

Teacher: Define oxymoron. Student: Trump Class.
Neil Champion, Moonee Pools

When Trump invades Greenland and Venezuela and learns the Russian language, he will be literally imitating his hero, Vladimir Putin.
Max Langshaw, Sunbury

Trump Class? He doesn’t have any.
David West, Essendon

Besides
What is it about the word “bipartisan” that many people, especially members of the federal opposition, fail to understand?
John Cummings, Anglesea

The late Tom Lehrer said it best in his introduction to National Brotherhood Week: “There are people who don’t love their friends… and I hate such people!”
Les Aisen, Elsternwick

I have been a letter writer for over 30 years and have never taken a vacation (Letter, 24/12). I can’t find words to describe how our country is changing so quickly and not for the better.
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East

While the federal opposition remains undecided on a “review” of climate policy, Labor is funding the Delburn wind farm, a 33-turbine project powering 130,000 homes. Rejoice!
Greg Curtin, Nunawading

Thank you King Charles, but I don’t think most Australians need a Christmas message from you anymore.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East

All political leaders need to take example from NSW Premier Chris Minns and opposition Liberal leader Kellie Sloane in their bipartisan approach to the Bondi massacre. Neither is trying to score political points; They are united in pain.
Christine Hammett, Richmond

I never thought I’d say this about an English cricket team but I miss Geoffrey Boycott. He knew how to bat non-stop for a day.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill