Many of us said “yes” to Labor on the promise of climate action; we sought a romance that offered environmental protection and a safer future for our children. But as the confetti disperses on high tides and floodwaters, we’re left blindsided by the Woodside affair (Letters, May 30). Labor’s delays in declaring its love of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project until after the marriage abuses our trust, and excuses forthcoming are fallacious. We do not need more gas in Australia to firm our renewable energy, nor to get to our net zero future. We do not need more gas to secure our trading future. And we’re left anxious that this is the first of Labor’s fossil fuel philandering. We’re seeking climate and environmental leadership and loyalty. It’s time for Labor to hang up this hubris and make good on our relationship. Karen Campbell, Geelong

One has to wonder at the rush to approve Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project (“Gas is no longer a dirty word for Labor. Should it be?”, May 30). After just three weeks in the job Environment Minister Murray Watt approved the project, following “consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice”. In three weeks one might assume there wasn’t any rigorous consideration of the said advice. The government has promised new environmental laws since 2022. Anthony Albanese personally intervened and delayed the environmental reforms last year and now seems to rush through this project before the promised environmental reforms are passed. Clearly this project would not even pass the new watered-down environmental reforms. Sounds a bit like the state governments promised “great koala national park” – but just give us time to log the whole area first. ​Peggy Fisher, Manly

The PM says we need gas for the transition to renewables. This is true, if the assumption is that we need to keep the same standard of living we currently enjoy. We definitely do not need that if continued burning of fossil fuel does a great deal of harm. We need to do as the science demands. Stop using fossil fuel and draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rich countries like ours are responsible for the warming that has occurred. So we need to take the lead in fixing the mess. The speed with which we need to act means we will have to sacrifice a lot of things until they can be provided with clean energy. When we can provide electricity and transport cleanly (which excludes nuclear, due to radioactive waste), then we can get back to business as usual. Until then our standard of living needs to decrease. Let’s do this. John Coyne, Padstow Heights

Why, post-election, are we confronted in your esteemed pages with headlines that have almost exclusively focused on the machinations of the discredited Coalition? They have been decimated electorally yet the amount of coverage they get almost suggests they are running the country. Surely we have had enough of their division and disinformation to last a lifetime. I would say it’s far more important to be holding the government to account. Its first major decision, to approve Woodside’s NW Shelf gas project extension, is an absolute disaster for the Australian community and humanity in general, and makes a mockery of any serious Australian claim to host COP31 in 2026. Ian Dunlop, Gordon

Love and condemnation

Nicola Redhouse has written a compelling article reflecting on her Judaism and the Gaza conflict (“We Jews must be willing to be ashamed of Israel”, May 30). She writes “one measure of our capacity to love Israel truly is our willingness to be ashamed of it when it acts shamefully”. Love Israel, cherish Judaism, but condemn Israel’s treatment of innocent Palestinians. Brian Barrett, Padstow

I am a bitzer Jew, with a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. In fact, I’m not really considered a proper Jew at all, but I have grown up with a Jewish identity rather than a religious upbringing, surrounded by Jewish friends. I grew up with the best Jewish traditions of ethical responsibility, a commitment to public service, and scrupulous integrity. And so I found myself intensely moved by Nicola Redhouse’s words, that we must “never mistake power for righteousness, or the survival of the state for the flourishing of the soul”. Israel’s right to exist does not equate to doing as it pleases beyond international law and beyond the ethical principles that nourish and sustain us.
Josie McSkimming, Coogee

I applaud Redhouse for her poignant essay and the bravery she shows in “possibly being called a traitor” for feeling shame at Israel’s continuing destruction of Gaza. As a dual citizen of the USA and Australia I, too, feel shame, but mine is for the atrocities committed by the current American administration against immigrants, refugees, educational institutions and media organisations that dare to uphold the values of diversity and equity. But shame is not enough if we stay silent, and if it makes me a traitor to some of my compatriots, so be it. I believe both the Israeli and US governments have damaged their democracies, and these inhumane acts put a stain on their countries that will be hard to erase. Let us not, as Australians, be complicit or complacent when it comes to democracy; let us instead speak out to any challenges to the human rights and dignity of others. Let us be strong and loud and humane. Jen Hacker, Ettalong Beach

So much of what Nicola Redhouse says speaks to all of us as we watch the suffering in Gaza. Thank you, Nicola, for speaking out so bravely. Zeny Giles, New Lambton

Nicola Redhouse and the many Jewish people who think and act like her are a beacon of hope. I thank her for pointing out the array of errors in “the conflation of the Jewish people’s identity with the state of Israel”. Why should the Jewish people have that lie flung at them on top of all the other lies they have endured for centuries? When I next pray a psalm, Ms Redhouse, I will think gratefully of you and yours. Sister Susan Connelly, Croydon

Israel has lost all moral authority. It will never bomb Hamas out of existence. Instead, its actions will guarantee the next generation will be more radical. Hiding behind the Holocaust to deflect any criticism as antisemitic is itself a crime against Jewish people. David Marks, Kincumber

Take responsibility, Israel

Rabbi Daniel Rabin states, “Israel didn’t want or start this war. It was dragged into it, broken-hearted, after its worst day since the Holocaust. And yet it is being judged as though it is the aggressor.” (“I get why many people think Israel is a villain. As a rabbi, that’s not how I see it”, May 30.) Palestinians have been stuck in that tiny enclave since Israel was formed in 1948 and they were driven from their homes. The rabbi says: “Israel is the story of an indigenous people returning to their homeland.” But Palestinian Arabs had already lived in that “homeland” for centuries. Palestinians’ land and that in the West Bank has been progressively taken or destroyed by Israel. Palestinians have no autonomy, no dignity, no freedom. Many in Netanyahu’s government actually call for a removal of the entire population of Gaza. Yes, Israel is the aggressor, and it must accept that fact and accept responsibility for the intense and desperate resentment that has understandably built up for more than 70 years in the Palestinian people. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic)

Yes, Rabbi Rabin, it’s a good story. I remember being thrilled by Leon Uris’ novel Exodus and the subsequent movie starring Paul Newman. I don’t feel that way any more. When the Jewish people left Palestine, largely as the result of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, there remained other indigenous groups, to whom the Jews are genetically related. They are still there. Many were forced from their immediate homes and lands to create space for you. Things have never been happy since. You ask what you are supposed to do. Do the grand thing – sue for peace and do whatever it takes to make it happen. Carolyn Little, Mortdale

Rabbi, I was wondering how many more innocent women and children’s deaths it might take before Israel decides this war on Hamas is costing too many lives? There won’t be any children left in Gaza soon to “grow up with dignity and safety”. Sally Shepard, Nelson Bay

Ley must watch her back

It didn’t take long for Liberal seniors to start undermining Sussan Ley’s leadership, such as Tony Abbott, the palest, stalest “elder”, dictating how she should run the party (“Abbott makes factional demand as deadline looms for Ley”, May 30). More will be joining the fray, Sussan, so watch your back and stay the course. Your plans are exactly what the party and the country needs, and you will be rewarded. Richard Watson, Pyrmont

Oh, the irony of Tony Abbott, who lost his seat and an election, telling Sussan Ley to stick with the old conservatives who’ve taken control of the NSW branch of the Liberal Party. She should remember that saying: Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. It’s time for a clean sweep, Sussan. Pension off all the old dinosaurs and move on. Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow

Perhaps Tony Abbott should stop giving advice and take some instead: Get a hobby or learn to play golf, as an unnamed Liberal said in response to his never-ending interference in his party’s activities. Perhaps he should seek a real job, one that occupies his time and does some good. Despite George Brandis praising his intellectual abilities (who knew?), offers must have been few and perhaps potential employers looked at his skill set and decided that they really did not need that kind of help. In the meantime, he and his sidekick Pancho Credlin wander the world seeking those who need their help; one week to Hungary to praise Viktor Orban, and the next in Singapore talking about protecting democracy. A deeply confused man. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights

Nats a drag

As a Sydney resident who migrated from country NSW many years ago and who maintains a regular connection to the New England region, I can categorically agree with Waleed Aly’s contention about the country/city political divide (“For the Liberals to survive, the Nationals need to get tealed”, May 30). Barnaby Joyce continues to record 70 per cent of the vote in New England, no matter what he says or does, while the Labor Party struggles to even field a candidate given that the result is a foregone conclusion. This divide is exacerbated in no small way by the fact that the right-wing Sky News is free to air in the regions and maintains a regular following. Thus, the task of the Liberals to capture the “sensible centre”, as Sussan Ley contends, will continue to be a problem as long as her party needs the Nationals to regain government. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Horses beat houses

So let me get this straight: 4413 Australian Turf Club members had the power to prevent 25,000 homes being built in a hub of business growth (“Why did ATC members look a gift horse in the mouth?” May 29). They decided this so that they can hold 25 race days a year, which maybe 20,000 people attend. Twenty-five days a year as opposed to a humming community close to transport and a business hub that would see multiples of 20,000 people each day living and working. The ATC members acted with short-sightedness considering the monetary benefits they would have received as a condition of sale. To quote the New York Times regarding sporting venues taking precedence over housing: “Our sport stadiums are monuments to the poverty of our civic ambitions and our inability to summon the collective will to use the land we have for the things we need.” David Troughton, Camperdown

Stock shocker

The mountain of disastrous waste associated with online shopping will continue to grow (“Thinking of returning an online purchase? It might end up in landfill”, May 30) despite the admirable recycling efforts of Good360 and the donation of goods by generous retailers to people in need. Could one reason for this trend be that when visiting a local large retailer to buy household or clothing items, for example, the would-be purchaser is increasingly likely to encounter this response: “We don’t hold that in stock. Have you tried online?” Gillian Appleton, Paddington

Train without wheels

I travelled on one of our new intercity trains on the northern line recently and was horrified to discover it has zero accommodation for bicycles. There is no annex like on the Blue Mountains trains. There are no poles to fix a bike to and there are certainly no hooks for bikes. I shudder to think what will happen when these trains are used for the Blue Mountains. Large numbers of people take their bicycles on the Blue Mountains Line to the many bike tracks in the area. What were they thinking when these trains were ordered? Don Meharry, Guildford

Sun set too late

Your recent editorial indicates the late setting of the sun on the British Empire, with the handover of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius (“London lets the sun go down on the British Empire,” May 29). It is a great pity that this sun did not wane earlier, and that diplomacy had not been employed with prudence instead of misplaced patriotism and political expediency. If this was so, the disastrous Falklands war of 1982 might have been avoided. The Thatcher government, anxious for re-election, chose to go to war over the speck in the Atlantic. The result was the loss of almost 1000 souls, a major disruption to the lives of the islanders and the destruction of numerous vessels and aircraft. It was a serious example of failed diplomacy and simple bloody-mindedness. Many of those who suffered from these kinds of mistakes will welcome the long-awaited end of empire. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Close the gap

Having just returned from a trip to outback NSW and South Australia, the tragedy of life for Indigenous Australians is clear to see (“Less than half $222m spend ‘had benefits’”, May 30). Reviews and frameworks to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians mean nothing without the development of employment opportunities, underpinned by the appropriate education and skills training. Natalie Mabbitt, Randwick

Death and taxes

Would it not be easier to just have an inheritance tax (“Rich already preparing for super tax”, May 30). I would imagine that a well-designed inheritance tax is harder to dodge, will raise more money – and it will hurt less if you’re dead. Paul Doyle, Glenbrook

Postscript

Australia’s political soapie took a happy turn this week when the Coalition’s trial separation ended as suddenly as it began. Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals counterpart David Littleproud put their differences aside, for now, to concentrate on getting the family “back on track”.

Reader Lyn Savage pitied the Liberal leader. “Sussan Ley has an unenviable job. Regular team-building exercises and an armada of therapists may be needed,” she wrote.

One concession the Nationals extracted from the Libs was in-principle support for their much-ridiculed nuclear plan. “Talk about shooting yourself in the foot – again,” wrote Dieter Liebrich.

Growing concern over climate change means readers are watching energy policy closely, as witnessed when Labor gave preliminary approval for a controversial 45-year extension to the giant North West Shelf gas project.

“The Woodside decision and the destructive message it sends doesn’t sit well with your pre-election policies,” wrote Rosemary Russell.

A “bitterly disappointed” Margot Vaccari agreed.

The decision would have “gas producers salivating and encourage fossil fuel lobbyists”, wrote Fiona Colin.

The most emotive topic of the week by a long margin was the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Images of desperate and emaciated Palestinians, many of them children, queuing for food and water after Israel cut off aid touched a nerve.

Georgina Whitton was horrified. “As a mother of young children my heart is breaking over what is happening in Gaza. Innocent children are facing death by starvation. I cannot turn away, and I ask – can you? Australia has a moral obligation to act.”

Judy Mitchell was also deeply affected. “When I see young children with metal bowls crushed while trying to receive basic food, I think ‘what if they were my grandchildren?’”

The unfolding tragedy was heightened by an Israeli strike that killed nine of a doctor’s ten children and injured her husband, who was looking after them while she tended to patients.

Reader Lisa Dixon, appalled by the barbarity, urged Australians to demand action from their political representatives to stop “this annihilation of innocents”.

A distressed Vicky Marquis wrote: “It is an atrocity and a tragedy of unimaginable proportion. Please, give peace a chance.”

Amen to that, Vicky.

Ivan Hemens, letters editor

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