Missed meeting with Trump is no reflection on Albanese

Sydney Morning Herald

4 hours ago

The 'Albo fail' narrative being pushed around Donald Trump's early departure from the G7 meeting, and the cancellation of his one-on-one with our PM, is disappointing and slightly histrionic (' Australia thinks of itself as an international player but Trump delivered a reality check ', June 18). Trump was staying for no one, let alone Albo, and to suggest anything otherwise is laughable. Let's not overplay this kind of thing and actually read it for what it is – President Trump heading back to the US to work out what his response will be to this awful situation in the Middle East. Simple. Paul Bugeja, Pyrmont
I reckon Albo dodged a bullet (' Albanese's meeting with Trump cancelled because of Iran-Israel war', June 18). Seriously, does anyone think he can alter Trump's thinking? Trump will do what he wants. There is no deal. There are only ultimatums and bluffs. To join TACO, I suggest NACHOS (Not Any Chance He'll Offer Sense). Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
The shock, horror reactions about Trump skipping his meeting with Anthony Albanese is beyond belief. Have people failed to notice that Trump has also skipped meetings with other world leaders? Any excuse to put the boot in. And Coalition leader Sussan Ley's comment that Albanese should have been more proactive in securing a meeting with Trump, regardless of the Middle East conflict, is just Coalition bling and one of the reasons she will spend years in opposition. John Nelson, Mudgee
Columnist Andreas Kluth points out the conflicts between Donald Trump and the others at the G7 meeting (' The G7 was a great idea – until it became one against six ', June 18). To highlight the dangers of where this might end, he claimed that Trump 'no longer has any checks on his whims'. This is not true. First, the US Constitution states that Congress has the sole power to declare war. Currently, Congress is assertively pointing this out, as Trump acts as though he has the power to decide whether to join Israel in a war against Iran. Second, the judiciary is a co-equal part of government and the courts are increasingly putting checks on Trump and MAGA. Third, public opinion is turning against Trump. The possibility of losing both the Senate and the House in next year's mid-terms is a serious check on him. Many commentators believe that the system will work, so the US and world survives Trump. Alan Russell, Unley (SA)
Donald's deals
In 2015, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the European Union and Iran, reached a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to ensure that Iran's nuclear program would be exclusively peaceful. This was negotiated over about two years. Iran was 'persuaded' to submit to economic sanctions, including the sequestration of Iranian financial assets held in other countries. When normal relationships resumed, the US sent a planeload of US currency to Iran – effectively Iran's own money. As part of his first election campaign, Donald Trump falsely characterised this as a gift to the Iranian government from President Barack Obama. On May 8, 2018, the now President Trump unilaterally abrogated JCPOA, rendering it irrelevant. Trump is thus wholly and solely responsible for the grave situation in the Middle East today. Tom Lockley, Pyrmont
A brief reflection on 'deal maker' Donald Trump's record to date. In his first term as president, he withdrew from the historic nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by Obama, at a time when the evidence was that Iran was compliant with its obligations as a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty. Also in his first term, in a highly publicised meeting, he engaged with North Korea's Kim Jong-Un, for no tangible result. Before assuming office for a second time, he claimed that he would end the Ukraine war in 24 hours if he were president. We're still waiting. His offer to resolving the crisis in Gaza is to banish its citizens, and establish Gaza as 'the Riviera of the Middle East'. Meanwhile, the US supplies arms to Israel, a non-signatory of the non-proliferation treaty, and whose bombs have helped end the lives of 55,000 of Gazans. In other deals, Trump has managed to alienate traditional allies, including Australia, by imposing heavy tariffs on all, except – perhaps unsurprisingly – on Russia. In other proposed 'deals', he has plans to annex Canada and Greenland. Perhaps I am confused, but I find it difficult to accept Trump as the consummate dealmaker. Michael Healy, Raworth
Before the election, Trump promised he would resolve the Ukraine war in one day. He failed miserably. Now with the escalation of the Israel/Iran war, he is recalled to the situation room from the G7 summit by his team, which includes former Fox host Pete Hegseth. It is obvious Trump does not have a clue on how to stop the war, and his current team of inexperienced characters who lack defence skills may make matters worse with whatever decisions they make. God help America. Peng Ee, Castle Cove
So Trump has told Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the US will not kill him 'for now' (' Trump issues veiled threat, calls for Iran's surrender ', June 18). He even said he knows where the leader is hiding. This makes him look like Netanyahu's partner at least, and Netanyahu's puppet-master at worst. Mark Porter, New Lambton
For those concerned about the potential for US involvement in the current Middle East conflict, take comfort from the fact there have been no war plans posted to any public chats or apps, so it must all be under control. Andrew Krisenthal, Blaxland
Your correspondent Thomas Friedman writes that Palestinians have a right to national self-determination, provided they choose a government which meets the approval of the United States (' There's a smart way for Trump to end this war ', June 18). That's a strange definition of self-determination. Alexander Hilson, Mawson (ACT)
There are suggestions in the media of forcing a regime change in Iran. Could we please have one in the USA instead. Janice McLeod, Gymea
With Israel hellbent on wiping Palestine off the map, Iran hellbent on wiping Israel off the map, Russia hellbent on wiping Ukraine off the map, China contemplating wiping Taiwan off the map, and the USA obsessing about wiping Greenland, Canada and the Gulf of Mexico off the map, I'm glad the only time I entertain such 'map wiping' musings is when those pesky All Blacks once again thrash the Wallabies. Bill Young, Killcare Heights
Of subs and mugs
When talking about the future of AUKUS, we need to remember that the original deal was struck by three leaders including that bozo Boris Johnson, the deceitful Scomo in between appointing himself to extra ministries, and the already demented Joe Biden, who referred to Scomo as 'that fella from down under' as he couldn't remember his name (' Defence ties with Australia key to Albanese's pitch ', June 17). Subsequent political history shows there wasn't a competent brain between them. I wish Scomo had just stood in parliament, holding a lump of enriched uranium, and said 'I don't hold a torpedo mate', and then just let the French build our submarines, which were cheap at $90 billion. Peter Kamenyitzky, Castle Hill
Stand up for the Libs
Forget Trump, all eyes are on the Liberal Party (' Very old men ousted from NSW ', June 18)? For young, smart, savvy, modern women there's no better time to jump on the Liberal Express. First stop, Museum Station to deliver Richard Alston, 83, and Alan Stockdale, 80, for curing and curating. A quick change and you'll be on the Inner West Flyer, no stops to Star City to pick up Nick Greiner, 78, Pru Goward, 72, and Nick Minchin, 72 and counting. They're the future, though you'll have to give up your seat. It'll be a long, tiring journey. Howard Charles, Annandale
So, the NSW twig of the (il)Liberal Party is replacing a few right-wing dinosaurs with a few right-wing, superannuated has-beens. Clearly learning curves are much steeper on that side of the road. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow
For some reason the Liberals have appointed Nick 'I don't recall' Greiner to head the committee looking into to the failings of the NSW Liberal Party – good luck with that. James Steele, Ettalong
The NSW Liberals have replaced their 'very old men' with Nick Greiner, Pru Goward and Nick Minchin. Not exactly members of the youthful cohort, are they? Rob Phillips, North Epping
I really think the media (and I'm not knocking them, we need them) should stop giving the opinions of the Coalition the sort of weight and coverage that a more equal-sized opposition would deserve. Since the last election reduced it to a rump, it is no more deserving than any other cobbled-together group on the other benches to have its thoughts feature on the front pages and in the nightly news. Maggie Ramsay, Woolloomooloo
Latham's welcome compo U-turn
I never thought I would say this again, but I am grateful to former Labor leader and rogue MP Mark Latham (' Workers compensation legislation suffers a blow as key MP turns', June 18). His backflip on workers' compensation changes looks like stalling a bill that would have harmed injured workers and re-stigmatised psychological injuries in the workplace. I know that I am not alone among rank and file Labor Party members in breathing a sigh of relief, at least for now. The government is right to point out the sharp escalation in the cost of the scheme, but that's the price of a just and compassionate approach to workplace injuries. We have an obligation to foot the bill when people are harmed in the course of their work. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga
Apology a speciality
Having for years experienced very long wait times to visit all types of specialists with family members, I have recently been referred to one who has apologised every visit if he keeps me waiting more than a minute. 'No problem,' I responded each time, until finally I asked him why he was so apologetic if he kept me waiting. He explained that he was once referred to a specialist and couldn't believe how long he had to wait, and he had committed to run his practice differently. If he can, so can every other specialist. Barbara Tregear, Ashfield
Your correspondent, specialist Dr Manish Gupta, stated that 'more than 97 per cent of privately insured patients are treated under known-gap or no-gap arrangements.' I'd like to understand how it is that my wife and I seem to consistently fall into the 3 per cent who pay through the nose due to specialists refusing to contemplate known-gap or no-gap arrangements. James Lawrence, Coogee
I have had the need to see a string of good specialists in a wide range of specialities over the past few years. Maybe one of them could be described as brusque, but all the others were civil and listened to what I had to say. Some were more than just civil and were quite relatable, although all were burdened mightily with work and did not have time for a long yarn. No complaints from me about these experts – I'm just very glad to have been able to see them. Greg McCarry, Epping
I would be okay with paying medical specialists the prices they charge if it were not for the fact that I see them driving the very top-of-the range cars. My cardiologist drives a car costing $400,000+, my gastroenterologist drives a car costing more than $350,000. While I value their services, I do not believe their fees are necessarily only due to their practice overheads. Gareth Turner, Louth Park
Defence of Defence
As a former distinguished military officer in the Australian Defence Force, Mick Ryan is entitled to his view about the direction of the ADF (' Ukrainian drone strikes show up Australia's out-of-date defences', June 4, 2025), but it's important that view is informed by the facts. Firstly, he misunderstands or misrepresents our key defence initiatives. The Albanese government has driven a significant realignment of our capability investment priorities to meet the challenges of modern warfare, backed by record spending on defence. Our focus has rightly been on maritime uplift, but certainly not at the cost of other capabilities. For example, our investment in air capabilities will grow by 30 per cent over the forward estimates. His claims about drones are just plain wrong. In fact, investment in uncrewed and autonomous systems is one of the key priorities outlined in our 2024 National Defence Strategy, which sees the government spending over $10 billion in drone capabilities, including at least $4.3 billion in uncrewed aerial systems. Just last week the Air Force successfully trialled the Ghost Bat, an Australian-designed and made autonomous aircraft. It's the first military combat aircraft to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. This follows last year's announcement of the largest ever contract for Australian-made drones. Defence is trialling low-cost, expendable systems that can be produced at scale in Australia, including so-called kamikaze drones. We have also introduced the first armed drone into service. And when it comes to drone defences, I'm afraid Mick Ryan is also off the mark. In fact, we have a tender out right now for a drone defence program and Australian companies are world leaders in this field. Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs
Road to salvation
It's no wonder Parramatta Road suffers a lack of pedestrian traffic (' Taking a stroll down Sydney's boulevards of broken dreams ', June 18). There are many stretches of this unloved 'hellscape' road which still have wonderful historic facades, but these are largely hidden by hideous rusting, ad-plastered awnings which make the shops underneath dark and gloomy and blight the scene. How's this for starters? Narrow the road, remove all the awnings and the ugly power poles and plant shade trees, making pleasant places to shop and share a catch-up and coffee. The shopfronts should be restored to their former glory with financial incentives (rate relief?) and if further window shade is needed, add discreet folding blinds. We can't replicate Van Gogh's Cafe Terrace in Arles, but we can at least try to alleviate the current depressive gloom. Lance Dover, Pretty Beach
Long live obituaries
I support your correspondent Nick Franklin, who laments the disappearance of the Herald 's obituaries page (Letters, June 18). Obituaries are an important record of those who make an impact on our society. Researchers in the future will curse this decision. Obituaries are also usually fascinating and entertaining reading, more so than much of the trivia that makes up so much of the news these days. Bring back the obituary. Sue Milliken, Queens Park
I agree wholeheartedly with Nick Franklin and hope obituaries haven't disappeared altogether from the Herald as they make for fascinating reading and educate the reader on some of the most interesting famous, infamous and not-so-famous people and their contributions to society. So at the risk of sounding facetious, long may the obit live. Sue Armstrong, Newcastle