What a depressing start to 2026 (“Hastie, Price and Advance fundraise on immigration”, January 3) – Andrew Hastie crowdfunding to flame the fear fire against migrants. Perhaps someone who has fought in an invading force against Muslims is not the best person to be in the position of making judgments about migrants. Or maybe it’s just his cynical way of getting to the top spot. After all, John Howard took us to that same war for the popular vote. Shame on you, Andrew Hastie. Rosslyn Jeffery, Castle Hill

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

It is with deep sadness that I read the article announcing that “Hastie, Price and Advance [to] fundraise for their own anti-immigration campaigns”. The two politicians are choosing to turn their backs on a pivotal national moment and a real chance to reduce ignorance and fear, rather than exploiting it. Not much getting of wisdom there. As for Advance, it is an organisation described by Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs, as “an appalling organisation, and those who fund it are not acting in the cause of social cohesion”. Advance’s primary targets include an objection to Welcome to Country that led to booing of Aboriginal elders on Anzac Day, and that followed their vociferous (successful) campaign against a Voice to Parliament, plus unsubstantiated claims that immigrants in detention are “rapists, paedophiles and murderers”, and, tellingly, suggestions that Australia’s “security” is under threat because of “wide open borders”. It is a matter of record that principal donors to Advance include those who are themselves only first or second generation migrants to Australia. Given the disturbing AI-generated images that have appeared on Advance’s social media posts, including brown-skinned and hijab-wearing “migrants” apparently propelling “housing shortages”, it is difficult not to wonder if their activities skate close to being racially or religiously discriminatory, at the very moment when this is being called out, correctly, as profoundly un-Australian. Stephanie Dowrick, Pyrmont

Hopes for a more civil 2026 are already looking shaky as right-wing populists look to ride the wave of racist grandstanding in Britain and the US. I’m sure Advance will be cheering from the sidelines as Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price join Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce in their race to the bottom. Colin Stokes, Camperdown

The anti-immigration stances of Advance and Andrew Hastie represent a populist shift in Australian conservative politics. While they frame their arguments around economic relief (specifically the housing crisis) and social cohesion, these positions often simplify complex economic realities and risk damaging Australia’s social fabric and long-term prosperity. John Howard’s changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, together with inadequate supply, have more to do with the housing crisis than immigrants who are needed to build the houses and provide the services Australians expect. John Bailey, Canterbury

Sentences such as “time to reach for the deport button” and remarks like “radical Islam theology”, and the ignorant “opening the doors to countless immigrants who do not share our values” will only cause more division and discrimination – tactics, it would appear, that the Liberals are ready to use to help make Australia ... what? I hanker for the days of sensible bipartisanship, when we seemed to have stable democracy. Instead, I’m possibly watching the sad spectacle of acceptance, inclusiveness, tolerance and compassion slowly disintegrating. Claudia Drevikovsky, Croydon

I am attempting to respond to news about Andrew Hastie gathering lots of money to turn the Liberal party into a MAGA-style populist movement, the rise of Nazism in this country as described by Dennis Glover (“These times are far from normal”, January 3), the threat of long wars on world stability, liars, politically motivated and unhelpful responses to Bondi, and a book by Luke Kemp (Goliath’s Curse, 2025) outlining how civilisations collapse in circumstances not unlike ours. But I am overwhelmed and I think I will take my grandchildren to a cave and hide. Mary Billing, Allambie Heights

Thank you to your correspondent (Letters, January 3) for your letter about your neighbourhood being letter-bombed with racist, white nationalist pamphlets. Your letter should be read with the article about Advance in the Herald on the same day. Usman Khawaja, with his elegant and thoughtful retirement announcement, provides a stark contrast which we should applaud. Paul Fergus, Croydon

Revive broad inquiry

The 1974 Royal Commission into Human Relationships, widely mocked at the time for its broad brief, had a long-term positive impact (“Commission Omission”, January 3). It triggered reasoned debate and law reform on many issues including no-fault divorce, domestic violence, abortion and gender identity. It was able to do its work because of the inclusive non-partisan approach of its three commissioners (Elizabeth Evatt, Anne Deveson and Felix Arnott). The Albanese government could call an updated version of this commission, focusing especially on cultural/religious/racial diversity. This would be a positive outcome from the events of December 14. It won’t satisfy the haters, but let’s face it, nothing ever will. Joanna Mendelssohn, Dulwich Hill

Trump copying Putin

Trump’s invasion of Venezuela and the capture of its president raises many questions (“In claiming American strength, Trump also highlights weakness”, smh.com.au, January 4). How many other countries, the leadership of which might draw Trump’s disapproval, are likely to be invaded and subjected to US rule? Who is likely to arbitrate regarding the justice (or otherwise) that these actions might represent? The idea that the United Nations might fill such a role is laughable. Trump is merely copying his “hero”, Vladimir Putin, by invading an unfriendly country, meanwhile largely ignoring the Russian leader’s unjust war in Ukraine. Perhaps Trump, whose current strength is only equalled by his childish pettiness, will proceed to have his name stamped on a collection of locations in the annexed South American acquisition. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Credit: Megan Herbert

Australia does not have vast oil reserves, but we do have rare earths and a plentiful supply of various other minerals. So beware, Anthony Albanese, you could be kidnapped from your bed at The Lodge and spirited off on a US warship if that man in the White House has another brain meltdown, or whenever he has extracted enough dollars from Venezuela and starts looking for another soft target. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt

If I were a Greenlander, I’d be feeling a wee bit nervous today. Shirley Whybrow, Balmain

The action of the Trump regime to invade Venezuela and kidnap the elected president and his wife, forcibly taking over command of the country and the oil supplies, is no different to the actions of Putin invading Ukraine. Australia must immediately withdraw from AUKUS and cease relations with the US. It is also embarrassing that the Nobel Peace Prize winner is likely to benefit from Trump’s unilateral violent, military attack. Mark Berg, Caringbah South

The Australian government should immediately carry out a covert operation to capture Donald and Melania Trump, fly them to Australia, lock them up and charge them with the decades of drug-running from the US to Australia. They could then organise the next US elections with candidates supporting Australia, and we should then take over the American oil, space and technology industries. Surely the United Nations will support us in our endeavour to clean up the drug-running in this country. Laurie Dicker, Forest Glen

I hope this does not undermine the credibility of the FIFA Peace Prize. Jason Cusack, Woonona

Let’s have more like Khawaja

Thank you, Usman Khawaja, for walking your path with such dignity, mutual understanding and respect (“Khawaja played fine innings on his own terms”, January 3) – and now, for breaking the silence (a silence denied by too many every day). The chattering class in this country likes to pride itself on its perception of a “uniquely Australian multicultural tolerance”. Tolerance does not equate equality – too often it simply manifests as “you stay in your lane, I’ll stay in mine” – a point you also made so well on Friday. I’m sorry you and your family have had to feel the way you too often have – and should never have – but I hope your words will finally help others to see what you see. Thank you for being human – this country needs more people (and statesmen) like you. Wendy Fogarty, Eatons Hill (Qld)

The mighty Usman Khawaja in his heydayCredit: Christopher Hopkins

I don’t know what is right or wrong, but Usman Khawaja had a platform, probably the last time as a high-profile cricketer with a captive audience, to address the media and cricket fans about his feelings, and he said what he wanted to say. He stated the obvious, what all non-Anglos feel daily in their workplaces with discrimination and racism, fuelled by some media. It is also important to note that he had a talent that ensured he was selected for his cricket career – no small feat – and he did break the glass ceiling and was a trailblazer. He is certainly an inspiration to the young cricketers from South Asia, but I don’t think he was particularly picked on by the media about the stereotypes he claims. Australian media is ruthless when it goes after anyone – the late ″⁣Warnie″⁣ was one of them, and he used it effectively to his benefit. Best wishes, Ussie.
Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

I see Usman Khawaja has been copping a lot of flak on social media and being accused of playing the race card. It is ironic that only brown and black people play that card. Maybe they know something about it. Lorraine Phillips, Wollongong

I’m no expert when it comes to cricket but do know a little bit more about racism, having heard, felt, and experienced it as a victim. That’s why I haven’t been the slightest surprised by the outpouring of racist, negative and hateful abuse aimed at the cricketer Usman Khawaja, not only via social media but by some of the conservative media. His crime was to publicly announce at his retirement press conference he’d been racially stereotyped by ex-players and the media. It seems it’s considered a big no-no to be critical of former players if you are not white and even more so if not Australian born, such as Khawaja. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

No gambling den

I have been a resident of St Ives for 57 years and have shopped at the St Ives shopping centre hundreds of times (“Pokie king in a public land grab to expand suburban shopping centre”, January 3). I approve that the developer should be able to purchase the lane ways from Ku-ring-gai Council at a fair market price to incorporate them into the overall development, however their application to introduce a gambling den, no doubt with poker machines, should not be part of the deal. Gambling is a scourge in the Australian landscape and is opposed by most citizens. The federal and state governments know that the damage done to families with problem gamblers in their midst is immense, but they fail to take measures to fix the issue as the income from gambling props up their budgets. It would be sensible for the council to sell off the laneways but not approve of the gambling den. Ian Butchart, St Ives

The idea of expanding the St Ives self-promoted family-friendly shopping mall to include a tavern and a gambling den is outrageous. The fact that the development would be adjacent to playing fields used for school sport and a children’s playground makes it worse, and the proposal to transfer public land to a private “pokie king” makes the whole idea jaw-droppingly stupid. Larry Case, Turramurra

Just deserts

As an 82-year-old ocean pool swimmer I reject Malcolm Knox’s description of my life as “chronic addlement” (“Forget what day it is? Lucky you”, January 3). The indigenous concept of “everywhen” describes my life better than “everyday”. I know that the Newcastle Ocean Baths cleaning usually happens once a week but sometimes doesn’t. I know that some days I have to go to the doctor, but almost every day I don’t. Every second Tuesday there is money in my bank account that I didn’t do any work for on any day and I don’t remember saving it. This is not addlement but just deserts. Peter McNair, Newcastle

Where or when? Who’s counting?Credit: Getty Images

Malcolm Knox’ edifying discussion of calendars and attempts to tweak the week provides no formula for collective happiness. A five-day workweek with a three-day weekend might work but for convention. The Beatles’ Eight Days a Week didn’t name the new last one. Funday, perhaps? We could look forward to the Fun-Herald, with a comics section, of course. Andrew Cohen, Glebe

Ovens celebration

At last, a headline to foster hope and happiness (“Women unlock history of ancient barbecue site”, January 3) and celebrating thousands of years of Indigenous life with the discovery of clay ball underground ovens in Willowdale. Lorraine Parks, Copacabana

Illegal fireworks

While there has been a crackdown on illegal tobacco, is anyone doing anything to stop the supply of illegal fireworks in NSW? New Year’s Eve and the days leading up to it become a nightmare in some locations, with constant noise from illegal fireworks. This year the display of fireworks had to be cancelled in Wollongong due to the extremely high tides, which made it unsafe for the barges controlling the fireworks display. But that did not stop the fireworks appearing throughout the suburbs. No thought is given to safety issues or distress to cats and dogs throughout. It is hard to believe that they are all being imported by individuals, so where is the supply coming from? Wendy Cousins, Balgownie

Lost courtesy

This weekend’s bus and tram journeys in Sydney were notable for the number of small children sitting while older passengers (including this elderly correspondent) stood. When did parents decide that a common, indeed once customary, courtesy should be ditched in favour of their non-paying little darlings? Phil Rodwell, Redfern

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