Your editorial rightly states that vaccinations are a cornerstone of public health (“Vaccine cheats are a threat to Australia’s public health”, February 3) before going on to discuss the ignorant and dangerous stance of some parents who are turning to anti-vaccine health professionals to game the system by changing their children’s immunisation records. As an authorised nurse immuniser getting ready for another season of workplace flu vaccinations, I shake my head in disbelief and sadness. I find each year that even people turning up for vaccinations have more sceptical questions about the flu vaccine, which shows how insidious disinformation can be. I sometimes wonder if they will turn up the next year. All I can say is, please get a flu vaccine; it might just save your life. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
Thanks for your excellent editorial. Owing to our strong and effective vaccination policies, younger people have for the main never witnessed the disastrous consequences of communicable diseases that were common before vaccinations were introduced. In my early years as a doctor, I cared for a three-year-old paralysed as a consequence of measles, watched a baby die, suffocated by the membrane of diphtheria, and witnessed and cared for numerous people disabled for life following the polio epidemic of the 1950s. The scourge of the preventable diseases is huge. I am outraged that medical practitioners or nurses could be so ignorant and dishonest as to falsify records and put other children at risk. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath
The parents who submit “falsified” vaccine reports to schools and childcare centres have committed a crime. If found out, they should be charged. Since they can afford the reported cost of more than $2500 for a bogus certificate, the fine should be several times that figure for each child. Enrolment forms for childcare and schools should also have a simple extra clause stating if you falsify the vaccine status of your children, a report will be sent to the relevant government department and you may face a criminal charge. The simplest solutions are often the best. Charles Lloyd Jones, Cabarita
Sensibly, childcare centres and preschools can legally refuse to admit children if they are unvaccinated in order to protect the very young who are pre- or partially vaccinated. Your editorial brings to light criminals in the medical profession who knowingly falsify certificates, for a fee, for complicit parents or carers. These potential murderers should be deregistered and charged. Felicite Ross, Vaucluse
Drop AUKUS and grow
Margaret Beavis yet again outlines the irrationality of the AUKUS nuclear submarines (“Let’s stop pretending AUKUS makes us safer”, February 3). They make no financial, strategic or diplomatic sense. We are buying a very expensive product that has no guarantee of supply or governance while putting a large amount of our defence spending in a utility for international (read US) defence, not local defence. Meanwhile, we are allowing greater US presence locally with bases at Garden Island and Henderson in WA and further committing ourselves to US military strategy. This is all the more worrying considering who is US president. Our defence spending needs to increase, targeting local defence strategies including drone production, and we need to increase military and diplomatic co-operation with nearby Asian countries. Trump 2.0 has graphically demonstrated that we can no longer depend solely on the US for our security and we must, like a young adult leaving home, expand and diversify. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle
Margaret Beavis’ article could not be more welcome. Dr Beavis writes as a medical doctor who is rightly concerned that AUKUS will drain public funds from legitimately urgent public needs, including health. She also writes as vice president of the Medical Association for Prevention of War. In 2026, a commitment to AUKUS, and the accompanying loss of sovereignty and control of our destiny within the Asia-Pacific region, borders on inexcusable recklessness. This is about so much more than “defence”. Why can’t we be like the Greenlanders, strongly resisting this contempt for our distinct nationhood, our cultures old and new, by a foreign power that self-evidently puts military might as its highest and most exportable value? Stephanie Dowrick, Pyrmont
Margaret Beavis details undeniable proof that AUKUS was a dud from the start. It is yet another example of our defence establishment and politicians being hoodwinked into an overpriced and inappropriate procurement deal. The government should cut its losses, walk away from the agreement and redirect the huge projected submarine expenditure to local programs of direct benefit to the citizenry. David Salter, Hunter’s Hill
Margaret Beavis clearly sets out all the reasons why AUKUS is a bad deal for Australia. The question is why is the Albanese government doing this? Why, after defeating Morrison’s Coalition, did Anthony Albanese not ditch Morrison’s commitment to the deal? Why does Albanese continue to give billions to the US? Why does Albanese make Sydney, Darwin and Perth nuclear targets with our welcoming of US subs and bombers? Why does this government sign away Australia’s sovereignty to the US? Come on, prime minister, you promised us transparency. Give us some answers. Ian Gilfeather, Batemans Bay
Coalition split
Pauline Hanson has taken advantage of the split between the Liberals and Nationals to recruit new members to her One Nation party (“Former Senator Cory Bernardi is One nation’s latest recruit”, February 3). Perhaps Susan Ley could emulate this behaviour and recruit new members from the teals, forget about the Nationals and form a new party, the Liberteals. Christine Perrott, Armidale
As the rats and prats abandon the sinking Coalition ship for the One Nation lifeboat, it won’t be long before the Coalition mutineers outnumber the old crew and throw the captain overboard and seize control. The One Nation boat, with its rudderless policies and strident criticisms of almost everything, will drift into the next election, when the electorate will pass judgment. Can’t wait. Barry Ffrench, Cronulla
Suggestions by Mike Salon (Letters, February 3) to aid the Liberals in becoming a centre right party are good but ignore the fact that Australia already has a centre right party – it’s called the Australian Labor Party. Bill Gillis, Hallidays Point
Cory Bernardi must be thrilled to have found a party further to the right than his previous career in politics. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
With the fragmentation of the Coalition and the new recruits for One Nation, will there be space in the political arena for the Monster Raving Loony Party? Or would this be wedge politics? Jo Rainbow, Orange
Only recently did I learn that shadow ministers receive allowances on top of their salaries, and have done so since 2012. Since a shadow is simply the absence of light, I’m wondering if this is a good way to spend taxpayers’ money. David Morrison, Springwood
The Coalition should be in no way uncertain they are in trouble when regular Herald contributor Rosemary O’Brien decides to put the boot in (Letters, February 3). Robert Farrugia, Malabar
Freedom of choice
I agree wholeheartedly with your correspondent Barry O’Connell (Letters, February 3) that very elderly Australians should have more choice about their end of life due to approaching infirmity, rather than a specific illness. This would give people like my mentally agile but physically frail 95-year-old mother some feeling of control over her life’s end. She is a life member of Dying with Dignity and has strong views expressed in her Advanced Care Directive about what she would find acceptable in her future care. The knowledge of control over her end of life would allow Mum to relax and enjoy her remaining years, knowing she could have a dignified exit when she decided the time was right. Jane Lorimer, West Hobart (Tas)
Having reached 90 years of age, I heartily agree with Barry O’Connell that the regulations about slipping away peacefully at one’s own request need to be relaxed. One acceptable criterion should simply be “can’t be bothered any more, thanks”. John Flint, St Leonards
Noise complaint
If forthcoming legislation excludes air traffic control from an aviation consumer ombuds’ oversight (“Airlines in holding pattern over controller issues”, February 3), does that mean that residents to the north and north-west of Sydney airport will have no redress to complain about the inability or unwillingness of Airservices Australia to implement the mandated noise-sharing provisions of Sydney airport’s long-term operating plan? In off-peak periods, when conditions allow, planes should be taking off over Botany Bay and landing on the east-west runway, giving people under the main north-south flight paths some respite from low-flying aircraft. Before COVID these operations occurred frequently but are now rarer than hens’ teeth. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Save our heritage
It’s good to see the epic Homebush Theatre get some recognition for its longevity and former popularity (“Inside the abandoned 100-year-old Homebush Theatre”, February 3). Known for decades as The Homebush Vogue Theatre, this 1925 fortress building might be scruffy and dilapidated, but it was built to last far longer than 100 years. It might be in need of cosmetic repairs, but the bricks and concrete are still solid. So-called developers would be well advised that the demolition of similar nearby theatres at Auburn, Ashfield and Summer Hill each took 18 months to bring down and sent some companies bankrupt. Also sturdy but untidy, just like Homebush, are the nearby Enfield Savoy and Rosebery Marina, both still solid and well deserving of rescue. Paul Brennan, Point Clare
It is time for a few wealthy Australians to work something out together for the benefit of Sydney. Within the Homebush Transport Oriented Development accelerated precinct stand two hugely important heritage buildings. The Homebush Theatre, designed by Charles Bohringer, and the Horse and Jockey Hotel, designed by Ernest Scott of Green and Scott architects, are both found on Parramatta Road in Homebush (“Developers swoop but will $2.7 billion save Sydney’s ‘traffic sewer’?” February 3). Apparently, in 2017 Walker Corporation had big plans for the theatre site but Strathfield Council didn’t share their enthusiasm. As the Kemeny family own the theatre and the Laundy family own the pub, can they please sit down with the Walker family and the Minns government and finally work something out so that housing, socialising, culture and transport all receive a much-needed boost in this part of our city? Scott Brandon Smith, Sydney
No vote, no say
Members of the Exclusive Brethren organisation do not vote in elections because it is against their religion (“Exclusive Brethren members, Gina Rinehart donate to right-wing group Advance”, February 3). Yet in the 2025 federal election they chose to involve themselves in the democratic process, attempting to influence the outcome in favour of conservative candidates. They donated directly to the Coalition and to organisations such as Advance. I even met some charming, wholesome youngsters from this organisation who were bussed in en masse to bolster the number of Liberal pre-poll volunteers. It is outrageous that an organisation like this is allowed to interfere in a national election when their belief system does not allow them to take part like the ordinary Australian voter. No voting should also mean no donating and no volunteering. Marjorie Sutcliffe, The Rocks
New Bondi ritual
After watching the ABC’s Four Corners program on Monday night about the massacre of Jews at Bondi in December, my hands are shaking and tears are slowly dripping onto my lap as I type. I’m not Jewish – I was raised a “good Catholic boy” – but I spent part of my youth living at Bondi Beach and have loved it ever since. Every summer I have a silly little private ceremony when I wade into the water for my first swim of the season. But not this summer – I haven’t had the courage to go down there yet. Bondi is, for me and so many Sydneysiders, a sacred place of peace and joy and healing, but it has had its heart broken. I know the Jewish community must still be in immense pain, but can I ask them one question: this year, in December, when I hope you once again celebrate Hanukkah in Archer Park, would it be okay if a lapsed Catholic boy came down to celebrate it with you? Patrick McGrath, Potts Point
Voices of reason
Whether you agree with artists using the Grammys for political purposes, the simple message was that America, like Australia, is largely a nation of immigrants (“Olivia Dean, Biebers, Billie Eilish join ‘ICE Out’ protest”, February 2). Both countries are quick to celebrate the richness and endeavour of migrants but equally quick to cast blame upon them for any perceived problem or inequality. It is important that the voice of reason is heard and for governments to know that it will not be silenced. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Wearing a pin and agreeing that ICE is bad, as today’s stars did at the Grammys, is commendable, but releasing an angry song condemning Trump’s army, as Bruce Springsteen has just done, is the sign of a true protest singer. Jeff Apter, Keiraville
Flagging interest
I am all in favour of criminalising burning the flag, provided that if we are serious in sanctifying it in this way, we should also get it off t-shirts, shorts, hats, beach towels, tea towels and all the other foreign-made tat that floods retail outlets. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba
Those people recommending using the Southern Cross as part of the Australian flag should remember that it is not an exclusively Australian phenomenon – it can be seen from any southern hemisphere country. It appears that our friends in NZ and Brazil have already noticed it. Bryce Templeton, Mudgeeraba (Qld)
The royal one
Regarding your correspondent (Letters, February 3) being sick to death hearing the Barmy Army singing “God save your gracious King”, shouldn’t we all be singing “God save one’s gracious King”? Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
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