John Barilaro's comment that "we are in part driven by our members in our electorates where 80 to 85 per cent of our voters are in support" was refreshing to hear, as was his observation that "we have a realism in the bush".

It's a pity that the leaders of the Liberal and Labor parties, along with some other elected members including our own, don't share this desire to adhere by democratic principles and give the people what they want.

The new pact between the UK, the USA and Australia seems to have been hatched in secret.

It would be interesting to know what is in the fine print. Has the UK treated us as the last colony of their lost empire, and is our "pal" seeing us as the deputy sheriff?

The concern felt by businesses that trade with China no doubt wonder will there be a repeat of the devastating economic attacks such as happened to barley producers and wine producers.

Obviously there needs to be an assertive and independent approach to China's behaviour; surely quiet diplomacy by skilled diplomats is preferable to the sabre rattling by a number of Australian politicians in the last year or two.

The Labor and other parties and independents should demand to know more detail of this pact and should certainly work to ensure that if our pals try to draw us into yet another conflict the Parliament must be informed and approve any foreign "adventure".

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The saga of the Australian purchase of a French designed submarine with a diesel engine was always going to end badly.

If the 'thing' was ever going to be finished then we would end up with a 'yesterday' vessel to face world events that we cannot possible foresee some 20 to 30 years in the future.

What one could not foresee was the quite rude and abrupt way the contract was cancelled.

What a callous disregard of diplomacy one would normally expect to be offered to a friendly nation.

Especially damaging is to embarrass a nation that has a direct interest in affairs concerning the Pacific Ocean.

Our reputation as a reliable trading partner has been trashed by the ineptness of the Morrison government.

It is unsurprising that diplomatic ties were quickly broken. It will take some time, I suspect, for the French government to regain some trust in our word.

We can expect that this important member of the European Union will not be interested in our welfare as Australia tries to complete a trade agreement with the EU.

We will pay a high price for the rudeness shown by our inept government to the French people.

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