I am concerned that for the Voice referendum, the NSWNMA took a partisan position based on resolutions passed at a delegates meeting in 2018. Given the outcome – a 60 per cent rejection of the question – this means that in all probability 45,000 members voted against the proposal.

Whilst generally agreeing with Michael Whaites’ comments in the December–January edition of The Lamp, the difficulty of agreement on constitutional change required a bipartisan approach and the decision rests solely with members, not just our delegates’ decisions.

Regarding nuclear submarines, the debate is far more complex than that put forward by the Union, based on a Westmead Hospital branch motion. The defence of Australia is of vital importance, given the great power clash in our area of the world and our reliance on our main security partner, the USA, whom we have relied upon since 1942. It is vitally important that Australia has the appropriate military assets, and that our soldiers, sailors and airman are not placed at any more risk than necessary, given the massive sacrifices our troops had to bear in the last major conflict in our area and the unnecessary suffering and hardship that members of our own profession underwent.

Brian Grant, retired member