While Australia inhabits a lofty second place on UNDP's Human Development Index for 2015 (Indigenous disadvantage notwithstanding), near neighbours Indonesia, Timor-Leste and PNG are ranked at 110, 133 and 158 respectively.

Enlightened self-interest, to say nothing of old-fashioned humanitarianism, should prompt our mostly rich and fortunate country to invest much more in fighting regional and global poverty.

C.C. Kenna, Murrumbateman, NSW

R.S. Gilbert (Letters, August 19) might be right that the leasehold system in Canberra is no longer serving a useful purpose, but I do not agree with him that it is a stupid system. It is, I am sad to say, a relic from a more enlightened and optimistic era when those founding Australia believed they were establishing a co-operative undertaking, which would work for the benefit of all Australians and hence was called The Commonwealth of Australia.

That the leasehold system was progressively undermined by administrative neglect and the reluctance of successive Commonwealth governments to maintain the level of lease payments at a level that would meet the recurrent costs of maintaining the municipal functions of Canberra is no reason to traduce the concept and original purpose of its adoption.

Mr Gilbert says that the reason leasehold was introduced was to help meet the costs of establishing the nation's capital. I understand that it was to prevent land speculation and to provide a sustainable source of income for the Commonwealth to support the city. Edmund Barton said "we shall be able to get the land on fair terms, lease it on fair terms and still make a profit for the Commonwealth". Notice the emphasis on fairness.

Canberra's leasehold system was fatally wounded when John Gorton's Coalition government abolished land rent with effect from 1971. If, as Mr Gilbert says, the concept of leasehold is stupid, it is only because our founding fathers were more optimistic than has proved wise that we as a nation would support each other to build a better, fairer world, rather than a meaner, more selfish one.

Chris Ansted, Garran

Mikayla Novak is a researcher for the Institute of Public Affairs, so I understand her position on privatisation ("A case of privatisation", Forum, August 20, p10). However not once did Ms Novak mention the benefit to the customers of the privatised entity.

Benefits of privatisation have two beneficiaries: firstly the incompetent politicians whose budget bottom line is improved and secondly the investors and underwriters who purchase the shares often at bargain prices. Commonwealth Bank, State Government Insurance Offices, Utilities and Medibank Private come to mind. Of note: Medibank Private charges have risen 18 per cent since privatisation less than two years ago, bank charges to run a savings account didn't exist before privatisation, utility and insurance costs have risen 50 per cent in four years, Ms Novak's assertion that competition is improved is not evident. Our politicians talk about fairer legislation so maybe we should do the opposite of privatisation and consider nationalising some of these greedy rip-off merchants.

Hold on while I take my tongue out of my cheek.

Max Jensen, Chifley

It says a lot about Medibank that it has to refocus on its customers ("Medibank pledges to refocus on customer", BusinessDay, August 20, p26).

I think the customers should focus on the amount of money they lose from their health dollars as Medibank profits surge by 46 per cent to $418million.

This huge sum of money they provided to the shareholders contributed nothing to their health needs. A few minutes spent moving their business from this for-profit fund to one which does not drain away their dollars would be time well spent. A careful reading of the article will show clearly that profits are driving this health fund not the needs of the customers. Why 3.8 million Australians allow themselves to be exploited in this way is beyond my comprehension. Particularly as it is so easy to move to another fund without any penalty. Although of course everyone needs to assess his or her own circumstances before doing so.

Steve Thomas, Yarralumla

Recent events surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan have drawn attention to the issue of post-traumatic stress experienced by veterans of the Vietnam conflict, not to mention those who have served in the conflicts that have followed.

As a Vietnam veteran, I continue to experience a smouldering rage against those politicians who blithely consign so many young people to the meat-grinder of war. We owe it to damaged veterans, and to those who died for their country, to avoid sending more of our youth into unnecessary conflicts.

Peter Grabosky, Forrest

As the Turnbull ministers shout from the rooftops that Labor has a moral obligation to pass the government's proposed omnibus Finance Bill that is specifically designed to "capture" the budget savings which Labor campaigned on in the run-up to the last election you would have thought that even blind Freddy could foresee Labor's response.

Labor can argue, with some justification, that the savings they proposed were to be used to deliver a raft of Labor new initiatives; they were not designed to meet Coalition election promises. I don't know who is supposed to be managing the government's tactics but they ought to think about a new job outside of politics.

Roger Dace, Reid

We in the ACT are due for another rise to our land rates that are already exorbitant. We are told that the ACT government needs the money to support the services it provides to the community and recompense it for lowering stamp duty. Yet for many years now there seems to have been little money and few personnel available to perform any services in the inner south. Namely, to properly prune street trees, repair cracked and broken footpaths, install new street lighting, or to maintain street signs and heritage areas, including open spaces. Anywhere else these services would be seen as rudimentary.

Recognising that much of the revenue collected by the ACT government goes to paying increasing numbers of politicians and public servants, the question on many people's minds is whether that money is used efficiently and appropriately.

For example are all current ACT public servants properly and fully employed?

Perhaps, to put increasingly exasperated ratepayers' minds at rest on this issue, the government could establish a high level audit of ACT government functions. This would need to be conducted by an independent authority, not one of the current firms servicing government. Perhaps a retired federal or state government Auditor-General would be appropriate? The purpose of such an audit would be to reduce departmental waste, duplication and redundant bureaucratic processes. Should money be saved by this process, it should be used to maintain current suburban infrastructure rather than be diverted to light rail or any other far-fetched project.

Margaret Atcherley, Forrest

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the following in a recent press release concerning development proposals and who should be consulted: "So for example in the context of a group of 100 people, 51 of them would need to be women, 50 of them would need to be under 34".

Mr Barr seems to be unaware that while it is true that approximately half of the population may be under 34. This number includes everyone from 0 to 34. Presumably he should be using the percentage of the population aged over 16 or similar in his plan. Perhaps the Chief Minister needs more numerate advisers?

Pam Cohen, Turner

Roger Brown (Letters, August 19) says there's a frenzy of government shovelling and painting and hammering and mowing and tinkering in Weston Creek as the October ACT Election looms. Additionally, Creek citizens are to get "green" bins and more buses, while our hairy friends will have a new woofer park in which to yap.

I must live on the wrong side of the road.

Over here, pathways near the Arawang Primary School, Arawang Preschool, Stromlo High School, St John Vianney's Primary School, Bupa Aged Care, and the Weston Creek Labor Club, in the suburbs of Waramanga and Stirling flood in more than a dozen places each time it spits due to blocked pipes and a lack of drainage points.

The ground nearby turns into bogs, making it virtually impossible for children from the four schools to keep their feet dry, while others who use these paths when shopping, etc, including the many seniors who live in the area, are virtually cut off.

Despite fix-it requests to the Barr ministry and bureaucracy nothing happens other than a political striptease performed with a tired pass-the-buck shuffle and a limp invitation to write again in 60 days "if this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction".

Sigh. Must be a lot of developers in Rivett.

Bill O'Connell, Waramanga

John Mungoven tells us (Letters, August 22) that "respect for others [sic] beliefs should go without saying". So, John: we should respect, for example, the beliefs that little girls should have their clitorises sliced away with razor blades; that anyone who doesn't share my beliefs should be beheaded; that the world is 6000 years old and was repopulated by a 600-year-old man who, with his two sons, built a boat that carried two of every species after everything else was drowned in a global flood by a loving god; that Zenu, the dictator of the Galactic Confederacy, flew billions of people to Earth in DC8s to drop them into a volcano and that their anguished spirits are the source of all psychological problems; that women seeking abortions should be accosted in the streets?

On the contrary, we should treat such superstitious twaddle with the contempt it so richly deserves.

Fred Pilcher, Kaleen

No, John Mungoven (Letters, August 22), respect for others beliefs should absolutely not go without saying! There is a big difference between respecting someone's right to believe whatever they want, and respecting the content of those beliefs. Salman Rushdie perhaps said it best: "The moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision, or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible."

James Allan, Narrabundah

What a great opportunity is presented to the ACT and Federal governments by Deborah Evans to do something constructive about youth detention ("Plea to keep kids out of the system", August 20 p 4)". And what a shame that so far her attempts to obtain proper funding have been sidestepped or denied. Taxpayers would be relieved to see some of our money being spent wisely on this project. Let us grasp this opportunity with both hands instead of wringing them in despair. Many of us will be watching this space with interest.

Sue Schreiner, Red Hill

SLOWER, DEEPER, WISER

Instead of "Faster, Higher, Stronger", perhaps we should be aiming at "Slower, Deeper, Wiser" (with apologies to Michael Leunig, 2012).

David Gibson, Bungendore, NSW

POST–TOKYO RETHINK

Now they are over for four years, could the IOC after Tokyo relocate the Olympics permanently to Greece paid by a levy of all participating countries, allow only amateur competitors and add additional sports with the support of the majority of competing nations? No, I thought not.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla

STOP MILKING DAIRY

Graeme McElligott (Letters, August 19) says "most" of us can get by without dairy. The truth is, "all" of us can get by without it. The only ones who can't get by without it are calves.

Christine Evans, Brighton, Vic

POINTLESS PIFFLE

Jeff Bradley (Letters, August 17) needs to learn that writing piffle does not equate to making a point.

Ralph Rowsby, Richardson

RETURN THE TARMAC

I hope that "Roads ACT" kept their receipt for the tarmacadamation of Copland Drive and Maribyrnong Avenue.

Phil O'Brien, Flynn

NONSENSICAL SUBSIDIES

Difficult to understand why mining has to be subsidised by taxpayers, when they are so profitable. Especially since our subsidies disappear overseas in profits and tax avoidance.

Sandra von Sneidern, Mongarlowe, NSW

SAVE BRUCE HALL

As a former ANU student and lecturer, I agree with Rebecca Duncan (Letters, August 22) that Bruce Hall must be saved!

Scott Bennett, Kambah

SAME–SEX RESISTANCE

Why do the conservative-minded in our community continue to resist same-sex marriage? It is as inevitable as a rainbow after rain. Continuing to obfuscate and deny makes as much sense as trying to stop the earth rotate. It is just, plain, silly.

Mark Slater, Melba

JOB FOR ACT PLANNERS

It is a no brainer that the Manuka Oval area planning process should be carried out by the ACT planners and not by an agency whose brief is land development ("Has Manuka been saved from developers' clutches?", Forum, August 20, p11). The LDA has an inherent bias which favours development over good planning – just look at the Kingston Foreshore now and the City to Lake proposal!

Nick Swain, Barton