In the days when Bill O'Reilly was still the Australian taxation commissioner (1982, to be precise) a well-known American-Australian television journalist was employed by a very well-known Australian TV station. He was drawing a rather generous salary from his employer and was paying the corresponding tax. Then he set up a family trust and, overnight, he became employed by the trust, which in turn offered his services to the TV station, which then paid the trust, which in turn paid him his, now not so generous, salary. Result? The well-known American-Australian TV journalist's tax liability was reduced to virtually zilch.

By the way, the tax liability of the family trust was also almost zilch. So they all (the family) benefited and went on to be far better off.

Unfortunately, only a selected part of the community can benefit from that, legal, tax avoidance trick. But I am pleased that the issue has come into the limelight for all to see. Let's hope that our pollies finally do something about it.

John Rodriguez, Florey

Rex Williams (Letters, July 30) has not seen anything yet! The Barr government is desperate to find funds to pay for the $1.8billion Stage1 tram (nominal, including construction and subsidy of operations for 20 years).

The government and one-eyed supporters claim that Stage1 is manageable at only 1 per cent of projected ACT budgets.

But the reality is that it will cost about 8 per cent or more of the transport and infrastructure component of the budgets, and each additional stage will add another 8to10 per cent to the infrastructure budgets.

How long do readers think that would be sustainable? Minister Fitzharris is doing her best in claiming public support for light rail, but the reality is that taxpayers are already being gouged to pay for the first tram alone, let alone for stages to come.

When wages are virtually stagnant at about 1.5 per cent a year or less, how can the government justify rate hikes in the order of 10 per cent a year, electricity and gas prices up 20 per cent a year, including service component of the energy bills?

The CPI basket is a joke; it does not reflect the true cost of living and apparently ignores government taxes.

M. Flint, Erindale

Reviewing Labor's internal complaints policy ("ACT Labor to review complaints procedure", July 29) is only half the battle. The other half is dealing with the ACT Labor government's hypersensitivity to criticism and its bunker mentality.

Have you tried making an appointment to see a Labor minister ? Our civic leaders in this city state of ours should not be beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. But the three – yes, three, including my local member – government ministers I tried to see were all unavailable.

Not much point having a you-beaut complaints procedure if no one will answer the front door to receive the complaint!

Robert Solecki, Bonython

If the Qatari government supports terrorism, as several of our "best friend" allies claim, what are we doing allowing the Qatari-government-owned airlines new routes from Canberra ("Business class boost as Qatar begin daily services to Canberra in February", Canberra Times, July 30)?

If the claims about Qatar are true, we Canberrans are, in fact, guilty of providing material support to terrorism. I don't think that's legal ...

Judy Bamberger, O'Connor

Ian Warden's refreshing look at spirituality and religiousness ("Pray for those who are spiritual but not religious", Panorama, July 29) suffers from a minor inaccuracy.

I am, of course, assuming that Ian is simply extemporising on the subject. However, the use of America and the Americans to illustrate his thesis implies the misguided assumption that Americans are religious.

Americans have never been religious. They have always been fanatics, sometimes about God, sometimes about UFOs and sometimes about nuts-cum-politicians as is presently the case.

John Rodriguez, Florey

God give me strength ("Eating veggies can improve NAPLAN scores", CT, July 30). Next it'll be eating carrots will help you to clean your windows, eating fried chicken will help you be a better driver and sucking on a lemon will increase your sexual prowess.

Where do they dig these people up from?

Doug Hodgson, Pearce

I write to congratulate The Canberra Times on its decision to retain the name "Manuka Oval" in its reporting of sporting and other events using that ground.

As a long-time resident of South Canberra (though not an active sportsman), I value Manuka Oval as an important part of the culture of my community, and that name appropriately draws attention to it and to the services it renders to our community.

The name "University of NSW Canberra Oval" does not do that. It is, for me, an abomination that should never be entertained.

Roger Wettenhall, Deakin

The aim of the proposed Container Deposit Scheme is to reduce litter and increase recycling. I don't think the 10¢ refund on beverage containers will deter those who litter, but maybe the threat of a hefty fine will.

I understand that the ACT is one of the best recyclers in the country. We currently have a convenient and efficient collection scheme via the yellow bin paid through our rates. So why duplicate this scheme?

Under the CDS, each household will be required to collect, store, transport, and wait in line to receive their refunds. The additional burden, including fuel costs, placed on all ACT households will be enormous. The elderly may not have the physical ability or means (car/trailer) to take part in this scheme, as well as those living in flats where storage space is likely to be limited.

These residents may have no alternative but to keep using their yellow bins and forgo the refund. This raises an interesting question: will the government collect the refunds on the beverage containers placed in the yellow bins and, if so, is this another cash grab by government?

I don't mind being continually hit in the hip pocket by government for a good reason, but will someone point out the benefits that will outweigh the costs placed on each and every one of us?

F. Ziolkowski, Cook

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