Previous attorneys apparently didn't see a need to issue such a directive, so why did Senator Brandis decide that one was now needed? Was there some pre-existing enmity between the Senator Brandis and Mr Gleeson that led Senator Brandis to take action that smacks of an "I'll get you" response?

Don Sephton, Greenway

With a vacancy now open for the second law officer of the Commonwealth, one imagines it is open to Senator George Brandis, as a personal legal entity, to seek advice from the First Law Officer (by coincidence, Senator Brandis) as to whether the first and second law officers could be one and the same.

Assuming a favourable opinion, the appointment of Senator Brandis as second law officer could proceed.

This would have the advantage to the Government that "the left hand would know what the right hand is doing".

Any appeal to the High Court would almost certainly fail, on the grounds it had not been proved the First Law Officer had made a relevant decision.

Peter Baskett, Murrumbateman, NSW

To understand the dispute between the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General about the Legal Services Direction which allegedly cuts off other ministers' access to the Solicitor-General for legal advice, I looked at the Law Officers Act 1964, which creates the office of Commonwealth Solicitor-General.

Section 12 of the Act states the functions of the Solicitor-General. Paragraphs (a) and (c) provide for the Solicitor-General acting as counsel. Paragraph (b) reads "to furnish to the Attorney-General his or her opinion on questions of law referred to him or her by the Attorney-General".

It seems that, unless another Act extends the Solicitor-General's powers, the only person to whom the Solicitor-General can give legal advice, except when acting as counsel, is the Attorney-General. The Legal Services Direction expressly does not apply when the Solicitor-General is acting as counsel.

Therefore the argument that the Direction restricts the Solicitor-General or denies access to him for legal advice is rubbish. It is the Act that does so.

The Solicitor-General is reported to have said he has provided advice to ministers without the involvement of the Attorney-General. If so, several questions arise. In what capacity has he given that advice?

If not as Solicitor-General (because it was outside the functions of a Solicitor-General) was he engaging in practice as a barrister or solicitor, which is prohibited by subsection 9(1) of the LOA?

If the latter, was he admitted to practice in the jurisdiction where he provided the advice ? Can any of this affect the application of legal privilege?

I hope some expert will provide the answers.

G.I. Bellamy, Pearce

It is all so easy for Scott Morrison to push the blame for house prices onto the states when he has overlooked the negative gearing factor ("Morrison puts states on notice on house prices", October 24, p2).

While negative gearing is so popular it is obvious houses prices will increase with a lack of houses available for first homebuyers.

Has Mr Morrison attended an auction in Sydney or been to an open house inspection? If so, he will have noticed how many would be investors are in attendance.

Any government prepared to stop negative gearing gets my vote.

Robyn Lewis, Raglan, NSW

Treasurer Scott Morrison has discovered we have a housing affordability crisis. Better late than never I suppose. But he can't help himself.

When our (sort of) debt and deficit crisis was an issue he could only focus on expenditure, and ignore revenue.

This time, he tells us, it's only housing supply (conveniently the States' problem), with no recognition that his policies (negative gearing, capital gains, blind eye to foreign cash transfers) might actually have an impact on demand. It's obviously beyond him. Why then no housing minister, to focus on some real policy initiatives in this crucial area.

Tim Field, Barton

Clive Williams ("Oh, for a better railway", October 25, p12) laments the pleasant, but slow, rail journey between Sydney and Canberra. As he argues, upgrading can deliver service improvements and be cost-effective and affordable. I concur.

This approach is a stark contrast to the regular, but implausible and unrealistic high-speed studies, which never consider upgrading options. Failure to consider upgrading options is a myopic and reckless approach to planning.

High-speed rail may fall well short of the projected traffic levels – as found with the Paris-London Eurostar high-speed rail service. However, strong traffic growth rail traffic following low-cost upgrading can justify further investment and, indeed, maybe even high-speed track.

For example, the French have run their Paris-Bordeaux trains for the past 25 years mostly on track that they upgraded in the 1980s, with only a modest amount of high-speed track being built.

The traffic increase that resulted from the upgrade then underpinned the case for building a new high-speed track right through to Bordeaux – a 300km high-speed line will open next year.

More generally, small and modest upgrades can add up and deliver benefits quickly. For example, even the ACT government's newish 200-bus route from Civic, through Kingston, has enhanced the rail service by reducing the apparent isolation of the Kingston railway terminus (Active advertising of that rail-bus link might help a bit too though!). Yes, as Professor Williams says, let us have a "better" railway, and that does not have to mean a new railway.

Peter Kain, Curtin

I am very disappointed that Jeremy Hanson apparently just gave up and allowed Alistair Coe to assume the leadership of the Canberra Liberals. Has the local party not learnt the lessons from the recent federal poll, when the (seemingly moderate) Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was almost defeated – in contrast to the probable fate of the Abbott government, which would have been swept from office? Not to mention the catastrophically low approval rating for Mr Turnbull now that he continues to prosecute the rabid-right agenda?

The ACT needs an effective opposition which would hold the government to account. Not an ultra-conservative, rabid right-wing outfit which is more concerned with the "rights" of religious bigots to protest outside a family planning clinic!

Although Mike Baird is on the nose in NSW, he probably could have won the election in the ACT with support for light rail and other centrist policies.

All power to Nicole Lawder as deputy leader; she will need it in spades!

Robert McKenzie, Dunlop

Canberra Business Chamber chairman Glenn Keys declares that the debate "should be about our economic growth and development" ("Liberals should now embrace light rail, says business community", canberratimes.com.au, October 26).

What this debate never includes is the impact of a much larger urban presence in the headwaters of the major river basin in Australia. This is where the greatest production of food occurs in our nation. We need scientists involved in this debate, not just economists and business interests.

Robyn Coghlan, Hawker

In 1966, Megan Stoyles was to be found on Northbourne Avenue at the head of a demonstration, aimed at US President Lyndon Johnson (who was there to sell participation by Australia in the US Vietnam conflict).

When I saw the photograph of Megan in her famous T-shirt in Northbourne Avenue ("Shirt seen around the world", October 20, p15), I realised I was the person beside her (to her right in the picture).

Later, among other protests, she made very strong objections to the Conscription program: unfortunately I pulled the wrong poker card and ended up with 2 years of service in the Army around 1967-68.

So, Megan, I wish you the best, and continue to take your engagement in current issues with the same enthusiasm.

Jim Douglas, Kingston

Polemical bewailing about defence equipment advertising at Canberra airport must come overwhelmingly from Qantas patrons.

None of the three large ads on the Virgin side currently feature such wares and, indeed, only one of the four on the Qantas side. So even ideologues travelling on the public purse can have their sensitivities appropriately sheltered from facing geostrategic reality.

Neil James, executive director, Australia Defence Association

The owner of a troubled house construction company hangs on to his position as a senator for long enough to vote on a bill that seeks to reduce the influence of unions in the construction industry ("Senator Bob Day to return to Senate chamber for ABCC vote despite resignation announcement", canberratimes.com.au, October 24).

In 21st-century Australia no one sees a problem with this, and the term "conflict of interest" simply doesn't enter the political lexicon. If Mr Day was a NSW councillor, he would likely be prosecuted.

Peter Marshall, Captains Flat, NSW

There have been several Letters to the Editor arguing that the near-imminent introduction of self-driving vehicles will render light rail in Canberra irrelevant and unnecessary perhaps because traffic congestion will cease to exist.

I can't see any logic in these assertions, presented as they have been with few arguments to support their premise.

If I replace my current vehicle with a self-driving car, I will still have a car. Perhaps the proponents of the aforementioned views expect self-driving cars to drive closer together and so enable more vehicles to fit onto any designated length of road. "Perhaps" being the operative word. I still foresee traffic congestion, however, particularly given the city's rapid growth.

Alas poor Yoricks, self-driving cars does not equate to a valid argument against the tram.

Methinks you will have to concoct another argument, or, point out the error of my ways.

Chris Carder, Spence

Where did the word corflute come from? Signs by the side of a road advertising candidates standing for election to the ACT Legislative Assembly used to be called posters or placards. Now they're referred to as corflutes.

But the word does not appear in any of my several English dictionaries, even the new second edition of the Australian National Dictionary.

Michael Travis, Bruce

The four deaths at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast on Tuesday were tragic. In your report of the accident ("Dreamworld horror", October 26, p1), Queensland Ambulance Service officer Gavin Fuller was quoted as saying "They had all sustained injuries that were incompatible with living".

This clunky phrase sounds all too American. Like the report issued by a Florida hospital which read in part "The patient failed to realise his full wellness potential", ie, he died.

God save us from the spread of this grammatical disease!

James Wain, Amaroo

IT DOESN'T COMPUTE

Memo to Malcolm Turnbull: Are there heads rolling at the Bureau of Statistics yet? Or are the details of those due to be punished still stuck in the IBM computer ("Census fiasco: IBM under fire for site crash", October 26,p8)?

Linus Cole, Palmerston

LEANING, NOT LIFTING

Memo to Joe Hockey: Dear Mr Ambassador. Please pay for your own babysitting. You have enough perks as it is. Besides, you are the one who told us the age of entitlement is over ("Taxpayers foot Hockey's child-minding bill", October 26, p8).

Anne Willenborg, Royalla, NSW

ARGUMENT ILLOGICAL

The "have-nots" of paid parental leave want to cut the "haves" down to their level. Why? Surely the better argument is to acknowledge that paid parental leave is good, and press for it to be extended to those currently missing out.

An equitable and universal scheme will easily pay for itself by increasing productivity and reducing indirect costs.

Christopher Budd, Turner

HERE'S MY VOTE

Malcolm Robertson (Letters, October 25) for Prime Minister, I say!

James Allan, Narrabundah

NUMBERS GAME

As a left-leaning voter, I took the time and trouble to number all the ballot boxes at the election to ensure that the Chief Minister received my last preference. It was hard to do as I had no faith at all in the Opposition. Seeing the new leader of the Liberals, I won't ever do that again.

Kim Fitzgerald, Deakin

Ho-ho-ho, it's Alistair Coe! The Liberals' no-ideas man, the man who wanted to flood the ACT with buses and ... hmm, was there something else?

Dr K. Williams, Bonython

A FLORAL CRUSADE

There is always space for the spring glory of one more crab-apple tree. Let's crusade away from the nothingness of spiky plantings amid starkly dyed wood chips. We could also seek out the summer wonder of callistemons to take us back to our garden city.

R. McCallum, Higgins

TRIGGS NO VICTIM

Has D.J. Fraser (Letters, October 26) lost his marbles? Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs under unwarranted pressure? Ms Triggs is under pressure for her own appalling lack of judgment and political activism. That she is still in the job is a miracle.

H. Ronald, Jerrabomberra, NSW

Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attached file. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

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