Lying comes easily to this government as they attempt to deflect any criticism ("No one safe on Manus: refugees", Sunday Canberra Times, April 16, p3). They have demonstrated time and again that they cannot be trusted to tell the truth about any issues that reflect poor policy, decisions, or actions in any department but especially in Border Protection and Immigration.

They could save themselves and the refugees a lot of angst by bringing the latter to Australia and by adopting a new pathway and telling the truth as a first step. Nothing to lose having cast shame on the nation already.

William Book, Hackett

Recidivist corporate cowboys are parasites on the capitalist system, operating as they do, in blatant disregard of community standards, abusing their social licence, evading labour laws, irreversibly despoiling the environment and leaving trails of litigation in their wake ("Hume 'pop-up' tip on the nose", Sunday CT, April 16, p.6).

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan

The ACT government's increase to apartment rates (announced in June 2016 and to take in effect in July) is a blatant rip-off and is not justified. The ACT government probably thinks that by doing this early in this term of government, people forget about it.

In my view it just gives apartment owners time to get organised and make it a significant election issue next time round.

I feel sorry for those downsizers living on a fixed income. The Opposition and the Greens, if they had a spine, could combine to knock this on the head but that is not going to happen, so we will have to do something ourselves.

Given the number of apartments in Gungahlin, by the time we are finished the government will be lucky to win one seat in that electorate.

John Gudgeon, Gungahlin

As I drive down Northbourne Avenue enjoying the marvellous new vista all the way from Dickson to Parliament House (now the rotten old trees have been chopped down), I can't help thinking that if the Northern Infrastructure Facility is so flush with funds the Prime Minister can consider tossing a billion dollars into a hole in the ground, it's a pity the facility can't be used to fund the tram.

After all, who's going to want to live in the north once the reef's dead and climate change brings more and stronger cyclones?

Far better to have some reverse pork barrelling to compensate Canberra for public servants being transported to the sticks.

And if nothing else, we might see an end to the droning anti-tram letters of crusty curmudgeons.

Dallas Stow, O'Connor

Cutting the income of Australia's poorest does not create jobs. If the federal government was serious about building the economy then it would be serious about building a strong middle class.

The very marginal savings made by employers in paying a little less to their staff on a Sunday is in no way enough to promote hiring extra staff.

Small businesses don't need extra staff, they need committed staff. The Turnbull government cares nothing for Australia's people, but entirely for its profit.

Andrew McGregor, Isabella Plains

You would have thought that the hard core of anti-light-rail letters writers to The Canberra Times, would have fled Canberra, now that the light-rail construction is under way and electors of the ACT voted last October for this to happen.

You can imagine them relocating to a regional centre such as suggested by Barnaby and Fiona of the National Party, where they would never be upset by the sight of a tram.

Surprisingly, they are still here and still writing the same old anti-light-rail letters to The Canberra Times, still talking of a "stupid never-never proposal for a tram network" (CT Letters, April 22).

Construction does seem to be well under way! Barnaby's favourite, Armidale, would be a good choice for them, as they will never see trams grace the streets of this town.

Regional centres of danger for their relocation would be the Gold Coast, which has recently opened Stage Two of its light-rail network, Newcastle which is about to start its light- rail network and Bendigo and Ballarat, which both have successful tourist tram services.

No, I think Barnaby's Armidale would be the best for them and they can devote the rest of their lives to making sure that a tram never runs in Armidale and leave the rest of us in Canberra to enjoy a progressive and innovative transport system.

John Davenport, Farrer

There has been talk about ex-prime ministers' legacies.

Let's reflect on Julia Gillard's career since leaving office.

No sniping. No interfering with the political process.

Instead she has devoted herself to the welfare and education of children, both in Australia and other parts of the world.

Now she is taking over as chief officer of Beyond Blue.

Not many years ago, broadcaster Alan (comments for cash) Jones commented so inhumanely how her father (may he rest in peace) would negatively regard her political views.

As a woman, and more broadly a human being, I know that Ms Gillard's father would have been so so proud of her, in the way she has conducted herself as ex-prime minister. Not a "white ant" but as an ongoing contributor to Australian society.

Somewhere along the line, she'll deserve to be awarded an OA whereas Tony Abbott will shortly be rewarded with the OOB (Order Of The Boot).

Wendy Rattigan, Weston

I beg to differ with David McCarthy ("We're not stupid", letters, April 16).

Most "ordinary" Australians are invariably stupid, otherwise why would they constantly and voluntarily elect below-par politicians at territory, state and federal levels.

I rest my case.

Mario Stivala, Spence

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