I have had the device tested by Telstra and they assure me it is fine and that their technicians say there was nothing wrong with transmission in my area. They did suggest I try an antenna to boost the signal, at my expense to the tune of $720, but with no guarantees. Their coverage map claims 3G coverage in my area (and even 4G within 100 metres of my house), and mentions nothing of the need for antenna support for broadband modem devices in the area. They entered into a contract with me to provide a 3G service and have manifestly failed. They refuse to answer my complaints.

When is the Minister for Communications going to act? Let's hear it from the rural areas.

Wayne Haslam, Sutton, NSW

I grew up in Reid in late 1960s, when everyone knew everyone else on the block and the children gathered in the streets to play from dawn to dusk. The neighbours were equally divided between Carlton and Collingwood fans and the parks and sporting fields were the scenes of fierce rivalries. While urban development and economic growth and technology has improved living standards, there has been a loss of social structure provided by the old neighbourhoods.

Some of my favourite childhood memories were spent with my friends at the Canberra Olympic Pool ("Serious leaks sees outdoor closures at Canberra Olympic Pool", March 18, p1).

In those days, you could buy fish and chips from the Seven Seas restaurant, a packet of cigarettes, 20 cents worth of mixed lollies, chocolate milk and a paddle pop for a dollar. It will be a sad day if the Canberra Olympic Pool is forced to close for good.

Victor Diskordia, McKellar

The ACT government's "scorched earth" solution to the Mr Fluffy issue was never going to work. There is a less disruptive, more equitable, cheaper way. On the evidentiary basis that tiny amounts of asbestos fibre can safely exist in situ, if effectively sealed in, it would be better and far less expensive to have all already-cleaned Mr Fluffy houses compulsorily and thoroughly inspected, and, if necessary, recleaned and sealed, by the government.

That non-demolition process would also have to be carried out in the event of any subsequent damage, repairs, additions, or alterations to the dwelling, with all affected properties requiring ongoing regular government inspections. The government tries to rationalise its approach and recoup costs by granting post-demolition multiple-dwelling redevelopment opportunities.

That's largely inequitable. And it's unnecessary densification-wise, because a useful secondary dwelling (not as large and intrusive as your typical dual occupancy – only permitted within about 300 metres of local shops etc) can already be installed on virtually any block in suburbia, including heritage areas, under the Territory Plan. Government could obtain revenue from all secondary dwellings by introducing separate titling for them.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

In writing opinion pieces, like most academics, I do not normally reply to comments in readers' letters to one of my pieces because we write to stimulate critical discussion. If someone disagrees, so be it. However, I make an exception in the case of Jack Simpson (Letters, March 23) in which he asserts that in a Times2 piece dated July 10, 2014, I expressed support for light rail in my discussion on the trees along Northbourne Avenue.

I neither expressed support nor opposition to the tram proposition. Indeed, I wrote: "Let me also add that my views on the appropriateness or otherwise of the tram are immaterial to this article." In another Times2 piece (February 20), I was critical of what will happen when we have a concrete strip down Northbourne, far fewer trees, and more hard surfaces with increased housing densities with minimal planting and soft landscape surfaces, which has become the norm.

Whilst this was on the basis of urban heat island effects, lest anyone have any doubts, I am appalled at what is to happen to Northbourne Avenue median strip planting and its place and meaning as a graceful entry/exit for the city. It is an entry that many cities around the world would be proud to have.

What is planned is, in my view, a piece of urban vandalism, when we know that viable alternatives are available.

Professor Ken Taylor, Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies, Australian National University

The sincerity with which Yvette Berry dealt with public housing in her article "A new chapter in Canberra's public housing story" (Times2, March 23, p5) could not be doubted.

Where most readers would be puzzled is the logic of selling off large blocks of flats to be rebuilt. The developers, to use the ACT government's words, may or may not rebuild a portion as low-cost accommodation.

There lies the rub. All the developers will, judging on past performance, choose to not build low-cost accommodation.

The next difficulty with Ms Berry's article is the sheer lack of logic of having over 2000 people on the public housing waiting list, some in desperate need, and demolishing accommodation that could house a substantial amount of the list.

No one could deny that the flats are not up to scratch. Equally, no one could deny that to homeless people sleeping rough they would be far better than nothing.

Another item on this Labor government's agenda that I find against Labor core values is the money from the sale of the flats, plus a federal grant for building infrastructure, is to be devoted towards light rail, not public housing. Our budget is already in the red. Every dollar spent on replacing a functional bus service is less money to be spent on more necessary items.

I would urge Ms Berry to leave the demolition of the flats until the public housing list is drastically reduced.

Howard Carew, Isaacs

So, Medibank will next month increase its premiums by an average of 6.59per cent ("Consumers squeezed as private health funds cut 'lifestyle' benefits while raising premiums", canberratimes.com.au, March 22). Unfortunately, we are not that lucky. We, a retired couple, have been informed by Medibank (via email) that our premiums will increase from April1 by $49.75 per month – a whopping increase of 14.27per cent.

What is the point of Health Minister Sussan Ley urging people to use the government's comparison website to ensure they are getting the best value? How can we possibly expect to get a better deal at our time of life with failing health and having been members of Medibank for the past 27 years? Nice move, Mr Abbott, to float Medibank last November. Who said privatisation reduces consumer costs?

Neville Tommy, Bodalla, NSW

The official welcome home for Australian troops who served in Afghanistan (Operation Slipper) saw repeated the received wisdom that Australian troops coming home from Vietnam were, in the words of the prime minister, "not properly acknowledged". The ABC News reports picked this up and quoted Operation Slipper soldiers saying similar things.

More people need to read Mark Dapin's book, The Nashos' War, which shows conclusively there were many welcome home parades for contingents from Vietnam, some watched by hundreds of thousands of people.

Where parades were not held, for example, when HMAS Sydney was unavailable and soldiers flew home, the lack of a parade was as much due to military mishandling as to public or government attitudes. The post-Vietnam picture was complicated. Those returning certainly received insufficient counselling for PTSD and other results of service but no-one benefits from the perpetuation of simplistic myths about an ungrateful public disrespecting Diggers.

David Stephens, Bruce

Sue Schreiner (Letters, March 20) wrote of the "disastrous consequences" inflicted on "powerless Aboriginal people" who are now "still living with the damage we caused" and we should "learn from history".

History teaches us that since the 1967 referendum, the federal government, in an orgy of atonement, has showered Aborigines with billions of dollars, declared two official apologies and several expressions of regret, drafted laws and regulations for their particular benefit, as far as possible given them possession of tribal lands, and paid inspectors to encourage school attendance, while the corporate and public service worlds are doing their best to employ as many as possible and expensive private schools have awarded them scholarships.

Countless thousands of people have walked over several bridges in sympathy and, at long last, universities are turning out Aboriginal graduates in some number. All of this is laudable for both parties. Still, it's a pity it didn't happen at the rate achieved by the Vietnamese community, also a former dispossessed, powerless and oppressed people who, after many tribulations, arrived in this country from 1975 onwards with neither English nor possessions, except a determination to survive and thrive and an appreciation of the value of education.

With far fewer advantages than those offered Aborigines, their children are now doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc in far greater numbers. So, whatever current "damage" Ms Schreiner claims Europeans have caused might have a lot to do with a culture naturally resistant to adapting to the 21st-century's demands, but happy to accept its welfare, while cheekily telling us we still need "reconciliation", an unexplainable, unidentifiable, nonsensical abstraction, the timing of which is apparently a moveable feast, dependent upon the whim of the latest Aboriginal celebrity to feel affronted. If Aborigines are still really suffering damage from non-Aboriginals, it can only stem from the likes of Ms Schreiner's efforts to encourage in them a sense of victimhood.

Bill Deane, Chapman

Margaret Thornton ("Public good gets short shrift", Times2, March 19, p4) has hit the nail on the head, identifying the central effect of deregulation as proposed by the government (and vice-chancellors): effectively expecting current undergraduate students to make up the shortfall in funding for university research. It is, of course, research that very largely determines universities' international rankings, which, in turn, underpins the standing of vice-chancellors.

To suggest that deregulation will mean anything other than increases in undergraduate fees is disingenuous. Students already pay very substantial sums for their education through HECS, while many have to take part-time work to cover living costs while studying.

It is, as Margaret Thornton suggests, a significant public good (and not just a private benefit) that we encourage and support university education, while research should be funded directly by the government (or, where commercial, by industry) and not used as a hostage in bargaining with the Senate.

John Blount, Fadden

US President Barack Obama's less-than-friendly comments, directed at the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his clear opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state, are unlikely to be challenged ("US to reassess options on Middle East peace, says Obama" March 23, p7). That is because Obama stressed at the end of his interview that personal disagreements would not interfere with the military and intelligence co-operation between the two countries. So, nothing has changed, really: US and Israel remain the closest of friends; Netanyahu has retained the premiership and the two-state solution is still off the table. Perhaps the quartet – UN, US, EU and Russia – needs to consider a replacement for their unsuccessful envoy, Tony Blair, to restart the Middle East peace process.

Sam Nona, Burradoo, NSW

We attended Sunday's AFL game at Manuka Oval, to be surprised by the new entry conditions this year.

Metal water bottles, and any metal/glass vacuum flasks are now prohibited from being taken into the ground. We were required to leave our metal water bottle at the gate. This was a particularly ridiculous restriction, given that the Greater Western Sydney Giants merchandise van inside the venue was selling Giants-branded metal drink bottles.

According to the security guards, this prohibition is not an AFL requirement, but one imposed by the government. I have checked on the Manuka Oval website for the list of prohibited items, and metal bottles/Thermos do not appear. Similarly, they do not appear as restricted in the AFL conditions of entry.

Can Shane Rattenbury, as Sports Minister, or Andrew Barr, as Events Minister, explain the reasoning that a metal Thermos or water bottle is a dangerous item and must be prohibited from entry?

Looks like I will need to search out a plastic vacuum flask if we want to take soup or coffee to the games later in the year.

Martin Kenseley, Rivett

I read with great interest the item on the old Hume Highway ("Revival of Old Hume Highway may be lifeline for towns", March 23, p3). It mentioned the "forgotten places". If anyone has been to Jugiong (my old home town) recently they would see it is surviving extremely well, with the Long Track Pantry and free camp sites attracting hundreds of visitors and tourists year round. No revival needed in this little village, thanks to some savvy businesses and a wonderful community spirit.

Judy Bailey, Kambah

DEAL OR NO DEAL?

John Shailer (Letters, March23) asks us to let Tony Abbott be. Well, I am happy to propose a deal, which John can broker (if possible). I will let Abbott be, if he will let Australia be. The deal can be phased in. For example, Abbott could start with just two issues: stop disgracing Australia on human rights and stop dramatically increasing our debt at the expense of the poor. Good luck, John.

John Whitty, Hawker

TRIGGS VINDICATED

Now that the Moss report into the detention centres on Nauru has been released, supporting in part the recent Human Rights Commission report into children in detention, when will Gillian Triggs receive an apology from our pathetic Prime Minister and our blundering Attorney-General for their verbal bullying?

Graeme Rankin, Holder

VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

While applauding the trust money which is being set up for Tara Costigan's young children, please do not forget that another young mother with young children lost her life in similar circumstances only a few days later. Who will care for her young children now?

Fran Heap, Stirling

NORFOLK LEADS WAY

With Norfolk Island on the path to replace its parliament with a local council ("Change comes to Norfolk Island", March 20, p2), the next obvious step is to also abolish all state and territory legislatures with a local government infrastructure – based broadly, for example, on the Brisbane City Council model. At the same time, a referendum on the long overdue change to a republic (without the distraction of splitting the vote with loaded questions) would be more than timely.

Paul Jones, Curtin

PAYING TRIBUTE?

It's great to see the The Canberra Times inviting tributes to our military men and women for its April 25 edition. However, it's unclear what happens to the fees involve. It would be good to know they'll go to a worthwhile related cause and the exercise is not just a profit-making venture. Which is it?

Richard Roberts, Farrer

BRIDGING TWO STATES

Wendy Harmer ("Invisible ink safer communication for skulduggery", Forum, March 21, p3) described Chris Christie as New York governor. Wrong. He is New Jersey governor. It may only be across the bridge from New York, but it is a different state. The governor of New York state is Andrew Cuomo.

M.Pietersen, Kambah

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