Let me relay my experience in a Calvary hospital. During my knee surgery, I developed a golden staph infection. These infections occur due to a hospital failure, most probably a failure to wash hands by the medical staff.

I was informed before the operation that there was a small percentage chance of such infections (1 to 2per cent) and to have the surgery done I was obliged to sign a form indemnifying the hospital and staff in the case of any infections.

The consequence was that I and Medibank had to pay for two lots of surgery for an infection that was completely the fault of the hospital (in total, more than $10,000 extra). I subsequently discovered sufficient anecdotal evidence of other similar cases to mine to suspect that the hospital's infection rate was significantly higher than 1 to 2per cent. I did explore suing the hospital for damages, but found that no Canberra lawyer was prepared to take the hospital on. Thank goodness for Medibank!

Andrew McCredie, Red Hill

The newly privatised Medibank Private is trying to bully the Calvary private hospital group into submission through the raw use of its power as Australia's largest private heath insurer.

This is a clear demonstration of Medibank Private's adoption of US-style "managed care", where the interests of the patient are secondary to the pursuit of profit and cost containment.

This problem can be sheeted home directly to the Abbott government's sale of Medibank Private and its theft of the funds that contributors built up over the years.

The cheated members of Medibank Private now have to pay "gaps" for their hospitalisation on top of meeting the profit targets of its new owners and making good the reserves plundered by Abbott and Co.

The Australian Medical Association is now howling for the government to intervene, but don't hold your breath.

John Popplewell, Hackett

I have read both full-page ads from the opposing sides: the one dripping with treacled spin, the other more factual.

When does "preventable complications" equal "non-preventable complications"? When they are accidents! Will Medibank back down? Unlikely. Will Calvary absorb the additional costs? Unlikely. Will the federal government step in? Unlikely. Will I and many others get screwed? You bet!"

Bruce Ryan, Kambah

Here's a crazy idea. Instead of taking out full-page ads justifying their respective positions, how about spending the money on patient care?

Tom Lindsay, Monash

Unlike a number of recent correspondents, I come to praise Simon Corbell, not bury him. That the ACT has achieved a position of renewable energy leadership for the nation is largely due to his leadership and initiative. He has demonstrated that sustainable, renewable energy can be sourced at a cost-competitive price.

Along with that, he has driven contracts that are bringing to Canberra research capacity. That is a really good achievement that will certainly benefit future generations. Several of the other states are looking hard at what the ACT has done and how it has done it.

Thanks, Simon, for bringing vision and intelligent policy thinking together.

Doug Hynd, Stirling

Graham Clews (Letters, August17) complains about tailgaters. May I suggest he could solve this problem by taking the hint and moving to the left-hand lane. Far too many drivers ignore the "Keep left unless overtaking" signs. The Tuggeranong Parkway is notorious for this. One night last week, it was down to 75km/h in the right-hand lane at times, due to selfish drivers breaking the law. Perhaps ACT Police could enforce the road law about keeping left and fine those who break it.

Robert McKenzie, Dunlop

I am encouraged by David Coutts' strong defence (Letters, August20) of the zeal applied by our Parks and Gardens to the removal of that much-loved but apparently invasive pest, the Cootamundra wattle. As a resident of a street in Greenway planted with gleditsia trees, most likely Gleditsia triacanthos, I would like to have the same zeal applied to the removal of those trees also.

That species is identified as a Class 1 invasive species in NSW. It has powerful roots that lift concrete driveways and affect house foundations. I am at a loss to understand why these trees were planted in the first place and, once it was brought to the ACT government's attention, why they have not been removed.

Eric Lindemann, Greenway

There is no doubt, as Emma McDonald suggests in her article "ANU School of Music loses its leader" (August18, p1) that the now departing head of school, Peter Tregear, was handed a "poisoned chalice" by the ANU administration back in 2012. The decline in student numbers from 76 then to approximately 30 now is a notable achievement of that same barbarous administration, intent only on dripping extra cyanide into the original container. An opportunity to assess the fightback against these depredations (in the sphere of jazz, at least) is being staged by the hard-pressed Friends of the ANU School of Music this Thursday in the school's Band Room at 7.30pm. It's a tribute to Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, two giants of the tradition, whose work (presumably) remains unknown to the denizens of the ANU chancellery.

Geoff Page, Narrabundah

Cairns mayor Bob Manning (Letters, August20) does not make clear why Central Queensland University has registered the brand name "Australian National Regional University" with the ASX. ANRU is a brand name that Ross Fitzgerald ("University games: protect ANU from CQU's rebranding overreach", Times2, August7, p5) quite correctly notes may confuse potential students into thinking that the "Australian National Regional University" operates under the auspices of the Australian National University and that the ANRU is not linked to the complaints by international students studying at CQ University's capital-city mini-campuses.

Sophia Yates, Parkville, Vic

The ACT Bar Association has publicly criticised the government for its sneaky reappointment of Jon White as the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions notwithstanding his appointment was originally for a period of seven years.

The response from outgoing Attorney-General Simon Corbell that the reappointment was "in line with" a proposal yet to be considered by government to limit the appointment of the DPP to a 10-year term is a contemptuous response from a failed politician at the end of his tenure.

Mr Corbell was re-elected by the skin of his teeth at the last election and has shown time and again his capacity to ignore the comments of members of the legal profession when decisions have been made concerning legal appointments; the amendment of legislation; the amendment of processes and the need for adequate judicial resources. I am aware of numerous representations made to the Attorney-General that the process of appointing or re-appointing the Director of Public Prosecutions should be open, transparent and fair.

Mr Corbell's contemptuous response was to reappoint the incumbent for three years and then immediately announce he was retiring from politics.

Canberrans deserve more responsible and more responsive government than that.

I, for one, will be pleased to see Mr Corbell out of government ranks.

The position of attorney-general is an exceptionally important one in any government and I urge Labor to think carefully about Mr Corbell's replacement and to select someone with sufficient intellect, common sense and judgment to consult with leaders of the legal profession concerning any important changes in the legal sphere. Those changes affect us all.

Jack Pappas, Empire Chambers, Canberra City

Regardless of Royal Commissioner Dyson Heydon's personal decision in response to claims of bias, mostly by those and their supporters whose malfeasance and thuggery has been exposed, the work of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption must continue to its full and exhaustive conclusion.

Heydon is presently due to report to the Government by December 2015. Even if it takes until mid-2016, the commission's report, under Heydon or another commissioner, is the only way we can have confidence that trade unions guilty of misconduct (or worse), have been properly held to account for behaviour which, if not unlawful, is certainly not in Australia's best interests.

As Shakespeare put it: "... the truth will out." Let it be.

Jonathan Mobbs, Malua Bay, NSW

If the trade union case against Dyson Heydon for perception of bias succeeds what glorious lawyers picnic opportunities must follow. No career criminal or repeat offender would ever have to appear before a judge or magistrate who has previously heard a case against that individual – whether or not a guilty verdict resulted – as that judicial officer might have developed a propensity to give undue weight to the prosecution evidence.

Roger Dace, Reid

In apparently seeking to restrict people's right to access courts of law to stop actions that might have a negative impact on the environment the (amusingly) named Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, told Parliament the government is seeking changes (to a bill) that "would prevent Australia from drawing the worst of American-style litigation".

Will the government also do everything it can that would prevent Australia from "drawing the worst" of American-style Tea Party politics?

Annie Lang, Kambah

Judging by the letters page, many of us find our political situation bleak, so I am highlighting something which might lift the spirits. The country's sixth-largest super fund, HESTA, has dumped its shares in Transfield Services as a consequence of its research into the negative effects of mandatory detention ("Super funds put heat on Transfield over human rights fears", BusinessDay, August 20, p9).

It pleases us in the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility to hear that institutional investors such as HESTA and, it seems, VicSuper, are beginning to put pressure on companies in which they invest concerning their environmental, social and governmental risks. This is of course alongside the 'more traditional financial risks' which they consider.

With Australia's compulsory superannuation system, most of us are superannuation fund members. It is reasonable therefore that our funds take note of important risks, both for our financial future and for the future of the world into which we will retire. It is good to see our super funds taking us into account in these ways.

Jill Sutton, convener ACCR, Watson

The story line used by the promoters of free trade agreements haven't changed over the years. Canadians were encouraged to support the North American Free Trade Agreement because it was going to provide thousands of jobs at higher wages. It doesn't matter today whether that message is coming from the mouth of Tony Abbott or Bob Carr, the only 'people' who benefit from these agreements are corporations, and like the Canadians we will still be waiting for the cheaper prices, higher incomes and more jobs in 30 years.

Anyone resorting to strident accusations ("Labor is peddling 'racist lies': PM", August 21, p7) blaming the 'bad old' CFMEU for the government's own bad policy in almost everything, seems to me to be hiding things from the electorate. Otherwise, these agreements would not be conducted under a veil of secrecy.

If the CFMEU is guilty of over-stating the case against the China trade deal, Mr Abbott could clarify things easily by releasing the fine print of the proposed agreement for public scrutiny.

But there is no way he will do that for either of the current agreements under consideration because it is evident that we will all suffer as parties to those agreements and the touted benefits are nothing but smoke and mirrors. Ask the Canadian workers the benefits of NAFTA, and the costs.

W. Book, Hackett

Mikala Novak ("Ignore fearmongers, the trade deal works", Forum, August 22, p6) claimed fears were irrational that low priced imports from China could undercut the pay cheques of Australian manufacturers and their unionised workforces.

However, those fears have been vindicated.

Prior to tariff reductions, Australia had a thriving clothing and manchester industry, but no longer.

Like so many goods we now purchase that used to be made in Australia, the large majority are made in China and elsewhere in the sweatshops of Asia. Australian industry paid the price and, with a few high tech exceptions, if alive at all, continues to suffer. Many jobs have been lost as a consequence. Further tariff reductions will continue the trend.

Some things matter more than cheap prices, jobs are one of them.

Julia Richards, Kambah

Scott Morrison sought to dismiss concerns about changes to paid parental leave with "It's certainly a First-World issue, let's put it that way" ("ScoMo throws in dig to rev up paid-parental leave back flip", Forum August 22, p2).

How extraordinary.

Australia was, last time I looked, a First-World nation, so it's not very surprising that our citizens are concerned about some First-World issues.

What was Mr Morrison really suggesting?

Does he have plans for Australia to change its status?

And I'm intrigued to know what non-First World issues our current government is so concerned about.

The plight of those fleeing warfare and persecution in Third-World countries? Or perhaps the conditions of factory workers in China and Bangladesh? Please Mr Morrison, do let us know.

Sarah Cowdery, Barton

LAW TO THE RESCUE

I support protecting the environment by any means and ensuring the law is followed is one of those. Tony Abbott and George Brandis are in a frenzied outrage perhaps in part because the demise of the Adani coal mine was overseen by the Environmental Defenders Office of NSW, an entity previously funded by this very government.

Chris Doyle, Gordon

DESTRUCTIVE ENERGY

Why aren't the Greens agitating against the planned development of solar farms, which result in the destruction of green fields, bush lands and forests (nature's tools for absorbing carbon from the atmosphere) and killing native animals, birds and insects inhabiting these places?

Ed Dobson, Hughes

JUST WARMING UP

Saturday's Canberra maximum of 21 degrees is a record for August 22. The previous record was 20.4 degrees, in 1954.

Don Witheford, Pearce

DISTRACTIVE STRIKE

As the government blunders from debacle to debacle, in the absence of a natural disaster, I wondered how long it would take Tony Abbott to find a war to take the focus of his failures ("Decision on Syria air strikes within weeks: PM", August22, p4). Not that long, as it happens. Shameful how cheaply politicians value human life; far less than they value their careers, it seems.

P. Johnston, O'Connor

The PM argues, "the terrorists don't respect the border, so why should we?" By finding his moral precedent in this manner, he further indicates that Gough would undoubtedly have labelled him Credlin's cretin.

J. C. Eade, Ainslie

EXCELLENT ANALYSIS

Many very good articles have been written by journalists analysing the idiosyncrasies of the Abbott government and its leader, but none as illuminating as Desmond Manderson's article, "All the real vigilantes are in the Abbott government' (Forum, August22, p6). It captures so succinctly the government's perverse nature.

Rajend Naidu, Glenfield, NSW

INQUIRY IMPORTANT

If the trade union royal commission is shut down, it will be an absolute disgrace. The graft that has been identified to date, and obviously with a lot more to come, show a history of illegal acts, misconduct, extreme bullying, misuse of money and on, most of which would be familiar to the Labor politicians who have been weaned on such activities.

Rhys Stanley, via Hall, 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.

Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).