The authors should have regard to the comments made by Bill Shorten in Jerusalem on the eve of the commemoration.

He said: "What is less well known ... is that one of the reasons Australian Light Horsemen were able to conduct this marvellous daring military tactic, was because of the work of a Jewish settler ... Aaron Aaronsohn. He and a small number of like-minded Jewish settlers put the case to General Allenby that rather than simply proceeding up the sea road to the formidable entrenched positions of Gaza, there were a series of oases that could outflank the Ottomans. As we know, the rest is history."

Allenby, among other high-ranking British military, publicly credited members of the NILI, a Jewish espionage network, which included Aaronsohn, working in Palestine for the British, "... with providing the crucial intelligence that led to the triumph" in overthrowing the Ottoman presence in that part of the Middle East.

T. E. Lawrence expressed admiration for the NILI operatives, particularly Sarah Aaronsohn, Aaron's sister, and her heroic death, and dismay at the Arabists who tried to hamper their efforts.

J. White, Griffith

We have been hearing a lot lately about inappropriate sexual behaviour, including by men of a certain age who believe it is perfectly acceptable to sexually objectify women through comments and actions. We have been quick to criticise, as sadly out of date, those men who believe that women should be flattered by this form of attention.

However, it is disturbing to realise the extent to which the Australian television media seem to be deliberately promoting and perpetuating attitudes which sexually objectify women.

A popular weekend breakfast television program recently included, in quick succession, a segment about a 64-year-old media personality who had recently participated in a bikini shoot, and a segment about a young catwalk model, featuring the sort of numerous scantily clothed images that you would expect.

Either there are no standards to which the media must conform in relation to the sexual objectification of women, or those standards are in urgent need of review.

Otherwise, we will be raising, with the media's help, another generation of Harvey Weinsteins.

Karina Morris, Weetangera ACT

Jenna Price (" 'Its not yours': Why you shouldn't climb Uluru", canberratimes.com.au, November 3) is suffering from a cruel case of colonial guilt if she can compare climbing Uluru to making "Ravensbruck concentration camp into a theme park to trample on the dust and the memories".

Uluru is a huge natural formation created over 500 million years ago when our ancestors looked like fish. Ravensbruck was constructed in 1939 with the specific purpose of severely abusing and murdering women.

May I suggest to Price and her allies: if you don't want religious proscription denying gay marriage to the general public, then maybe you should apply the same principle to rock-climbing.

Peter Robinson, Ainslie

Your article "Turnbull slams 'witch-hunt' as Shorten offers citizen deal" (November 4, p4) reported Malcolm Turnbull in "strong leader" mode on his return from Israel.

"We have no place in Australia for witch-hunts" he thundered. And again: "Witch-hunts are not our way". What's more, those champions of law-abiding and fair-dealing, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Attorney-General George Brandis have taken up the chorus, simpering away with faux sincerity.

So, what was were the Federal Police doing in the raids on the offices of the Australian Workers Union? Looking for 11-year-old minutes of meetings of the union's executive and, clever fellows that they are, with not a ducking stool in sight. Pull the other one, Malcolm and dwarves.

Bronis Dudek, Calwell

Even those of us who do not support euthanasia agree that the decision on whether it should be legalised should be made democratically.

The Andrews bill, which infamously removed that democratic right from residents of the territories should be repealed.

The Andrews bill did not apply to just the ACT and the Northern Territory it also covers Norfolk Island.

It would be unconscionable or at best deeply hypocritical for any of us now calling for the Andrews bill to be repealed to not also ensure that its repeal extend to Norfolk Island.

Or was the recent decision by the Federal Parliament to abolish the right of the residents of Norfolk Island to any say in any law somehow different than the actions of the Federal Parliament in passing the Andrews bill?

Jon Stanhope, Bruce

So Australia is not accepting Jacinda Ardern's offer to resettle asylum seekers in NZ "at this time".

Our government tells us that refugees in Manus are PNG's responsibility.

So it's none of Australia's business who New Zealand admits from PNG.

Bill Bush, Turner

I have never been to a greyhound meeting nor bet on a dog and, with apologies, probably regarded the enthusiasts as having gone to the dogs.

In this context I fail to see the distinction between horses and dogs except that the latter are more affordable.

If the situation was reversed even Her Britannic Majesty would probably have dogs rather than horses and dogs would be sacrosanct.

There are numerous benefits in greyhound racing and considering the ubiquitousness of corruption in business, sport and politics, not to mention coal mining, would it not be more in keeping with a fair go to introduce better controls rather than shutting down the whole industry?

Never forget the Kerrigans had greyhounds.

Dick Varley, Braidwood

On Friday, October 27, my partner, his sister and I were in a serious two-car accident at the intersection of Hindmarsh Drive and the Monaro Hwy.

We were on our way home from the Canberra Airport after a wonderful holiday in Greece.

Many wonderful people stopped to offer assistance and alert the emergency services.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks. We wish we knew who they were.

All three of us sustained multiple fractures, bruising and shock and had to be assisted from the wrecked vehicle after the doors and the roof of the car were removed by the fire and rescue team.

Thanks and praise also for the swift response, professionalism, care and empathy extended to us at the scene, particularly for the reassurance and gentle encouragement while we were being assessed and extricated.

In an age when front-line emergency services are often the brunt of aggressive acts, and abuse, we need to appreciate and celebrate what a wonderful, selfless service they provide.

Lesley Burrows, Goulburn

It was lovely to read ("Gungahlin tower blocks down from 26 to 18 levels", November 4, p.9) that the developer of two proposed 26-storey residential towers in Gungahlin has listened to the community.

Well done developer and Gungahlin Community Council. The question has to be asked why is the Planning Authority, the Minister and the ACT Assembly allowing such developments under the Territory Plan in the first place?

The Assembly can disallow a variation to the plan. A Draft Variation to the Plan in Woden Town Centre, which will allow a number of buildings up to 28 storeys, is currently under Inquiry by the Assembly's Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Renewal.

The interim effect of the Variation, which has been approved by Planning Minister Mick Gentleman, has allowed already one developer to develop plans for over 700 residential units made up of at least two high-rise towers, adjacent to Melrose Drive.

The shadowing effects on many residents to the west in Lyons would be appalling.

If the Assembly allows the Variation, Woden Town Centre, with over 700 recent job losses, will become a residential ghetto of up to 28-storey towers.

Such towers will cause more traffic congestion, worse wind shear in an already windy area, greater overshadowing throughout and in the adjacent suburb of Lyons and increased environmental impact with high-rise buildings having greater construction and ongoing energy demands.

Why are our representatives allowing up to 28-storey residential towers in Woden?

Gina Pinkas, Aranda

Back in the 1998 to 2001 period, the Canberra Liberal Government under Kate Carnell and Gary Humphries, championed the seven-kilometre Federation tram line from the National Museum to the War Memorial via Civic, using vintage trams from Melbourne and Sydney.

We even had a refurbished Sydney R1 Class tram and a Melbourne W Class tram painted in Federation Line colours in Canberra for a few weeks, so we could envisage these trams operating in our city.

With many serviceable iconic Melbourne W Class trams in storage awaiting new owners and vintage Sydney trams available from the Sydney Tram Museum, would it be possible to run vintage trams on services on our new light rail tracks from Civic to a permanent Sunday market and the various exhibitions at EPIC?

On the way back, passengers could dine at Chinatown in Dickson or that night enjoy the restaurant tram on a journey over the new light rail tracks.

These vintage tram rides would be an attraction for Canberrans and tourists, as are the refurbished W Class trams that provide the popular City Circle tourist tram service and the equally popular restaurant tram in Melbourne.

John Davenport, Farrer

I was disappointed to see someone in a position of presumed authority like Shane Breynard of the Cultural Facilities Corporation perpetuating the old chestnut that Canberra means meeting place ("Capital on the cusp of a cultural leap", Panorama, November 4, p.15) .

In a classic bit of back-projection, we want to believe that our place of national assembly held the same significance for its original inhabitants.

While it is undeniable that the area was a ceremonial gathering place for many Aboriginal groups, there is no documentary evidence to support the assertion the word Canberra reflects it.

In the nineteenth century, Frederick Young asked Queen Nellie Hamilton, the last local inhabitant of unmixed descent, who had lived most of her life in the area, what Canberra and Yarralumla meant. She said that she did not know.

Presumably she would have told Young, her friend, had she known and been free to say.

I share Shane's satisfaction the name of our city enshrines the Aboriginal place name for part of the area on which it was built.

It is both sad and ironic that we do not know what it means.

Allen Mawer, Acton

Josh Frydenberg says that the suggestion that he may be a Hungarian citizen 'wouldn't pass the pub test'.

I guess the next time the High Court sits in a pub we'll find out.

In the meantime, he says he'll concentrate on good government for the people of Australia.

I hope he's not referring to that pathetic energy policy they came up with.

Dallas Stow, O'Connor

The Canberra Times wants to hear from you in short bursts. Email 50 or fewer words to letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au.

US TAKING OVER

Yet another Recently the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, referred to a footpath as a sidewalk, and now a new complex to be built in London Circuit is being spelt as "Capitol"; in Australia the spelling is "Capital" ("A Capitol way to live", November 4, p8). On November 11 will we "honour" or "honor" our war dead?

Christopher Jobson, Monash

NEW DIRECTION

Australia has just acquired its first One Nation Prime Minister. His name is Malcolm Turnbull.

Nigel Thompson, Queanbeyan, NSW

A GREAT ROLE MODEL

With interest in racing horses and fashion this week, as well as the yearly bombarding of Australians with bogan advertisements encouraging suckers to loose their money, it is pleasing to read one woman, who owns and races horses, doesn't gamble. Queen Elizabeth is a great role model. We are lucky to have her as our sovereign.

Adrian Jackson, Middle Park, Vic

ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP

Isn't every Jew in the Diaspora automatically entitled to apply for Israeli citizenship? How many Jews are there in Federal Parliament?

Kenneth Griffiths, O'Connor

LET THE KIWIS HELP OUT

Has our Prime Minister ever heard of the saying, live and let live?

Maybe just let New Zealand take them and also prevent this particular group of refugees or future similar ones from ever entering Australia (on some legitimate grounds), why not? This will not apply to every Kiwi citizen.

Mokhles K Sidden, South Strathfield NSW

A NEW COUNTRY

There seems to be a third country involved in the parliamentary citizenship debacle, "Austray'ya" where both Pauline Hanson and Josh Frydenberg insist they were born.

John Davenport, Farrer

SECTION 44 MUST GO

The problem faced by Josh Frydenberg is important because it demonstrates why Section 44 of the constitution needs to be changed to indicate who is able to stand for the Parliament.

Fears about losing a referendum should not stop Australia from modernising this out-of-date section.

Steve Thomas, Yarralumla

MISSING OUT

Dr Sharman Stone is Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls. Unrepresented by an Ambassador are Australia's Men and Boys – of which there are about 12 million, or half the population.

John Milne, Chapman