The article by Alistair Waters (''Needle exchange at AMC a fatally flawed proposal'', Times2, September 17, p5) was representative of the Corrective Service personnel who work at the coal face and was a clear and accurate reflection of reality within the ACT prison. The thrust of his article was based on fact and not the wishes and desires of those ''experts'' who have never entered a prison or base their knowledge on a guided tour of the prison.
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Two points that were not addressed in the article were:
Firstly, who is to provide the drugs to be used by the prisoners who are issued with legal syringes? This raises the obvious question of what is the result in legal terms of a prisoner who overdoses through using a legal syringe containing an illegal substance obtained from within the prison itself.
Secondly, it is well researched that drugs enter all prisons through the visitors who are allowed to have contact with prisoners. Bill Aldcroft, referred to in the Waters article, would agree with me that visitors have strong opposition to a needle-exchange program within the AMC. This is based on the fact they would be the ones to bring the illegal drugs into the prison, either through pressure or coercion by prisoners themselves or other people on the outside.
It is well worth the ACT government and relevant authorities taking note of those who know from experience from working in the field, rather than being led astray by human rights advocates and those interested in promoting the use of illegal drugs.
Geoff Potts, Holder
Ride sharing sensible
Richard Branson sees a way forward towards urban transport efficiency (''UK tycoon gets behind ride sharing'', September 17, p9). And the system he's backed isn't the transport mode of yesteryear (the tram). It's all about efficient use of established infrastructure.
Refining the use of cars in public transport (pioneered by UBER and other new competitors for dinosaur taxi networks), San Francisco-based ride-sharing service Sidecar has announced backing by Branson. Sidecar will create a massive transportation marketplace by building a system that makes it about as affordable to share rides (via a smartphone app) as it is to use public transport. Now that's ''progressive''.
Branson concludes ''technology has turned transportation on its head''.
Have the Corbells and Rattenburys noticed? Will they soon find themselves forced to defend/subsidise their outdated technology? Or will the penny drop only when our running subsidy for the tram surges to that of ACTION ($120 million a year and rising)?
Cuthbert Douglas, Bonython
Alternative to light rail
Light rail has the nod, despite there being no compelling argument in support and a very significant financial burden (rent) for Canberra ratepayers well into the future. Why not leave the existing pipes and wires in the ground and build two dedicated express bus lanes (peak times) in Northbourne Avenue with extensions to Gungahlin, Russell Hill and the Parliamentary Triangle? Trolley buses with pneumatic rubber tyres and on-board batteries. Electrified on the outbound journey and recharge on the return journey. And using the same route proposed for the light rail. No disruption to Northbourne Avenue, apart from some line-marking paint.
The main objectives of proponents for the light rail can still be achieved: less reliance on fossil fuels and reduced pollution, can be readily expanded to cater for future population growth, transformation of a rapid transport corridor into a new economic zone and linked into an improved ACTION bus network. And guess what? Infrastructure Australia and progressive thinkers just might like it, too.
Graham Brady, Hughes
Please include eftpos
The choices for those now about to pay the federal government for parking in the Parliamentary Triangle are to use coins - the machines do not have facility to accept notes - or to use a Visa card or Mastercard and potentially add to the cost via the high daily interest on these cards.
The excellent new Gold Coast light rail system's payment machines accept notes and coins and have general eftpos facilities at each station. While it is probably impossible to retrofit the Parliamentary Triangle parking machines, there is still time to write eftpos into the specifications for the Canberra light rail system.
Dan Barton, Cook
Cyclists flouting rules
Terry George (Letters, September 22) notes a study by Monash University on cyclists running red lights in Melbourne; but Melbourne is not Canberra.
There are many other traffic rules that cyclists flout besides running red lights. Until cyclists have to pay some sort of registration and are forced to obey the road rules, there is always going to be conflict between motorists and cyclists. Their response that most have a motor vehicle and therefore already pay registration doesn't wash.
If Terry George is serious about a survey on cyclists' adherence to the road rules in Canberra then maybe he should invite Monash University to conduct one in Canberra.
Hans Zandbergen, Kingston
Jail all predators
We read far too often of child pornography online, child physical/sexual abuse online, child grooming online. It is enough to sicken the very soul of decent people. These offenders committed a crime against the very vulnerable part of our community (our children) and yet for some their sentence is community service, or a good behaviour bond.
If these predators who prey on children were given a harsh jail sentence (no more slaps on the wrist) that would go a long way in ending this misery that is inflicted on defenceless children.
Make these predators too afraid to participate in these evil actions against our children. It should make no difference to their jail sentences whether they look online at these images, or actively take part in sick movies etc; it should all be as one crime. If there were no onlookers or audience, there would be no point in making these online filthy images.
Also, do not fall for their tales of woe and remorse; the only thing they are sorry for is that they have been found out. Our children deserve and need to be protected.
C. Hamilton, Fisher
Is Australia of the past what Prime Minister yearns for?
Prime Minister Tony Abbott likes Muslim arrivals who want to ''join us, not change us'' (''Burqa critics help extremists to recruit, say Muslim leaders,'' September 20, p5). A longer quote in another paper has him saying these people came here because they wanted ''to join our team''.
If the ''join-not-change'' vision had applied to our history, in reality we would still all be short back and sides, cardigan or twin-set and pearls wearing, Ford Zephyr driving, chop and veg eating, six o'clock swilling, Anglo-Celtic stodges, as we were in the 1950s. Waves of new arrivals from 200 countries would have had no impact on our smug philistine society. But then perhaps that Australia is what the Prime Minister yearns for.
David Stephens, Bruce
Jack Waterford (''Muslim radicals are a domestic issue'', Forum, September 20, p1) has nailed our racism and sectarianism perfectly.
The group du jour just has to be different from ''us''. Remember when the patriotism of Catholics was questioned? In the 1950s and '60s Italians were taken to task for fighting with ''daggers'', not good honest beer bottles. Now they are not evil, just trendsetters.
Bob Gardiner, Kambah
That we have developed a strong multicultural society is something to be extremely proud of. The majority leave their shoes at the door but some carry baggage. I appreciate the conundrum a family can face viewing old troubles from afar, having had to endure the bitter eloquence of IRA supporters, and as a child born on our fair shores.
Many find a gripe with the old country's ways, but now is the time to come together and support our brothers and sisters, suffering the strains and anguish of leaving the past behind.
Matt Ford, Kambah
We must cut emissions
The decision by China to cut back its coal imports (''China's coal U-turn hits home'', BusinessDay, September 17, p9) in an effort to improve air quality provides further evidence, if any were needed, that we must transition to a low-emissions society. We won't be able to rely on coal exports in the future to hold up the economy.
The federal government's renewable energy target review could not hide the fact that renewables will result in falling power prices in the not too distant future, which stands to reason after the capital cost is recouped and there are no ongoing fuel costs, such as exist for coal-fired or gas power stations. The review also ignored about $8 billion in subsidies which would accrue to the coal industry if the RET is removed.
The government's unintelligent propping up of the coal industry, rather than keeping up with the rest of the world in the transition to renewables, has a huge opportunity cost. If the RET is removed, we will lose jobs as well as facilitating higher greenhouse emissions. We're already facing huge climate penalties with floods and bushfires, which will only grow as global warming gathers pace. We can't afford not to move with the times.
K. Kelly, Chifley
Two-stage solution
Discussion about recognition for indigenous Australians in the constitution seems to be divided between the desire to move quickly - which may be morally right - and the need to make sure that whatever ends up in the constitution does not create more problems than it solves - a more lengthy process. Why not a two-stage solution?
Stage 1 could be an act of parliament which embodies the key principles of indigenous recognition, and which could be passed during the life of the current Parliament. Stage 2, constitutional recognition, might follow after two or three years during which any ''wrinkles'' with the act could have been ironed out.
Roger Dace, Reid
God and science
Many readers will deeply appreciate John Miller's exposition of his conviction that God is the creator of the world and that his method of creation was by evolution and emanated in God Himself (Letters, September 18). Thus there is no real conflict between religious belief and science. Truth is truth, regardless of its source. Both science and religious faith have much to teach us if only we open our minds and hearts. Whether or not we believe that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God, his teaching is relevant to our lives today.
That relevance is illustrated in Ian Warden's splendid piece ''St John's Japanese cross saga'' (September 18, p8). That story perfectly illustrates the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ to heal bitter enmity. Science unfolds the wonders of the creator God but I doubt if it alone could heal that enmity between nations.
Father Robert Willson, Deakin
Burqa comments
If Jacqui Lambie would like to atone for her copyright sins (''Senator Jacqui Lambie's anti-burqa post 'desecrated' image, photographer says'', canberratimes.com.au, September 20) a nice gesture would be to use her parliamentary publication allowance to buy a box of photographer Lana Slezic's book Forsaken for distribution to her Senate colleagues.
Slezic's photo essay in which the image of the courageous Lieutenant-Colonel Malalai Kakar appears in context is a powerfully elegant evocation of the courage of Afghan women.
C.J. Taylor, Prospect Hill, SA
Senator Jacquie Lambie expressed support for Senator Cory Bernardi's twitter comment re the wearing of the burqa in Australia, using Facebook to post a photo of an Afghan policewoman wearing a burqa and holding a gun as propaganda for banning the burqa - a brave woman who stood up for the rights of Afghan women and who was murdered by the Taliban.
Senator Lambie's foot-in-mouth disease doesn't seem to improve with time, nor does Senator Bernardi.
They are perfectly entitled to their comments, but as representatives of Australia, not just those few Aussies who voted them in, maybe they need to be mindful of their personal views.
Jan Gulliver, Lyneham
Time to get tougher on lawless diplomats
No doubt our steadfast Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is involved in our latest war on terror in the Middle East and the threat of beheadings. Back at home it seems they allow foreign diplomats to remain even though some are regularly in charge of a lethal weapon (a car) while highly drunk (''Cop that Canberra … dangerous diplomats drunk, speeding and just plain rude'', September 19, p1).
They should be designated persona non grata immediately before one of us is killed. And as for DFAT saying identifying their embassy or their sex would be a breach of privacy, that sums up their supine approach. We want to know which countries allow their diplomats to ride rough-shod over our laws. One can always guess which ones are most likely, but we, their potential victims, should know.
Eric Hodge, Pearce
Madness on our roads
It is time that Canberra drivers pulled their heads in and slowed down. The roads here are just crazy! After a hiatus of 15 years living in NSW we returned to live in Canberra in July. The minute we leave our driveway it starts: drivers threatening you by driving so close and tearing through roundabouts overtaking and then cutting in front of you causing you to brake suddenly. I didn't know that indicating your move (a rare thing) means you can immediately change lanes with no regard for safety.
Why is it so critical to get just one car ahead of someone? I had no idea so many Canberra residents had shares in oil companies and brake and tyre manufacturers; the way they rev their motors, speed around corners and slam on their brakes is ridiculous.
As a mother and grandmother, I can only hope we may start to get some push to stop this outrageous behaviour. My thoughts go to our police officers, who must be fighting an impossible battle against these careless and selfish drivers.
June Kirk, Bonner
TO THE POINT
PASSING IT ON
Poetic justice? (''Parliament ministerial wing in lock down, passes to the House restricted'', canberra times.com.au, September 22)
John Richardson, Wallagoot, NSW
NAME AND SHAME
As a lawyer I am mystified that on one hand diplomats who commit egregious traffic offences (''Cop that Canberra … dangerous diplomat drunk, speeding and just plain rude'', September 19) can claim diplomatic immunity and have the advantage of the Privacy Act on the other. Where is the equity in that? They should be named and shamed.
Rod J. Barnett, Fyshwick
ASIO IMMUNITY
Has George Brandis acquired Ian Fleming as his chief of staff? Can someone please explain how giving the secret police (ASIO) immunity from prosecution increases our national security? The logic escapes me - so much for the rule of law.
Charles Ellis, Weetangera
SECULAR COUNSELLORS
I strongly support Joy Burch's stance in resisting Commonwealth Government blackmail that funding will only be provided to the ACT Government if they agree to continue a school chaplains program. The Commonwealth should separate Church from State and agree to fund secular social workers who are highly trained in providing counselling to school children rather than chaplains, whose principal aim must be to sell religion.
Michael Lucas, Conder
DO THE MATHS
Tony Judge (Letters, September 19) misses the point of how business works. Demand becomes irrelevant when the cost of operating the business exceeds revenue generated. Yes, cafe, bar and restaurant proprietors will open on Sundays and public holidays and good luck to them. But with hourly wages $36 on Sundays and $56 on public holidays, many will increasingly choose to remain closed. Hey presto, no jobs.
Mark Sproat, Barton
NAE SURPRISES
The UK 1, Scotland zip! I always wondered what was under our ancestors' kilts.
Ed Harris, Bonython
It is hardly surprising Scotland voted not to leave the United Kingdom (''Nae: Scots choose to stick with UK'', September 20, p13). When people are asked to make a choice at an election, they simply work out which side is likely to make them financially more comfortable. Alex Salmond relied on patriotism to win the yes vote; he refused to make the Scots any promises. And he paid the price!
Sam Nona, Burradoo, NSW
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