The UN Resettlement Program accounts for less than 5 per cent of all refugees so let us address the facts.

Of the refugees recognised, registered or resettled, Australia is ranked 25th overall, 32nd on a per capita basis (the measure the Liberals like to use) and 47th compared with our GDP which is our ability to fund refugee settlement.

When compared to the total refugees under the UNHCR mandate, we are 81st on a GDP basis.

Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads, NSW

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so Robert James (Letters, January 4) can freely express his views on asylum seekers, however out of step they are with people of compassion.

Everyone is not entitled to their own facts, and Mr James repeats the falsehood Australia is one of the most generous countries in permanent resettlement of refugees.

It is so only among the small number of countries who participate in the UNHCR resettlement program. Since the vast majority of resettled refugees are direct resettlements, Australia's contribution barely registers, not even per capita.

Peter Marshall, Captains Flat, NSW

Why would a normal thinking person bring traffic to a stop halfway through the exits (of the Barton Highway roundabout?).

After entering the roundabout off William Slim Drive through traffic lights then turning right you are immediately confronted with a second set of lights.

These will always be red and needs no explanation on the consequences it will have with cars, particularly heavy vehicles following behind. The off-ramp onto William Slim Drive is another accident waiting to happen.

Before these "improvements" it had an un-interrupting merging lane.

Now it is unnecessarily controlled by traffic lights. (Whoever designed it) should take time to experience these changes in the real world rather than jump for joy at how good it looks on paper.

In the meantime I might just plonk myself in the middle of the roundabout and instead of washing windscreens start handing out insurance claim forms.

Michael Catanzariti, Florey

I'm visiting Melbourne at present. The Victorian government has a major program under way to assist long-suffering motorists by easing crippling traffic congestion where trains cross major suburban roads. The crossings are rebuilt so that trains are either sent under or over the problematic intersections. Problem significantly eased! Forever!

Meanwhile the ACT government has a major program under way to create new traffic congestion by building tram crossings on some of Canberra's major arterial roads (and it promises more to come). Not only that, it reconstructs a major roundabout and installs traffic lights on it.

The need for an overpass on Barton Highway was so bleeding obvious it makes you weep.

John Mungoven, Stirling

We have driven through the roundabout at the corner of Barton Highway and Gundaroo Drive several times. I am at a complete loss to understand why anyone has an issue. It acts like a standard intersection. If I reach the lights when they are red I stop (as per usual). Then, when they turn green, I make my way through the roundabout without any delay.

What is the problem?

Robert McKenzie, Dunlop

I agree with David Perkins (Letters, December 15). On the one hand China is Australia's biggest trading partner; on the other we are part of the US pivot east.

This turns out to be a ring of steel around China (http://original.antiwar.com/engelhardt/2016/12/13/american-military-power-asia-trump-factor/).

Why would the Yanks pick a fight with their second-biggest trading partner? Trump is supposed to be a deal-maker not a war-maker.

Kenneth Griffiths, O'Connor

Under the new rules many pensioners will be getting less, but the sky is the limit when it comes to funding the pointless move of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to the Deputy Prime Minister's electorate.

The simple equation is that the pensioners' loss is Barnaby Joyce's gain. Such is the government's logic: slug the voters, but look after your own.

Taxpayers' funds should be managed strategically and accountably and for the benefit of the whole. I dream of the day when, on both sides of politics, pork barrelling will be seen as unethical and made illegal.

Ray Edmondson, Kambah

Most householders know the following measures would not repair a budget.

Firstly by transferring a successful business from Canberra to Armidale at great cost, then increasing each family member's pocket money annually and providing 10 free flights back to Canberra every year.

Secondly by flying several family members to Paris, business or first class travel, for a meeting to discuss how to save money.

Thirdly by purchasing ships, planes and other very expensive toys that will be obsolete by the time you receive them.

Methinks this government could do with some sage advice from experienced household managers if they seriously wish to repair their budget.

Margaret Langford, Braddon

Emily Baker comments ("Loss of Events", January3) on event cancellations and venue closures in Canberra, which represent a sad loss to the city.

In addition, over the past 30years, Canberra has lost many excellent performing artists and performance organisations. These include: ACT Opera, Stopera, the Meryl Tankard Company and Skylark Puppet Theatre.

It is now clear a revival of the ANU School of Music as a high-quality performance and teaching institution is unlikely.

National institutions in Canberra, such as the National Gallery of Australia, are struggling to cope with funding cuts. ACT Arts recently announced a 66per cent drop in arts project funding.

It looks as though the national capital is heading for provinciality and mediocrity.

Angela Giblin, Canberra

It's obvious that H.Ronald (Letters, December31) isn't American, female, Muslim, Jewish, Hispanic, minority, poor, intelligent or articulate.

Nor will he live for the next several generations with the results of the American election and concomitant changes to the Supreme Court.

As an American, a taxpayer, a voter, I will.

Ethnicity and religion-based harassment and violence have increased significantly. Anti-Jewish marches are scheduled by neo-Nazis.

Hate mail is sent to mosques and Muslims.

Hispanic students and athletes are subjected to written and verbal abuse in their communities, schools, playing fields. The list goes on.

I accept that "wouldha, shouldha, couldha" doesn't amount for much, but Ronald demonstrates no appreciation for the impact of what he belittles.

Like the President-elect, Ronald ignores facts. Reputable Republican and Democratic Congress people condemn Russia for influencing election outcomes, backed by public and classified evidence corroborated by both the CIA and FBI.

Republicans and Democrats both called for changes to the Electoral College. Also like the President-elect, Ronald resorts to (the) name calling and bashing that most of us dropped when we left kindergarten.

The only "pathetic whinger" and "cosseted prat" I see is the letter author himself.

Judy Bamberger, O'Connor

I am surprised none of the media comment on the Trump/Putin near-intimacy love-fest – such as the quite comprehensive article by Nick O'Malley ("Bloom of a bromance" January4) – mentions the quote attributed to Lenin of the "useful idiot" or "useful fools" referring to propagandists for a cause whose goals they are not fully aware of and who can be used cynically by the leaders of the cause.

I have noticed many abandoned vehicles around the Canberra/Queanbeyan area, but one in particular was spotted in Queanbeyan a month ago.

My husband and I reported it to NSW police, but they showed no interest as it has ACT registration. A call to ACT police fell on deaf ears as it was situated in NSW. ACT motor registry were contacted, too, but apparently, it is illegal for them to call the owner to advise the whereabouts of the vehicle.

This vehicle is still there.

So, if you are the owner of a black Nissan Patrol and want to retrieve your vehicle, it is situated on Old Cooma Road between two sets of traffic lights. That is if you haven't already received a payout from your insurance company.

With such disinterest from the authorities, no wonder insurance premiums continue to rise.

Perhaps we need a separate force with legal powers to deal with these abandoned vehicles promptly to avoid further criminal activity.

E. Broomfield, Googong

I would say that being ignorant is nothing to be proud of, David Leyonhjelm, and that receiving a pension, or not, has nothing to do with a person's sense of pride.

Many people who receive pensions (of all types) are those people who have kept this country going – teaching, fighting fires, serving in our armed forces, community and hospital workers, primary producers or small business holders, for example.

These are the people who have, and do, contribute significantly to our communities and society. I wonder if when you retire, Senator Leyonhjelm, and draw on your parliamentary pension, paid for by the same taxpayer funds as any other receiver of a government pension, what loss of contribution to society we will notice.

But then, of course, you will be too proud and will be refusing any taxpayer-funded pension to which you are entitled.

Mark Faulkner, Dickson

Why on earth would Senator Leyonhjelm think the AMA was not qualified to debate gun ownership? It is doctors and other medical personnel who have to patch up, or declare dead, the victims of gunshot wounds. The senator says: "The AMA should stick to what they are good at." I think that is exactly what they are doing, by providing a position statement on restricting access to firearms.

K.L.Calvert, Downer

Given Senator Leyonhjelm's contempt for aged pensioners, can we assume that he will not be putting his hand out for his taxpayer-funded pension at the conclusion of his stint as the country's least relevant politician?

Gaynor Morgan, Braddon

People puzzle over why so many people have drowned thus far during the holiday period. Here's one insight: Awhile ago, I was on Manly Beach with grandchildren when the shark alarm sounded. A large school of bull sharks was offshore.

Lifeguards called on swimmers to leave the water. Almost all ignored the warning, and when it was repeated, a number gave the middle finger.

Amazed at this disrespect and arrogance, I spoke with a lifeguard, who said this was theway of it nowadays, with warnings routinely and often aggressively ignored.

Legislating against stupidity is futile.

A.Whiddett, Yarralumla

WOMEN GO MISSING

Please ask your reporters to present a more balanced view of Canberra. I refer to: ("Capital's movers and shakers", January 2, p6) where well-known Canberrans shared their resolutions for 2017. One woman was interviewed out of the eight people consulted. Please do not continue this blatant sexism any longer!

Gay von Ess, Aranda

SHORTCHANGED

My age pension decreased by $277.13 a fortnight from January 1 2017. My ComSuper pension will increase by $7.04 from 5 January. Wowee!

Ken Maher, Ainslie

OVAL AN EYESORE

The new stand at the SCG is the ugliest I've seen. It doesn't reflect the oval's character. It has probably won an architecture award.

Robert Irwin, Queanbeyan

MASS OFFERINGS

J. Braver (Letters, January 3) isn't aware of the breadth of the Anglican Church. In the Anglican Church in Australia Mass is offered at the high (Anglo-Catholic) end, for example at All Saints in Ainslie. Generally the term Mass is interchangeable with the term Communion.

Fred Barnes, Bruce

WORDS FAIL

It seems that some ABC commentators do not know the difference in meaning between "a whitewash" and "a clean sweep", as witnessed when referring to cricket results.

Weather permitting, the Australian team is hoping for "a clean sweep" after the Sydney Test.

Myra Bentley, Chifley

ISRAEL IN FOCUS

Like many other "world leaders", Mr Gerry Murphy (Letters, January 1) is happy to endorse a system of "democracy" by proxy for as long as it is Israel holding the reins.

Why bother with UN resolutions when the Bible says otherwise, anyway?

Luca Biason, Latham

FREE ASYLUM SEEKERS

The asylum seekers detained on Manus Island and Nauru deserve evacuation to a safe haven. The refugees from the Syrian civil war are the victims of an evil regime.

The asylum seekers detained close to our shores are the victims of gross callousness. Set them free!

C. Neurath, Flynn

ROUNDABOUT LESSON

The Gundaroo Drive/William Slim/Barton Highway roundabout is Canberra's new "how to drive" school model, throwing every outrageous challenge you could imagine in one circle.

Linus Cole, Palmerston

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