Chief executive of the Land Development Agency David Dawes attributes interest in the site to light rail. Perhaps the interest of developers lies in the location, location, location of the site. Mr Dawes' opinions are what the ACT government expects of its employees and has shown that it will use legislation to ensure that its servants, who engage in contrary comment, are subject to its discipline. A corollary would seem to be that its servants who actively proselytise its policies will be rewarded.

This risks the comments of ACT senior bureaucrats being regarded by the public as political comment, not expert assessment.

Ken Brazel, Weston

I have on many previous occasions written to the Canberra Times to point out that the co-op GP clinic model in Canberra is not a bulk-billing clinic ("Health co-op has the patients to expand", July 16, p12).

Sadly, the Canberra Times has the habit of repeatedly providing free publicity to this venture yet not to publish valid concerns about the model.

The annual cost to a Canberran who becomes a member of the co-op is $130. The average Canberran visits their GP 4.6 times a year – this means that each visit costs a patient, on average, $28 to see a doctor at the co-op. This is hardly bulk billing.

Then we add the games being played here – because this gap is cleverly disguised as a membership fee the co-op is still claiming a $6.15 bulk-billing incentive fee from Medicare every time they see an eligible patient. I checked with Medicare and was told that the process was "not in the spirit of the legislation".

It seems with the right political connections the legislation is interpreted slightly more generously.

Lastly, one should look at the impact this model has on small existing GP clinics in the various suburbs. The West Belconnen Health Co-operative opened to serve the need of an under-serviced community. That was commendable and Brian Firth and David Bailey are to be congratulated on that work.

In 2016 the organisation, with their commercial partners, are instead engaged in a predatory expansion process and engaging in competition with existing small clinics – the impact can be seen in the decline of such clinics all over Canberra.

Soon we will only be left with large clinics where you are unlikely to ever see the same doctor twice.

It would be interesting to hear what David and Brian's opinions would be about the model as it functions today and if it still reflected the values that they had when it was opened.

Dr Thinus van Rensburg, Charnwood

On Friday, I received my rates assessment notice. It told me that if I do not pay my rates on time the ACT government will charge me 10.01 per cent compounded monthly. I assume the ACT government is not a predatory loan shark so my non-payment must be worth that much to the government. Will they give me 7 per cent yearly discounts for prepayments? This way they are still making a profit. Any independent candidate or party that makes discount earning prepayments part of their platform will get my vote.

Kevin Cox, Ngunnawal

So West Belconnen is going to have 6500 new homes 20 kilometres from Civic ("Nod for 6500 new homes", July 23, p1) and one day its residents might be able to catch a bus to connect to a tram to Civic and beyond ("New works fast-tracked" July 22, p8). Without any evidence to suggest that these street-level tram services aren't going to evolve in the same way as all the other street-level tram services around the world, so that journey speeds are around 18km/h once infill occurs along the line, potential West Belconnen residents can expect a one-hour plus transport journey to Civic. Prospects could be better, but that requires good planning and patience – Burley Griffin didn't see his plan come to fruition and it wasn't necessary he did.

Voters have their chance on October 15 to save Canberra from deteriorating into urban mediocrity under the leadership of a cynical and arrogant chief minister and the influence of a mob of planning and development carpetbaggers.

A. Smith, Farrer

Crispin Hull's article ("Incentive needed for landlords to install solar", Forum, July 23, p 2) suggests there are barriers to owners of units installing solar panels. He notes that "solar panels would be a sound investment", that "The body corporate might have to arrange some sort of collective solar arrangement", and that "It might need some changes to strata law to make it easier". Actually, s.23 of the ACT's Unit Titles (Management) Act (2011) was the change that makes it easier.

An owners corporation may now approve the installation of infrastructure on common property with one motion for an ordinary resolution of a general meeting if a list of various specified details are addressed in the proposal. Wybalena Grove in Cook encountered difficulties in 2009, in spite of majority owner support for a proposal to install a solar PV array on a large shared carport roof. After the change to the act, in 2012, the proposal was put again successfully and the owners corporation has had approximately zero net electricity costs ever since.

Peter Campbell, Cook

I watched Donald Trump's lengthy, but quite impressive acceptance speech as the GOP's nominee in the race to be the next US president on Friday. He totally enraptured his audience with theme, words and gesture. It was an excellent political performance by a dominant showman.

But, disquietingly, his body language reminded me of similarly enthralling oratory by two other men of like-minded unfettered ambition. I fear we are witnessing, bewildered, the rise of yet another man who seeks to "make this country great once again".

The background of flags and the body postures on display in Cleveland will be disquietingly familiar to anyone who has watched grainy films of the other emerging leaders who so seduced an entranced populace with their oratorical mastery and dreams of national grandeur and status – eight decades ago in Germany and Italy. Neither ended well.

Ken Keeling, Bruce

Were I a Mexican viewing the anointing of US presidential candidates I would gladly contribute to the erection of a wall along the border to keep out the hordes of gun-toting, fundamentalist, racist and bigoted rednecks to the north who cheer and dance to the tunes conducted by the NRA, KKK, evangelical cults and white men in uniform who kill with impunity under the guise of law and order.

Canadians would be well encouraged to do likewise.

John Murray, Fadden

Having a dependable, balanced and inclusive person with high level experience in politics and government in the White House is crucial for the world as well as the United States ("Trump shows few signs of moderation", Editorial, Forum, July 23, p8).

And having a husband who has been there looking over your shoulder, as it were, can't hurt.

Herman van de Brug, Kaleen

A Muslim father asked Pauline Hanson to explain on Q&A to his 11-year-old son what was Islamophobia.

No word has yet been created to define Christian phobia but it could be explained by asking which Muslim country would take in 500,000 Australians and let them build 304 Christian churches? That is Christian phobia.

Five hundred thousand is the number of Muslims allowed to settle in Australia and the number of mosques they have been allowed to build. I would not call this Islamophobia but extraordinary generosity on part of Australia towards Muslims.

Some big thank yous would be appropriate. We only hear criticism and never thank you.

It is not difficult to see why the West questions fathers who have their young sons hold up severed heads as trophies and the mass slaughter of innocent children and women and men occur frequently.

Phobia means "fear of". It is very important to explain why these fears and mistrust exist. It is pretty obvious.

Penelope Upward, O'Connor

I have been swamped by Asians of late. Two chefs prepared a very satisfying meal. It beat fish and chips hands down. The polite gentleman tailor altered my trousers to perfection and far more quickly than expected. Two other Asians are plying their expertise for my benefit in acupuncture and acupressure.

My popcorn is at the ready as I look forward to further comic relief from the court jester, Pauline Hanson, during Parliament question time. No doubt there will be more material forthcoming to enhance 2CA's Cactus Island satirical take on our constituents.

Phil O'Mara, Macgregor

The questions people like Vince Patulny (Letters, July 22) are asking today about Muslims were asked not that long ago about Catholics. If the IRA are terrorists, does that make all Catholics terrorist sympathisers?

If their infallible Pope commanded them to act against Australia, where would their loyalties lie? Can they put aside their sectarian hatred? Will they disavow canon law?

Why do Australian Catholics not apologise for the crimes committed by Catholics overseas? Since they have so many kids, how long is it until Catholics take over our country?

And just like questions about Catholics, these questions about Muslims aren't the result of honest curiosity, and no one asking them wants them answered.

Their purpose is to weaken our society by turning us against each other.

Bill Browne, Lyneham

I read with interest Dr John Blaxland's fine article "Seven reasons world may be heading for war" (Comment, July 22, p21). He believed his pessimistic summary may raise criticism. On the contrary.

He wrote "only the dead have seen the end of war", and suggested that "history may never actually repeat".

Prior to the rapid fall of Rabaul in January 1942, and the ensuing death of Australia's Lark Force – over 1000 soldiers – Japan spent years, settling and building military installations on Pacific atolls. The West just watched.

Is not history indeed repeating itself? The flag is just a different design.

Kathryn Spurling (Dr), Chifley

First we were told that from 2016 onwards the top 3 per cent of the population will own more than the "bottom" 97 per cent. Now we are told that only 51.5 per cent of Australians own their own home and this is to fall to well below 50 per cent soon, which is leading, inevitably, to an increase in the number of the homeless and to many more of the destitute sleeping on the streets, with all its negative impact on health, wealth, and happiness.

Political leaders tell us that the trickle down effect will spread wealth more evenly, the figures tell us this can't be true. They also say that house prices shouldn't fall, but what does that mean for domestic fairness and home ownership?

These two urgent issues, poor spread of national wealth and falling home ownership, have not been adequately addressed by past Parliaments, and, with its difficult make up, are unlikely to be adequately addressed in the new. All this can make us long for the reality of Advance Australia "fair".

Oh for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.

Dennis Nicholls, Palmerston

LET'S TAKE THERESA MAY

Could something serious be done about getting Theresa May to migrate to Australia? I'm happy to put up the ten quid.

Ian Coombes, Macgregor

UNWELCOME US FORCE

If the US military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have been using the same rules of engagement as the Miami Police use against their fellow citizens, it is little wonder the populations of those countries have not been as welcoming as originally expected.

Mark Allerton, Huntley's Cove, NSW

CREATE CENSUS NAME

Perhaps, given Peter Martin's comments ("The census wants your numbers – and your name", Comment, July 21, p16), we should give our names as John/Joan Smith, come census time. It could be varied. If she felt French, then Jeanne Forgeron; if he felt a mix of German and Latin, Johann Faber. Create your own!

Heino Lepp, Macquarie

UPRIGHT PHENOMENON

As I walked through Garema Place on Thursday evening I noticed a curious phenomenon. Every single person was standing upright and still peering into his or her iPhone. It was bizarre like a scene out of a Doctor Who episode.

Gerry Murphy, Braddon

MORE OF THE SAME

Once again we see the ALP factional warlords doing a deal to retain a slew of time-serving dinosaurs from both Left and Right when frontbench renewal was called for. Makes you wonder what the recent federal election campaign actually achieved.

Graeme Rankin, Holder

Shadow assistant treasurer Dr Andrew Leigh has been dropped from the shadow front bench, probably because he is not aligned to a faction. Hence, the factional boofheads are promoted instead.

Warwick Priestley, Amaroo

BACK MUSLIM EFFORTS

Many Muslim Australians work hard to spread friendship, respect and peaceful values in their social and religious communities and to raise their children with those values. They deserve our support, not more criticism.

J. Fogerty, Hughes

HAPPY TO BARE CHEST

Much has appeared in The Canberra Times about young men's predilection for viewing women's breasts. To provide gender balance I am prepared to expose my breasts to young women in public ... and may God have mercy on their souls!

James Grenfell, Spence

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.

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