They forced me to find my glasses earlier than usual on a Sunday so that I could play my micro-violin. The contract between the Australian public, Australian businesses and international students is purely a business one.

Clearly, Canberra is a destination of choice for study for our overseas friends, with over 7500 territory-wide. But there is no guarantee of a job or cheap housing. International students' needs do not take precedence over locals' needs on these issues. Do not come here for an education expecting the Australian taxpayer to foot any of your living expenses. The squeaking of micro-violins I heard across Canberra as I typed this makes me believe many feel the same way.

TJ Farqahar, Ainslie

The harsh reality of Ben Westcott's report ("International students do it tough in the capital", March 29, p7) is double-edged. That they are "finding it difficult to get ... decent housing and a well-paying job" calls into question the real returns to the nation of the international tertiary industry.

Damage by unfair competition to the labour market is multiplied by the unfair competition of the businesses that employ this cheap labour. The bona fides of such students, together with the recruitment (sales) techniques of our tertiary establishments might even be queried.

Gary J Wilson, Macgregor

Timothy Walsh's stance on wilderness ("Leave Namadgi alone", Sunday Canberra Times, March 29, p14) means all except the fit are banned from climbing iconic mountains of Namadgi National Park.

I've climbed some of these peaks and marvelled at the wonderful experiences they provide. The fact that they are now out of my reach is a matter of regret.

If there was a shuttle bus to the base of Sentry Box, for example, it would cut about 14kilometres off the round trip and make the ascent a strong possibility. A marked track to the top would ease this ancient's concerns about becoming lost.

The track that I've suggested with huts and campgrounds could become one of the great walks of Australia.

Graziers built huts in what is now Namadgi to shelter themselves and stockmen. Why can't we do the same for those who want to enjoy the park?

Graeme Barrow, Hackett

With eight more members to be thrust into the ACT Legislature, may I suggest this is an appropriate time to reconsider the need for the Assembly – thrust upon us in 1989 by the then federal government.

After two referendums rejected the proposal, the federal government was not game to call the third one for fear of another resounding "No". My wife and I have lived in Canberra for 43 years. I recall how well we were served by the Department of The Interior. I realise, of course, the territory has expanded considerably since 1972. The services then provided could have kept up with the expansion. My suggestion is for a city council to run the territory.

Let us have a rational debate through these columns.

Philip Robinson, Holt

A great deal more than a "rethink" ("Hospital parking rethink", Sunday Canberra Times, March 29, p14) will be needed if the University of Canberra Public Hospital is going to avoid being yet another planning disaster.

The problems became clear at an information session at the university on March 31. ("Have your say", CT, March 21, p5). The following facts emerged:

1. The Health Infrastructure Program is the largest capital works project undertaken by ACT Health.

2. The University of Canberra is part of HIP.

3. The UC ceded only a discreet portion of its campus to ACT Health for the proposed hospital.

4. The brief for the hospital did not include any infrastructure outside this portion as all campus land outside it is allocated for future development by the UC.

5. ACT Territory and Municipal Services was apparently not involved and has no intention of duplicating Aikman Drive to allow a proper entry to the hospital, or allowing the median strip in Ginninderra Drive to be breached to allow eastbound traffic to either enter or leave the hospital.

The end result is clear. There will be traffic chaos at both entry points to the hospital and possibly insufficient car parking. Perhaps ACT Health should talk to TAMS before releasing its Reference Design, rather than after. It seems unlikely the ACT government will ever understand that essential ancillary infrastructure planning is necessary for facilities of this nature, and that ad hoc isolated development planning will not produce good results.

Murray Upton, Belconnen

One would think the headline "Pokies Before Kids" (Letters, March 5) would grab our Chief Minister's attention.

Unfortunately, after weeks of ramped-up community outcry over the proposed land swap in our inner south, the cries continue to fall on deaf ears.

The Chief Minister's attempt to paint a glossy picture, stating "other providers have approached the government expressing interest in operating a centre on the proposed new site" is insulting to the contribution the award-winning Manuka Occasional Child Care Association has made.

It implies MOCCA is replaceable. The Chief Minister's statement that MOCCA has "first refusal on renting the brand new centre" is not encouraging. The offer tabled is an indication that changes will happen with or without MOCCA, ultimately leading to its closure.

I call on the ACT government to reconsider the original proposal.

Kasey Tomkins, Kingston

How good it was to note the launch by ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell of the Kids at Play program for preschool children ("The effortless athletes of the future start training early", Canberra Times, April 1, p5).

Such a program has the potential to be of enormous benefit. If on the one hand we are massively concerned about the "obesity epidemic" among children, and on the other about the health costs associated with Australia's increasingly large aged population, projects such as Kids at Play have the potential to reduce by vast amounts Australia's health bill two generations hence.

Kids at Play introduces a further element into the work already being done by local luminaries such as Robert de Castella and Dick Telford, and the government is to be congratulated.

Robin Poke, ACT Olympic Council president

Ben Westcott (March 29) and Clare Colley (March 30) give free publicity to the graffiti-can merchant.

The pitch is repetitious, but good for a laugh when one comes to the line about "contributing to the beauty of Canberra". The photos, abominably ugly, add to the mirth. Thinking of the noise a spray-can makes, let's call it street-fartistry.

Ted Lilley, Aranda

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