Take a fresh approach

Surprisingly creative, liveable, vibrant, attractive, profitable proposals will emerge from switched-on developers and their consultants. I'm certain that those proposals would suit and preserve the desired character of an important national capital approach avenue, and that government will make a good monetary return on its assets – just as at New Acton, and in Sydney's Rocks district, where I worked on several such projects in the '80s.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

Scorched earth plan

The declaration by Simon Corbell that Northbourne Avenue is to be stripped bare to allow the tram to be built indicates how flawed the tram plan is.

The median strip filled with two tracks and concrete slab with no trees is the worst design imaginable.

The traffic needs of the tram for many years would be met with one track and passing loops and existing trees left in place.

The tram, no trees and the government's planned high-density housing will turn Northbourne Avenue from the presently appealing entry to the city into a slum.

Robert Adams, Ainslie

Canberra unique

So, Peter Newman, the high priest of the public transport cult has felt compelled to weigh into the Canberra debate on light rail ("Light rail will change city, be good economic policy", Times2, June 3, p5). Professor Newman should know enough about this city to appreciate that it has been planned to be different from other cities around the world. Of course, some people cannot cope with difference.

Over the past few years, we have seen a strong push to undo Canberra's planning to make it more like the typical city. It is great that rail has worked so well in Perth, but does that mean it will suit Canberra? Canberra was designed to ensure the free flow of traffic along main arteries, to avoid the congestion created around shopping centres, schools and other service centres. These are largely located well off the main roads in Canberra in the middle of suburbs. ACTION is well aware of this, as it tries to meet all demands to take people where they need to go. Is there another city in the world where buses travel through suburban streets, rather than along main roads?

Northbourne Avenue might possibly produce areas of economic activity around train stations, probably at the expense of Dickson, Braddon, Lyneham and O'Connor, but we won't talk about that. Other main transport routes are less likely to be that adaptable – think of Belconnen Way, Adelaide Avenue and Hindmarsh Drive, to name just a few. We need some realism about the limitations of light rail in the Canberra context.

Robyn Coghlan, Hawker

The one important factor that Peter Newman overlooks in his rose-coloured review of Perth's public transport system is the fate of the MAX light rail system. Contrary to the populist view that "light rail is always best", in March 2015, the Western Australia government dumped MAX in favour of bus rapid transit. Their preliminary analysis of journey times, land use and operational costs found that BRT will deliver the same outcomes as light rail, but at half the cost.

How long will it take the ACT government to have a similar epiphany and follow WA's lead? In tight economic times, the ratepayers of Canberra deserve better outcomes than the myth-laden, cargo-cultist mentality promoted by the light rail lobby.

Jeff Carl, Rivett

Most shut out

I cannot remain silent after reading John Heinemann's letter praising the facilities at the redeveloped tennis centre at Lyneham (Letters, June 4). He asserts that, among other improvements, Next Gen Clubs has invested over $20 million in a "state-of-the-art complex available to all residents of Canberra". Well, no: the complex is available only to members, who pay a hefty fee (around $1600 a year). Prior to the development, the squash courts were available to the general public on a casual (or regular) basis; now they can only be used by members.

Sure, the facilities built by Next Generation are "state-of-the-art" – including a much-sought-after indoor pool. Sadly, one has to be a member of the whole facility to use it. A casual visit for a swim or a game of squash will cost $35.

It's not clear to me how the removal of the concessional lease on the site has served the Canberra community. From where I sit, it looks like yet another facility that was available to the public whose access is now severely restricted.

Christine Butterfield, Downer

Sleeping rough

With the onset of winter and sub-zero overnight temperatures, Julie Tongs' call for an inquiry into poverty in the ACT ("Psst, poverty in Canberra is real and crippling", Forum June 6, p6), is timely.

Although much poverty and disadvantage is disguised in the Canberra community, there are increasingly visible signs of the hardship that homeless people face in the ACT. In recent times, I've noticed an increase in the number of homeless men around Civic. But I was particularly challenged one morning last week by the sight of an apparently homeless woman outside the DFAT offices in Barton, clutching a shopping trolley full of plastic bags containing what appeared to be personal possessions.

I have a suggestion for our federal politicians. There are 226 of you in our national Parliament – hardly more than a stone's throw from the DFAT offices but a world away from life on the streets. Allowing for those from the ACT and surrounding areas who qualify for a lesser amount, some 220 of you draw an allowance of $271 a night while Parliament is sitting, to accommodate you in a modest degree of warmth and comfort. Might it be possible for each of you, rather than bickering with each other for personal aggrandisement, to donate at least $50 to the Vinnies Sleep Out Appeal. The money thus raised will, I'm sure, go towards helping those in our society who are "doing it tough", including the woman sleeping rough on your own doorstep.

Don Malcolmson, Bywong, NSW

Nick Xenophon is a wonderful member of Parliament and we should have more like him, but his pursuit of the Football Federation Australia regarding a suspect $500,000 spent during our failed bid for the soccer World Cup is not worthy of him, nor of further taxpayers' dollars.

If one considers the options available to the FFA when mounting our bid, they were pretty stark. They knew, as everyone knew, that the process was flawed (bent), and that a lily-white bid was never going to win. So what to do? They could decide not to bid and upset many Australian soccer lovers, then be accused of slander by FIFA in explaining to the world that we didn't bid because bribes would have been necessary.

They could run a lily-white bid, which they knew would never win, in which case they were clearly wasting the entire $45 million. Or they could try to play as nearly straight as possible and hope that any necessary inducements could be paid indirectly enough so as to appear reasonable. Given the choices, I don't see how this bid could have been carried out other than as it was. The problem with overly powerful autonomous bodies like FIFA is that you play by their rules or you don't play at all.

We should leave the $500,000 and the FFA alone and expend our efforts on retrieving the $45million we spent with, as it turns out, absolutely no chance of success because of the scale of corruption involved.

Julian Robinson, Narrrabundah

If reports are true, it could be 10 months before Sepp Blatter steps down following his resignation. Let's see how long it is before our politicians manage to get that condition into their resignation speeches. It would have made the Rudd/Gillard tango very interesting.

Robert W.W. Nelson, Kambah

So, Peter Dutton reads an article in a newspaper, takes umbrage and, without checking the details with any other source, immediately leaps on his soapbox to criticise somebody that his government seems to treat as a whipping boy (or girl). This is the man who his party is suggesting should have the unilateral power to remove an Australian's sole citizenship, based on his assessment and consideration of the "facts" before him.

Now, even after being publicly shown to be wrong, he continues to pursue her resignation ("Immigration Minister Peter Dutton ups pressure on Gillian Triggs to quit", canberra times.com.au, June7).

I believe Gillian Triggs to be a person of conscience, an intelligent and thoughtful woman who considers the facts and then makes a balanced assessment, which she has the strength and integrity to stand behind. I consider Peter Dutton to be a man who represents none of those things. Far from being trusted, or even capable of making decisions about the removal of an Australian's citizenship, I don't think he's capable of deciding whether to buy salted or unsalted butter.

P. Johnston, O'Connor

The spectacle of the wrong-headed Peter Dutton shrilly criticising Gillian Triggs about something he didn't understand says it all: he's a political loud mouth who'll spout nonsense at the drop of a hat, and she's a competent public official with something important to say.

Peter Moran, Watson

"Triggs warns that democracy is under threat" (June 6, p1). Go Gillian, go girl!

Lesley Fisk, Barton

Democratic dream

What wisdom was conveyed by The Canberra Times on June4! First, an article advising of Malcolm Turnbull's reminder to us all that the essence of a democracy is that it is governed by law and not by the whims and fancies of a minister ("Tyranny and distance: Malcolm draws line in the sand", June 4, p2). Then Troy Reeves (Letters, June 4) reminds us of Edmund Burke's statement that "your representative owes you ... his judgment; and he betrays you instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion".

Made me dream of a government of wise persons, with superior judgment, respecting the limitations of their elected positions and governing by wisdom rather than opinion polls.

Elizabeth O'Leary, Farrer

Same-sex marriage

Reports emerged last week that electorate offices were being bombarded with calls demanding that the Commonwealth Parliament not proceed to legalise gay marriage. Some government members are saying that there is a "silent majority" in Australia which does not want this legislation passed. This is despite the fact that Ireland, one of the most socially conservative nations in Europe, has just voted overwhelmingly for a change to its constitution to permit legislation for same-sex marriage to go forward.

Australia remains the only developed Western nation which does not permit it. Apart from the fact that there is no evidence for this "silent majority" and polls which show majority support for legalisation of gay marriage, it is clear that this sort of socially sensitive issue is going to mobilise the religious in our society to make their views known to their parliamentary representatives.

Similar arguments about societal decay are wheeled out for any socially-sensitive issue, including legal access to medically assisted dying. The problem with a blanket ban is just that – everyone is forbidden. However, one thing seems to be forgotten. None of these things is compulsory. Only those who choose to access legal gay marriage or legal medically assisted dying will be affected. Those whose religious or moral sensitivities will not permit them to countenance doing these things do not have to get involved. Preventing others from doing so is unnecessary.

R. Gibson, Campbell

It never ceases to amaze me the logical absurdities people will put forward regarding same-sex marriage. One can only assume that marriage as a "sacrosanct concept and institution" (Peter Waterhouse, Letters, June 1) had no meaning until John Howard granted it such by amending the Marriage Act. One could assume that simply repealing that amendment is all that would be required to allow for same-sex marriage. So, if repealing that amendment is "shifting the goalposts", Peter, then surely it returns marriage to the status it always had. I can't see how it would render any vow or covenant insufficient, inferior or invalid, as you claim it would. In fact, the entire Marriage Act could be repealed and it would make no difference to the institution. What sustains the institution isn't legislation; it is those who agree to enter into it. No law can confer or deny the status of sacrosanct.

Whatever a couple decides is the foundation of their relationship; that is what is sacrosanct.

S.A. Simmons, Conder

Not the time for rhyme

I am appalled that the Attorney-General, George Brandis, should have been reading poetry during Senate estimates ("Brandis busted reading poetry during Senate hearing", June 5, p6). It not only shows his contempt for the Parliament, but also for the people who were appearing before the hearing.

Senator Brandis should find alternate employment if he considers his responsibilities are such a bore – preferably not a job reliant on taxpayers' money. Perhaps the Prime Minister could exercise his a "captain's call" to seek an explanation from Senator Brandis and an apology.

Allan Joyce, Florey

Thank-you for the article on George Brandis' senatorial reading habits. They are a cause for celebration, not complaint. If the good minister is reading bush poetry now, he may soon be enjoying the work of Kenneth Slessor, Judith Wright, David Campbell et al and may even find his way to the green but malnourished pastures of contemporary Australian poetry.

With his newly budgeted largesse, Senator Brandis could well, in fact, be intending to rectify the chronic under-funding of poetry, which has prevailed in our culture since the Old Testament.

Geoff Page, Narrabundah

AFRAID TO FRONT

We don't need Kofi Annan to tell us Australia is a climate villain, when any Australian with half a brain already knows this ("Annan panel slams Australia for dodging fare on climate diplomacy", June 5, p1). It is understandable that Tony Abottt is not intending to attend the Paris climate summit this year. He knows he will be made to look foolish amongst countries with serious policies to combat climate change.

Robyn Lewis, Raglan, NSW

OPTING OUT

Opinion on voluntary euthanasia seems to be divided between those who would like to avoid a lingering death, and those who would prefer to face it. The latter are afraid their wishes might be thwarted by pressure from others. That problem could be easily solved by allowing people to make an irrevocable declaration that they do not want to avail themselves of voluntary euthanasia.

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

EXECUTION EXEMPTIONS

So, Greg Cornwell (Letters, June 8) would exempt Lindy Chamberlain and David Eastman from his proposal to inflict capital punishment on murderers. Given that their juries had no reasonable doubt about their guilt, I assume that Cornwell's law would express the exemption as being applicable to those who, in Cornwell's opinion, should not have been convicted.

Frank Marris, Forrest

ALWAYS A DEALER

Enough "de mortuis nil nisi bonum" for Alan Bond. If there is a hell, then Bond is down there trying to do a deal with the devil on renewable energy.

Bert Castellari, Curtin

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Fintán Ó Laighin (Letters, June 6) is quite correct about Australians fighting in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, and there is, in fact, a memorial to those Australians in Yarralumla's Lennox Gardens.

Christopher Jobson, Monash

PLAY FIGHTING

Much has been said and written about Adam Goodes' war dance and throwing a pretend spear at Carlton Football Club fans. It's about time we had similar outrage about The Wiggles pointing pretend pistols at young, innocent children.

David Fuller, Duffy

POETRY OVER POLITICS

The arrogance and contempt the Coalition shows towards the people of Australia was clearly on display in footage last week of Senator George Brandis reading his book of poetry and cleaning out his left ear while in a Senate hearing. It is a disgrace.

Jenny Madden, Aranda

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