My objections to light rail in Canberra are that, for an enormous amount of money, it will serve less than half of the population. It will not lessen the need for buses to a great extent and I am fairly certain, given the ACT government's record of building large projects, the completion cost will blow out significantly.

What chance then will Belconnen and South Canberra stand to get the same facility. Justification figures quoted by the government appear highly speculative and optimistic.

Keith Davis, Pearce

Like Jon Stanhope (Letters, May 13), I am disappointed by the undemocratic managerial decision of the Australian government to abolish the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, and the unquestioning agreement of the opposition to this piece of legislation.

Norfolk Island was unoccupied when Queen Victoria gifted it to the Pitcairn Islanders, who were descendants of the British sailors who mutinied on HMS Bounty and stayed in the south Pacific with their Tahitian brides and families.

The island has a unique culture, and its own language. In 1979, they successfully made the case for self-rule as a distinct indigenous people. This status was reviewed and confirmed in 2006.

The impact of the global financial crisis hit the island economy, based on tourism, hard. They applied to the Australian government for assistance and advice on reviving the tourist industry, and they were hit with the decree that they should lose control of all their previous responsibilities for maintaining not just the economy but the nature of the community itself.

If there was proper consultation, the islanders may themselves decide upon closer amalgamation with the Australian system, but without that process, and the opportunity to negotiate about their concerns, it is an anti-democratic decision that reflects very poorly on our parliamentary democracy.

K.L. Calvert, Downer

'Tis the season for the flu and wise folk get their flu shot. I'm a self-employed 66-year-young and sought to get the deed done. Called in at the walk-in nurse clinic (terrific place, by the way) but they don't do immunisations, except tetanus.

Called in to the chemists, as I saw online that they do the job for a few dollars. They were booked out for a date well into the future.

You're over 65, so it's free, I also read somewhere. Your GP will do it, I'm advised. But I'm not sick; I just want a flu shot. My doctor charges $75 when I talk to him.

Public servants and children get their vaccinations organised for them. Maybe I can put a dog tag on a ribbon around my neck and join a queue somewhere.

I'm still wondering where I can get my flu shot. Can anybody help?

Ray Barnett, Ainslie

Julian Robinson (Letters, May 13) suggested the use of mobile phone jamming technology at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. The short answer is that at this time a suitable technological solution has not been found. Although mobile phone jamming devices are illegal in Australia, a trial of this type of equipment was recently undertaken by Corrective Services NSW in the Lithgow Correctional Centre, as part of a co-operative national effort. It took place after a long and complicated process of submissions to ACMA, testing of equipment in controlled environments and consultation with stakeholders, particularly telecommunications carriers. Trials of such equipment cannot be undertaken without an exemption under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 by Australian Communications and Media Authority. The implementation of a jamming device in a prison is a complicated process; it involves the installation of infrastructure and the identification and testing of surrounding radiofrequency used to carry mobile phone signals.

It is not a single piece of equipment that can be easily placed within in a prison. The use of jamming devices must also be cognisant of any "spillover" impact on mobile phone signals in the area. For the AMC, with the ESA facilities and Snowy Hydro rescue helicopter as our neighbours, this is a particularly pertinent consideration.

Shane Rattenbury, MLA, Minister for Justice

Westside and its creators, the ACT government, deserve credit for producing the world's first village not to pop up ("Container village hit with contractor dispute", May 14, p1).

My understanding is that Westside represents a "little beating heart", which will help sustain vibrancy, whilst the practising consultants (a group of cowboy surgeons from the LDA), get on with the main operation of impregnating the west basin region with as many apartment blocks as will possibly fit.

The idea for this model probably passed its first test at Londsdale Street Braddon. However, it is always of great concern when governments choose not to go to open tender, but instead, directly contract their preferred partner, especially if they share the same DNA.

Finally, can we have a competition for a more deserving name than Westside@Acton? First prize could be dinner for two at the top-floor restaurant on a lovely July evening. My nomination is Barr's Folly.

John Wilson, Dickson

We are accustomed in Australia to being economic reductionists, regarding wealth as an end in itself – or the end in itself – and being unable to see past it, but the federal budget this week seems to have fashioned a new meaning for "creativity".

According to the hard materialist right who delivered it, creativity and self-expression now lie in opening another food or trinket outlet, and in tinkling cash register keys enough to survive on.

Vision in aspirations? Tackling the major challenges creatively and as a smart nation? Good night and good luck.

Alex Mattea, Kingston

Reading and listening about the budget on Wednesday, I kept feeling I was being taken for a mug. An ordinary little taxpayer, I know I am not really part of wherever this budget is taking Australia because, according to Gerry Harvey, he "wrote the budget and Joe Hockey just read it; indeed Harvey got his budget wish granted ("Harvey budget wish granted", BusinessDay, May 14, p9). No vision, no national strategy! Just an almighty stimulus package ... for some.

Marguerite Castello, Griffith

While going through my father's meagre possessions recently, I found the orderly catalogue of his tax returns, going back to 1940. A record of his working life at the CSR as a clerk, and then as an accountant – and including his three years of war service.There were also the milestones of marriage, births, medical records, address changes and divorce. A snapshot of a life.

Like many of his generation he was a troubled, detached loner, never talking about his war experiences, or anything else much. A mostly distant presence in our lives. Being a good citizen, "doing his bit", "doing the right thing", were important to him – and coping on a very modest income.

His meticulous records reflected care and concern for his family, even if he wasn't able to demonstrate this to us day-by-day.

One even found notes of apology to the Tax Office, about minor errors that crept in. And there, in the midst of all, was a copy of my own first group certificate at 16 – which he was happy to include with his return. Although it made sad reading in some ways, I saw the humble, decent man, but also caught glimpses of a father I never really knew – one who believed in doing his duty, paying his tax regularly, and trying in his way to look after his family.

During budget week, this picture of a responsible, ordinary life stands in sharp contrast to the tax-avoiders among the mega-rich and large corporations.

Jill Hayes, Nimmitabel, NSW

An interesting aid budget from the Abbott government. Afghanistan has an estimated population (UNData) of 29,825,000 and will receive $78.5 million in aid for 2015-16 ($2.63 a person per year, or 22 cents a month). Nauru, with an Australian detention centre, has an estimated population of 10,000 (UNData) and will receive $21.2 million in aid for 2015-16 ($2120.00 a person per year, or $176.67 a month). For what it's worth, Nauru also has the highest obesity rate in the world. We've come a long way from helping starving children in Africa.

(Dr) William Maley, Reid

The world is an unfair place where many developing countries cannot afford education, clean water or food enough for their people. The United Nations has recommended that industrial countries budget 0.7 per cent of their gross national income for aid to those countries that need it. Several countries live up to that goal, some even exceeding 1 per cent of GNI. Australia lags far behind contributing 0.34 per cent and going down to 0.22 per cent of GNI by 2016.

The budget also shows that the government's is directing aid money to support its refugee policy, giving strong support to Nauru and Cambodia while severely cutting the funds going to countries in Africa where the greater need is.

How ungenerous is that?

Gosta Lynga, Lyons

In the article "ACT jobs boost as PS freeze ends", May 13, p1), the ban on external hiring was said to have "ensured a strong level of natural attrition in its ranks". From Opposition, the Liberal party and Senator-to-be Zeselja promised they would cut jobs, letting people leave. But it is clear that retrenchments, often with costly pay-outs, drove the job cuts. In 2014, 53 per cent of all separations were retrenchments, up from 28 per cent in financial year 2012-13.

While those leaving can now be replaced with staff from outside of the APS, the budget shows there will be further cuts in staff numbers. Combined with stagnant or falling APS real wages, restraint on promotions, stagnant levels of employment and falling labour-force participation, it seems clear the ACT cannot look to the feds for an end to its rough ride.

Tom Swann, Campbell

The Canberra Times gave blanket coverage to the government's budget speech but only one article on the Opposition Leader's Budget Reply speech ("Labor offers co-operation on company tax", May 15, p5). Fair enough – a government's budget deserves greater coverage, but Labor has credible chance of forming the next government. So the paucity of coverage of Bill Shorten's speech is puzzling.

Rod Holesgrove, O'Connor

According to Ms Sama Khan ("Labor MPs must fight detention: Stanhope", May 14, p8), many Muslims have "a sense that being Australian and being Muslim were mutually exclusive". By calling for the Muslim community to make better connections with people she seems to recognise that Australian society has no problem with its diversity of cultures, but that exclusivity is a Muslim problem.

Islam divides the world into believers and unbelievers, and demands loyalty to one's fellow religionists over loyalty to country. This is a particularly strong message in a country that is 98 per cent unbelievers. No wonder young Muslims find it difficult to "forge an identity". There would be no harm in them giving priority to their religion were it not that Islam also demands the subjugation of infidels.

P. Edwards, Holder

Word is out that the current ACT government is keen to host the next series of the ABC's satirical show Utopia. This show is about a fictional government agency tasked with infrastructure development. The series will draw heavily on real life especially the development of Manuka Oval and surrounds.

In a rich environment where real life is stranger than fiction (a masterful twist by the scriptwriters) the unseen political masters seek to develop a massive sporting complex in an inner city location. The series will portray the politicians as totally ego-driven, seeking to leave a legacy brighter and noisier than a Bollywood movieset.

In a barely credible scenario inconvenient bit part players such as local service clubs and children's services are turfed out and the government's minions ordered to cobble together bizarre solutions to relocate them.

Having just watched a pilot episode featuring government officials attempting to justify their political masters' actions I cannot wait to see how the series unfolds. The pilot was masterfully scripted and I was in stitches. Bravo for the ACT government bringing this biting satire series to Canberra.

Nick Swain, Barton

For the information of George W. Gerrity (Letters, May 14) and other interested readers the relevant statistics are available on the ABS website and can be easily accessed by Googling: 6523.0 – Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, latest issue.

The ABS discusses the matters he raises and I can tell him in advance that the graphs are nothing like standard distribution curves. But it is not as bad as 80 per cent of people earning less than the average wage.

The real shock is that the most common income (the mode) corresponds with the 10 per cent poorest households dividing line.

John F. Simmons, Kambah

OFF THE RAILS

Chris McMullen (Letters, May 14) believes a rail network in Canberra will be influential for the next 300 years. In a recent trip to Hawaii, I noticed evidence tending to support that view. Some magnificent railway bridges, built in the early 1900s, are still an important part of the infrastructure today: they were converted to road bridges in the 1950s.

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

Chris McMullen mentions the "small and extremely vocal minority of nimbies opposed to light rail". They oppose it not because it is in their back yards but because they will be forced to pay for something for which they get no benefit.

E. Nelson, Wright

Seeing as Chris McMullen asked, his train is at Kingston and heading east.

Michael Doyle, Fraser

POSITIVE EXAMPLE

I am tired of the negativity about the light rail. The Gold Coast Bulletin of May 6 states that their light rail, launched on July 20, 2014 , carries about 17,800 passengers a day, significantly beyond expectations. They have now celebrated their five-millionth passenger.

Courtney Leiba, Kambah

SNUB JUSTIFIED

Rex Williams (Letters, May 13) recalls the sacrifice of the Russian people during World War II. Quite right. But we should also recall that Stalin supported German rearmament in the 1930s, and that under the Nazi-Soviet pact of 1939-41 the Soviet Union provided supplies to Hitler's war machine. Putin is Stalin-lite, which is why world leaders were right to boycott the Moscow commemoration.

Stephen Henningham, Curtin

REVENUE RAISING

The ACT government's pre-occupation with stopping speeding by increasing cameras ("More speed cameras on the way", May 15, p1), has nothing to do with safety but its need to raise revenue. A leopard doesn't change its spots with the need to borrow up to a billion dollars for an unnecessary light-rail system.

Alan McNeil, Weetangera

ISLAND TIME

Re your article "Dogs get Customs in Depp trouble" (May 15, p6), does Nauru have a dog pound?

Brendan Dobson, Macgregor

TWISTED LOGIC

Government claims that their economic policies remain consistent and methodical have entailed verbal contortions that can best be described as staggering. Perhaps each minister could match this by dancing the twist at their next press conference.

Peter Grabosky, Forrest

Correction: A letter to the editor published on Monday wrongly referred to Farrer Primary School as being where an incident occurred that sparked a government review of special needs policy. This was not the school involved. We apologise for publishing this error.