Apparently, the government "tested their general view andunderstanding of the government's affordability threshold" and "the two shortlisted groups would now provide ... a bid price, setting outwhat the tram would cost theterritory".

These two statements are important for their implications down the track, so to speak. First, the government will get a shock if it still believes it's going to cost only $783million, as it keeps telling Canberrans, when it will be more like $2billion over30 years.

Second, you can fully expect this government, given its lack oftransparency to date, to use confidentiality of the public, private partnership contract not to disclose the negotiated price before signature. Although the true cost, including the annual fee over the first 20 or 30 years would show up in subsequent government budgets, it would then be too late to stop the project. So, Canberra taxpayers, if you don't want to pay about $600 a year over 20 years in increased rates to pay for a tram that fewer than 20per cent ofyou will ever use, let the government be told in nouncertain terms now.

M. Silex, Erindale

In his attempts to justify whatlooks increasingly like apredetermined decision, Simon Corbell has assembled acatalogue of peripheral and tenuous benefits expected to flow from the construction of thelight rail. He has, however, missed one beauty. It was the process of riding home from work on a tram that inspired Albert Einstein to develop his theory of relativity.

Who dares to guess what inspirational developments might flow from the hordes of public servants riding home toGungahlin on a tram?

Roger Quarterman, Campbell

While the National Parks Association of the ACT supports kangaroo culling where this leads to benefits for threatened grasslands, it welcomes the trial of contraceptives to control kangaroo numbers, as announced on Tuesday by the ACT Environment Minister, Simon Corbell, as a potential alternative to culling.

The trial will need to show that contraception is as effective in controlling kangaroo populations as is culling and would be expected to address thepracticality and efficacy of delivery methods, the lead-time associated with contraceptive control methods in reducing target populations, and the cost of contraceptive control as opposed to other control techniques.

Rod Griffiths, president, National Parks Association ofthe ACT

Dallas Stow (Letters, March 20), forgot to wear a tradie's moccasins before he handed down his judgment on them.

A self-employed tradie usually does not get paid for wet weather, hot weather, sick leave, superannuation, holiday pay, training time, long-service leave, compassionate leave, office morning tea celebrations, or authority audits by the Australian Taxation Office or Workplace Health and Safety. Office workers get these benefits and more included in their employment conditions.

If there is accident, and yes accidents are more likely on construction sites than in offices, the tradie has to wear the cost oflegal help to get paid from theinsurance company, court appearances, expert witness costs and work safety investigations.

Tradies are also expected, for free, to turn up to meetings, provide detailed competitive quotes and claims, and weather the client beating them down on price and time. Probably most humiliating is to be asked by office worker clients inexperienced in building to do something that is far more difficult than it needs to be, with the implicit threat that if anything doesn't go according to plan, it's the tradie's fault and they won't be paid.

Dallas would be better to do a fact-finding mission on why so many tradies go broke, feel unempowered and end up not being able to work because of health issues.

John Skurr, Deakin

If plumbers with modern technology can't quickly find the mother of all leaks from the 1955 Canberra Olympic Pool pipes, they are not trying ("End of the old pool days? Leaks threaten outdoor oasis", March 20, p1), or the leak story is to damage opposition by swimmers to plans to close the pool.

The pool was built to mark the 1956 Olympics and should be a heritage site. It is unique in the region, with its high diving towers and deep, crystal-clear blue water. The 50-metre pool is a delight to train in.

About 20 years ago, there was an attempt to close it. It is being targeted for takeover again by voracious developers.

Michael Healy, Theodore

It is proposed that avenues of mature Eucalyptus elata (river peppermint) trees in the median strip of Northbourne Avenue be removed so light rail can be installed. Eucalyptus rossii (inland scribbly gum) is then tobe planted along the route ("Northbourne gums replaced inrail revamp" January 22, p1).

Eucalyptus rossii can endure dry, hard conditions, but is rarely planted in Canberra as "it has limited use for ornamental purposes" and "frequently becomes very thin in the crown and unattractive when old" (Trees and shrubs in Canberra, Pryor and Banks).

Avenues of tall, distinctive native trees are needed to enhance the attractiveness ofthe northern highway into Canberra. Eucalyptus cinerea (argyle apple) and Eucalyptus polyanthemos (red box) are two locally occurring, quick-growing species, well adapted to dry and infertile sites. Both species have been successfully planted as street trees in Canberra.

Is the rest of the rail route to Gunghalin to have avenues of trees? The article also reports the river peppermint trees are "failing", although the trees appear healthy and vigorous.

A previous article supporting light rail for Canberra by Professor Ken Taylor ("Off-track on Northbourne", Times2, July 10, 2014, p1) made similar claims. Neither article named the disease in Eucalyptus elata or the causal pathogen or pest. When the trees are felled an assessment should be made of the extent of disease in them.

Jack Simpson, Narrabundah

As a physician who has lived in Hughes for the past 50 years, I have observed a radical change in check-out and residential behaviours which are of great importance to public health, particularly for children. First has been the federally endorsed introduction of plain packaging, out-of-sight and non-advertising of cigarettes in supermarkets and petrol station check-outs, with smoking bans in all food outlets and most indoor workplaces.

The next target against unhealthy habits is being promoted by the National Heart Foundation and an investigation commissioned by the ACT government last year, focused on children up to 14, that highlighted "the need for urgent action to protect the health of Canberra's next generation" ("Call for action on junk foods", March 11, p1).

Refined carbohydrates, particularly sugars and soft drinks, which are widely advertised and displayed in shops and other outlets are truly addictive for children, since they cause insulin secretion, and when blood sugar falls there is a craving for more junk. Recommendations from parents and health professionals for children are seldom followed, but example sometimes works. An encouraging positive development is for children to grow and eat their own vegetables from school gardens, finding them delicious and fresh compared with supermarket stalls, at the same time teaching them basic biological facts about plant growth etc, which could become part of the school curriculum.

Since unhealthy food intake is one of the major causes of the prevailing pandemic of obesity, associated cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, which constitute a large proportion of preventable hospital admissions, government support for the adage "prevention is better than cure" could reap benefits for childrens' and adults' health as well as saving many millions of dollars in medical expenditure.

Dr Bryan Furnass, Hughes

The Law Society of the ACT isconcerned that the failure of the government to adequately fund the community legal sector is resulting in an increasing number of vulnerable people not being provided with appropriate legal assistance.

While a 2014 report by the Productivity Commission recommended that an additional $200million funding be provided forthe sector, there has been a significant reduction in federal government funding for community legal services in recent years.

As a result, some of the most vulnerable people in our community are unable to access assistance. It isworrying that people affected by family violence could miss out on legal assistance as outlined in your report, "Rush on domestic violence services" (March 19, p1).

Each year, the society allocates funds derived from the interest onsolicitors' trust accounts to community legal centres.. This is an important source of supplementary funding for legal aid and the community legal centres. It is unfortunate that falling interest rates in recent years have adversely affected the available funds.

The Law Society has seen unprecedented demand for the free legal services it offers through its pro-bono clearing house and legal advice bureau. This year, both services have experienced a marked increase in the number of people seeking assistance in tenancy, contract, family and criminal law.

As government funding for legal assistance declines and affects the availability of services, vulnerable people are increasing relying on the pro-bono work of legal practitioners. While legal practitioners have always engaged in pro-bono work, it cannot remedy inadequate funding.

Martin Hockridge, president, Law Society of the ACT

The drivel that passes for political comment by Tony Abbott haters is a disgrace. They sweat on every word he utters for a "gotcha", and ignore the same quotes from Labor politicians. Do they really believe Irish don't like Guinness or you can't mention the Nazis? Meanwhile, they mostly support the Senate rejecting sensible measures to prevent our slide into a Grecian quagmire. What will their children think in 10 years, saddled with Labor's projected debt of $100,000 a household and high youth unemployment?

John Shailer, Forrest

In an attempt to educate M. Silex (Letters, March 14) on how an individual on a pension of $150,000 ayear "could possibly be not paying any tax or Medicare levy and getting at least some benefits of an old-age pensioner", I respond as follows:

1. The Howard-Costello government abolished the tax liability on the pension income received from self-managed superannuation funds by retirees.

2. With no tax liability came noMedicare levy liability, as the individuals were no longer required to file tax returns, if they had no taxable income from other sources.

3. Before the last budget, individuals with a taxable income of less than $50,000 a year were entitled to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and the benefits that flow from it, including a small seniors payment from Centrelink twice a year.

Frank Parsons, Latham

On March 5, in response to an opposition question on climate change, Prime Minister Tony Abbott called upon Labor to rise above partisanship and then followed withwhat can only be described as "partisan spin". He said: "We will achieve a 12per cent reduction by 2020 on 2005 emissions levels" and "This is not just a 12per cent reduction per head; it is a 30per cent reduction on 2005 levels per capita".

He went on to claim "... when itcomes to actually reducing emissions, this country's record, under the policies of this government, will be absolutely amongst the best in the world".

These statements misrepresent the true situation. Because Australian carbon emissions rose between 2000 and 2005, a 12per cent reduction in 2005 emission levels is actually slightly less than Australia's official target of 5per cent reduction in emissions by 2020 over the levels of 2000. Thus, under his Direct Action policies, we may not actually reach our modest target. Further, thereduction in emissions per capita merely reflects the effect of population growth over the period to2020 and not any acceleration inreduction of emissions.

The European Union has an emissions reduction target of 20per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and a target of at least 40per cent by 2030. The United States has an reduction target of 17per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.

It can only be concluded that Australia's policies are not world leading. They don't even come close. The public deserves better than spin. We urge the Prime Minister to set aside partisan politics and live up tohis rhetoric and work with the opposition to develop a genuine world-leading climate policy that can survive successive governments over the decades of effort required to keep thee earth's average temperature rise to less than 2 degrees. The hundreds of thousands of primary school children and preschoolers, whose lives will be affected by climate change, deserve no less. They have no political voice, but governing for all Australians includes them too.

Trevor Powell, Bruce; Darryl Fallow, Stirling

I love Vietnam and its people, so it was with great pleasure that I read Christopher Roberts' article about the Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership about to be signed between our countries ("Common security concerns behind Vietnam move", Times2, March 18, p5).

Among the issues to be addressed are human rights, scientific collaboration, the environment and education. I look forward to Vietnam sending us its advisers.

Fred Pilcher, Kaleen

MAN OF INTEGRITY

Malcolm Fraser will be remembered as a prime minister of unimpeachable integrity and compassion for all humanity.

He should also be remembered for presiding over a team of ministers who understood economic management. He recognised the value of an independent public service and the quality of advice he received from senior public officers.

Would that we had politicians ofhis character and sense today.

Peter Hawker, Burra, NSW

LONG WAIT FOR BOOK

I have one library book requested that has, at present, 197 requests from the public but only five copies are available.

I am number 154 in line. Given that each book can sit for two weeks until it is collected by the borrower and can be borrowed for two weeks, this means that I could be waiting for two years to read this book!

V. Scipione, Monash

RESETTLEMENT PAYOUT

Like Philip Robinson (Letters, March17), I question the unique payout of $30,000 to Ms Katy Gallagher as a resettlement allowance. The decision by the ACTRemuneration Tribunal needs explanation.

When Zed Seselja declared he would resign from the Assembly torun for the Senate, there was no mention of a resettlement payout.

Greg O'Regan, Farrer

ICON OF OUR CAPITAL

Northbourne Avenue, with its beautiful native trees and lawns, is as much the icon of our national capital as the Champs-Elysees is for Paris orTrafalgar Square for London. Leave it alone!

Hugh Jorgahan, Lyons

US WORDS A MOUTHFUL

Geoff Barker (Letters, March 17) objects to the use of American words in the Australian language (both aka English). Help me, Geoff. What is the Australian word for antipasto?

Michele LeBlanc, Yarralumla

STONE AGE SOLUTION

So mining companies and energy producers have been identified as themajor greenhouse gas producers in Australia.

The solution is simple. Stop using energy and mining products. Revert to the lifestyle of our revered stone-age ancestors and all will be well.

F. Lamb, Lyons

NEW SPEAKER NEEDED

The biased attitude of Bronwyn Bishop does the federal Parliament no credit. Isn't it about time the House of Representatives got a fresh replacement as Speaker?

Bea Evans, Kambah

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