The light rail will cost, everything costs. Pollution and congestion cost insidiously, continuously and destructively. Anything that will improve our quality of life and help bring us together in the long term is worth its weight in gold. In regard to the immediate financial burden, finance will never be cheaper than it is at present and it is more than offset by the more immediate benefits good infrastructure entails, jobs and skills for starters. Negatively, lack of imagination and shortsightedness does no one any good. Policies that bring the community together and promise an improvement in our quality of life should be something we all strive for.

Patrick O'Hara, Isaacs

Well done, ACT opposition ("Libs up the ante on light rail", June 10, p1). Not only is light rail unaffordable, but the undue haste by the Labor Assembly to go ahead and sign contracts against the almost universal opposition by the Canberra people, is creating strong rumours of special interests at play.

We need to wait for an election to resolve this matter so that a decision is made to avoid financial instability in this Territory for the next decade with the people already overtaxed in every direction.

Alan McNeil,Weetangera

The economics of the private public light rail partnership the ACT is currently negotiating is a puzzle. According to the Treasurer's version the ACT's contribution payment, of $375 million, is not expected to be paid until completion (2019) and the remainder of the $783 million will be paid over 20 years.

That is, the private members would pay the capital cost of the development, receiving 50 percent of their outlay in 2019 and 50 percent over the following 20 years. As the private partners would have to borrow to cover their outlay, whereabouts in the budget papers were the interest charges covering the outlays?

Even more puzzling was the Treasurer's statement that the private partners would carry all the risks, and the government none. If this is so, then the private partners would be paying a much higher interest on their borrowings "and" would receive zero return for work done to cater for risks encountered; eg, dealing with the essential services lying under the rail's path.

It is hard to believe that any commercial company would agree to the conditions described above.

Further compounding the economic puzzle is the government's commitment to subsidise annually the difference between the light rail's revenue and operating and maintenance costs; to date no estimates have been tabled covering this annual amount, payments would include those for Capital Metro public servants, payments to the consortiums private members and operating and maintenance costs.

Ed Dobson, Hughes

A new report has deemed the ACT's planning system overly bureaucratic and without a strong strategic direction. ("ACT planning lacks vision and is too complex, finds national report card", canberratimes.com.au, June 4)

The Government's vision is a planning system that increasingly operates on exceptions rather than rules. In 2008 only eight Precinct Codes provided exceptions to planning rules, in special areas like Northbourne Avenue and the town centres.

The Government used Notifiable Instrument NI2012-622 to sneak into existence 19 District Precinct Maps that provide for exceptions anywhere in the ACT, and 108 Suburb Precinct Maps that provide for local exceptions to those District Map exceptions.

These are in addition to the exceptions provided for by 59 Suburb Precinct Codes.

The second page of NI2012-622 summarises the changes that it implemented. The Government now contradicts that summary, claiming that NI2012-622 "simply relocated existing provisions in the Territory Plan into precinct codes." The Environment and Planning Directorate routinely approves development applications that breach our complex planning laws, because it can no longer properly check them.

Our planning laws have become so complex that even Coles and DOMA can't figure them out, as demonstrated by the recent rejection of their application for a supermarket development in Dickson.

Leon Arundell, Downer

I am most grateful to Frank Marris (Letters, June 9) for joining the seemingly endless debate that I have been having with Greg Cornwell over the death penalty and the meaning of "reasonable doubt".

As far as I am concerned, I have no wish to continue the debate until Greg at least acknowledges that his original statement (Letters, 27 May) about murderers "who have been released by starry-eyed reformers and have killed again" was unfortunate, ill-informed and mischievous. I won't hold my breath waiting for his response.

David Biles, Curtin

I'm sorry to see that Timothy Walsh's partner had to pay to have some documents signed as certified true copies (Letters, June 10). Unfortunately, pharmacists aren't the only ones charging for such services. Australia Post, for example, advertises that it will certify documents for a fee. But there is a simple solution.

Just contact one of the many Justices of the Peace in Canberra, or attend one of the JP signing desks conveniently located around Canberra. JPs will provide this service and other document witnessing services for free, and are more than happy to do so.

You can find a JP easily by googling 'JP Canberra', which will bring up several sites including a list of signing desks and opening hours maintained by the ACT JPs Association, or by visiting the website for Access Canberra.

Rod Nicholas, president, ACT Justices of Peace Association Inc

Elizabeth O'Leary (Letters, June 9) enjoyed the stand of Edmund Burke when he campaigned for election for Bristol in 1774. A representative, he said, owed the electors his "judgment" which he should never sacrifice to their "opinion".

She would also find relevance to our current political situation in what he said six years later standing for re-election. During the course of the Parliament he had offended the electors by supporting Catholic emancipation, the freeing of trade with Ireland and negotiation with the American colonies. The war was then five years old.

Burke acknowledged that he had not voted as the electors wanted but said: "I am to look indeed to your opinions; but to such opinions as you and I must have five years hence ... I knew that you chose me ... to be a pillar of the state, and not a weathercock on the top of the edifice ... of no use but to indicate the shiftings of every fashionable gale".

He was not re-elected for Bristol, but in the unreformed Parliament another seat was found for him and hence that body was not deprived of his judgment. Focus groups and opinion polls have not improved the political process.

J.B. Windeyer, Red Hill

It's a little daft to claim that compulsory medical examinations are necessary to establish mortality by suicide in ex-service personnel, as Neil James of the Australian Defence Association suggests (canberratimes.com.au, June 8). Government departments know when someone has died – they don't need the deceased person to fail to attend a doctor's appointment to establish that. In fact, mortality studies examining cause of death are easily done by public health researchers.

They can be done retrospectively and unintrusively by independent researcher matching data from state and Commonwealth government departments holding the relevant information. All there needs to be is the motivation, which in turn would provide the modest funding needed.

Peter Marshall, Captains Flat, NSW

Now that we know from research analysis by Grattan Institute and others that the previous removal of negative gearing concessions did not increase housing rents, and that currently negative gearing is driving up house prices at auctions in an already heated housing market, is the Treasurer's vehement opposition to the removal of negative gearing have anything to do with him having multiple negatively-geared investment properties? If all cabinet ministers who have a conflict-of-interest in these matters vacated the cabinet room during discussion of these matters, would any be left?

Jeanette Handke, Kambah

In the interests of transparent government and full disclosure, I would be interested to know which members of the government, or even Parliament, currently have investment properties for which they (or their spouse) are receiving tax concessions from negative gearing. I'm not suggesting that self-interest plays an important part in the decision making process for our National leaders but ... oh wait a minute, yes I am.

It might help to explain why a budget strategy that could save the government billions whilst improving housing affordability for first home buyers is being dismissed out of hand.

P. Johnston, O'Connor

As someone who has done nothing more than study, followed by teaching at the university, I am inclined to disagree with Nicholas Stuart's remark that admission to a university need not be based on gaining high marks ("Unis must learn to nurture", Times2, June 9, p4).

For if there is one thing a university stands for, it is excellence; and how appropriate, therefore, to admit those students whose high marks are indicative of their ability and dedication.

Given that quality education is of importance to the nation's progress, it is, nevertheless, important to state that nothing is ever accomplished without a lot of sheer hard work.

Sam Nona, Burradoo, NSW

Jack Waterford ("Leak by minister shows strength of debate", Forum, June 6,p1) wrote "A deranged man in a chocolate shop is said to be the worst local case – though it is still not clear why, if it was to be characterised as a terrorist incident, it was left to an inept police response rather than the SAS".

Until the coroner makes his findings, we will not know the answers to any of the issues he raises. But even if the police response is found to have been "inept" the use of the any unit of Defence Forces for policing in the liberal democracy that is Australia, is never appropriate.

John F. Simmons, Kambah

If the government wants to have a debate about revoking citizenship for people who are involved with terrorism, it is essential that it should be on the basis of honest and complete information. Sadly, this is not currently the case. I visited the website www.citizenship.gov.au in response to a public announcement by the government in The Canberra Times (June 6, p15) inviting citizens to provide written input.

The discussion paper states "The United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France and many other European countries have powers to revoke citizenship on broad national security grounds. Canada has legislation which will come into force in the near future." The reference to "broad national security grounds" is accurate for the United Kingdom, but not for, eg, the United States, where a person can be "denaturalised" only for four legally well-defined reasons, and only through civil court proceedings.

Natural-born US citizen, whatever crimes they committed, cannot have their citizenship revoked.

The Canadian law which is to come into effect refers specifically to dual citizens convicted of particular crimes. It is deceptive, either by intent or laziness, to give the impression all these countries have legislation similar to what is being mooted by the government.

Cynthia Allen, Hackett

Don Malcolmson (Letters, June 9) makes some good points about poverty and homelessness in Canberra. However, I would suggest, rather than yet more bandaids being applied to the gaping wound that is homelessness with donations to the Vinnies Sleep Out Appeal, our politicians actually have the capacity to rid our country of this scourge.

I don't understand why CEOs, politicians etc feel good about raising money for Vinnies by sleeping rough for one night, then going back to their warm lives feeling so good about themselves. If you really want to help, address the cause and do something about it.

Homeless people deserve more than a bandaid.

S. Redston, Chisholm

I was deeply saddened by the behaviour of some Chinese people in Katoomba at the long weekend. While a thousand of us tried to listen to a children's peace choir at Katoomba public school where the Dalai Lama would later address us, pro-Chinese occupation protesters banged drums and yelled slogans through a megaphone over the fence of the school, effectively disrupting the performance.

If China feels so threatened by the Dalai Lama that they need to disrupt a children's peace choir in the Blue Mountains, what are they up to behind the closed doors of Tibet?

Sarah Aylott, Dickson

Canberra traders are right to be worried about the impact of government plans to change paid parking arrangements ("Traders fear paid parking hit", June 4, p1). Already, parking arrangements in the CBD mean that I don't go there unless it is a matter of life and death.

Proposed changes will make visiting the CBD an even more unattractive proposition.

Gordon Fyfe, Kambah

'GET A JOB'

Joe Hockey doesn't just have a silver spoon stuck in his mouth ("Hockey under fire after 'get a job' advice to first home buyers", June 10, p1). It's a whole platter!

Joyce Wu, Lyneham

Joe Hockey's comments about housing affordability are the latest of many slips in his role as Treasurer. The discredited neo-liberal philosophy shaping his views are damaging Australia. It is clear he's not up to the job and should be replaced.

Keith Croker, Kambah

It is not a sin to encourage workers to seek a well-paid job. Labor's only answer is to cap house prices and abolish negative gearing, driving up already inflated rents.

Johann Scheller, Forrest

The only workers with a good job paying good money at the moment must be the real estate agents.

Robyn Lewis, Raglan, NSW

COAL POWER

In extolling the virtues of coal to power his electric heat pump, Doug Hurst (Letters, June 8) is reducing a major global issue to a matter of personal convenience and damning future generations.

Patricia Saunders, Chapman

CLIMATE CHANGE

Are the lights going out because the Abbott government is switching them off, having at last seen the light on climate change?

Dennis Hale, Beecroft, NSW

READING AT WORK

The heightened poetic sensibility of Geoff Page (Letters, June 9) might see George Brandis as a possible path to literary largesse, but I agree with Jenny Madden (Letters, June 9) that reading a book of bush poetry in front of a senate committee is merely conservative arrogance.

Ian McFarlane, Wallaga Lake, NSW

FORGETTABLE

Jenny Madden, along with some others, was incensed by the "arrogance and contempt" displayed by George Brandis in reading some priestly doggerel during a Senate hearing.

Can anybody recall the eminently forgettable civil servant appearing at the time or the drivel they were presenting to the committee?

Gary J. Wilson, MacGregor

EUTHANASIA

David Swanton's article supporting euthanasia ("Euthanasia is about choice", Times2, June 8, p1) was a good one. But surely all that needs to be said is this: No person, including MPs, doctors, church leaders and judges, has the right to decide whether another individual is to live or die.

R.S. Gilbert, Braddon

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.

Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).