Abbott's political legacy does Australia no favours

This moral vacuum is epitomised by two of their leaders and past prime ministers of the country. John Howard took us into the disaster of the Middle East in a episode of total incompetence.

Now we have Tony Abbott preaching anti-refugee policies for Europe while advocating continuing bombardment and therefore slaughter in the Middle East. Abbott should be home representing his electorate, not gallivanting around the world as a discredited and incompetent Australian prime minister.

Patrick O'Hara, Isaacs

Tony Abbott's political legacy is an Australia that is cowed and intimidated, trembling even before 12-year-olds. A recent Pew Research Centre study finds that 69per cent of Australians think Islamic State is the greatest global threat – when most countries are more worried about climate change.

Having grown up in a Britain under regular attack by IRA bombers, I cannot help but contrast the stoic and methodical determination of Britons to deal with this much larger threat with the hyperventilation of the "Australian terrorism industry", which is dedicated to inflaming our fears, giving oxygen to unworthy causes, stoking racial and religious prejudice in the none-too-smart sections of the community, spying on absolutely everyone, and progressively eliminating our traditional freedoms.

Merely applying the emotive term "terror" – on Abbott's lips many times, in the Murdoch press daily – lends support, encouragement and credibility to ratbags. To them it delivers glamour, publicity, money, confidence and recruits.

By exaggerating their significance, it makes "terrorism" a self-fulfilling prophecy. We should contrast this with the level of threat faced by countries that never became entangled in futile Middle Eastern escapades.

It's time to realise that "terrorism" is a western-manufactured fear industry, not an eastern political philosophy. And Abbott, for one, is now cashing in on the paranoia he helped foment, by charging $40k a gig to scare the bejesus out of any audiences dumb enough to pay it. Happy Halloween, folks.

Julian Cribb, Franklin

N. Bailey (Letters, October 28) wonders why I have a problem with even the idea that Tony Abbott could be earmarked for the Vatican as Australia's ambassador.

This week, we heard Abbott's address to the Margaret Thatcher Institute and he answered Bailey's questions. There is a lack of Christian principles on display almost every time he opens his mouth; no compassion, no humility, no mercy.

He represents neither Christian nor Australian values and would therefore be a cynical choice to represent us anywhere.

W. Book, Hackett

Show us the form

Finance Department Secretary Jane Halton says she has to fill out her name "25 times" on government forms ("Great revolution' to ease the form-filling burden", October 28, p1). I don't think significant policy decisions should be made on the basis of hyperbole or exaggeration.

On very rare occasions, I have had to fill out such details two or even three times and, although frustrating, seems to me to be something that is fixable. If Ms Halton has to fill out her details on a form "25 times", I'd love to know the specifics. Otherwise, let's make decisions based on factual information.

Gordon Fyfe, Kambah

Detail overkill

I commend Jane Halton and Barbara Belcher for wanting to cut public time-wasting with meaningless form filling. Can I suggest that when next they return from travel overseas they scrutinise the "Ebola" arrival form, which is sponsored, I presume, by the Department of Health. Travellers returning to Australia are handed this form and are told they are obliged to complete it despite every item of information on the form already also being required on the passenger arrival card and the "Africa" question also being asked at the smart gate entry kiosk where passports are checked (for Australians anyway).

Having passed through both Sydney and Melbourne international airports in recent times clutching this critical document I have noted that no official ever requests it. At least at Sydney they helpfully provide a box for you to toss it into once you pass through the Customs check.

With 17 million airport arrivals each year, how much is this exercise in seemingly meaningless duplication costing us taxpayers?

Colin Trinder, O'Connor

Place for scientists What a great insightful letter by Julian Cribb (October 27). Starting when R.G. Menzies would not allow the PMG (now Telstra) to start up a telecommunications manufacturing industry in Australia (when we had the best telecommunication engineers in the world) successive LNP and ALP governments have done us a disservice with their lack of initiative. I agree with Mr Cribb about the dearth of professions such as scientists and engineers in parliament – perhaps they feel they would need to dumb down to get preselection in our two major parties. Older scientists and engineers – please nominate as candidates for parliament as independents. You will have more supporters than you think.

Max Jensen, Chifley

PM up to the task

Cynthia Moloney's observation (Letters, October 27) that God's in his heaven and Malcolm Turnbull's administration down here will make everything right for Oz leads one to wonder how it can be suggested God's administration of his imperfect creation of suffering man, bird and beast can set anything right for Australia.

Malcolm's task is to set about repairing as much as possible of God's maladministration. I believe he will do this.

Richard Dixon, Lyons

Can we blame God?

I would like to assure Father Robert Willson (Letters, October 28) that I would certainly prefer to believe that creation was "a mere cosmic coincidence, an accident with no meaning or purpose" than believe that God created the great raft of diseases, pests, parasites, predators and natural disasters that cause such horror throughout the world. Even Homo sapiens has many terrible traits that surely cannot be attributed to God.

Murray Upton, Belconnen

School let down

I was very disappointed to read that the Canberra School of Music is going to lose another talented member ("School of Music teacher quits citing toxic culture", October 27, p1).

The decision-makers responsible for the school's demise should issue a public apology and donate some of their large salary to the school as they have failed, on an epic scale, to live up to their CV claims that they are effective managers and communicators.

Peter Sherman, Aranda

Label unhelpful

John Howarth (Letters, October 29) acknowledges that others are "entitled to their opinion" regarding Canberra Grammar's plan to be enroll girls in its senior school, but the clear implication of the rest of the sentence is "so long as it accords with mine".

The blanket labelling as "sexist" of anyone who may be dismayed by the decision of the school's board, which took many parents completely by surprise, is not helpful. Ironically, one of the virtues of Canberra Grammar is that students are taught the distinction between argument and venting, something that is essential for a genuine commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Although I have some concerns about the school's decision, I want to be part of a constructive conversation about it.

Heather Neilson, Aranda

Parents continue to have excellent choices about where to send their children (Grammar goes co-ed, but girls will be girls", October 28, p 1) in both the government and non-government sectors. Parents should also be aware though, that at present Grammar year 12 students undertake the NSW HSC system to generate most student's ATARs (some students do the IB) and do not use the ACT senior secondary system based on continuous assessment.

Gerard Ryan, Merici College teacher , Turner

Double standards

In the past few months, The Canberra Times has carried reports of highly publicised police raids on unions arising from allegations at the royal commission into union "corruption". Pushing the limits of the search warrants has been alleged in many of these cases.

In the same period, corporations such as 7-Eleven, Baiada and others have been exposed for and admitted to stealing wages from workers, especially those on 457 visas. When the unions warned of this type of danger in relation to the China FTA they were accused of racism.

So where were the police in these cases? Nowhere to be seen! Just thought I would point this out in case anyone was wondering in whose interest this country is really run.

Ric Innes, Weetangera

Baseball brickbat

Reading "Having a ball at the game (Times2, October 27, p13) I could not work out if the baseball was at Golgotha or Little Big Horn. Then, later this week, ABC newsreader Virginia Haussegger referred to the the Canberra Cavalry as "the Canberra Calvary". Remember these guys carry baseball bats and may not be prepared to turn the other cheek.

Denis Waters, Nicholls

Water our lifeblood

Fundamental to our nation are secure food, water, energy and transport. Trading water rights as a commodity on the open market cedes control of our water to investors, not our growers. The Murray Darling is the life of our food supply and national security. We do not want to be net importers of food. The consequences of loss would be profound for Australia.

Lynne Wilkinson, Murrumbateman, NSW

ABBOTT BORDER ALERT

Could we please have our border protection forces on high alert to prevent the return of the abominable Tony Abbott from overseas.

Judy Kelly, Aranda

SIMILAR FLAGS ARE OK

Graeme Barrow (Letters, October 28) suggests that the New Zealand and Australian flags, being so alike, will look a strange and comical sight at Twickenham, as he urges Malcolm Turnbull to push for a new flag. The French and Russian flags are virtually identical, but none of their citizens feel diminished in any way. Grow up, Mr Barrow.

John Burns, Hall

For Graeme Barrow's information, there are a number of countries whose flags are similar. Singapore and Indonesia, for example. The Australian and New Zealand flags differ in that the former has one more star. Go the Wallabies!

Margaret Tuckwell, Aranda

HEAD TO THE BOOKIES

Just when I was getting worried by the Liberal resurgence under Malcolm Turnbull, along comes Malcolm Mackerras ("Turnbull as safe bet to win election in 2016 and 2019", Times2, October 28, p5). You can take his predictions to your preferred bookie, folks. The Liberals are gone now!

Owain Price, Scullin

PLEASANT SEND-OFF

I was delighted to hear the NSW Railway Band performing on the concourse of Sydney Central Station while boarding the Canberra train this week. A unique and pleasant addition to the journey!

William J. Fraser, Holder

A WOLF REVEALED

Here I was thinking our new Prime Minister was Prince Charming, but his embrace of coal means he is the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. Our "Goldilocks" planet faces dire consequences.

Andrea Leuning, Lyneham

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