The Barr government has bent over backwards to accommodate the needs of sporting organisations, such as the Brumbies, but has a long record of ignoring the arts. This attitude is regularly on show at the annual Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards, the biggest night on the Canberra Theatre calendar.

The CATs always pack out their venue, the Llewellyn Hall (and previously the Canberra Theatre). Many CAT award winners have gone to achieve on the national and international stage and screen and have been great ambassadors for the wider Canberra region. To the best of my knowledge, over the decade I have been in the CAT audience, the ALP has never been represented by its senator, any of its MHRs, or any of its frontbenchers from the Assembly.

Thankfully, Mary Porter, a backbencher, regularly attends and personally sponsors a scholarship. By contrast, when in office, senator Gary Humphreys regularly attended and spoke. Coalition Assembly frontbenchers, such as Brendan Smyth, regularly attend and since his election, the member for Monaro, John Barilaro has attended and sponsored an award.

Andrew Barr may consider that those who perform in and appreciate the arts are left-wingers whose votes he can rely on. I wouldn't count on it.

Mike Reddy, Curtin

David Pope's brilliant editorial cartoons in The Canberra Times are always topical and entertaining. He has surpassed his talents with his depiction of Joy Burch taking "time out" in her "sanctuary withdrawal space" (Times2, December 17, p1). Brilliant.

Andrew Barr should stop defending this non-performer. She is a complete embarrassment.

Yvette Berry is waiting for her chance and should be given the opportunity.

Heather McMillan, Greenway

I was listening on Monday morning to highly paid journalists on ABC Radio National questioning Labor politicians about the level of penalty rates paid to the lowest-paid workers in the country. They've been implying, seemingly in line with the government's position, that this practice is a heinous crime against the capitalist imperative.

Time and an half on Saturday, double time on Sunday? My wife, who works part-time in retail, is paid ordinary time on Saturday and time and a half on Sunday. Does she really want to work on Sundays? Probably not. Would more people be encouraged to work on Sunday if ordinary pay rates applied? I doubt it.

Screwing the powerless seems to be the main aim of the game these days. Cut wage rates, levy co-payments and leave the non-taxpaying capitalists to get on with the job. Whatever happened to the ideal of a fair go?

Dick Parker, Page

A number of issues raised by Elizabeth Farrelly ("Not the lucky country for all", Times2, December 17, p4) covering the disappearance of decency in Australian society may be

disputed, but one area of general agreement is that there are

no circumstances where violence against women is acceptable.

The headmaster of The King's School in Sydney has identified pornography as a significant factor in this intolerable behaviour and Martin Fisk, CEO of Menslink, makes the point that "through film, video games and online pornography, our young men are bombarded with messages telling them violence delivers results, that women are objects, that they need to dominate sexual relationships." ("Films giving wrong message", Times2 p4, November 30, p4).

It is a pity Elizabeth Farrelly makes no reference to these triggers. Until an outcry against media violence and pornography leads to their reduction or eradication, I fear there will be little improvement in the incidence of domestic violence.

Eric French, Higgins

Before indulging in his splenetic attack on as well-respected an expert as Will Steffen, Stan Marks (Letters, December 17) would have benefited from the application of some elementary reasoning.

As he correctly points out, the electricity market and the electrons that flow through it are un-partitioned and undifferentiated. So, too, is the atmosphere that must absorb the resulting emissions.

Because the ACT will calculate its electricity usage and commission 90per cent of that amount to be generated by renewable technologies then that much electricity will be "green" and will, therefore, not be "black", regardless of where it may have happened to be generated.

As noted, the atmosphere won't care.

Because it will form part of the quantum of the territory's energy usage, the electricity that runs the light rail will also be 90per cent renewable. And, as noted, the operator will be required to make up the remaining 10per cent through purchasing additional green power through an accredited scheme.

The net result for the atmosphere will indeed be a proportional reduction in emissions and Will Steffen's argument is obviously sound. But I think we really all knew that, didn't we?

Felix MacNeill, Dickson

Will Steffen's article on the benefits of light rail ("The climate benefits of light rail are real – and huge", Times 2 December 16, p5) is seriously flawed. He compares the Capital Metro Light Rail project emission reductions with "the business-as-usual case with no light rail".

The comparison should have been with the use of rapid-transport electric buses. For the cost of the Gungahlin tram that will only replace a single bus route, the whole of Canberra could benefit from the switch to an electric bus system. It would also deliver "the efficient resilient, carbon-free" system that Professor Steffen seeks to promote. There would be a greater reduction in emissions and, more importantly, far less environmental and economic damage to the city.

Murray Upton, Belconnen

Simon Corbell rejects trolley buses due to "visual clutter". A trolley bus requires two overhead wires, a tram one.

Buses with on-board batteries could make a Northbourne Avenue dedicated bus lane wire-free with overhead wires only required along Flemington Road.

Alan Lay, O'Connor

The question is not whether John Howard loved or hated the Lodge ("'It was very comfortable': Howard insists he didn't hate the Lodge", December 18, p1), but why he was able to live at Kirribilli House for the 11 years of his prime ministership at who knows what expense to the taxpayer. In doing so he showed his contempt for Canberra and thumbed his nose at the symbolic importance of the prime minister of the day living in the country's national capital in the house provided for him by the Commonwealth.

Mr Turnbull plans to use the Lodge whenever he feels like it before scuttling back to Sydney. But at least he will Iive in his own house, and not bludge on the taxpayer by taking over Kirribilli.

Why does the Commonwealth own two Sydney properties in Kirribilli and Admiralty House? Both should be sold so that no longer must the taxpayer fork out countless thousands of dollars to provide second residences for the Prime Minister and the Governor-General. Prime ministers should not be part-time tenants at the Lodge. They should live there full time.

Graeme Barrow, Hackett

In response to John Howard (Letters, December 19) and his stated fondness for the Lodge, why did he make Sydney's Kirribilli House his main residence? Mr Howard cost taxpayers $7million during his term using a taxpayer-funded RAAF private jet to traverse between his two places of residence. There was also the added cost of extra security details. A gross waste of taxpayers' money when a home was provided for him in Canberra.

Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South, NSW

I have no argument with John Howard's recollection of his enjoyment during his "part-time" tenure of the Lodge.

Better still though my memories of his eviction are far more fulfilling.

Linus Cole, Palmerston

Perhaps federal politicians need to be reminded that, for the most part, their opinions are just as diverse and certainly no more valuable or informed than the opinions of the rest of the community.

When the head of ASIO, Duncan Lewis, gives advice regarding the security of our country, how dare they believe that their opinions are more valid than his experience and considered advice ("Liberal infighting over ASIO chief's 'intervention", December 18, p5. He was employed because of his experience, skills and, let's not forget, attitude.

We have had far too many comments and speeches from people, including our former prime minister and the radio shock jocks that incite division in our communities, and I suspect that, like me, many people feel that his advice to these people is long overdue.

Surely the head of ASIO would be remiss in his or her duty if they failed to warn us of the potential danger such behaviour has in radicalising isolated or vulnerable members of the community.

Malcolm Turnbull was right in defending the head of ASIO, but neglected to add that his right to give advice to any Australian citizen comes not just from his experience but also from his office, and he should be free to give this advice in a frank and fearless manner.

V. Merritt, Canberra

The editorial "Outed: the firms that pay no tax" (Forum, December 19, p5) prompted me to ask this question: why do companies pay tax on profits but individuals pay tax on income?

After all, companies consume public goods and services provided by taxes. They would be hard pressed to function without the legal system, the police, security, diplomacy, road transport etc. We know how they feel when some of their customers fail to pay up regularly. I am supportive of previous writers suggesting that changes to company taxation include some form of income tax to cover their use of public goods and services.

James Walcott, Mawson

Last week, my daughter, who lives in London, received a tax bill of $152 for her meagre investment account in Australia. The bill was paid immediately, but today an identical bill arrived requesting immediate payment.

Last week, the facts and figures on those large companies who have paid no tax and those who have paid a small sum of tax were released.

This scenario explains why Australia is in such a financial mess.

The Treasurer and his cronies are still trying to rip off the vulnerable and the easy targets, while those at the big end of town are contributing nothing to the economy ("Tax transparency: Coalition urged to target biggest companies", canberratimes.com.au, December 17).

Robyn Lewis, Raglan, NSW

This mindless hatred of Tony Abbott by the left will never stop. They will hound him to the grave. Now we have this mischievous "poll" ("Abbott must go, say most voters in his electorate", December 19, p5) by Mark Kenny. Talk about putting the boot into the man while he is down.

Shame, Mr Kenny. One would have expected perhaps a smidgen of common decency at Christmas. Most of Mr Abbott's supporters dearly hope that he will remain in Parliament as a small antidote to that leftist usurper we are now stuck with.

R.C.Warn, Weston

Amin Saikal returns yet again to his tired old hobbyhorse – that the woes of the Middle East will only sort themselves out if those Israelis would just stop their "brutal treatment" of the poor, blameless Palestinians. As if Islamic State would stop wanting a caliphate, or Sunni jihadis would cease flocking there to battle Shiites and Alawites, if Israel gave the Palestinians a state.

Saikal ignores the fact that Israel has actually made the Palestinians three generous offers of a state, to no avail. Again, he refers to east Jerusalem as the third holiest site of Muslims, without mentioning it contains the holiest site for Jews.

And, as usual, he backs his sophistry with a litany of claims against Israel that are, at best, half-truths with no context. Israel doesn't shoot Palestinians dead on sight. It prefers to arrest them, but will shoot them if necessary to defend against violent attacks.

It does arrest some children, but these are involved in terrorism, and in Australia, we also arrest children if they've committed a crime.

Is this the standard of analysis Professor Saikal provides to his students?

Jamie Hyams, senior policy analyst, Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, Melbourne

Amin Saikal may well be right in stating that the Saudi Arabia's coalition initiative, calling for Muslim countries to fight terrorism, is shrouded in uncertainty ("Will the new alliance work?" Times 2, December 18, p1).

If the Saudis' intention were to rescue Iraq and Syria from the wicked and inhumane action of terrorists, why on earth have the two countries been excluded from the alliance?

Could it be because of the close ties Iraq and Syria have with Iran – a Shiite country, which is challenging Saudi Arabia for dominance of the region.

I am afraid that until the Sunni/Shiite hatred of each other subsides, terrorism in the region will continue to flourish.

Sam Nona, Burradoo, NSW

Bravo Jenny Goldie for telling Australia to support the Paris climate-change agreement, both nationally and internationally (Letters, December 20).

Bravo Malcolm Turnbull for telling us to be "innovative and nimble". Let the federal government combine these aspirations by making an agreement with Adani to drop its Carmichael mine proposal and, instead, jointly develop a major Indo-Australian renewable energy industry using, as start-up, all the Australian billions to be wasted on subsidies for the ports, railway lines and fuel, etc for the new mine. This would provide India with renewable energy and Australia with new-age jobs.

A win-win-win opportunity for everyone.

Adrian Gibbs, Yarralumla

THE REVENUE PROBLEM

Memo to Treasurer Scott Morrison. There is a revenue problem. It's what's not being collected from your mates at the big end of town! Pity you can't hide it any more.

R. Richards, Weston

Maybe if Scott Morrison followed Abraham Lincoln's advice, "government should do for the people what they can't do for themselves, and no more", it would make it easier to reduce the deficit.

Owen Reid, Dunlop

MERRY-GO-ROUND

I hope our lovely Civic carousel remains where it is, where everyone can enjoy its happy and bright presence. Moving it to Glebe Park would deprive many workers and shoppers of the simple pleasure of slowing their pace to listen to its familiar tunes and to watch others having fun on their horses or elephants.

Kit Huang, Yarralumla

RELIGION NOT TO BLAME

I don't agree with Peter Marshall (Letters, December 18) that religion causes wars. Wars are caused by the desire, which is innate in mammals, to subjugate or kill competitors. Throughout history, religion has been used to unite and encourage people in war; but non-religious ideologies, such as communism, can be used for the same purpose.

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

AN ISSUE OF PERCEPTION

The answer, W.Book (Letters, December 16), is easy: "Perception is reality." Rightly or wrongly, the perception is that police wear masks because their duties require them to, while the perception of (any) women similarly dressed is that she is doing so for religious purposes, that she is different, and so is "threatening".

Trevor McPherson, Aranda

GOING NATIVE

There has been a debate about whether to get a reusable plastic tree or a cut-down pine tree for a Christmas tree. We have found that the best solution is to decorate an Australian native growing in our front garden. That way it can be enjoyed by the neighbours and by us and is an environmentally friendly Australian Christmas tree.

Karen Dahl, Forrest

RISKY POSE

Tim the Yowie Man and his new best friend, both draped over the aircraft ("Sapphire shark patrol", Panorama, December 19, pp30-31), would do well to abide by the old airmanship principle "always treat a propeller as though the ignition might be on, and the motor hot", never lean on it, it just might fire up! Learnt that one at Point Cook 66 years ago.

Norman Lee, Weston

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