Call for an 'Abbott-proof fence'

The reply was an emphatic "no", followed by the comment: "We are thinking of erecting an Abbott-proof fence around the Embassy."

Later in further discussion involving an elder, caretaker, Marbk, the following points, relevant to Mr Abbott's new role were made.

When he was prime minister and also minister for Indigenous affairs there were savage cuts in expenditure, which impacted most severely on remote and impoverished Aboriginal communities.

A result of this "special" treatment is a growing incidence amongst Aboriginal children of lethal diseases of extreme poverty, such as rheumatic fever. A condition no longer occurring in the general population.

Marbk said Aboriginal people saw Mr Abbott's appointment, as their envoy, as a return to old, failed policies whereby governments appointed mission supervisors and protectors of Aboriginals.

These people held extraordinary powers over the daily lives of Aboriginal people, so that they were reduced in status to being less than human.

Aboriginals were subjected to these policies, but have no say in their making, nor in the selection of the people who were given powers over them.

He asked the question: "Which other national group, on my land, are subject to laws which give powers to people who are not of their nation to control their daily lives?"

He concluded by saying that under allodial title the federal government does not have jurisdiction to make this appointment.

It is regarded as an insult to Aboriginal people.

Mike Morriss, Curtin

It's a regrettable fact that Australian governments seem now prepared to go to almost any length to stay in office.

But even if that premise is accepted, the tactic currently being pursued by the Coalition sets a new low in Australian politics and presents a serious threat to parliamentary democracy in this country.

No doubt the architects of Coalition policy regard their tactic of governing in loco Laboris (in the place of the ALP) as a brilliant stroke.

It may even suit some in the ALP who welcome the unprecedented opportunity to govern the country vicariously, without any of the pain or responsibility that usually attend that process.

Nevertheless, it's unacceptable that an incumbent government should attempt to retain office by simulating its opposition, thereby confusing the electorate, disorienting and even seducing their opponents, and pre-empting the accession of an alternative government.

The ALP has as much right as any other party to govern this country.

The Coalition's attempt to deny the ALP that right in such an ignominious manner deserves the condemnation of all Australians.

G. Joseph, Hackett

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is isolated and up against powerful forces that favour government intervention.

He is assisting them in some areas (health, education and population policy) which weakens his efforts in other areas (energy, industrial relations and federal debt).

Morrison has not rallied his party or the general public in favour of pro-market policies.

Our form of government does not restrain the capture of economic, energy and social policy by special interests.

No matter how the next election turns out Australians can expect a bigger and more expensive and intrusive government.

Liberal and Labor are on a unity ticket: unsettle bourgeois property owners.

The Coalition's promiscuous love affair with big government has been to the detriment of consumers, wage earners, taxpayers and savers. Had the Howard/Abbott/Turnbull governments cut taxes, government spending and regulations we would be in much better shape with higher real wages, less debt, more privacy and a more predictable legal order.

Victor Diskordia, McKellar

Most people agree that federal ministers have a right, perhaps a duty, to override departmental decisions in some circumstances.

A majority may believe that Peter Dutton was fair in his treatment of the two (or three?) au pairs for whom he has intervened.

But nobody believes that we all have equal access to this excellent service. Will someone please send me the phone number to which I may apply in emergency?

If it is not available to us all then Minister Dutton still has questions to answer.

Regardless of how friendly the people involved are or were with the minister, the fact remains that these people had access that most of us don't.

The government has responded to all criticism on this matter with versions of the obvious but irrelevant points in my first para.

They are not the issue. Access to the minister is the issue. In the absence of equal ministerial access (and other similar inequalities), the 1 per cent will continue to run the country with enviable ease.

Julian Robinson, Narrabundah

I cannot but think that Roman Quaedvlieg's opinion piece ("Dutton put to fair-go test", Forum, September 8, p.10) would have had a deal more impact and credibility were it not for three rather key matters.

First, someone dismissed for getting his girlfriend a job in the organisation he headed is hardly in a place to talk about what's fair.

Second, he brings the story of refugee children to the debate, ignoring the fact that he was apparently very happy to take a massive salary to implement the very policy he now raises.

Finally, the whole issue of Dutton's alleged favourable treatment of a friend rests on Quaedvlieg's own testimony of phone calls which has been demonstrated to have been false and based on his "hazy" memory of dates.

Dutton's actions might be questioned, but I don't think Quaedvlieg is a particularly helpful witness for the prosecution, and perhaps he would be better off avoiding further comment on the issue.

Kym MacMillan, O'Malley

To restore diminishing faith in our democratic system the pirates currently operating in our country must be bought to account and jailed .

The findings of the banking and insurance royal commission are staggering.

Fines are paid for by shareholders, not individual offenders.

The current watchdogs are mostly compromised with no teeth or budgets to enforce thelaw.

They need more teeth.

Until we have a government that is not in the pocket of the big players things won't change nor will faith in government.

Colin Handley, Lyneham

How well prepared is the ACT to protect residents and key assets if there are wildfires this bushfire season?

Perhaps the 10 fire fighters who recently returned from the US could have the opportunity to freely express their views?

Of particular concern to ACT residents are practices and issues relating to evacuation procedures and communications and cleared space around key facilities and, where relevant, suburbs.

What studies have been done in the ACT on potential difficulties of evacuation from high-risk suburbs such as Bruce? The labyrinth of internal roads and the limited number of exits could make evacuation problematic.

What is the wisdom of having bushland next to key facilities such as the Calvary Hospital complex?

The ACT Strategic Bushfire Management Plan 2014-2019 acknowledges the growing number of extreme bushfires in Australia may require "a significant reappraisal of the assumptions underlying current bushfire management" (page 22).

Overseas experience of wildfires in both America and Europe this past summer, and the prospects we face in Australia, point to the urgent need for some radical lateral thinking through of the issues affecting Canberra as the bush capital.

G. Mannall, O'Connor

The hard-hitting speech in New York on Monday by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, demands consideration by us all.

Guterres said "Climate change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. If we do not change course by 2020, we risk missing the point where we can avoid runaway climate change, with disastrous consequences for people and all the natural systems that sustain us ... Climate change is moving faster than we are and its speed has provoked a sonic boom SOS across the world... We stand at an existential crossroad and need to master the full force of human ingenuity to avoid catastrophe."

In Australia, we are a witnessing a disastrous failure of political leadership on this issue, which threatens the very future of human civilisation and could change life expectancy for our children.

We should, and could be at the leading edge of ambitious mitigation action of the kind referred to by the secretary-general.

We know what needs to be done (see www.humansforsurvival,org ) and there is unequivocal evidence that Australians want it done.

Perhaps this emergency requires a government of national unity to remove vital decision making from the diabolical, political one upmanship that is dogging us at present.

Bob Douglas, Bruce

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is quite right to want immigration to be focused on regional cities and towns rather than cities such as Sydney and Melbourne ("PM flags overhaul of migration rules", September 9, p1 and p3).

However, this continent is the driest, in terms of rainfall, on Earth. The water factor alone severely limits Australia's population carrying capacity.

Australia also has a comparatively small total area of arable food-producing land.

Significant parts of this are being swallowed up, at increasing rates, by urban expansion, especially in the Sydney and Melbourne areas.

The food issue further limits the country's carrying capacity unless we are prepared — and can afford — to import large amounts of food. To do so would cancel out much of the financial gains from immigration.

It is foolish for Australia to have a policy of what is effectively infinite population growth, especially in a country like ours.

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

My issue with tipping (Letters, September 7) is that it's taken for granted in certain workplaces — particularly taxis, restaurants and hair salons.

I've been in taxis where the driver has been surly and disinterested; yet they've become openly indignant about not getting a tip, or at least "rounding up" the fare to the nearest $10.

It's similar with restaurants — why should poor, careless attention be rewarded? Tips are supposed to be a personal thank you for exceptional service, not a mandatory extra payment for just doing your job.

I'm even confused about why other service employees like retail workers, pharmacy assistants, travel consultants and real estate agents shouldn't automatically expect a tip? Usually their assistance is far more valuable than waiters or hair stylists.

Why is tipping "expected" in certain workplaces, but not others?

I've had friends who work in restaurants tell me personally that their boss won't pay them more because "the tips are so good".

Bill Johnson, Wanniassa

R. Webb (Letters, September 14) whilst you are clear about the compulsory voting age, I don't share that clarity. I don't doubt that the young people on Q&A; were articulate and well informed.

But 16 and 17-year-olds are not yet able to drink, probably only on learner driver's permits and not able to get married.

All for good reason. They are still growing up.

This does not mean they can't hold strong opinions, but but the responsibility for voting is for adults, not children.

Their turn will come.

One thing that is clear is that compulsory voting in Australia is a privilege, a responsibility and every adult citizen's contribution to the running of our democracy.

To suggest those 70 or over "step back" and no longer need contribute to the electoral process is patronising in the extreme.

Are we no longer affected by government decisions?

No longer able to think clearly?

No longer able to hold a view and feel deeply about it and how our society should function?

I wonder how old you are R. Webb?

I will never take that responsibility and privilege lightly, nor will I relinquish it.

Judy Aulich, Giralang

Johanna Owens (Letters, September 12) and Paul Bolitho (Letters, September 14) are in general agreement that politicians should vote in accordance with their electorate's wishes.

Statesman, politician, author and political theorist Edmund Burke disagreed with the concept of MPs being mere delegates to Parliament, judging by an excerpt from a speech made following his election to the seat of Bristol in 1774: "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinions."

Bill Deane, Chapman

GILLARD HAS SHOWN GRACE

There is one former PM in the past few years who has not sniped at her successors.

Thank you Julia Gillard you have shown grace and style.

Karen Leyden, Canberra

TRY TO KEEP UP PLEASE

I hear that in order to test patient's memory following brain surgery neurosurgeons are no longer asking, "who is the Australian Prime Minister?"

John Sandilands, St Marys, Tas

LUCKY DARKLE

"Canberra's zoo is mourning the loss of one of it oldest residents, Darkle the brown bear. Darkle's health had been deteriorating for the past few weeks and a decision was made to put the elderly bear to sleep". ("Zoo grieves Darkle", September 14, p6). We live in a strange society when we have more compassion for Darkle the brown bear than we do for our own citizens, many of whom would also welcome being put to sleep when their health deteriorates beyond the point of no return.

Murray Upton, Belconnen

BEASTLY PLAN

The AFL's 6-6-6 plan is the work of the devil.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

THANKS IN ORDER

I am writing to thank Transport Canberra for their efficiency in returning lost property to me this week.

M. Kaya, Phillip

ATTACK OUTRAGEOUS

The neo-Nazi attack on Mike Kelly's office is a bloody disgrace.

M. Moore, Bonython

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