Letters to the editor: Flawed thinking continues

Shelving the new ACT Convention Centre which is economically feasible whilst proceeding with the Gungahlin to Civic light rail project which on any cost benefit analysis is not economically viable (other than on a purported value capture basis) starkly demonstrates flawed thinking.

A new convention centre would very significantly improve the ACT economy's revenue base by bringing in higher visitor numbers, which would provide increased hotel bed nights, increased spending in our local retail centres, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs, as well as in our many national institutions and memorials.

Instead the Barr government wants to continue to take the lazy way of ensuring future growth in the ACT revenue base by continuing to rely on massive above CPI increases in the forward years on ACT residential rates, levies, insurances, utility taxes and charges.

Many of these charges are already unique to the ACT amongst all other jurisdictions and I can't wait for the next few ACT budgets to see what new imposts the Barr government will announce to continue this very unfair approach.

Ron Edgecombe, Evatt

On a sweltering Sunday (February 5) my neighbour Linda was walking her rescued greyhound Millie by the lake near the Yarralumla dog exercise playground.

Millie was on leash but the two Alsatians who ran up and attacked her were not, tearing a chunk out of her side and leaving her bleeding and whimpering in fear on the ground.

There is extensive signage in the area about dogs needing to be on leash, ignored by the owner of the Alsatians, who when she saw the attack, simply walked away.

Millie is small for her breed and lost a lot of blood as she was rushed to Weston Creek Vet hospital for emergency treatment from Richard, a wonderfully caring vet, to be followed by surgery.

If the owner of the Alsatians that attacked Millie sees this, I hope she realises that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

Christina Faulk, Swinger Hill

I drive by one of Canberra's newest suburbs quite regularly and note with bewilderment the high number of McMansions being built.

These buildings represent cheap opulence and are the antithesis of a lifestyle that is consistent with meeting the challenges of climate change.

I wonder whether the kings and queens that inhabit these McMansions have heard of climate change and whether they have ever considered the impact of their lifestyle on residents of our neighbours in the Pacific who, because of climate change, will have no home.

Maybe they will share their homes with these refugees unless, true to form, the government turns them away.

I also question why the ACT government, with all its climate change credentials, is allowing these homes to be built.

Robyn Vincent, McKellar

Jennifer Rowland draws attention to the loss of trees in Northbourne Avenue as a result of preparations for building the tramway (letters, February 8), however, this would have happened in any case.

The ACT Liberals' proposal involved taking the width of a new bus lane off each side of the median strip, and building a 3-metre cycle path down the centre. Allowing a minimum offset of at least 2m leaves little space for trees, and certainly a large proportion of the trees could not have stayed in their current positions – even if the Liberals' claim that the strip is 26m wide was correct.

Dave Rowell, O'Connor

Only a few weeks ago Malcolm Turnbull called Australia a "robust democracy", but it is also a robust bureaucracy.

Parliament House currently advertises casual job vacancies for baristas and pastry chefs, but limits its applicant pool to Australian citizens. The Australian taxpayer is being forced to accept an inferior and/or costlier public employee from a smaller pool of applicants, lest we have an Italian making the coffee or a Frenchman baking the croissants.

As a British citizen I am keen to contribute to this country's government, but I am better off manufacturing red tape.

Michael Lane, Acton

Robert Willson's letter on Australian Muslims (letters, February 8) deserves the highest praise.

I was delighted by his acknowledgement of the great debt the modern world owes to Muslim scholars.

Europeans knew how far they lagged behind the Muslim world, they called it "latinorum penuria" (the poverty of the Latins).

Australia is uniquely placed to promote the shared humanity of us all.

Just to our north is the largest Muslim nation on Earth – Indonesia.

Yes we have had our quarrels — what family does not? The parallels between Europe of the 1930s and the world today are frighteningly close.

Demagogues spouting lies in simplistic phrases – promoting division, fear and even hatred.

If you think "demagogue" is too extreme, look up its meaning in a dictionary: "a leader who uses the passions or prejudices of the populace to further his or her own interests, an unprincipled popular orator or agitator" (Macquarie Dictionary, 5th Edition, p 448).

If ever there was a need to learn from history it is now.

Political engagement by the citizenry always trumps discord.

Rod Olsen, Flynn

The news that Ahmed Fahour, managing director of Australia Post, received a $4.4 million salary and a $1.2 million bonus is unsurprising. Mr Fahour is earning his money – hatchet men are generally well-paid.

He follows in the footsteps of American "Chainsaw" Al Dunlap, who made a fortune by being appointed as MD to unprofitable companies and immediately slashing costs by firing large numbers of (primarily low-level) staff, upon which profitability and share value improved dramatically. Within a short period, of course, the companies folded, having lost the ability to carry on their business but by that time the boards who'd appointed Dunlap, and Dunlap himself, had sold their previously almost worthless shares for a handsome profit.

Mr Fahour is doing a great job of driving Australia Post into the ground. In my case, a package posted in Darwin took seven weeks to arrive in Canberra; such stories are legion.

By the time the government puts Australia Post on the market, we'll have been so softened up by the appalling service that we'll be relieved rather than angry at the sale of yet another previously great Australian public asset.

Fred Pilcher, Kaleen

The reported salary of Ahmad Fahour only tells half the story on Australian Post. What about the board that recommends these salaries?

It appears that half of Australia Post's $36 million profit last year was distributed among six executives. Like the politicians who rort their entitlements, board members like this and those who determine excessive remuneration payouts in both business and politics, should be exposed and thrown out.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

Australia Post raised the price of ordinary postage stamps by over 40 per cent to $1 while slashing next work-day delivery down to "banana republic" wait and see when you get it, and a CEO is overpaid for that kind of pathetic service.

That service cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars: last year I received a Boroondara council rates notice a week after its July 19 date, which increased the value of my property by over $400,000.

I had sold my house without that valuable information on July 23. Had I had that new notice by July 22, I could have negotiated a far higher price.

Thanks a lot Australia Post.

John Dobinson, Brisbane, Qld

"OK everyone, get on your mopeds and in your vans and take stuff to the address written on it. Now where's my $5.6m?" Oh to be the head of Australia Post.

John Howarth, Weston

The boss of Telstra needs to get on his bike. We received a letter in January, 12 days after it was posted at Fyshwick.

C. Judd, Tuggeranong

The Prime Minister's comment that the chief executive of Australia Post is paid too highly suggests that the utterances of "Blind Freddy" are at last being carefully noted.

Ted Tregillgas, Flynn

I have just today (February 7) been refused entry to Parliament House because I was wearing a T-shirt with 'Justice for Refugees: End Detention Now' stamped on it.

I had come to Parliament House to see a petition handed in that was raised by an amazing 13-year-old boy who walked 1200 kilometres (39 days) from Adelaide to Canberra with his father, at the height of summer, to draw attention to the appalling plight of asylum seekers under Australian 'protection' in detention camps.

It's an indication of the level of embarrassment and the uneasy conscience of our leaders that they can't bear to be reminded of the blood on their hands by the sight of an elderly grandmother wearing a polite T-shirt. It is also an indictment of the repressive fascist tendencies of our present leaders on both sides of politics that freedom of expression in the most inoffensive guise is not allowed in the most hallowed symbol of democracy in the country.

Robyn Fetter, Downer

Why is our government determined to send Manus Island refugees to the US?

Is it because if Australia accepts them it will send the wrong message to the people smugglers?

But what message will be sent if we transfer them to the US? Is it because it will be a cheaper solution for Australia? How much will Trump ask to pay for honoring this agreement?

Is it because we are humanitarian and want to improve refugees' living conditions?

And what do we assume will be the conditions Trump will put them in?

Why is the Australian government playing with the lives of these people in such a dehumanised fashion.

There are laws aimed to prevent cruelty to animals, but there is no "Cruelty to refugees" law.

Eta Rogoyska, Giralang

Interesting reading in the Canberra Times ("AFP must pay union legal costs", February 3, p.8) that the AFP acted illegally in raiding the CMFEU premises in 2015.

This acknowledgement comes just days after the Prime Minister claimed the Labor Party was beholden to the CFMEU.

Made me think "Who is the AFP beholden to?"

Obviously not the Labor Party! Maybe the Prime Minister would like to comment! I doubt it.

Geoff Barker, Flynn

The royal commission's likely tip of the iceberg expose of entrenched, wide-spread sexual abuse by one of our more elaborate religious cults, suggests none of the abusers had enough religion to fear the wrath of their deity if they didn't keep their pants resolutely zippered.

Spare us now from the cult's representatives unctuously intoning the empty words "It will never happen again."

Because of course it will; such lessons are short-lived.

A. Whiddett, Yarralumla

Don't worry, Bart Meehan ('Trump, try thinking', Letters, February 7) I noticed a baseball cap the other day in the US with the slogan 'Make America Think Again'.

Michael Crowe, Hawker

HAVE A GO MALCOLM

If, as it seems, the Liberal Party is going to ditch Turnbull because he's not Tony Abbott. Malcolm should drive forward with what he believes in and if they sack him all well and good but at least he demonstrated that he had a go.

Jon Sloan, Nth Narooma, NSW

After the events of this week it is difficult to decide if the main problem with the Coalition is a weak leader or the bunch of ratbags he has to lead.

Roger Quarterman, Campbell

Perhaps Mr Turnbull should be reading the ominous signs from the yawning chasm opening up in his home suburb of Potts Point as a metaphor for his government and future career.

Peter M. Taylor, Midway Point, Tas.

INSENSITIVE GREED

Is Joe Hockey drawing a salary while on posting to Washington while also accessing his parliamentary superannuation? What government would allow this to happen at the same time it is applying cruel and vicious cuts to families?

Annie Lang, Kambah

CORY'S GOLDEN FRONT

Senator Cory Bernardi has more front than a "rat with a gold tooth".

Richard Ryan, Summerland Point, NSW

So many letters about a self-obsessed South Australian nobody and so few about the glaring monstrosity which is the Catholic Church.

Peter Moran, Watson

SEND HANSON SIDEWAYS

I have been staggered to hear a great many people express a belief that Pauline Hanson would make a credible Prime Minister. The time may be fast approaching to promote her sideways, give her the next Governor Generalship.

Matt Ford, Crookwell, NSW

DEPRESSING NEGLECT

It's more than three weeks since a severe storm hit the central Canberra area yet fallen trees and broken branches continue to litter roadsides throughout the area, adding to the already depressing air of neglect and abandonment of our once beautiful city. When will these branches be taken away and why is it taking so long?

Frances Cornish, Spence

ISRAEL'S 'ROBBERY BILL'

Even a member of the Israeli Government, Benny Begin, has labelled the law allowing the state to seize West Bank land owned by Palestinians as "the robbery bill". The Israeli powers do not want a two-state solution. They want a one-state solution – Israel.

Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

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