Letters to the Editor: True colours of those who would tar others

Brace yourselves, everyone, for this endless Republican propaganda.

Is it un-Australian Gina Rinehart, worth $18.6 billion, got a job because she took over from her father, Lang Hancock, the mining magnate?

Her wealth is estimated at $18.6 billion, compared with Prince Charles' mother, the Queen's $500 million. Is it un-Australian for members of the David Jones family to inherit and be employed in their family business for generations?

Is it un-Australian for Lachlan Murdoch to get a job due to his father, the newspaper magnate Rupert Murdoch, or James Packer to get a job because of his father, Kerry Packer, and Peter Fox, the son of Lindsay Fox of the Linfox Australia Transport.

The list goes into hundreds and thousands and probably millions of Australians who got jobs because of their parent.

What is really un-Australian is people spreading misleading and false information for political gain.

Penelope Upward, O'Connor

The development of the Monash Forum within the ranks of the Coalition MPs is welcome news indeed. It's time the limitations of renewable energy were called out. What many fail to realise is renewables can't meet Australia's future energy demands. You simply can't run a modern economy with renewable energy, even with battery back-up.

The reason why coal and gas are still popular around the world is because they supply the power to run reliable and cheap baseload power.

Renewable energy can only supply expensive intermittent power. Coal is still in huge demand overseas and there are more than 1000 fossil-fuel power stations planned for construction.

Over the next five years we are going to bring into Australia more than 1 million new arrivals, and on top of this where is the power going to come from to power electric vehicles, as pushed by the Greens? The consensus science view on climate change needs to be challenged. According to the NIPCC, the elevated levels of carbon dioxide do not pose a threat to the environment. In fact, CO2 is actually good for the greening of the planet as it means more bountiful crop yields. The elevated levels of CO2 over the past three decades have seen temperatures go sideways. Even if CO2 rose by more than 30 per cent it would only result in a minuscule rise in temperature and would pose no threat to the planet. As for controlling temperature, remember King Canute?

Alan Barron, Grovedale, Vic

DFAT's attempt to scare Australians from visiting or staying in Russia, under the guise of departmental travel advice, can't but be interpreted as political propaganda – towards the fullest possible isolation and demonisation of Russia – by anyone who knows well the country and its people.

This artful strategy is not even disguised, Aussies being preciously reminded to "avoid protests and demonstrations, and commenting publicly on political developments".

As if these were appropriate activities for foreign guests in any country.

DFAT must be thinking of the 2014 revolution in Ukraine, when US and European diplomats and politicians addressed crowds, shook anti-government hands, handed out food and acted as local opposition leaders, with breathtaking arrogance and sense of global entitlement.

Can you believe, one isn't even allowed such sentiments now, in repressive, vengeful Russia?

It's sad to see even DFAT succumb professionally to our rip-roaring domestic politicisation of the executive arm.

Alex Mattea, Kingston

Yes, 5G communication promises much to consumers and the Internet Of Things.

However, English-speaking states' security agencies have been quite fussed about the opportunity for non-English-speaking states' manufacturers of equipment to deliver insecure products and services. Post-Trump and Brexit, they're very worried.

Reports suggest that English-speaking states will resort to bans of 5G products from non-English-speaking states. Such xenophobia is inappropriate.

Where is the evidence that English-speaking states are investing in international standards, with certification services to verify the quality of these products and services?

I agree that it's much easier – i.e. lazy – to be xenophobic, but such a stance is not cheaper, does not improve privacy, nor security, and has the obvious reaction of excluding "our" products from "their" markets, too.

Open international standards, supported by certification, will overcome these trade barriers, just as the ISO kilogram has.

Richard Horobin, Curtin

Congratulations to the Gold Coast for crafting and presenting such an authentically Australian opening ceremony for the 21st Commonwealth Games.

It was engaging, respectful, exuberant, visually spectacular and, most of all, unifying; in particular, how refreshing was it to see both Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers singing both verses of the national anthem with their hands on their hearts? The Greens must have been apoplectic!

At this time in our civil history, when Australia Day is annually marred by divisive protests and various manufactured minorities take to the streets to tell us how racist, sexist and generally nasty we all are, the Friendly Games will remind us of the enduring relevance of the monarchy, the power of sport to unite, and the fact that it is actually possible to take pride in our own culture, without feeling the need to apologise for it.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

The six cowards who dare call themselves police that attacked and tortured a disabled man should be immediately stood down on leave without pay until an independent tribunal devoid of police investigates their brutal actions.

It is hoped they will be dismissed. How can these so-called "protectors of the public" face their their wives and children over the dinner table each night? Their families must be so ashamed. Would they like their loved ones given this "special treatment"?

Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South, NSW

Steve Thomas thinks that wineries should be compensated for kangaroo damage (Letters, April 3).

However, kangaroos were here long before the wineries and it is about time we gave animals rights, rather than regarding them as pests every time we encroach on their land.

Felicity Chivas, Scullin

On Friday, March 23, we experienced a costly last-minute flight cancellation. Three minutes before scheduled boarding we were advised of the cancellation of the 1630 flight QF 1428 to Sydney.

The next available flight for us (three flights later as the next two flights were fully booked) was departing at 1715, almost three hours later, meaning that we would miss our birthday treat international flight to the Cook Islands.

Having allowed four hours between scheduled landing in Sydney and departure we were devastated. Lounge staff advised us that the only way to make the flight was to fly with Virgin, who they knew had seats available on the 1705 departure.

I was ready to catch a cab and go home but my wife persuaded me to go to the Virgin check-in. They were extremely accommodating and came with us to get our checked-in luggage and $1116 later for two economy seats to Sydney we were on our way.

We very much enjoyed our week on the Cook Islands but will remember it for the wrong reasons.

Bus or drive seems the way to go.

Dennis Chapman, Nicholls

It would seem that flights between Canberra and Sydney are in a death spiral. When travellers stop trusting flights to get them there on time they'll use alternative means of transport; as passenger numbers dwindle accordingly and flights are less than full, airlines will cancel more flights. As flight numbers decline our privatised monopoly airport, already the most expensive in Australia, will raise its fees and charges on the planes that do fly, making them more expensive and alternatives more attractive. Rinse, repeat. That's business.

Fred Pilcher, Kaleen

Red Hill Drive is too narrow and the nearby walking tracks are too steep and slippery.

The road needs widening to allow for tourist drivers unfamiliar with driving on the left, cyclists speeding down the hill and pedestrians. (C'Times April 5 p3) covers an inevitable accident where a cyclist going in excess of 40km/h down the hill and a woman walking up the hill collided. In a similar accident in Perth the woman was killed.

A safe road could be a gem for both tourists and locals with views all round of central Canberra. A walking track from the bridge at the bottom of the hill to the Lookout Cafe along the eastern face of the hill with maximum 7% grades would be spectacular.

John Skurr, Deakin

After teaching math for over 30 years I have taught a range of students including some who found it "challenging".

Even the least able were able to understand some simple arithmetic – if you charged someone $10 and they charged you $10 then nobody was better off and you were probably both annoyed. This works the same for larger numbers!

Why can't our world leaders understand this? A tariff war with matching increases will not help anyone in the long term. Get back to looking for positive approaches.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

The Australian cricket ball tampering story has captivated and consumed the nation for weeks and the momentum does not appear to be receding. So, it is reasonable to ask why the fate of highly paid cricketers and the sport they play is so important to so many.

The answer, I think, lies in the origins of sport; child's play. Virtually from the time we exit the change-room of our mother's womb on to life's playing field, we start having fun. We frolic and romp. As time goes by our recreation becomes more serious and many enter the realm of organised sport, then move to serious elite and even the professional arena.

So many of us are invested in sport at some level because of its origins in the play which shapes the formative stages of our lives. Therefore it is no surprise that we have watched the implosion of the Australian cricket team this week with such morbid fascination. There's a little bit of Steve Smith in all of us.

Mark Slater, Melba

Two letters on April 3 were related to why and how the present government's flawed housing policy might be changed. Derek Wrigley made a damning critique of the housing policy which I fully endorse. I have seen all the problems he so clearly identified in the development of Duffy and the new adjoining suburbs since the 2003 fires.

The present government seems to have lost any concept of Canberra being the Bush Capital in favour of developing it in the same way as any other canyoning metropolis.

Its motive seems to be to ensure that it raises as much money as it can.

An inevitable closeness has developed between the Government and the housing industry to both their advantages – but at a loss to the community as a whole.

Can the community change this if it wishes?

The next letter from Michael and Christine O'Loughlin is relevant to this by suggesting that "If you want change, vote for it".

Yes, the only way change can be achieved is through an election. But how likely is change to happen?

The electoral system we inherited seems to ensure that a small group with the balance of power is inevitable.

Generally this ensures that the views and ideology of a small percentage of the community become, to some extent, paramount above the good of the community as a whole.

The party faithful will still vote for the party to which they are committed, irrespective of their views on the present government.

Their excuse not to change seems to be that there is no viable alternative government.

The opposition seems not to be at all visible and seems not to have any impact on the long serving Greens/Labour government.

Mark Douglas, Duffy

The obvious way to resolve the Dickson Coles supermarket problems is for the Aldi component to go to the first floor. That works well in Cooleman Court, Weston. Then there would be space for a sunny public open space near the library, opportunities for the troubling loading docks and car park accesses to be better located (to the west), and for the (reduced but slightly taller) apartment section to be better solar-orientated, quieter, and more private.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

People do not employ au pairs out of any altruistic commitment to cultural exchange. They do so because they are cheap. The au pairs are at risk of intimidation and not subject to child-worker regulations. They are just another form of foreign, indentured labour.

Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

PLAY THE GAME

In the words of Henry Newbolt:

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night;

Ten to make and the match to win;

A bumping pitch and a blinding light;

An hour to play and the last man in.

And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat;

Or the selfish hope of a season's fame;

But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote:

"Play up! play up! and play the Game".

John F. Janke, Pearce

MEAGRE PUNISHMENT

I find incredulous the meagre punishment handed out by the ICC to the South African cricketer who thought it funny to disgracefully vilify Candice Warner over an event that had absolutely nothing to do with cricket. Perhaps in hindsight, David Warner should not have been restrained from decking Quinton de Kock outside the dressing rooms; he still would have been suspended but at least most Australians would have supported his actions.

Bob Tyghe, Black Head, NSW

REMORSE NOTED

Whilst I abhor the foolishness of the young Australia cricketers in the ball tampering incident, they have all shown remorse for their actions. How many of their accusers have cheated on their partners and cared diddly-squat about the ramifications of said actions which can last a lifetime.

Judith-Ann Sjostedt, Higgins

FRIENDLY REVERSE

The "ssh-ssh" reversing alarms on trucks are much more environmentally friendly and pleasant to listen to than the beepers.

Alice Pettirosso, Queanbeyan West, NSW