Without entering into the particular case of John Grant, the Prime Minister and the Treasurer (''Honesty the basic issue behind email distraction'', June 21, p20) perhaps it's time to remind everyone, including the Opposition that Members of Parliament sit in The House of Representatives elected by their constituents to ''represent'' them and therefore, no one should be surprised when they do what they are elected to do and make representations on behalf of particular constituents.
Nor should anyone who is a ''friend'' or ''supporter'' of an MP whether in government or not, be automatically denied the right to ask for such representation from his or her ''representative'', whether they be a car dealer or an executive of BHP.
Malcolm Turnbull demands to know if Kevin Rudd or Wayne Swan made ''any representations'' on behalf of Grant. What if they did? Isn't that part of their job as MPs?
What would be unacceptable, is evidence of any pressure placed upon ministers or public servants to provide assistance to a particular constituent, which he or she may not have been eligible to receive, if the ordinary procedures had been followed.
Representing a constituent should not be a reason for pillory and people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
John Howard's government bailed out the workers of his brother's failed company if that wasn't ''helping one's mates'' I don't know what is!
Grant might complain that his MP (the PM) has failed him he got no money at all!
C. Taylor, Kambah
So Malcolm Turnbull thinks it's a political sin to help mates sail smoothly through hindering bureaucratic waters.
How does he explain the favours extended to a Liberal Party donor, and John Howard mate, to have the transport bureaucrats approve the use of ethanol petrol?
Dick Honan of Manildra Group was a publicly declared donor to the Liberal Party, and Manildra is now a direct beneficiary from a forced change in government policy.
For 10 years, Honan badgered Howard and his ministers to convince advisers to the government that they should agree to the release of ethanol in petrol, despite the best advice that its ''green'' claims were dubious.
Manildra has done very well, and mechanics are making a fortune replacing rotting rubber fittings in fuel systems. Let's see the emails on that matter.
Bill Brown, Holt
Anzac future to fall?
A vast new building for ASIO, conveniently secretive in content, and no doubt austere in aspect, is set to dominate Parkes Way.
Yet the great monoliths of Anzac East and Anzac West stand empty. How embarrassing to the National Capital Authority planners; what is their destiny?
Will there be another ''creative accident'', as befel the Kingston Sawmill and Childers Street Theatre? Or even another ''planned'' disaster, as with Canberra Hospital?
Just don't linger as you drive by the Anzac roundabout.
Jack Palmer, Watson
James Massola's assertion (''NCA unable to halt new ASIO building'', June 18) does not fairly represent the discussion at the Joint Standing Committee and is not correct.
The proposed Commonwealth building on Constitution Avenue is located in a designated area defined within the National Capital Plan.
Works cannot commence on designated land without the prior approval of the National Capital Authority, and require the submission of detailed plans.
These must be consistent with the provisions of the plan.
The proposed building has been through a formal review and public consultation process, and is consistent with the plan.
Works approval has been given for site establishment, tree removal, initial site servicing and some excavation.
Had the building not been consistent with the plan, the NCA would have said so at the beginning and insisted on necessary changes.
The procedures that have been used with respect to this building are the same as those applied to any development application.
Professor Don Aitkin, acting chairman, National Capital Authority
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