ALP is hypocritical
Several years back I wrote regularly about the behaviour of the James Hardie company and the ALP and their associated lobbyists.
Hardie sought tax deductions to which it was not entitled, it sought tax-exempt status, it sought to move overseas, and then it underfunded the fund. The company had the ALP legislate to facilitate this and campaign against the Coalition by exploiting emotions.
Hardie unlike BHP and CSR has sought to evade its responsibilities to its asbestos victims and has been assisted at every turn by the Labor Party. That's why it is appalling to see Iemma, Rudd and their ilk ingratiate themselves with the victims the very people they have dudded at every turn. The party that pretends to be worker-friendly is certainly not and is appallingly cynical.
M. Gordon, Flynn
Is the law an ass?
As this is ACT Law Week, I find myself, not being a lawyer, musing as to why two tests of guilt have developed: in a civil case, the balance of probability and, in a criminal case, beyond reasonable doubt. The most notable example of this dichotomy is the O.J. Simpson case, where ''The Juice'' was found guilty of murder in a civil case but not guilty in a criminal case. To my mind that leads to an absurdity and a conclusion that the law is an ass. Shouldn't there be some debate as to whether these two tests should be aligned? It seems to me that with the range of scientific evidence now available for forensic purposes and to prevent continuing ''unsafe'' decisions being made, there should be only a single test in both criminal and civil matters: beyond any doubt whatsoever. And perhaps the phrase should not be that the defendant is guilty or not guilty, but that the case against the defendant is proved or not proved.
Graham Bridge, Nicholls
Critics are derided
Neil James's intemperate rage (Letters, May 11) at any criticism really belongs in Parliament rather than in an association seeking a calm and rational voice in public affairs.
But for the Defence Association to defame critics as ''extremist cranks'' is really schoolyard name-calling, though I guess I was lucky to narrowly escape a charge of treason. I cannot follow his bizarre logic that my alleged bias proved the association's lack of it, but in the topic of ''ranting'' I must concede to a superior exponent. James knows nothing of me, but feels free to reflect on my integrity and my right to speak on defence or civil rights matters. This is further proof that he has little understanding of the latter. As for my views being ''fact-free'', the evidence I rely on is in James's own articles.
David Roth, Kambah
Madhouse is open
Congratulations to the Museum of Australian Democracy, now officially open in Old Parliament House. Its founders were very brave, choosing a name that lent itself so obviously to the acronym MAD, but we should be happy that we can now refer to it affectionately and facetiously as ''The Madhouse'', without casting any aspersions, either upon it or upon the people who work there. We should, however, carefully avoid confusing it with the National Union of Troublemakers' ''Nuthouse'', located less than a kilometre to its south-west. The Canberra Times is aware of my real name, but on this occasion I feel a trifle shy at using it publicly, so I shall sign off instead as Luna Tick Parkes.
Ken Brewer, Evatt
Housing options
The suggestion in your editorial (Home buyers' plan needs a rethink'', May 8, p14) that Jon Stanhope, having apparently tripped up in his (laudable) attempt at a land rent scheme for housing affordability, should try increasing land supply, doesn't go far enough. That's because his monopolistic, Treasury-controlled, Land Development Agency would never budge on valuations. However, cheaper land could be offered to home owners who reduce government energy generation and distribution costs, and ameliorate climate change, by installing substantial photovoltaic arrays for distributive energy and self-sufficiency.
Further, instead of relying too much on (dodgy) emissions trading schemes, the Federal Government could insist on improved housing estate designs regarding energy and water.
As well, to repel the ''McMansion'' excesses of the current inflationary, environment-polluting housing ''industry'', an additional discount could be available for bona-fide owner-occupier purchasers only, in return for commissioning an attractive 8-star energy rated (not more expensive, and construction costs aren't the problem anyway) dwelling under, say, 170sqm, installing solar hot water, and undertaking not to quickly on-sell.
Jack Kershaw, Kambah
Hurtful times
I am not surprised that the woman who had group sex with several Cronulla players feels ''degraded'' and ''traumatised'' (''Group sex allegation haunts Johns'', May 8, p1). I feel very sorry for Matthew Johns and his wife and family for having to relive the charge to which he has had to respond. As regards the woman, what was she there for? Why didn't she leave? Who caused her degradation? I suppose it's okay to engage in group sex if you wish, but I don't think it's okay to turn around and blame the other participants in such a damaging way.
Barbara Lynch, Narrabundah
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