Pollies party on
MY TEENAGE child was reading the report of the ''parliamentary party'' on the front page (''Party time: $580,000 for official events'', September 10) and asked why we didn't receive an invitation since we were paying for it.
I had to explain that when these people have their snouts buried so deeply in the trough, there really isn't much room for anybody else. The bouncers at the doors of Parliament House would have turned us away.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
Call them to account
THE PROPOSED review of parliamentary allowances to reduce the opportunities for abuse is to be welcomed. Hopefully, it will result measures to increase the accountability of parliamentarians.
Twenty years ago I conducted a similar review. One of my main recommendations was that we should require our parliamentarians to report online exactly how they spend each of their various allowances.
This would not have been difficult then, with computerised systems, and it should be even simpler now.
I recommended that, as in the United States, the results should be tabled periodically in Parliament, thus enabling the public to see how their taxes are being spent by their representatives.
It will come as no surprise to learn that this recommendation was not accepted. Accountability structures are seldom popular! Maybe this time round the Government will be a bit braver.
Roger Holdich, Curtin
Shrine to democracy?
LOOKING south-west from the steps of the War Memorial, the eye travels down Anzac Parade, across the lake and on up to the centre of our democratic process and the symbol of our freedom, with the sweeping mountains behind.
Looking north-east from the entrance to Parliament House, one's gaze is drawn to the memorial to all the young men and women sent, in the name of that democracy and those freedoms, to suffer and die in places far away.
Soon, those inspiring visual testaments to what Australia professes to be about will have a new centrepiece, equally intrusive from either direction. What exquisite bad taste that that centrepiece should be the headquarters of the secret police.
Leon Webcke, Gordon
An ASIO mistake
WHEN THE National Capitol Development Commission began to operate in 1958, it was required to make public five-year rolling development plans for Canberra. The first of these covered the period 1959 to 1964. The plans were updated each year.
We all knew what was going on and what was in the planning and development pipeline.
Why is the National Capital Authority not required to do something similar? Such a process would have enabled all those concerned with our city to influence the siting and form of the ASIO headquarters building. Now we have to live with what must be the worst planning decision made in the history of our great national capital.
Alan Foskett, Campbell
No Middle East message
THE INTERNATIONAL community remembers the events of 9/11 with solemnity and marks its anniversary with special significance.
If we put half the energy into acknowledging the loss of innocent lives in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hands of United States and coalition forces, both before and after 9/11, then perhaps it might at least appear as if the West views Iraqi and Afghani people as equals.
From my armchair perspective the message is loud and clear: American life matters while Middle-Eastern deaths are collateral damage.
This is shocking and awful conduct by supposedly advanced democracies.
People from the Middle-East live in Western countries in significant numbers. What message are we sending them and their overseas compatriots?
Andrew Dib, Lyneham
What about men?
I SUPPORT the recent focus on stamping out violence against women. However, I'd like to see a similar move to stop violence against men by women.
Have you noticed that violence against men in TV programs, movies, advertisements is somehow condoned?
Men can be slapped over the face, punched and kicked, have drinks or food poured over them, have their genitalia insulted and told they are brainless males and the viewer response (from my observations) is laughter, or ''well, that's all he deserved''.
There's never a suggestion that it's violence and assault. There is quite a double standard on this issue and it should be addressed equally.
C. Thomas, Deakin
Keep Balibo case open
IT IS wrong of Hugh White to suggest that the Australian Federal Police investigation into the Balibo deaths be called off because it might jeopardise Australia's relationship with Indonesia?
Was the Simon Wiesenthal Centre closed down because it might have offended Germany? Will The Hague war crimes tribunal close because the crimes it is looking into were committed almost 20 years ago?
We never shut the book for civil murders, so why do it for war crimes?
The message should be this: if you commit a war crime, no matter where you are or who you are or how long ago it was, someone will pursue you and bring you to account.
Dallas Stow, O'Connor
Potty-mouthed pollie
TONY ABBOTT, ex-trainee priest and erstwhile aspirant to the leadership of a moribund Federal Opposition, gave us a ''shit'' pronouncement on the evening news last Thursday.
This must surely enhance his prospects with the nation's foulmouths, and places the elegance of expression from our national politicians at an all-time low.
Barrie Smillie, Duffy
Catch cancer early
IT WAS great to read that fathers need to ''check their prostate'' (''Father's Day duty: check your prostate'', September 6, p16) However, NSW Assistant Minister for Health Jodi McKay implies that men with prostate cancer will have symptoms when she states ''be aware of the symptoms''.
There are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. The presence of symptoms could indicate that the cancer is in an advanced stage which may make a successful treatment difficult.
The message for all men over 50 and, if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family, at age 40 is speak to a doctor about testing for prostate cancer.
Sheila Duke, Dickson
Take care in the bush
DAVID Curry's article on safety when bushwalking is timely (''Minister's rescue a timely warning as bushwalkers get a spring in their step'', September 6, p14) but doesn't go far enough. Anyone thinking about day or weekend bushwalking in our wonderful Namadgi National Park or beyond should seriously consider joining one of the excellent, long-established clubs in Canberra.
The National Parks Association of the ACT, the Family Bushwalkers and the Canberra Bushwalking Club all offer extensive walk programs with experienced leaders.
They welcome new members on a trail basis and offer training in navigation and bushcraft. The parks association and Canberra bushwalkers also organise work parties to help members protect the natural areas they love. See www.npaact.org.au for details.
Timothy Walsh, Garran