Government ministers are given access to the most highly classified secrets without having to undergo a security clearance because to do otherwise would potentially thwart the wishes of the voters who put them into office.
This is known and accepted by the public servants (and their families) who have to suffer burdensome and intrusive investigations every few years just to keep their jobs, even if it has irked them ever since Britain's Profumo affair.
Thus, if Defence investigated its minister as reported today (''How Defence officials spied on Fitzgibbon'', March 26, p1), the act is unconscionable and verging on the unconstitutional.
At the same time, had security officials thought one of the minister's associates might have inappropriate relations with a foreign power, they would have a right and duty to determine the truth, as they would in respect of any other potential spy.
If security's suspicions proved justified, the fact could then be reported to the minister and the Prime Minister privately for them to take appropriate action. Defence security would know this and should have taken this course.
John Rogers, Cook
The revelation that the Minister of Defence has been the subject of a ''covert'' investigation is alarming as is the deliberate action to leak the alleged findings to the media of this rogue activity.
This is a more direct threat to the quality of democracy than anything our Defence Force involved in at this time.
And all it seemed to take was a home-grown team of irresponsible idiots. The ''lone gunman'' theory on this one is just not credible.
The Howard years saw extensive politicisation of the public service and scant disregard for traditional values in service of the people of Australia.
It is likely that the SAS pay scandal was the trigger for this disgraceful, anti-democratic activity.
When the minister addressed Parliament on the matter, he seemed at a complete loss to explain himself and was said not to be on top of his portfolio.
This judgment was grossly incorrect. The minister was clearly horrified by the situation and pointed to the numerous conflicting and contradictory advices he had received from his department and probably elements of his senior military leadership.
It was an outrage.
The only investigation that should have taken place and had the light of public scrutiny put upon it was how the services and department had managed to get themselves into an administrative mess and, as a consequence, sorely abused our soldiers on active service.
The situation has escalated beyond reason and all acceptable limits of good conduct.
Those responsible for this rogue investigation and media leaks on it must be suspended forthwith and themselves subjected to departmental and criminal investigation where necessary. They are a threat to our nation's security. In these circumstances the buck stops with the departmental secretary and the Chief of Defence Force.
Peter Funnell, Farrer
GPs not consulted
Another suburban medical practice clinic, Kippax Family Practice, has been closed.
This follows the closure, then relocation last year to Phillip, of the Wanniassa Medical Centre.
Both facilities are owned by Primary Health Care (PHC).
In the article ''Shock clinic closure angers patients'' (March 19, p2) it is stated that based on current Gvernment funding the Kippax doctor's practice is unviable.
Only last August several hundred persons, mainly residents of the Tuggeranong Valley, and I protested against the closure of that viable practice.
Wanniassa Medical Centre was a new purpose-built medical centre operating very successfully, with seven practising doctors, a sports physiotherapist and pathology service all in the one building. It now stands idle
PHC's lease expires in 2012. With only a fortnight's notice the medical practice was removed to the Phillip Medical Clinic. PHC's decision to relocate was obviously determined by commercial considerations rather than patients' needs.
I believe the doctors had no choice in this move. The remaining doctors relocated from Wanniassa to Phillip are accommodated and operate efficiently, but many patients had to leave their GPs and seek medical attention elsewhere.
The waiting room on the ground floor of Phillip Clinic has been likened to a sheep holding pen. Patients often have to wait for hours in cramped conditions to receive attention.
Many people seeking urgent medical attention, particularly the frail and elderly, are physically incapable of sitting in a waiting room for long periods.
What is the solution to health servicing problems in the ACT? The federal Health Minister has promised to establish 31 super-clinics around Australia. With the dire shortage of GPs in Canberra, it is difficult to accept the super-clinics as being the magic bullet.
N. Woodward, Kambah
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