Mr O’Connor’s reference to Norfolk Island being ‘‘a five-square-kilometre or so plot of vacant land’’ clearly indicates he has not been a visitor to the island, which is by no means ‘‘vacant land’’.

Historically, Norfolk Island’s lush lands supplied Port Jackson with abundant food during the early years of settlement when starvation was an ever-present threat.

Our farmlands supply a wide range of produce to support our community.

Referring to our community as ‘‘around 2000 unruly citizens ... many of [whom] are descendants of mutineers and are probably difficult to control’’ further indicates Mr O’Connor’s lack of understanding.

At the last Australian census (the first to include Norfolk Island) we had 1748 residents, with 20 per cent identifying as being Pitcairn descendants and 22 per cent identifying Norfolk Island as their ‘‘country of birth’’.

Whilst some members of the Bounty Mutiny families dispute these data, nonetheless the demography of the community has substantially changed.

Some 23 per cent of the community are educated to Advanced Diploma level or above, being only slightly below the Australian average of 30.9 per cent.

Given that the community has no local access to TAFE or universities educational advancement depends on leaving the island.

With education comes robust debate including that round the ‘‘hot’’ political issues of current times.

Unruliness is far less prevalent in this community than in many communities around Australia, as any investigation of local crime statistics would show.

One of the most common observations of our visitors is the lack of graffiti and litter in our public spaces, the pervasive sense of safety, and levels of trust so high many people leave the keys in their cars and doors of their homes unlocked.

We all express our opinions in our own ways, some vociferously and some by taking quiet action behind the hedges.

However, our opinions are shared, the common denominator is passionate commitment to preserving the lifestyle we share and which give our homeland – whether by birth or by choice – its identity.

All Norfolk Islanders, regardless of their heritage, are immensely proud of this place we call home and want only the best for our people and the environment.

Our right to engage in constructive dialogue about actions designed to impact our future is enshrined within the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Submitting to ‘‘being controlled’’ is not something I believe any 21st century populace would passively accept without objection.

If the ACT government is, as is suggested, struggling with its own internal challenges, by all means don’t enter into the vision-building partnership needed to ensure the long-term prosperity of Norfolk Island.

But rather than denigrate, a gracious ‘‘thanks but no thanks’’ is all that is needed.

Dr Kate Lemerle, Norfolk Island

In recent weeks the Chief Minister Andrew Barr, leader of the Greens Shane Rattenbury and, as far as I am aware, every other member of the Labor / Greens ACT government has rightly and appropriately condemned the Commonwealth for denying the people of Canberra the basic democratic right to determine for themselves whether euthanasia should be available to the residents of the ACT.

Surely then no member of the ACT government could contemplate agreeing to conspire with the Commonwealth to deny the residents of Norfolk Island any say or any role in any law or any aspect of the governance or administration of their community.

If the ACT government does decide to accept the 30 pieces of silver being offered it by the Commonwealth to act as colonial overlord on Norfolk Island it will, in addition to exposing the rank hypocrisy of its claimed defence of the democratic rights of Territory residents, effectively legitimise all of the arguments mounted in defence of the Andrews Bill.

Jon Stanhope, Bruce

I doubt the ACT government would have either the infrastructure or the desire to ‘‘provide services’’ to Norfolk Island.

What this does confirm is that the Commonwealth stood over NSW to take on the administrative and legal tasks when it stampeded into abolishing self-government on Norfolk Island.

The Commonwealth bureaucracy still wants to keep full power and to pull all the policy strings on Norfolk but doesn’t have the expertise to directly run schools, hospitals or almost any other public services.

NSW seems to have given the Commonwealth an ultimatum that it has had enough and will pull out by the end of 2020.

Queensland and Victoria are most unlikely to step in and Tasmania, SA and WA would be out of the question, so perhaps the easiest answer would be to return the powers and administrative tasks to an elected Norfolk Island government?

As royal commissions are suddenly the flavour of the month, Norfolk might be best served by such an inquiry into the botched abolition of self-government with recommendations on how to pick up the pieces.

Brett Sanderson, Norfolk Island

Something wrong in US

Donald Trump mocked Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony regarding her allegation of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.

That’s not surprising. Trump himself has a history as an alleged serial sexual offender.

Look at all his supporters clapping and cheering while Trump is doing the mocking. That tells us what’s rotten in that great country.

Rajend Naidu, Glenfield, NSW

We understand why G. Wilson (October 3) has submitted 69 letters to the editor containing the word ‘‘totalitarianism’’.

You are not alone.

The author T.H. White captures this spirit of docile and compliant subservience within the dictates of local government with one simple and elegant bylaw: ‘‘Everything not forbidden is compulsory.’’

R. Elliott, Sandringham, Vic

The AFL is proposing a red card system for the worst offences such as knocking out a player in an illegal, intentional act but surely that is not the right approach.
A coward hit should involve the blue card – arrest by police officers.
It doesn’t matter which side of the fence it happens on, it’s still assault.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

The Medical Association for the Prevention of War has sought permission from the National Capital Authority to hold a silent vigil on Anzac Parade on November 11.

Astoundingly, the NCA has refused permission.

Why? Is this the democracy 60,000 Diggers died for? How can our pluralist, democratic Australia not tolerate a small, dignified, silent vigil, reminding us of the continuing need for peace in the world?

The NCA should be shamed out of its totalitarian attitude to the Great War centenary.

Prof. Peter Stanley, Dickson

Re: ‘‘Plans for 212 units on Coombs block’’ (October 3, p.8).

The article is about a proposal to build a block of 212 apartments on a block in Coombs currently zoned for 44 units.

The article includes comment from Nicholas Skepev, the managing director of Zapari, the company behind the proposal.

A Zapari spokeswoman admits the development application contains a number of errors of fact: the height of the building; the number of floors in the building; the number of buildings proposed and the number of dwellings currently permitted on the site.

On the last point, where the application claims up to 97 units are currently permitted, the company said this was a typographical error. They blame the typist.

When an applicant submits a Development Application they are required to declare that ‘‘all the information on this form and its attachments is true and complete.’’

Zapari has failed to comply with this declaration.

They should be required to withdraw this application and start again.

John Hutchison, Coombs

The Zapari development in Coombs is deeply disturbing.

The developer appears to consider that conditions placed on development regarding density, solar access, and trees are part of some sort of ambit claim that can be negotiated away.

The proposed development would be more than twice as dense as mandated under the lease.

It will not allow required solar access to many of its units. Instead of deep-rooted trees it will have some greenery on its podium and roof.

It would be nice to see a Canberra developer strive for best practice and regard development conditions as something they should always meet and often exceed. Too often they appear to put much of their efforts into maximising profits by seeking exemption from the rules.

Mike Reddy, Curtin

The ACT government appears to have resorted to trickery and preying on the vulnerable to rake in revenue quicker.

The rates notice first page is full of useless information such 8per cent of my rates go on ‘‘keep our growing city moving’’.

‘‘Transport’’ would be a more precise description.

At the top of the first page, in an information box in bold print, is written ‘‘Please Pay Now $xxx’’.

It could easily be assumed the full annual amount is due and payable on receipt of the bill.

In very small print underneath it gives the deadline due date which is several weeks later, not ‘‘now’’.

Also advised, in another information box, under the heading ‘‘What you need to know’’, is that late payments will attract interest 9.96 per cent.

Nowhere on the front page does it advise that rates can be still paid quarterly in instalments.

On the reverse side, in small print again, we are advised ‘‘if you are unable to pay your rates in full ... we offer options to pay weekly, fortnightly’’ etc by direct debit.

We are advised, again in small print, payments by quarterly instalments can be made using the above options.

With the notice comes a leaflet which explains land tax liability. It says ‘‘ ... land tax applies to all residential land except your principle place of residence’’.

That is incorrect. Land tax is not payable if a residence is occupied by someone other than the owner, but not rented.

The exemption should be advised in the leaflet.

Gina Pinkas, Aranda

This is not a criticism of the light rail, merely an observation.

Is it just me/my car that experiences electrical interference when driving on Northbourne Avenue alongside the recently electrified power infrastructure servicing the Light Rail. Has anyone else experienced this?

It only happens on the AM band, as I am a daily ABC 666 listener on my otherwise mundane drive to work.

I hope I’m not forced to switch to the FM band to avoid this imposing static/electrical interference impacting my radio. There is ABC JJJ I ’spose ...

Roger Gottlob, Kaleen

Well may the federal government now call for an investigation of the financial industry’s murky ‘‘foreign transaction’’ fees, for they are charged even when there is nothing at all foreign about them.

My Commonwealth VISA statement has the temerity to display a fee for an eBay overseas purchase paid in AUD via PayPal. So you are fleeced by the latter — whose whole rationale is to make forex in-house and foreign payments payable locally in local currency — only to be also stung for no reason at all by the Commonwealth VISA.

This is the equivalent of the fees for no service, and charging deceased people, that have just sensationally been revealed by the royal commission.

The enquiry may indeed require an extension.

Alex Mattea, Kingston

Ian Jannaway (Letters, October 3) is bemused about coverage of the next US Supreme Court judge. This appointment is critical, as it could cause overturn of the historic Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973, where the Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute banning abortion.

It is also significant because of the emerging resolve of women to no longer endure themselves to be overpowered by sexual abuse by prominent males, from Weinstein onwards.

Jack Palmer, Watson

LOYAL TO THE ABC

Kevin Rudd’s plea for a royal commission into the media resounded with the Murdoch empire’s ability to instil fear into politicians. It prepared me for Paul Kelly’s recent every-which-way article in the Australian on the ABC. One of Mr Kelly’s concerns is the power of the ABC. The power of the ABC comes from its service to the Australian public, honest and intelligent service, winning our respect and loyalty.

Rosemarie Willett, Canberra

IT’S ALL ABOUT KEVIN

I was touched by K. Rudd’s evocative and moving call for a royal commission into the media. The lad certainly hasn’t lost his ability to make an issue all about him. That said, it doesn’t mean he isn’t right. But he hasn’t been the only victim of the Murdoch press.

M. Moore, Bonython

CANBERRA’S LEGACY

I was in Sydney recently and enjoyed looking at the older buildings.

I then looked at the recent building spree in Canberra, and have to lament that none of the buildings currently under construction, are likely to still be around in 40 or 50 years. We will then be resuming the merry go round of demolition and construction.

Poor construction techniques along with poor planning and forethought will be the legacy of all Canberrans for the foreseeable future.

I. Jannaway, Monash

STICKY SITUATION

Strewth! First fake news, now fake honey.

T. Puckett, Ashgrove, Qld

IN AGREEMENT

As a long-standing member of the Liberal Party I must congratulation Errol Good on his letter ‘‘Who wins from light rail’’ (Letters, October 3). Errol, you have written like a champion and I agree with every word of it, right down to the last sentence.

We must stop Stage 2 crossing the lake. Imagine the traffic congestion there will be on Commonwealth Avenue if it goes ahead. And it will be an accident waiting to happen.

Anne Prendergast, Reid

REPUBLIC COMMISSIONS?

What will we call royal commissions – these days as common as bugs on a bumper – when we’re a republic?

Matt Ford, Crookwell, NSW

HOW’S THE WEATHER?

Regarding recent reports of the driest September on record. My own observations in Wanniassa, show the following figures.

This year so far, September is the fifth driest month. March – 2.1 mm, July – 5.4, May – 11.7, April – 15.6, and Sept – 16.5mm. By contrast, September 2017 had only 7.5mm, but Sept 2016 had 145.8 mm.

Weather facts make interesting reading.

Wal Pywell, Wanniassa.